Key West Lighthouse image

Key West Lighthouse

Tourist attraction Museum Historical landmark

Now a museum, this historic lighthouse features access to the top via 88 steps & keepers quarters. People often mention lighthouse, views, museum, West, view, steps, interesting, worth, nice, stairs,


Address

938 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, United States

Website

www.kwahs.org

Contact

+1 305-294-0012

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (2.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 10 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: lighthouse (18) views (14) museum (14) West (11) view (10) steps (10) interesting (9) worth (9) nice (9) stairs (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Raymond E. 2 years ago on Google
    I enjoyed my visit to the Lighthouse. The city views from the top were great. The Keeper's Quarters Museum had many interesting exhibits. Finally, the grounds had many interesting tree specimens including an awesome Lofty Fig tree.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bob R. 1 year ago on Google
    This was something when walking past, I knew I had to see what they had to offer. It was a little museum, but some cool things. The history of the museum was a cool reading. But when you walk up the lighthouse stairs, the view is worth the 88 stair climb. On a perfect day, you can see the whole island and 7-8 miles of water (13.2 miles at the horizon).
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lynn D. 2 years ago on Google
    Cute lighthouse and museum. The stairs are extremely high in my opinion so it feels like a lot more than 88. The view is great from the top. Buying your tickets online Saves a couple bucks.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rhonda R. 10 months ago on Google
    What a nice little find we came upon looking for the Hemingway House which is just across the street from this lighthouse. The Key West Lighthouse was built in 1825 to help the many ships entering the port avoid the hazardous reefs. We were able to climb the 88 iron steps to the top of the tower and enjoyed the amazing 360° views of the island. After going up into the lighthouse, we walked the grounds. The trees were magnificent and we were able to get some nice pictures standing inside them. We went through the little gift shop on our way out. Price was reasonable and they do offer discounts for seniors and military. Their website says they have greater discounts if you purchase tickets online.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Suelen 7 months ago on Google
    The view is beautiful and the museum is lovely! To get to the top, you need to pay a fee and go through 88 steps but it's definitely worth it. Also, the lady at the gift shop was super friendly!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eugene K. 11 months ago on Google
    Nice historical places. Nice place to have a walk nice place to chill nice place just to stop and have some time to think about everything your lifе, sense for life and all all all!!! Like it much. Lovely will come back. Lovely will bring my kids here
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nikki A. 1 year ago on Google
    We absolutely love Lighthouses!! The Key West Lighthouse was our 5th one we've visited together and climbed to the top of. This one is not too bad. It is only 88 steps. However, they are a little narrow if you run into someone going in the opposite direction as you. We loved this Lighthouse! It was one of our favorites and the views from the top are absolutely amazing!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tracey R. 9 months ago on Google
    The views from the top of the lighthouse are amazing. Definitely worth the 88 steps to the top. Nice gift shop, too.

  • 5/5 Jan H. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to visit. You can get to the outside of the top of the lighthouse for amazing views of Key West, but only for those who can do stairs. The historic lighthouse keeper's house is extremely interesting, and it is accessible.

  • 5/5 Raquel T. 10 months ago on Google
    It has 88 stairs, making it to the top could be challenging, we did take our 16month old baby and my boy friend decided to carry him the whole way. They started of tight spiral stairs and opened up more towards the top. Nice views, and breezy. Interesting history and museum next door.

  • 4/5 Justin S. 10 months ago on Google
    A fun, quick walk up for a great view and the little history in the light keeper house. A nice way to spend some time when in Key West. Probably just 4 stars for price for a quick visit type place, but a nice thing to do for sure

  • 5/5 Stephen C. 11 months ago on Google
    Very interesting tour, especially if you've seen other lighthouses. Climbing up the 88 steps may take some stamina and it's a little tricky when people are going up and down at the same time. Take a deep breath and turn sideways to pass each other. Views at the top are worth the effort.

  • 5/5 Devon 1 year ago on Google
    I had an excellent time at this museum. The lighthouse, of course, is the main attraction; so if you’re scared of heights or don’t do well with uneven architecture (poorly constructed spiral stairs) I would not recommend this museum. I would note that there is a large parking lot behind the ticket booth which makes this spot extremely convenient if you’re traveling with a vehicle.

  • 5/5 patricia s. 4 months ago on Google
    Great view over all of Key West. Lighthouse cottage gives a good inside of the historic area and caretaker life Friendly staff and nice gift shop. Directly across from the Hemingway house

  • 5/5 Carrie B. 5 months ago on Google
    I loved this historic element to our visit to Key West. The view from the top of the light house is FANTASTIC. This exhibit is well maintained with beautiful grounds and super friendly staff in the gift shop.

  • 4/5 Amy H. 7 months ago on Google
    Fun experience and the guy in the giftshop was super helpful and friendly. It won't take too much time or it could take a while if you take full advantage of the Lighthouse Keepers' Museum. We went through it quickly because of our young kids.

  • 5/5 Bailey O. 7 months ago on Google
    I was proud of myself for walking up 88 flights of steps to see the amazing views of Key West. The museum is also really interesting. There’s a great variety of items to choose from in the gift shop.

  • 5/5 Jina Flanary (. 4 months ago on Google
    Definitely recommend taking the tour. Beautiful view from the lighthouse too. Lots of history to take in.

  • 5/5 Tahny D. 9 months ago on Google
    Beautiful lighthouse and museum that is easy and quick to tour. I did not go to the top of the lighthouse, but my son did and really enjoyed the views. The museum was nice and had amazingly cold AC which was so good for a hot Florida day. Lots of history in the museum.

  • 5/5 Jessica H. 1 year ago on Google
    The staff was wonderful and the views were amazing. There was a lot of interesting information in the small museum. It's not a super tall lighthouse so it is an easier climb.

  • 5/5 Alberto S. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful view of the water & all four corners of the island! Lots of historic buildings and facts . The lighthouse is stairs only. No elevator but worth the hike wants you reach the top!

  • 4/5 Penny A. 1 year ago on Google
    The lighthouse is very cool to visit. Beautiful scenes of Key West up on top too! However, customer service is not great. There are signs when entering to buy your tickets online and save two bucks. There was three of us in the party and one of them paid cash at the window while the other was buying online right at the window. The one buying online bought three tickets and the guy at the window would not give my niece her money back that she had just handed over to the guy. He was rude and said no refunds. This all happened right in front of him. I asked the guy in the giftshop if he could help us as we clearly accidentally bought one extra ticket. He was much nicer but still no refund. So yes, we paid for one person that did not exist. Was it our mistake? Yes. But it could have been easily rectified and left their customers feeling much better about the place.

  • 5/5 Charles C. 1 year ago on Google
    Make sure to take the time to visit the famous lighthouse while in historic Key West. You'll learn some interesting history while taking in the best views of the city! However, you need to climb 88 steps to enjoy those scenic views but well worth it.

  • 4/5 Paul 1 year ago on Google
    A very interesting stop that’s certainly worth the stop. Nicely maintained Keepers House where the museum is located. Found the rooms highlighting Florida Coastal Lighthouses, especially the information on General Meade’s contributions to be very interesting. The economic history of Key West was also extremely well presented. The climb to the top of the lighthouse (88 steps) is not recommended for some. We encountered a couple of people who turned around and came back down after only a little bit of climbing. The spiral staircase is very tight. Two landings along the climb allow for passage, but they are the only places people can pass. Observe the ‘one way’ traffic up on the viewing walkway at the top - room is tight up there also. The views are worth the climb.

  • 5/5 Courtney 2 years ago on Google
    Very cool to see!! You can climb to the top. No one else was in the lighthouse while we were there.

  • 5/5 ANDY F. 2 years ago on Google
    Truly a incredible historical place. Absolutely loved it. Very photogenic. I highly recommend this place.

  • 5/5 shawn p. 2 years ago on Google
    Great experience! 88 steps doesnt seem like much but glad there was a small break on the way up, lol. Beautiful view!

  • 5/5 Allen C. 2 years ago on Google
    Really nice and unique experience. Incredible view overseeing Key West through a historic perspective. Gift shop is also very cute. We enjoyed it a lot.

  • 5/5 Turner F. 2 years ago on Google
    Great views from the top of the lighthouse. Nice museum and gift shop too. I was surprised at how far it was from the water. It was about $17 a person. There is a small parking lot on site that is free.

  • 5/5 Elena M. 2 years ago on Google
    Great 360 views from the top. Narrow steps, be careful. I thought I'd get claustrophobic going up/down the stairs but it was not so bad, and it was worth the workout, lol. Beautiful wedding venue for what we saw. Reasonable price, and discounts available online. Educational video for kids and adults inside the keeper's quarters. Good way to spend a couple of hours if you're not rushing through.


Call +1 305-294-0012 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park

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