We just returned from Key West and decided to take our 2 teenagers and go to the Hemmingway Museum. It was pouring rain when we got there, and we ran from our car, through the gate of the home, and unknowingly went past the ticket booth and up on to the porch to get out of the rain. A guide promptly strode up to us and said "you need to get tickets - you are on the property". My husband explained that we were just trying to get out of the rain and he was really rude and said we need to get tickets NOW. Our kids were really embarrassed and it pretty much ruined the tone of the expericence - like we were going to try to sneak through the gate without paying! By the way, the post that says this tour is free in incorrect. It's actually quite expensive - I don't remember how much exactly, but the guide will make sure you pay!

Overall, we were disappointed with the house. The cats were great and it was almost worth the money just to see them, but we wanted our kids to learn more about Hemmingway, but they really didn't because there was nothing to read in the entire house about his life and what he did in Key west. There were only a few captions next to photographs and that's it. There is only the house, pictures, and bookcases to look at and no information about them. I would recommend the guided tour - I guess they want the extra money in order for you to learn anthing about Hemminway while you are there.

It was interesting and a great part of Key West history, but overall, we would choose one of the other museums to go to.

This was our first time to the keys and I thought this sounded too touristy. Was I wrong! We will go back here on our 2nd trip, also. Maybe not take the guided tour -- so I can spend more time in the gardens and with the cats. The tour was very informative and enjoyable.

If you are on the trolly tour, plan on spending 1.5 to 2 hours at this stop. That will give you time to explore the grounds, see the cats and absorb all that Hemingway was during the time he lived here. Parts of this attraction will cause problems for the physically handicapped, but overall it's worth going to see.

My husband and I almost did not visit the Hemingway House. We thought it would be too touristy, but we enjoyed it very much. The guide was funny and obviously knew a lot about his subject. The tour did not take too long and was never boring. My husband and I are both allergic to cats, but, even though the cats have the run of the house and yard, the windows were open, and we were OK. This visit gave us a taste of the history of Key West. I also recommend the Audubon house and the Truman White House. We are not house walk people, but it was interesting to get a sense of life in Key West during different periods of time.