By Lucy Komisar
If you plan only one thing for your visit to Key West, it should be a sunset cruise. It is the iconic experience going into the Atlantic Ocean in the late afternoon in time to catch the 6pm sunset.
Several companies, your choice is hull sailboat or catamaran. This is a catamaran. Steady, food and drinks are served buffet-style in the cabin, and you can comfortably walk around on deck.
But then the sun goes down. Looks like this on shore. And here from the boat.
Back to land, the best way to get a feel for all of Key West is a Conch Tour Train. The guide is knowledgeable. It’s outside (no cramped bus), and it easily navigates even narrow streets.
My favorite visit every year is to the Key West Art and History Museum in the old Custom House near the waterfront.
This time an exhibit was about Key West as a shipping center. And they ate what they caught — even “turtleburgers”!
Don’t forget these iconic places. The Hemingway House where in the 1930s the novelist did a lot of his writing.
And the Truman Little White House where the president came in winter.
If you go
Sebago cruises and watersports, 205 Elizabeth St., east of Mallory Square. (305) 294-5687.
Conch Tour Train Tour begins at the 303 Front Street Depot and ends behind it in Mallory Square. 75-minute trip makes a loop through Old Town. Boards every 30 min 9am-4:30pm.
Key West Art & History Museum 281 Front St., (305) 295-6616. Hours daily 10am–5pm.
Hemingway House 907 Whitehead St. Hours daily 9am-5pm.
Truman Little White House 111 Front St., (305) 509-6139. Hours daily 9:30am to 4:30pm.