Truman Little White House

Presidents, Prime Ministers and royalty have visited the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West. You can be next by taking a tour of this stunning historic building. No trip to Key West is complete without seeing the Harry S. Truman Little White House. Built in 1890 as quarters for the Naval Base Commander and Paymaster, the Little White House has now taken its place in history. In 1912, President William Taft visited the house, and in 1918, Thomas Edison lived there for several months as he worked on inventing new weapons for the war effort. Always at work, the President met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, worked on the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine, and continually attended to his duties while enjoying the magnificent setting in Key West. It's said that he was friendly with the locals and fit right into the island lifestyle. Today, visitors from all over the world are able to get a glimpse into Truman’s world, see where he and Bess entertained guests, where critical meetings were held, and how the business of our government was conducted in this lovely historic building.

Key West is famous as mainland America’s Caribbean resort town. Here, time slows down as the island vibes take over. But, as you’ll soon find out on this walking tour, there’s more to this island than umbrella drinks and warm breezes. The tour starts in Mallory Square, the cultural center of Key West, and ends at Southernmost Point which, as the name implies, is as south as you can get in the continental US. Along the way, I’ll share stories of some of the island’s more famous residents, along with some lesser-known tales that have given Key West its unique place in American culture and history. I’ll tell you about Key West’s incredible history, from its origins as a maritime village that profited heavily from salvaging wrecked ships along the Great Florida Reef, to the hilarious creation of the ‘Conch Republic’. You’ll also find out how, soon after its creation, this micro-state declared war on the United States for a full minute. On this two-hour tour, you’ll visit the island’s major landmarks and its lesser-known treasures too, stopping for refreshments along the way at many of its signature restaurants and bars, including Captain Tony’s Saloon and Sloppy Joe’s Bar. On this Key West tour, you’ll have a chance to: • Stop for conch fritters near Mallory Square or grab a signature drink at one of Key West's legendary restaurants • Seize the moment like Mel Fisher while learning about his “Today’s the day” mantra, which fueled the 16-year search for the sunken Nuestra Señora de Atocha galleon ship • Chill out with favorites like key lime pie or frozen key lime pops from Kermit’s Key Lime Shop • Stroll down Caroline Street, one of the oldest streets in town • Hear the origin story of one of America’s most iconic brands, Pan American Airways • Pass by the Little White House, where President Harry Truman would escape when he tired of the ”Big, White Jail” back in Washington • Stop by the Mile Marker Zero (the beginning of US Route 1) for a quick photo-op • Take in the Key West Lighthouse, next door to the Hemingway Home and Museum where Ernest Hemingway and his second wife, Pauline, lived for nine years so that the author would be able to find his way home after a night of drinking Join me for a fun and amusing walk through the island packed full of charm, quirky stories, and buried treasures.