Located near the beach and just off a popular bike path, West Martello Tower is the site of a historic fort that's been converted to botanic gardens. The fort's ruins act as a foundation for plant growth, with potted orchids along their base. A single tower left intact gives visitors a view over the adjacent beach and ocean, while the paths around the tower are thick with tropical plant life. Look for the Autograph Tree, where visitors sign their names in the leaves. Entry is free, but donations are accepted to help with upkeep. Put West Martello Tower at the forefront of your travel plans using our Key West trip planner.
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West Martello Tower reviews
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Right next to Salute's Restaurant and Higgs Beach. The garden is quite large, shaded with a wonderful view of the ocean in one part. Filled with different species of palms, cacti, trees and bushes..... more
Right next to Salute's Restaurant and Higgs Beach. The garden is quite large, shaded with a wonderful view of the ocean in one part. Filled with different species of palms, cacti, trees and bushes..... more »
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We found this by accident, we had gone to the Artisan's market 1 Sunday, and this was across the street. The gardens and the history are amazing! Go check it out!
We found this by accident, we had gone to the Artisan's market 1 Sunday, and this was across the street. The gardens and the history are amazing! Go check it out! more »
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Very cute museum with an incredible exhibit of plants from all over. Entrance is free but donations are welcome. Restrooms are available at the far side of the garden. The lady at the front desk was super helpful and extremely nice. Looks like she really enjoy her job there and I don't blame her. You can pretty much watch the whole place in a quick 30 minutes but you can stay longer and appreciate every area. If you are in the area you won't regret the stop.
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Beautiful garden in a ruined fortress! This is one of the best botanical gardens I have visited. The orchids in particular are captivating. The views of the sea are also great. It's a bit off the beaten path, but very worth a visit!
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