Old Town Key West Literary Walking Tour

Overview

Join us every weekend for the Old Town Literary Walking Tour, a stroll through downtown Key West, illuminating stories of writers that have called our island home. Inspired by David A. Kaufelt’s original literary walking tour, our new tour features the former homes and favorite haunts of writers, including Tennessee Williams, Shel Silverstein, Elizabeth Bishop, and Robert Frost, and highlights tales of our lesser-known local talent.

City: Key West

Wed 26 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $30.00

Make a reservation

Wed 26 Feb

Starting at $30.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (103) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (113) Entry Tickets (47) Sporting Events (1) Good for Small Groups (6) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (41) Walking Tours (697) Outdoor Activities (20) Limitied Availability Tours (6) LGBT Friendly Tours (4) Family-friendly Activities (7) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (27) Travelers recommend (73) Good for Groups (8) Top Activities (18) Guided Audio Tours (3) Art, Culture & History (135) Attractions to explore (38)

What's Included

Local guide

Tour escort/host

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A maximum of 12 people per booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

What To Expect

Monroe County Public Library Key West Branch

Tour begins at the Key West Public Library

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (73)

janerikl243

Jan 2019

Sara G was an excellet guide. She was well-prepared, interesting and kept a nice pace through the walk.

FellowTraveler823903

Jan 2019

We met at the County Public Library to begin the tour. We had a small group (7) which was perfect. Sarah our guide began with a history of so much from Key West, I felt like I was back in time once we began the journey. We walked through the Old Town making many stops along the way. By seeing where so much writing was done by literary legends, I was able to envision the “compound” with the kids of such greats tip-toeing till lunch so the parents could concentrate. I imagined the sound of the typewriter cutting through the darkness late at night while sitting next door on my front porch. I thought what a priveldge to have lived when one could stop in at one of the “ole watering holes” and hear lines from an author that today is studied and considered a classic. Sarah (our guide) would share nuggets from Key West history and would tie the locations together so that when we were done, it was like a artist had been painting a masterpiece...once I stepped back I saw the final picture. I reflected how this tour ranked as one of my favorite of all time (47 years worth). The reason had to be the passion and love of literature that our guide Sarah must have. She was not a microphone talking guide following some pre-determined script that had been handed to her to memorize. From her notes and the quotes from the authors she shared with us, it was clear she had researched each one. I would recommend this tour for anyone middle school age and above. The pace was very easy but for small children the information may not yet be as relevant. I found myself back in my high school literature classes and thinking how neat it would have been to take this tour after reading some of the assigned readings.

bgetz

Jul 2018

My daughter and I did the walking tour on Friday night and learned some new information. The tour tries to focus on non-Hemingway stories, but he inevitably pops up in some about the other authors because of the connections. I thought it was cool to see the house Tom McGuane bought after making it big, and the place where Shel Silverstein stayed at the beginning of his Key West years. Sarah (I know there are two, so it was Sarah who guided on 7-13) did a great job regaling us with information and anecdotes, as well as excerpts from the various authors' works!