Take a look at a writer's creative space at The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, offering short tours of the house once occupied by the Nobel Prize-winning artist. Hemingway wrote some of his best works here, including the classics "The Snows of Kilimanjaro," "To Have and Have Not," and "Green Hills of Africa." Originally built in 1851 in the Spanish Colonial estate style, the house is 5 m (16 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest sites on the entire island. Descendants of Hemingway's famous polydactyl cats (with six or more toes per paw) still roam the estate. Take a walk through the tropical garden, where the writer often entertained friends, or head inside to see Hemingway's writing desk, where he typed out the first drafts of many of his short stories and novels. Using our international travel planner, Key West attractions like The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.
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The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum reviews
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A must see in South Florida imo. Docents were friendly, tour was informative, grounds were clean and well kept and the ladies in the gift shop were a hoot (my generation and great to converse... more »
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It was very interesting to learn about the man behind the books and the house is a cool place to see a historic old home more »
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This tour was an interesting. Visiting the place where an iconic American novelist lived and wrote many of his classic works was fascinating. It a relativity large, beautiful compound with a couple of buildings, large pool and lots of cats. Some cool things about these cats, for one they have a poly-dactyl gene, which causes many of them to have six-toes but all have the poly-dactyl gene and may also be called 'mitten cats'. Due to the size of Key West, its not unlikely that many of these cats may be related, to Hemingway's first cat; a six-toed kitten named Snow White, which was given to him by sea Captain Stanley in 1930). Hemingway also had a quirk in naming the cats after famous people or characters. It was seeing his office over the garage (left as it was) where he created his masterpieces in solitude, that with imagination you can see him working, in your mind. We then enjoyed walking the grounds to complete this our tour. Staff was super friendly and helpful. Buildings and grounds were clean, organized and maintained. You should stop and visit if you can and enjoy. We did.
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My one and only visit to Key West was to see the Ernest Hemingway House! I loved the beautiful charming property. The cats were adorable times 59! Joining the tour with an actual guide was great! It was like being a part of a historical book coming to life by an enthusiastic guide! We also met the phenomenal, Mary from Michigan which was a bonus.
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