The Story Behind Key West’s Famous Free-Roaming Roosters

Above, one of Key West's feathered inhabitants wandering in a restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2019, a friend and I took a cruise to Havana, Cuba. Along the way, we stopped in Key West, Florida for a few hours.

While in Key West, I took a tour of the Hemingway House and toured the Shipwreck Museum along with shopping.

I stopped at a bar/restaurant for a break. While there, I noticed chickens walking around the tables. 

Southern Living posted an article on Key West's famous wild roosters that wander the streets.

They begin it with:

If you’ve ever strolled the quirky streets of Key West, you’ve seen them. Between pastel homes, Duval Street bars, palm trees, and the Southernmost Point, a population of loud, proud roosters struts and scratches across roads, down sidewalks, and even, occasionally, through traffic.

Florida’s version of pesky pigeons in city parks, the free-roaming roosters and hens of Key West are as naturalized a citizen as any, and a colorful symbol of the freewheeling spirit of the Conch Republic. Sometimes celebrated, always tolerated, the wild birds are as much a part of Key West as sunset celebrations and key lime pie.

To read more, go here.

Key West Is A Literary Pilgrimage For Fans of Hemingway

Above, one of the many cats at Hemingway House. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2019, a friend and I took a cruise to Havana, Cuba. Along the way, the ship stopped for a day in Key West, Florida.

While there, I got off the shuttle bus to visit the Hemingway Home & Museum. I then took a self-guided tour of the former estate of Ernest Hemingway. There were many cats roaming around. They were descendants of a cat Hemingway had. 

Above, Ernest Hemingway's office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A piece of trivia: The Hemingway Home was featured in the 1989 Timothy Dalton James Bond movie, Licence To Kill.

AOL posted an article on why Key West is a literary pilgrimage for fans of Hemingway.

They begin it with:

Hemingway's influence in Key West is so strong that it would be difficult to avoid hearing about the writer while visiting the island. The house he lived in with his second wife, Pauline, is now the Hemingway Home and Museum. Hemingway fans travel from all over the world to visit the beautifully preserved property and get a glimpse into the novelist's private life. Besides bedrooms and family rooms, you can go into the writer’s studio, where he worked on masterpieces like "To Have and Have Not" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls." While the house is great, the best part about the museum is seeing the true owners of the property roam around their kingdom: the six-toed cats that are direct descendants of Hemingway's beloved Snowball.

To read more, go here. 

9 Quick, Must-see Stops In Key West

Above, the Key West Lighthouse from the Hemingway House and Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2019, a friend and I took a cruise to Havana, Cuba. As part of the cruise's itinerary, the ship made a stop in Key West, Florida for the day.

While there, I managed to visit the Hemingway Home and Museum, the Shipwreck Museum, visited a cigar store and managed to have a Margarita at a restaurant's bar.

The Miami Herald posted a list of nine quick trips for those on a day trip or a cruise with a limited amount of time in Key West. 

They begin with:

So you’ve made it to Key West on your cruise or arrived for a day trip. You have a limited amount of time to explore this tiny tropical island before you pull out for your next stop. 

What are you going to do?

You’ve got options. 

See some history. Tour museums. Visit some landmarks. 

You can always just grab a cocktail and wander Duval Street, soaking up the sun, sights and shops. 

Here’s a Top 10 list of things to do in Key West:

To see what they are, go here. 

11 Free Things to Do in Key West

Above, take the free Duval Street Loop bus and see places like Sloppy Joe's Bar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in April 2019, I went on a cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Havana, Cuba. Along the way, the ship stopped for several hours in Key West. Passengers spent the day roaming around town and toured its attractions and did some shopping and eating (or drinking).

For myself, I toured the Shipwreck Museum and Hemingway House. Those places charged admission, but they were worth it.

However, there are free things to see and to in Key West if one is a little short on cash or a cheapskate.

The Saturday Evening Post (!) has posted 11 free things to do in Key West.

They begin with:

Like any island town that has to import just about everything from gas to groceries, the resort destination of Key West, Florida, can be a pretty pricey place to visit. The good news: You can go for days from dawn to dusk without paying a single dime for sightseeing.

Here are 11 fun Key West freebies.

To see what they are, go here. 

7 Top Things to Do in Key West 2024

Above, the Hemingway House & Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in April 2019, a friend and I took a cruise to Havana, Cuba. Along the way, we stopped in Key West, Florida for a few hours.

During the stop, I did some shopping, toured Hemingway Home & Museum and the Shipwreck Museum. 

I wanted to go back to Key West in 2020, but the pandemic nixed those plans.

Wyandotte Daily has posted an article on the seven top things to do in Key West in 2024.

They begin it with:

Key West, a charming island located at the southernmost point of the United States, has long captivated visitors with its alluring blend of history, culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Steeped in history dating back to the 16th century, the island has been a melting pot of cultures, from Spanish explorers and Cuban immigrants to American conquerors. Today, Key West proudly showcases its rich past through its vibrant streets, historic landmarks, and unique local traditions.

To read more, go here. 

Best Things To Do In Key West

Above, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Five years ago, a friend and I took a cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Havana, Cuba. Along the way, we stopped for a few hours in Key West. I enjoyed the stopover and planned to go back to Key West the following year. But the pandemic nixed those plans.

The Wyandotte Daily has posted an article on the best things to do in Key West.

They begin it with:

When it comes to tropical getaways, Key West always ranks high on the list. With its laid-back atmosphere, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture, this small island in Florida offers an array of exciting activities for visitors. Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or a fan of delicious seafood, Key West has something for everyone. So, put on your flip-flops and get ready to explore the best things to do in Key West!

To see what they are, go here.