Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum
Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum
Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Operated by the Key West Art & Historical Society, the Keys oldest cultural non-profit. The mission of the Key West Art & Historical Society is to preserve the culture of the Florida Keys through exhibiting and displaying regional art, architecture and history for the purpose of educating the community and visiting public.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum
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320 within 3 miles
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151 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- SpousaltravelsFlorida71 contributionsThe View!It's worth the climb! See Key West from above. Check out the Light keepers quarters. Amazing to see how a lighthouse protects and helps to navigate boats and ships in the open waters.Visited December 2022Written December 30, 2022
- AnayDeltona, Florida2 contributionsSome history during vacations.Is a very nice experience that the kids loved. Is something that wont take a whole lot of time. I think we maybe spent 1 -1/2 hrs in there. The little museum contained all the history involving the current and previous lighthouse in Key West, the store is also nice and we bought a couple of souvenirs in there.Visited December 2022Traveled with familyWritten January 9, 2023
- Winnipeg1991485 contributionsBest Way to Get High in Key WestThe star of this site is the lighthouse. Climb up to the top and get the best view of Key West. Next to the tower is a small quaint museum and the former keeper's house, explaining the keeper's life. It's all worth the admission cost. Takes about 30 minutes.Visited February 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten February 11, 2023
- DukeHove, United Kingdom53 contributionsFor the best views of all Key WestFirstly, I have never been up a lighthouse before. The stairs were typical but daunting, and at the top, I was holding in to the railing. I hate heights. The views are amazing. 360o views of all Key West and the sea surrounding. Stunning, especially on such a clear sunny day. Back on the ground and their are gardens with exotic trees and plants, then over to the Keepers Quarters Museum (which was once the keepers home). I was more than impressed here as I was expecting less inside. The rooms laid out with plenty of history of the various keepers and the history of the lighthouse. Great video footage was shown along with varying artefacts and models. It was a lovely experience and I am glad we went. You exited through a gift shop which had some nice things and some very informative staff. I highly recommend it.Visited November 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten February 12, 2023
- TravelcraztSalt Lake City, Utah56 contributionsAmazing View From The TopThe Key West Lighthouse has an awesome view from the top. There are many steps in a spiral staircase to get to the top, but everyone was going at a relaxed rate, so it was not too hard. The view from the observation deck is amazing. The Keeper's Quarter's was neat and featured some of the lenses from the light. This was a fun experience.Visited February 2023Written March 3, 2023
- KW ConchKearney, Missouri65 contributionsCan’t beat the view.A nicely key spot that allows some time away from the busier areas. Here is someone there that will give a quick education of the lighthouse and some facts on Key West. It’s a well spent hour or so. Be ready to climb some small stairs. The view is worth it though. It’s nice that they don’t let too many people up at a time.Visited March 2023Written March 5, 2023
- mayniacmoWaterloo, Canada155 contributionsGreat Views!We went to the top of the lighthouse where you have some fantastic views! The stairs up isn’t too tough and there are a couple of resting stops along the way. The house has a lot of information also. I’d recommend coming earlier before it gets too busy as the stairs are narrow!Visited April 2023Written June 7, 2023
- Lisa FWoodstock, Georgia5 contributionsBeautiful views and a look into the lives of the historic light keepers.Great piece of history and amazing views from the top of the lighthouse! Historic Keeper's Quarters offers a look into the lives of the light keepers and their families. The iron stairs could be a challenge, I think there were 88 steps and they are narrow and spiral. But the views are well worth the climb!Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 23, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,113 reviews
Excellent
972
Very good
831
Average
277
Poor
25
Terrible
8
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia17,664 contributions
Jan 2020
The Key West lighthouse is just across the Hemingway's house, so after touring it we decided to climb it.
I like viewpoints very much, and in every city I visit I climb one. This was also the case here, although I was in doubt what I'll see. Paid the rather expensive admission fee (12$ if I remember correctly) and was greatly disappointed the very moment I climbed.
Yes, you see the whole island, but there's nothing to see but trees and rooftops. I usually stay on such places 30+ min, here I was 2 min.
Just take a pic of the nice whitewashed lighthouse from the street level, and save your time and money skipping the climb.
I like viewpoints very much, and in every city I visit I climb one. This was also the case here, although I was in doubt what I'll see. Paid the rather expensive admission fee (12$ if I remember correctly) and was greatly disappointed the very moment I climbed.
Yes, you see the whole island, but there's nothing to see but trees and rooftops. I usually stay on such places 30+ min, here I was 2 min.
Just take a pic of the nice whitewashed lighthouse from the street level, and save your time and money skipping the climb.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Kings
38 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
The lighthouse itself was really neat to learn about the history and had an amazing panoramic view of Key West but I don't think it was fairly priced for the experience. It was $16 per person and it does not take much time to climb up the 88 steps and go through the museum. (Approx 15-30 minutes if you're slow)
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George S
Miami Beach, FL1,104 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
This was perhaps the best and most interesting site on KW for me. Right in the center of town on Whitehead St (opposite the Hemingway House). It is a moderate climb of 88 steps to the top but well worth it. You get a beautiful 360 degree panoramic view of the island and there are annotations on the rails pointing out the important sites. A great photo op. There was also a guide /historian on top who answered questions about the tower and the town. I forgot his name but he was excellent and a treasure trove of knowledge. I learned more about KW from him than from any guidebooks. There is also an interesting little museum on the bottom, a gift shop and a parking lot which could be accessed from Truman Street. The entrance fee is steep ($17), seniors/students ($12) but IMO worth it. This site is a must see!
Written December 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
coldmtn
dacula, ga323 contributions
Feb 2020
A guide greeted us as we walked onto the grounds of the lighthouse and keepers’ house (now a museum). She was very knowledgeable of the history of the area and of the families who had lived in the keepers’ house. We learned from the guide and from exploring the home/museum about the lives of the keepers through the years. Several keepers were women, which was rare in those days. The museum houses old photographs, belongings, and writings of those who lived there. You can walk up the 88 steps to the top of the lighthouse and have a 360 degree view of the town. Markers identify building that can be seen from various points around the walkway at the top of the lighthouse. In addition to visiting the keepers’ house and lighthouse, take a few minutes to walk around the grounds and see the amazing “false banyan” trees. Plan to spend 1-2 hours here.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex Giffin
Winchester, VA7 contributions
Jan 2020
Not only did they have a great gift shop and museum but the lighthouse had amazing views of the Florida Keys, the town of Key West and the cruise ship. This definitely is a must due when visiting Key West. Students get in for 5 dollars which is an added bonus!
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter K
Indianapolis, IN71 contributions
Feb 2022
The Key West Lighthouse experience provided an amazing capstone to our time on the island. With the grounds, small but private, to ourselves, the time my wife and I enjoyed with the tasty charcuterie board and champaign couldn't have provided a better ending to our stay. The 88 steps top the top of the lighthouse weren't so tough, and the views, both in general and of the sunset, were fantastic. Unless you prefer loud crowds and a risk of not getting a great angle for the sunset at Mallory Square, I'd suggest the 80-foot lighthouse is better for its private staging as the sun disappears over the horizon of the Gulf of Mexico. We took the time to tour the Keeper's Quarters Museum afterwards, as we enjoy such history, and we biked from there to Kermit's for our last sampling of Keylime pie before heading home the following afternoon. All in all a wonderful, memorable experience we highly recommend..
Written February 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stanley L
21 contributions
Feb 2020
This lighthouse is in the heart of the old section of Key West and literally a fenced in site of about one half of a block. It is located across the street from the historic Hemingway House which is also worth seeing also. My wife loved that tour seeing as she is an author herself. The lighthouse is worth seeing from a historic standpoint but very tough to get anything other than an up close photo of the light tower because of the tight city setting conditions.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
Sarasota52 contributions
Jan 2020
We love to tour light houses, and this was certainly a unique one. The stairs are rather narrow, so it gets very tight if someone is coming from the other direction. Keepers house was also very interesting. Definitely worth a stop.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne W
Houston, TX20 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
We did the sunset private tour and it was amazing. Our family of four had the place to ourselves. We could take our time in the museum and got to watch the sunset from the top of the lighthouse. We had a cheese board and bottle of wine on the patio of the keepers quarters. So unique and very VIP!!! I highly recommend this for great views of the entire area as well as a gorgeous sunset over the ocean. We could see the Gulf, the Atlantic and a 360 view of Key West. Great views of the Hemingway House too. This would be a great spot for a proposal/engagement. Only ONE group is booked each evening. We thought it was a good value for the cost too. I would give it 10 stars if I could! Thank you, Chaz; you made this a memorable evening on our family vacation!
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noelle F
Jacksonville, FL9 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Great view from the top of the lighthouse. You can see the whole island and information at the top shows what you are seeing. Admission includes visiting the light keeper’s house with historical artifacts. Nice attached gift shop also. A little pricey for admission.
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine H
1 contribution
Is there a closed toe shoe requirement?
c-wiggi
Tuscaloosa, AL67 contributions
Not that I recall.
how is parking at lighthouse
arod124
Galveston, TX123 contributions
If you drive, there is parking. We parked around the block. Just make sure you don't park in a designated residential only space. You will be ticketed. A very nice local lady gave us a heads up on the residential parking spaces. After leaving, we saw a small parking lot with not a lot of cars in it.
Threeladybug
Raleigh, NC118 contributions
Anyone know how she faired during Irma?
Leila K
Boynton Beach, FL80 contributions
I do not know but I know much of Duvall ST. survived the storm
Leila K
Boynton Beach, FL80 contributions
Is there a charge for the Lighthouse; if so how much? Thank you
Pamela M
Oakland, California53 contributions
Hi Yes there is a fee for the lighthouse. It costs $10. to go in the lighthouse & museum. There are 80-90 steps to the top, where you can go outside and walk around the top of the lighthouse. It is a narrow stairway with people going up & down. The lighthouse is located on Whitehead street across from the Hemingway House.
louisebap
Enola, PA
Im 84 and would need to stop and rest both ways,but I would like to experience it,opinions
Curiosity551354
31 contributions
Unlike some of the other light houses this one does not have landings to rest on.
I have a bad back and weak legs, and asthma, it was a struggle for me but i made it and it was well worth the struggle.
BigMelch18
Hampton, GA35 contributions
Is it tough to climb up to the top? Members in our group struggle with climbs that are too steep.
StevefromExeter
Exeter, NH50 contributions
The stairs are very very narrow, it can be a little frightening passing someone going the opposite direction. There's really no where to stop to rest. But I wouldn't necessarily say it's really steep.
David H
PONTE VEDRA BEACH221 contributions
where is it
MarshaStep
Ellicott City, MD18 contributions
The lighthouse is located at 938 Whitehead Street and is very near the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.
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Claim your listingKey West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum
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- (0.03 mi) MONTHLY RENTAL, block to Duval, POOL, your own personal resort, 3 BR, 3 BA
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Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 971 |
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