About
Location :
Added by Jopie, at 28 March 2017
Opening Hours
- Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Gallery
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15 Reviews
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27 December 2017
Fun to learn about Papa in his own habitat. Our guide was engaging and knowledgeable and the tour wasn't overdone. I gained respect for Hemingway's work ethic despite his nightly bar visits and was inspired to read up more on his life. This tour is a very Key West thing to do. The cats are cool too.
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24 December 2017
Had a great time! The tour was fun with stories about his family, work cats and of course, fishing! My favorite room was the study where he spent a lot of time writing. If you love cats, don't miss the cat house outside behind the study. I'll surely come back for another visit.
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22 December 2017
A must see! The bald male tour guide was absolutely the best. I forget his name, but he was detailed and passionate about the Hemingway story. I would recommend saving this history tour for last because after it, all of the other tours seem a bit dull. The last cent was interesting and humorous. This place is great for Hemingway enthusiasts and for those who have no clue who he is.
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13 December 2017
Very knowledgeable tour guides. There were lots of stories about Hemingway's life and his time there with his second wife. The cats were really comfortable with all the humans wandering through their home. Some would allow you to pet them. You're not allowed to pick them up, but if one sits on your lap you are a very lucky visitor.
You can book the Hemingway house for weddings.response / report this review -
29 November 2017
A must if you are visiting Key West for the first time! Ernest Hemingway was a fascinating playboy with a rich history shared in the very house you get to tour. Much of his works were penned in the decade he lived here and much of the original decor, furniture is fully intact. Our tour guide Doug really brought his story to life with a sort of sincerely you don't often find from visits like these (don't be cheap! it is customary to tip great guides!!)
Truly a cat-lover's paradise. The 52 (!) cats are legit friendly and adorable, they're probably a little weary of the constant attention from the more annoying tourists day in and day out (who have no idea how to act around animals), but with a bit of patience they will often come up to you and let you pet them; one even decided to take a nap right on my feet.
And yes, most if not all have 6 toes on their left paws!
Gift shop is very much worth checking out, plenty of books, short stories and adaptations penned by Hemingway (naturally) and lots of artwork, bookmarks, 6 toed cat-themed merchandise and many more vintage-florida flavored merchandise.
Perfect way to spend an afternoon, very refreshing and lives up to the hype. Highly recommended - and this is coming from a native Floridian!response / report this review -
24 October 2017
The staff review
The lady at the door selling the tickets is nice, she saw I was sweating, she gave me paper towel. Very good impression.
The tour lady was nice too, covered most of the Ernest life story during the 15 minutes tour.
The man who closed the door end of the day was so rude, his way to asked us leave the premises ruined the fame of this beautiful place in the end.response / report this review -
15 October 2017
When in Key West, take time to tour Hemingway's home. Learn the culture of a writer in paradise. My husband and I had a great time on this tour and highly recommend it! It's wonderful to see how clean and well cared for the cats are.
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13 October 2017
The house is very well kept, full of photos and artifacts. The grounds are well kept, especially on the heels of Irma (mid-Oct 2017 visit). The cats are abundant and adorable, and while you can't hold them, you can pet them. That said, the tour guide was big in self deprecating humor, which most in our group found in bad taste, and the admission price ($14) is a bit high considering. Worth a visit though.
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25 August 2017
Would be great if we were big fans of Earnest Hemingway.
Admission ($14/person) is very expensive for such a small venue. It is well maintained, but could be better. The gardens are pretty and the 6-toed cats are interesting.
The tour was interesting, but all I got out of it was that he was a clumsy playboy that mooches off of his wife's rich uncle. Most of the tour was focused on his marriage conflicts and extramarital affairs. Disappointing. However, I do know more about Earnest Hemingway.response / report this review -
23 July 2017
Super cute!! I appreciate the staff trying to keep everything as close to the original as possible and for being so knowledgeable. I thought it was so cute having all of the cats roaming around and it was so exciting when you found a cat that had six toes just like the staff was mentioning. I find it truly amazing how one man, one author can become this known. It's inspiring. Admissions is affordable and it is well worth the visit if you are in Key West.
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14 June 2017
A Glimpse of Hemingway
My husband and I enjoy visiting museums. We visit the Keys frequently and usually visit a couple of the museums each time. This trip we were staying on a different key and so only took a day trip to Key West. This was a fun way to get a glimpse into Ernest Hemingway. I do not think the house is an exact replica of what it looked like when he lived there however the period pieces are interesting. A couple of photos attached.
The museum is a house that Hemingway purchased with his second wife and she got the house in the divorce apparently so Hemingway only lived in it a few years however one of the interesting facts I learned was that while he did not live long there, he yet wrote a majority of his works there. I think that alone says a lot about the man.
And I learned more than I realized or thought I would. For instance I never realized that he was still a young man when he lived there and yet he is always represented in photos with the grey hair and beard (the famous portrait) all over the Keys. And I never realized all his accomplishments. And loved the story about his "last red cent". That second wife sounds like quite the character herself.
The house was old when Hemingway purchased it so the tour begins with a history of the house and the previous owner. Also very interesting.
I included a photo of one of the six toed cats.response / report this review -
14 June 2017
I enjoyed touring the Hemingway estate. The guided tour helps to bring the place to life, our guide provided information and insight into his light. There were a lot of cats around, a little more than should be there. But, overall it was a nice place.
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06 June 2017
I knew nothing about Hemingway before visiting this place. Our tour guide was a great storyteller and clearly had a passion for her job. Admission wasn't expensive and totally worth it in my opinion. If you enjoy museums and historical landmarks, definitely check this place out while at Key West.
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02 May 2017
I have to go back. We did a quick walk thru because of the hour, but the furniture and pictures were very nice. Gorgeous cats, but for me the highlight was the grounds. Beautiful, stunning! I love nature, and the grounds were all of the beauty you'd want to see It was truly a moment for me, also, when I stood in his writing studio.
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04 April 2017
Awesome place to visit. 6 toed cats everywhere. Great place to spend a couple hours and see how life was back in Hemingway's time. Good tour. Right in the middle of town. You can take a guided tour or just wander around on your own. Cats are real friendly and all over the house grounds.
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