This is a great shipwreck museum in downtown Key West. If you want to know more about local history, this is a must while visiting the keys.
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If you are expecting a big city museum, you will be disappointed, but I thought this museum was very good. I have lived in Florida all my life and I learned a lot about the early days of Key West. The view from the tower was also very good. The price was minimal. After paying to enter, I waited about 5 minutes for the next group to enter. A few members of the staff played out a scene from years past and then guided us inside. A brief discussion inside was conducted well, and then the group was turned loose to explore the museum.
This is your textbook tourist trap. I kept asking myself "Why am I here?" My 3 year old niece was afraid and started to cry as soon as the doors closed. My friend purchased this as a package deal with the Key West Aquarium. It really wasn't worth it, even if it had been "Free" -
I was sorry to read your review of the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. Given the nature of the museum and the fact that many of the exhibits contain text that needs to be read, it is not an attraction that a three year old child would like. However, it seems you did not climb the lookout tower which offers a spectacular view of the island that all ages would enjoy.
The lucrative business of salvaging shipwrecks in Key West during the mid-1800s holds a place in history just like The Flager Railroad and The Hemingway House. For nearly 75 years, one ship ran aground here in Key West per week so there was wealth for the taking. The Key West Shipwreck Museum is educational and enjoyable and should not be missed. It is also well-placed in Old Town and affordable.
While this museum is full of facts, photos, artifacts, and films plus an employee portraying Asa Tift and enjoying his job very much (The live show is a little "cheesy", but it is an earnest effort) – the real advantage in going here is the 65 foot tower you can climb. It is included in your admission and the Key West Lighthouse is only 21 feet taller. This tower is a good spot to view Sunset Key, Mallory Square, Duval Street and the cruise ships in Key West.
We also enjoyed going into the basement of the museum to watch part of the 1942 Oscar Winning Reap The Wild Wind Movie Clip with an all-star cast including John Wayne, Ray Milland, Paulette Goddard, Robert Preston, Susan Hayward and Hedda Hopper! Any basement in Key West is rare and this entire museum is a cool, refreshing place to escape the sun and heat if you don’t count the stairs up to the tower!
The museum was interesting and we enjoyed after the introduction by the guide that the rest was self guided. The kids enjoyed looking at the different items. The best part we thought was going to the top of the lookout tower. The view is amazing and breath taking.
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