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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- mayniacmoWaterloo, Canada158 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
- J & DCalifornia, Maryland182 contributionsWell maintained museum with a great view from the top.Well maintained museum with a great view from the top. If unable to climb the 88 steps to the top suggest reconsidering the paying the admission cost. While I suspect the museum is completely self funded (no government assistance) the admission cost is high considering the small size of the museum. But I guess this is needed to maintain all of the buildings.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 January 2024
- JjanenLake Wales, Florida278 contributionsA great view.This was a wonderful attraction. You got in your exercise, a history lesson and a great view all in one visit. I climbed up the 88 steps to the top of this lighthouse. My quads were very sore at the end of this. But the view is a wonderful reward. I then wandered about the light keepers cottage museum where they had a great display about the whole history of this lighthouse and the technology behind lighthouses in general. They had a nice little gift shop. Staff was very nice. This visit doesn't take long under an hour. I very much enjoyed my visit.Visited January 2024Travelled soloWritten 28 January 2024
- Carol P29 contributions88 steps to the top!I love to check out and climb lighthouses in places where we visit. We've been to Key West several times, but hadn't climbed this one yet! I went alone since my husband had booked a massage. I went right at 10 when they opened and I was the first one up! I bought my ticket online ahead of time and saved a couple bucks. It's a tight/spiral staircase with 2 landings. Beautiful views from the top! and a nice museum and giftshop to visit afterwards.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 2 February 2024
- KB231blue252 contributionsSmall museum with a great viewThe stairway to the top of the lighthouse is narrow so passing someone going the opposite direction takes some care. There are 88 steps to the top and the view of Key West is pretty. The Keepers Quarters Museum was a small but nice representation of the history of the lighthouses, their history and the tenders of the lighthouses in Key West.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 14 February 2024
- J EFredericksburg, Virginia8,949 contributionsNice Views from the Top!88 steps to the top and we’ll worth the view! You can see all the way around the entire island! It’s nice and breezy up there too. Go early so you don’t have to wait in a long line to go up. The keeper’s museum is also well worth seeing, so make time for it once you come back down. Been to Key West many times, but this is my first time checking out this attraction and it was well worth the visit!Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 February 2024
- FLKelieJensen Beach, Florida26 contributionsDon't miss this gem!Loved the lighthouse and keeper's quarters museum. It was great to be able to see the actual quarters and climb to the top of the lighthouse. The view was amazing! The staff was very nice and informative. The grounds are beautiful and spacious. They offer a beautifully stocked gift shop with tons of items to choose from. Highly recommend!Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 February 2024
- CowleasowNottingham, United Kingdom350 contributionsInteresting piece of history!If you like history and view points then this is the place to visit in Key West! The view from the top of the lighthouse is about the best you'll get in the old town. The stories around the museum are interesting and the guide at the top of the lighthouse was knowledgeable and helpful (a guy from Bristol, UK).Visited March 2023Travelled soloWritten 29 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,125 reviews
Excellent
977
Very good
836
Average
279
Poor
25
Terrible
8
ENORM211
Frisco, CO60 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
What an amazing job it would have been to keep the light working. Nice view from the walk way. I have never been in a light house and am glad I took the time to check this out.
Written 30 May 2016
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.
TBJNM
Plantation, FL10 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Loved the view of the island from up top and the 88 steps wasn't horrible. The hostess was fantastic and friendly. The house is beautiful and air conditioned!
Written 28 May 2016
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.
Chapara
Chicago, IL115 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
You really feel the 88 steps it takes to get to the top. Once, you are at the top, you can see all of Key West. There are placards that can be read for those history buffs. The downside is that the same staircase you take to the top, is the same staircase to the bottom and it is not that wise. You either have to squeeze you way thru or time it at the 2 wide areas available. It is not free. I did not see the fee for children, but it is $10 but if you are a student and have your ID, you pay $5. Also, buy your ticket at the lighthouse. That way the money goes directly to them.
Written 27 May 2016
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.
FLBOY68
201 contributions
May 2016 • Family
So this was one of the items I just had to go to. As a photographer I could not wait to see the views from the top. Sadly, my fear of heights got the best of me and I made it about half the way up the 88 stairs. Fortunately the rest of my family made it up and we were able to capture some really amazing pictures. The grounds are well kept and a must see.
Written 27 May 2016
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.
MxLx2011
Muskegon, MI195 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Nothing seems to be free in KW. In fact, many attractions are overpriced--like this one. One pays the fee to climb the light house (if you don't, do not even bother to buy the ticket). Once you get to the top, the views are great--which is precisely one of the reasons for the lighthouse to exist. I have seen other lighthouses and keeper's home with more information and history. I am sure there is more to say here, and it is still not used in its full potential.
Written 26 May 2016
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.
NJShoreGal1
Cape Coral, FL23 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
This is a quick tour to climb to the top for spectacular views and then a tour through keeper's quarters does not take long. Don't climb up if you get dizzy! It's a tight fit while passing folks coming down. Interesting facts about life as a lighthouse keeper. Very informative staff.
Written 26 May 2016
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.
Rachel M
Atlanta, GA25 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
The only place you can go to and see the whole island of Key West. Not only can you climb the lighthouse but also tour the museum and learn some really neat things about the history of the lighthouse and lighthouse keepers.
Written 25 May 2016
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.
Linda W
Miamisburg, OH163 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
A first for us on this visit to Key West. Eighty-eight steps to the top of the Lighthouse but the view was well worth the exercise. Also a nice lighthouse keeper's museum with history of the lighthouse.
Written 24 May 2016
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.
Roger L
Burbank, CA23 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
The lighthouse is located a few walking blocks from the Hemmingway house. The 88 stairs are a bit steep but well worth the panoramatic reward of the island view!
Written 24 May 2016
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.
lambphyl
Oldsmar, FL15 contributions
May 2016 • Family
great museum and beautiful garden. has art sculpture as well. the museum is air conditioned so take your time. the gift store is very small but does sell bottled water which is well needed. only a dollar.
Written 23 May 2016
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 BEACH222 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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