10 Things To Do In Key West In One Day

Above, number 7 on the list, exploring the Key West Lighthouse. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our cruise to Havana, Cuba three years ago (has it really been that long ago?), our ship stopped at Key West, Florida for a few hours of exploring the town.

Thankfully, part of our cruise package included trolley transportation to take us to different attractions. I visited the Hemingway House, the Shipwreck Museum, had margaritas at a bar, went to Cigar City USA cigar shop and wandered around other shops. 

TheTravel has posted a list of things one can do in Key West in one day.

They begin with:

The Key West is one of the most wish-listed destinations in Florida, and it's easy to see why. Beautiful beaches, Bahamas-style vibes, and incredible food await eager travelers, and the Florida Keys are more than willing to deliver the perfect vacation. Key West, in particular, can be explored in one day - if a visitor knows exactly where they should be spending their time. For anyone who only has 24 hours to visit Key West, here are some must-do things that can be done in one day.

To read more, go here. 

Key West—America’s Original Cigar City

Above, the Cigar City USA store in Key West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two years ago, I stopped in at the Cigar City USA store in Key West, Florida to pick up a few Oliva cigars before our cruise continued on down to Havana, Cuba.

While there, I chatted a bit with the store's owner, Mark Cesani about cigars and his cigar store Indian. I posted a blog about the visit.

This morning, I found that Key West was once known as Cigar City USA, not just the name of a cigar store. Cigar Aficionado posted an article on the history of cigar-making in Florida, focusing on Tampa and Key West.

They begin with:

Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing has won numerous awards and gold medals, and you can order its draft beers at bars all over Key West. While the beers are quite tasty, the irony of this libation is lost on most visitors. While Tampa’s Ybor City, a neighborhood rich in Cuban American traditions, is known as America’s cigar industry epicenter, the earlier version of Cigar City, U.S.A. was not Tampa, but rather the nickname for Key West, the southernmost point in the nation. At its height in 1890, there were at least 80 factories and estimates of cigars hand rolled here run as high as 100 million annually.

To read more, go here.

Cigar City USA and El Meson de Pepe Bar

Above, Mark Cesani and his Cigar City USA Indian. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While in Key West, Florida last week, I stopped at the Cigar City USA store to get a couple of cigars.

During my time at the store, I had a lengthy conversation with manager Mark Cesani about cigars and cigar store Indians. His Indian caught my attention as it was about five feet tall. He said he paid $3,000 for it. He isn't worried about anyone stealing it as it is quite heavy. It stands at the entrance to his store from the El Meson de Pepe restaurant and bar.

I showed him photos of my cigar store Indian and he said I got a good deal for mine.

He had a good selection of cigars and I found his prices to be reasonable.

Above, the El Meson de Pepe bar. Yes, one can smoke cigars at this bar! Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following our visit, I headed to the El Meson de Pepe bar for some margaritas and to smoke one of the cigars I bought at Cigar City USA. Since the Key West area is considered to be Jimmy Buffett territory, I thought having a couple of margaritas would be appropriate. Buffett has recorded at a small studio near the marina.

Above, one of Key West's inhabitants wandering around the El Meson de Pepe restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Throughout Key West, there are chickens running loose everywhere, and that included this restaurant. El Meson de Pepe serves Cuban cuisine.

After my cigar and margarita break, I did some more wandering around.

Cuba Cruise Done

Above, yours truly after we arrived in Havana Harbor.

The cruise is now over. We got back to Fort Lauderdale this morning after sailing all the way from Havana, Cuba.

The only photos I can post at present are ones from my cell phone. For some odd reason, I didn't pack the cable that transfers photos from my Canon camera to the computer.

My initial impressions.

Above, Cigar City USA in Key West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Key West was a fun place. I enjoyed wandering around the town and had a great conversation on cigars and cigar store Indians with Mark Cesani, manager of Cigar City USA. Then, next door to Cigar City, I had a couple of margaritas at the El Meson de Pepe. Cesani said I got a good deal ($450) on my cigar store Indian. His cost $3,000.

I did take a tour of the Hemingway Home and the Shipwreck Museum while in Key West.

Above, your truly at the El Meson de
Pepe restaurant and bar in Key West.

The next day we headed off to Havana, Cuba. I was not surprised to see a drab place. The buildings in the city don't look like they've been cleaned, painted or had any kind of maintenance for years. Our tour guide said that they haven't been maintained really since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the "money spigot" to Cuba dried up.

Above, the package containing 6 Montecristo No. 2 cigars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the bottle of Cuban rum I bought. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was interesting seeing the old 1950s cars on the streets, many of which I haven't seen since I was a kid.

We did stop at the El Morro Castle to do some cigar and run shopping before heading to a flea market and our ship.

Above, one of the nightly entertainers by the glass elevators. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Cuban people were nice and friendly towards us, which is not surprising since our beef is with their communist government and not with them.

Majesty of the Seas, our cruise ship of Royal Caribbean, was a decent and comfortable ship. It is about 28 years old. The staff were quite friendly and efficient. The food was excellent and we had some good entertainment. I would take another cruise with them again.

Above, the grand finale to last night's show in the ship's theater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.