The Audubon House and Gardens is one of the most well-known and visited structures on the island. It’s an interesting 1840’s three-story home that pays homage to artist and ornithologist John James Audubon. In 1832 he made a stop in Key West while traveling through the state of Florida to study birds. Upon visiting the house you can take a self-guided tour (narrated by an audio tape) of the Audubon house and tropical gardens. Informative signs identify rare indigenous plants and trees and informational booklets will provide you with information that they don’t. There are a number of period rooms filled with antiques and a children's room, which is of interest.

Ernest Hemingway’s name has long been synonymous with Key West. After all this is where he create over 70% of his literary scripture. However he wasn’t very happy when he found out the local tourism bureau included his home in their brochure. In fact he was so infuriated by this he surrounded his home with a tall brick wall to keep onlookers at bay. However after his death his Spanish Colonial style dwelling eventually succumbed to the tourism industry. It was turned into a museum that is now dedicated to his life and work. Visitors can tour the house independently or choose to take the guided and somewhat amusingly narrated tour, which lasts about 30 minutes. 

Also located within the city limits is the well-known 20-acre city cemetery. The most notable items within the confines of the cemetery is the bronze statue resembling a ship's mast and the graves of all the sailors who were killed in the sinking of the battleship U.S.S. Maine. You can walk around the cemetery on your own, but I highly recommend you take the 90-minute tour, which is given by volunteers of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. You can set up a tour by visiting the sexton's office.