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.

Begin your sunshine-filled journey just an hour outside Miami, Florida: on Key Largo. Start the scenic 100-mile drive bypassing the ‘African Queen’, the iconic Hollywood riverboat. Follow in the historical footsteps of the Overseas Railroad to Plantation Key, the smuggler's haven. While there, check out Big Betsy, the giant lobster, and Theatre of the Sea, home of the original dolphin shows. Continue through Isla Morada while learning about the hurricanes, ecosystems, and wildlife of the tropical Florida Keys. Explore Anne’s Beach, Long Key, and Marathon, each of which contains unique attractions. Cross over the iconic Seven Mile Bridge and make sure to check out Fred the Tree, the famous spirit of the Keys. Journey past Pigeon Key and Geiger Beach until you reach the most famous Key of all: Key West. In popular Key West, discover Mallory Square, Truman’s White House, the Hemingway Home, Tennessee Williams’ House, and the historic lighthouse. Wrap up your tour at the Southernmost Point of the Continental US.

Find out why Key West attracted so many cultural legends on a self-guided walking tour of the quirky old town. Starting from Mallory Square, follow the precise directions of your audio guide mobile app to learn the fascinating history behind the people and places that make the island so special. Starting from the Memorial Sculpture Garden in Mallory Square, you’ll discover the stories behind Key West’s most famous sights, including the residence of former President Harry Truman, Florida’s oldest bar, the hotel where Tennessee Williams stayed for ten years and the so-called longest street in the world. Along the way, you’ll learn how salvaging shipwrecks transformed the city, why the buildings’ aesthetics are so strictly controlled, how the city became known as the ‘Conch Republic’ and why there are so many chickens running around.

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app. This serves as your personal tour guide, narrated tour, and map, all rolled into one. Once downloaded, your tour begins at the intersection of Duval Street and South Street. From there, unearth the island’s wild history and hear about the fights over its ownership, including how a Spanish naval officer sold the island to two people at the same time! As you keep walking, learn about the wreckers who once salvaged materials from destroyed ships! Then meet some of Key West’s literary legends, including larger-than-life Ernest Hemingway. Pay a visit to the Hemingway Home and Museum and learn how he left his mark on the island. Next, you’ll go back to 1886 and revisit the infamous Great Fire. Unearth the devastation and the possible arson behind the tragedy. Then get to know Henry Flagler. Hear how he fought to connect the Florida mainland with Key West by rail and learn about the challenges he overcame in the process! You’ll also get the story behind the hurricane that ultimately destroyed his railroad. On another wild note, you’ll discover the famed pirates who terrorized the area and seized riches. Meet Black Caesar and separate fact from fiction. Up next, stop by Harry Truman’s “little” White House and find out which other presidents spent time here. After that, stop at the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens. Dig into the house’s history and meet Captain John Geiger, whose family occupied it for four generations! Learn about the efforts to restore the home and how this movement helped create the Key West you see today! Your journey then takes you to Clinton Square, which features monuments that pay tribute to both Union and Confederate soldiers and highlights Key West’s complicated history. Next is Mallory Square. If you’re there at the right time, take part in the famed Sunset Celebration, featuring music, vendors, and other entertainment. Learn how playwright Tennessee Williams started this beloved ritual with a bottle of gin! Walk on to Duval Street, the heart of Key West. Take in some of the many bars and shopping options, including the famous saloon where Hemingway once tossed a few back! Then take a spooky turn at a haunted Hard Rock Cafe. Hear the ghost story that distinguishes this cafe from the others! Next, pass by La Concha Key West, the hotel where Tennessee Williams finished his famed play, A Streetcar Named Desire. As the journey winds down, hear about Mel Fisher and the greatest underwater treasure find of all time! After that, maybe enjoy a cup of Key West’s rich Cuban coffee or delicious key lime pie. Next is the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, featuring over 50 butterfly species for the insect-inclined. Your tour concludes here.