The Key West Garden Club is housed in this Civil War-era fort tower. The club maintains a handsome garden featuring native tropical plants. Art shows and flower shows take place here regularly. An orchid show is a particular lure for connoisseurs and the like. March and November are the prime time for shows. Also in March, the club operates a tour of private gardens in the city, which gives you a chance to look at houses you'd never see otherwise. Donations are welcomed but there's no official charge.
The Cudjoe Gardens Marina is the perfect place to go for those who love water sports, especially boating and fishing. The marina's store provides for all of your necessities, such as fishing tackle, chum, boat and kayak rentals, and much more.
If you're a fan of the delicate winged creatures, then this is definitely the place for you. The Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, which treats visitors to amazing sights and smells of mother earth, has a climate controlled enclosure for about 60 species of butterflies. The colors, size, shape, history and lifespan can be studied at the Learning Center - a great experience for children and adults alike. The gallery and gift shop have lots more in store.
Learn more about crafting your favorite spirit as you visit Key West First Legal Rum Distillery. Owned by passionate chefs and distillers, this distillery houses some of the finest white rums with unique fruit infusions. You can enjoy a self guided tour as you observe the distilling process of the alcohol into making. Key West First Legal Rum Distillery also provides guided tours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3p and 3:30p. The guided tours let you sample the freshly distilled rum for free. Visit their website for more information and group bookings.
Delve deep into the marine blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and learn about out underwater counterparts, albeit virtually. This spectacular discovery center located at the edge of the land in Key West takes visitors on a fascinating journey where they can explore the mysterious ecosystem of the Everglades, marvel at the world's only underwater ocean laboratory, participate in exciting virtual dives that take them 1,600 feet (487.68 meters) under the sea, admire the Living Reef exhibit with actual corals and fish, and get questions answered by expert marine biologists. The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center also conducts group visits, and admission to the center is free.
Spanning a distance of 113 miles (182 kilometers), the Overseas Highway is exactly what the name suggests. Offering a route between Key West and Key Largo with several intersections at different islands, the highway offers a route unlike any other. Initially an overseas railway, the route was made suitable for road traffic by constructing new roads at a different alignment from the railways. However, today, the route comprises several bridges that allow people to traverse one of the world’s most scenic highways. As you drive over the bridges, over the crystal clear blue waters of the ocean from island to island, the stunning views are sure to take your breath away.