Free & Inexpensive Things To Do In Key West

If you've ever been fortunate enough to escape the deep freeze of northern winters and vacation in Key West you know that it's like to be in heaven for a while. I am one of those lucky people who has been able to get away to this island of paradise for a while each year. Key West is as expensive as it is beautiful yet there are some not so well known free and almost free things to do that should not be missed. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Key West that won't leave a hole in your wallet.

The West Martello Tower - This National Historic Site and former Civil war fort houses a delightfully tranquil outdoor botanical garden with many species of native and exotic plants, trees, and flowers including orchids and Brummel's. The cool thick walls of the fort provide a welcome respite from the hot sun and you can stroll through the brick paths, archways,and courtyards. I like to make an iced lemonade and bring it with me to sip under the gazebo which faces out over the ocean. It is a relaxing place to meditate, feel the ocean breeze and enjoy the tropical foliage. There is an East & West Martello Tower. This is the West Martello branch and it's free though donations to the Key West Garden Club are welcomed. The West Martello Tower & Garden is open year round Tues. through Sat. from 9:30 a.m to 3:15 p.m. It is located at the end of While St. where it meets the Atlantic Ocean

Just opposite the entrance to Fort Taylor State Park is the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, a modern, state-of-the-art educational facility with presentations of the different ecosystems and habitats found in the Florida keys. There is a terrestrial habitat room, and underwater exhibit with a 2,500 gallon reef tank where you can g kinds of tropical fish and sea life. The center has 74 seat digital theater where they show a special 20 minute environmental film, and have built a replica of Aquarius, the world's only undersea laboratory, which is up in Key Largo. This is a great place to learn about the environment and wildlife of the Florida keys:Kids will love it. There's no admission fee. It's free, air-conditioned, with plenty of free parking space in front of the building. Hours are Tues. through Sat. 9:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A Key Encounter - Run by a not for profit Christian organization this educational center offers a unique, and inspiring introduction to the Florida Keys wildlife using huge movie screens that surround you on three sides. Encircled by great underwater footage of tropical fish, manta rays, coral ,and other sea creatures this is like scuba diving without getting wet. You can take their jungle walk and see live parrots & other tropical birds, then catch a presentation in their 20 ft. dome planetarium which has a very sophisticated projection system via the Media Globe. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. A Key Encounter is located at the Clinton Square Market Mall 291 Front St. on the upper level. They are open Tues. through Sun. 11:00 a.m til 5:00 p.m. During the winter on Fri. 11:00 a.m til 3:00 p.m

Sunset Festival At Mallory Dock - This famous event takes place on the waterfront of Mallory Dock every evening. Here you can enjoy hours of free entertainment joining hundreds of sun worshipers, street performers, musicians, crafts people, and locals who all gather together to celebrate the setting of the sun. Don't miss Dominique's performing house cats who jump through hoops like lions and walk figure eights around his legs. If you have a few bucks try some key lime pie ice cream, an island special that will cool you off and delight your palate. Walk over to Meson de Pepe 's outdoor restaurant section and hear the live salsa band. Inside you can see life size replicas of paintings by the late Cuban/Key West folk artist, Mario Sanchez.

People who prefer to watch the sunset in a more tranquil environment can do so by walking out on White Street Pier where you have an unobstructed view of the ocean with brilliant sunsets, without the crowds. Watch the pelicans swoop down into the water for their evening meal and if you look over the wall of the pier and are patient you will see various sea creatures including needle fish, crabs, and if you're lucky, a little octopus. Look between the cracks in the rocks.

Beaches & Swimming - Higgs & Smathers beaches are beautiful and both are free, but the water tends to be shallow unless you go out pretty far. The best swimming beach in Key West (inmy opinion) is the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park located at the west end of Southard St. just a couple blocks off of Duval. You enter through the Truman Annex. The beach at Ft. Taylor is rocky so it's good to bring water shoes to protect your feet from the coral. The water has gentle waves that make swimming fun and the you can see various species of tropical fish if you snorkel around the rock jetties. Then relax in the shade of the Australian Pine forest or under a palm. There are scattered picnic tables in the park and public rest room/changing facilities. You can watch the boats and cruise ships come and go and often the park will have sculpture exhibits by local artists right there along the beach as part of their "Art In The Park" series. Fort Taylor State Park is open year round 8:00 a.m. til sunset. There are nature trails and scheduled guided tours of the fort that you can take and are included in the admission price which is $1.50 if you go on foot or bike, $3.50 by car for one person and some additional fee for each person thereafter.

Smack in the middle of downtown Key West at the end of tiny little Free School Lane you can step into the world of Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden. With the help of a few friends this remarkable eco-artist turned a city block into a tropical rainforest with many species of rare and exotic plants, trees, and flowers. This mini rainforest also provides sanctuary to a collection of rescued parrots and a few stray cats who all seem to get along with each other. Always in danger of losing the property to would be developers an entrance donation of $10.00 is requested which is used to support and preserve this little jewel for all to enjoy and learn from. Nancy's Secret Garden is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located at No.1 Free School Lane off the 500 block Simonton.

There are many other free and almost free things to see and do in Key West,but they will have to be continued in another hub. If you go to Key West in the meantime do check these places out and enjoy.

Susan at www.yourtraveltoolkit.com