Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum Tours

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum featuring heritage elements and a house
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum which includes a house
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum showing heritage elements and interior views
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum featuring interior views and a house
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum featuring interior views, a house and heritage elements


Meet six-toed cats and watch as the life of one America’s great writers unfolds before your eyes at his former home.

Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to reveal the eccentricities of Ernest Hemingway’s life. For most of the 1930s, one of the most revered authors of the 20th century lived in a Spanish colonial house in the heart of tropical Key West. Meet six-toed cats and see the studio in which some of Hemingway’s most famous novels were written. Find a vast collection of art, hunting trophies and household items as you wander through the house and gardens.

Ernest Miller Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1954, mostly because of his masterpiece, The Old Man and the Sea, published just two years earlier. The former war correspondent and celebrated author lived in many different places and married four times before he died in 1961.

Find out what some of Hemingway’s most prized possessions were as you explore the rambling 19th-century building. Visit the living room to see furnishings brought back from Paris by Hemingway’s second wife, Pauline. Admire the collection of chandeliers and the 17th-century Spanish chest that has been converted into a workspace.

Venture through Ernest Hemingway’s studio to see the space where he wrote some of his gripping novels, including For Whom the Bell Tolls and Green Hills of Africa. Look through the wide windows to take in the gardens and make your way outside to meet the dozens of six-toed cats that are said to have descended from Hemingway’s own cat, Snowball. Take some photos with the playful creatures, which often readily interact with the visitors.

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is located close to the Key West Lighthouse on the western end of the island in the Old Town Key West. There is some pay and display parking in the streets surrounding the museum and a very small parking lot. The museum is open daily, and the admission fee includes a guided tour. The tours run for about 30 minutes.

Plan a trip to see Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

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Reviews of Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1036
5 - Excellent 61%
4 - Good
540
4 - Good 32%
3 - Okay
117
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
9
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
5
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Misc

GO EARLY

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

A little pricey to get in but the guide made up for that with amusing anecdotes and obscure facts.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

There were lines to get in. Could not get to the gift shop unless you bought and admission ticket

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It is walkable from hotel.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Cash only. It was very interesting. Didn't take the guided tour just walked around on our own.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

I had hoped to just see the outside and the cats. It was $12 or $18 (cash only) a person just to get on the grounds. Big stone fences all around the property to prevent you from getting a view without paying.

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Southernmost Beach Resort and Guesthouses

Southernmost Beach Resort and Guesthouses

4 out of 5
1319 Duval Street, Key West, FL
Southernmost Beach Resort and Guesthouses
Hyatt Centric Key West Resort and Spa

Hyatt Centric Key West Resort and Spa

4 out of 5
601 Front St, Key West, FL
Hyatt Centric Key West Resort and Spa
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton

Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton

4 out of 5
1500 Reynolds Street, Key West, FL
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
Pier House Resort & Spa

Pier House Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
1 Duval St, Key West, FL
Pier House Resort & Spa
Lighthouse Hotel - Key West Historic Inns

Lighthouse Hotel - Key West Historic Inns

3.5 out of 5
902 Whitehead St, Key West, FL
Lighthouse Hotel - Key West Historic Inns
The Southernmost Inn - Adults Only

The Southernmost Inn - Adults Only

3 out of 5
525 United Street, Key West, FL
The Southernmost Inn - Adults Only
Winslow's Bungalows - Key West Historic Inns

Winslow's Bungalows - Key West Historic Inns

4 out of 5
725 Truman Avenue, Key West, FL
Winslow's Bungalows - Key West Historic Inns
The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton

4 out of 5
1435 Simonton Street, Key West, FL
The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
Duval House

Duval House

3 out of 5
815 Duval St, Key West, FL
Duval House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do near Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

At the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, immerse yourself in a blend of history and culture. Enjoy scenic sunsets, participate in local festivals, and explore the vibrant city on a bike. Don't miss the chance to take historic tours that delve into Hemingway's life, ensuring a memorable stay filled with unique experiences. Discover the charm of this iconic destination while enjoying its rich artistic heritage.

Shopping

The nearest shopping options include We Cycle Key West, just 0.3 miles away, and The Kite House, 0.4 miles away, both offering unique gifts. If you're up for a drive, check out the Big Pine Key Flea Market, located 29 miles away, for a lively local vibe and eclectic finds.

Recreation

Enjoy a round of golf at Key West Golf Club, located 4 miles from the Hemingway Home, where you can soak in the outdoor atmosphere while perfecting your swing. For relaxation, take a dip at the MLK Community Pool, just 0.2 miles away, perfect for family fun and leisure.

Adventure

At the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, explore the lush gardens and historic architecture. Join guided tours to learn about Hemingway's life and work, or relax in the ambiance of the famous property while observing the six-toed cats that roam freely throughout the grounds.

Nightlife

Experience the vibrant nightlife near the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum with venues like the Waterfront Playhouse and Red Barn Theater, both offering captivating performances just 0.7 and 0.5 miles away, respectively. The Key West Burlesque Theater adds a unique twist, perfect for a memorable evening filled with culture and entertainment.

*Distances are measured in a straight line; actual driving distances may vary depending on the route.

Find the best attractions near Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

While visiting the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, explore nearby attractions such as the iconic beaches and charming streets filled with culture and adventure. Don't miss the opportunity to tour the Hemingway House and discover the rich history within the museum. This area is perfect for families and those seeking unique experiences that capture the essence of Hemingway's life and work.

  • Duval Street: A vibrant thoroughfare filled with lively shops, bars, and restaurants, Duval Street is the heartbeat of Key West. Located only 0.2 miles from the Hemingway Home, it offers a bustling atmosphere where you can enjoy street performances, sip on tropical drinks, and savor delicious local cuisine.
  • Southernmost Point: This iconic landmark, located 0.4 miles away, marks the southernmost point in the continental U.S. It features a colorful buoy and is a popular photo op spot. The area reflects the rich cultural heritage of Key West, making it a must-visit for history and culture enthusiasts.
  • Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: Situated 0.5 miles from the museum, this park is perfect for outdoor adventurers. Explore historic fortifications, relax on beautiful beaches, and enjoy stunning sunset views, all while surrounded by lush scenery and nature trails.

Best time to go to Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

The best time to visit Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum falls in August, when visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. The coolest average temperature around Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum falls in January, visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly sunny with no rain.

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudinessoccupationOccupancypricePricing
January71.1°F (21.7°C)No RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
February72.1°F (22.3°C)No RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
March73.4°F (23.0°C)No RainMostly SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
April76.8°F (24.9°C)No RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
May79.3°F (26.3°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
June82.6°F (28.1°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighAverage
July84.0°F (28.9°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighAverage
August84.4°F (29.1°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly Low
September83.7°F (28.7°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowSlightly Low
October80.8°F (27.1°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowSlightly Low
November76.6°F (24.8°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
December73.9°F (23.3°C)No RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

To save money on your trip to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, consider visiting between August and October when hotel prices are lower. Booking about a month in advance or checking Expedia for last-minute deals can also yield savings. Stay on a Tuesday for the best rates, and combine your hotel, flights, and activities through an Expedia package to cut costs. Additionally, join the One Key membership for exclusive discounts and earn OneKeyCash for future stays. Utilize the price filter on Expedia to find the best deals that fit your budget.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum are August to October, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to February to April, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The best time to book a hotel: Booking a hotel around Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum about 1 month out from when you are planning to stay is usually when prices are lowest. If you're a little more spontaneous, you could also peruse Expedia's last minute deals for hotels, look out for the green banner below the price, as this indicates a cheaper deal.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is Tuesday. The most expensive day to stay around Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is Friday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Utilize Expedia's search tool to refine your options based on your budget, preferred location, and desired hotel type. To find the best prices and deals, simply arrange the price filter from lowest to highest.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can save money by combining your hotel stay at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum with your flights and activities through an Expedia package deal.
  • Become a One Key member: Join Expedia's One Key membership program for exclusive discounts and deals on hotel bookings. You can also earn OneKeyCash to use on future selected hotels.

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