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 5 kms
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151 within 10 kms
See what travellers 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 30 December 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 2022Travelled with familyWritten 9 January 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 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 February 2023
- DukeHove, United Kingdom51 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 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 February 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 3 March 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 5 March 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 7 June 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 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 September 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
William T
3 contributions
The locations provided great information about the history of the area. The Tennessee Williams staff went above and beyond to share the history of the area! It was nice to see the works of local artists and visiting displays. The Robert will give you chills!
Written 12 October 2023
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.
Monkey M
Miami, FL6 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Best chill spot on the island. Great view you have a 360 degree view of the whole island. Simply Amazing. Staff is also super nice. HIGHLY RECOMMEND...
Written 30 September 2023
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.
Lisa F
Woodstock, GA5 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
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!
Written 23 September 2023
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.
Kath F
Central Florida, FL2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Very informative! Great self-guided tour. The lighthouse was amazing with great information & views. The lighthouse family quarters were also filled with interesting displays & facts. I would do it again just to see what I missed
Written 8 September 2023
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.
Charles D.
Prescott, AZ68 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
A truly interesting museum and exhibits. A climb to the top of the lighthouse is a must, the views are incredible. The lenses on display are works of art.
Written 17 August 2023
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.
sofloyogi
Palm City, FL6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Last admission says 430, we made it a few minutes before and it was already closed. They don't answer calls waste of your time
Written 3 August 2023
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.
Eyekaytoo
Leverkusen, Germany2,996 contributions
May 2023
Late one afternoon recently we were walking down Whitehead street on our way to see the so-called southernmost point of continental USA when we stumbled on this lighthouse. Unfortunately it was already closed up for the day so a visit wasn't possible. But I did a little bit of research to learn that it was decommissioned in 1969 & taken over more recently by the local historical society. Apparently it has been damaged by hurricanes on a number of times since 1825. I was intrigued that it its position is some way back from the sea. Indeed as it became more obscured by taller trees and other buildings it was raised to leave it about 30m above sea level.
I would have loved to climb up the stairs in the interior to get a view up there of the town but that wasn't to be. Oh well...
I would have loved to climb up the stairs in the interior to get a view up there of the town but that wasn't to be. Oh well...
Written 9 June 2023
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.
mayniacmo
Waterloo, Canada155 contributions
Apr 2023
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!
Written 7 June 2023
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.
YotaPower
Guilford, ME813 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
The grounds and lighthouse are amazing. The climb was strenuous, but the views and the breeze were worth the effort. The staff was very knowledgeable and fun to talk with. And the view.....
Written 29 May 2023
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.
Alexis B
The Colony, TX7 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
The view was really pretty. The amount of stairs there were and how narrow they were I was not expecting but after you get past almost dying (if you’re out of shape) . Then you’ll enjoy it a lot! The first shop was cute as well. Also learning about how the light comes through the big glass was cool.
Written 29 May 2023
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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Frequently Asked Questions about Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum
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