Key West is full of beautiful historic homes and buildings, one of which is the Audubon House. I love it here for a few reasons, but mainly it’s the art and the gardens that make visiting the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens something I enjoy time and again when we’re in Key West. Whether you’re into birds and history or just want to enjoy the unique sites of KW, you’ll enjoy a visit here. And if you’re traveling with kids, they may even enjoy the Audubon House (ours like it).
As you’re putting together your plans for Key West, you can easily group a visit to the Audubon House, the Hemmingway House and Key West Lighthouse all together in an afternoon. It’s a lot of touring and history, but each is beautiful and together they paint a wonderful picture of life in Key West before modern times. If you have questions about visiting the Audubon House or planning your time in Key West, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others plan great experiences.
Highlights of the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens
What I love about visiting the Audubon House is both the art and the gardens. The historic home element is beautiful too, and it’s a great example of the lifestyle of the wealthy wreckers of 1800s Key West, but the beautiful ground and gallery really are the highlights. Within the Audubon House you’ll see many examples of John James Audubon’s work and era-appropriate decor. When you get to the top floor, it’s a really fun experience seeing the attic space turned into a colorful photo op with lots of character reminiscent of the beautiful birds of Florida.
Outside, the gardens are exactly what I dream of being able to do with my house. Alas, I’m not a professional botanist with a well established tropical garden. It’s wonderful to wander through and enjoy the shade. The gardens are similar to those surrounding the Hemmingway House and Museum, but here there aren’t cats everywhere, which some people prefer. I really enjoy all the time we get to spend here.
Tips for Visiting Key West’s Audubon House
When you’re ready to visit the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, set aside more than an hour, as you’ll enjoy both the inside and the outside and may want to walk through a second time. Also, there is an incredible gallery shop that is full of both John James Audubon works and other like and local artists. While you can’t just roll up and purchase a full, life-sized Birds of America lithograph book on the spot, there is an immaculate collection to choose from to order or take home with you. Remember, limited edition reproductions are a pretty penny, but when you find a quality piece that you fall in love with, it can sometimes be very easy to justify the cost… not that I know anything about doing that…
History of the Audubon House (nope, not his house)
While this beautiful home and museum is known as that Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, John James Audubon, the famous naturalist and artist didn’t live here. This was the home of Captain John Geiger (think of nearby Geiger Key) and Audubon didn’t actually own it at any time.
The reason it’s called the Audubon House is because there were stories of Audubon doing work in the subtropics and there are many studies created by him reflecting South Florida species, so the Audubon House is named such in honor of his visit in 1832… but it was built in 1849.
Parking at the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens
There is not dedicated parking for visiting the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens. The house is located at the north end of Whitehead Street though, so there are several paid lots in the neighborhood and as you approach Mallory Square. We are usually on foot when we’re in the neighborhood, so that’s what I would recommend for you as well. It’s very easy to get an Uber or Lyft anywhere around Key West, and there are lots of taxis too. It’s a very walkable town and you’ll find that driving is more of a pain than a convenience, so plan your time to be both less stressful and more efficient.
Audubon House Key West Operating Information
To be sure you have the best experience at the Audubon House and around the historic neighborhood, here’s the operating information for your visit:
- Operating Dates/Season: year-round, everyday from 9:30 am to 4:15 pm, gallery shop open until 5:00 pm
- Office phone number: 305-294-2116
- Company website: Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
- Check-in address: 205 Whitehead St, Key West FL 33040
More Fun Things to do in Key West
Key West is many people’s favorite destination in the Florida Keys. You can’t blame them; there are so many wonderful things to do, historic sites, so much wildlife and great food. If you know you’re coming to Key West and need some ideas to add to your itinerary or travel plan, take a look at some of our favorite things to do. You can always just play it by ear, walking from neighborhood to neighborhood, but I like to always have at least a loose plan.
Where to Stay in Key West
If you haven’t planned where to stay in Key West yet, of course we have recommendations. We’ve stayed many place, from luxury resorts to family friendly hotels, cute stays in the historic center to spacious condos on the end of town. There’s the right type of accommodation for any type of traveler in Key West. Keep in mind that with so many things to do and beautiful places to just explore on foot, you may not have a ton of time in your hotel room, so you might not need a ton of space and lots of amenities. Also, Key West is pretty costly for accommodations. As you look for where to stay, balance out your budget by considering hotels that AREN’T directly downtown.
Here are some of our recommendations for where to stay in Key West. We’ll keep adding to this list as we enjoy more wonderful hotels and resorts.
I hope you’ll consider spending some time enjoying the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens. The vibe here is so peaceful and is perfectly Keys. If you have any questions about visiting Key West or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help plan awesome Florida Keys trips!
