Hemmingway House in Key West: Perfect for Literature Fans and Cat Lovers

Some people want to visit the Hemmingway House because they’re lovers of great American literature and some people just want to spend the day hanging out with cats. Either option is a great reason to spend an hour or two visiting and touring Ernest Hemmingway’s home in Key West, Florida. It’s a beautiful property with gardens, historic rooms, photos and stories all about both Key West and Ernest Hemmingway’s life. I think this is a great thing to do with kids, or just as adults having a historic day.

When it comes to planning your time in Key West, I would for sure put the Hemmingway House (officially called the Hemmingway Home & Museum) on your itinerary. It’s very near the Key West Lighthouse and other attractions, and is a wonderfully unique historic site to visit. If you have any questions about visiting the Hemmingway House or need recommendations for things to do and where to stay in Key West, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan an amazing time in the Florida Keys.

Highlights of Visiting the Hemmingway House

If you’re familiar with Ernest Hemmingway’s work, then you know that there are elements that are beautiful and then elements that are kind of dark or unclean, but at the end are quite nice and enjoyable, with different reasons for everyone. That’s exactly what you get from a visit to the Hemmingway House in Key West. I love the decor and the photography, the things collected from travels and war. Together it really does paint a picture of the author so very well, even if you’ve not read a single one of his works.

The big highlight for most people though is the cat sanctuary. From the entry to the gardens and all through the house, there are kitties. When Hemmingway lived here he had 50+ cats. His first kitty was named Snow White and she was polydactyl. Today, there are still more than 50 kitties roaming the grounds. There are staff who take care of them, feed them and monitor their health, and guests give them all the love they need.

Tips for the Hemmingway House in Key West

For visitors who aren’t very familiar with Ernest Hemmingway, you should visit and do the guided tour. There aren’t many places where I prefer a guided tour to roaming on my own, but the Hemmingway House in Key West is one of them. Whether you’re interested in architecture, the stories behind the writing, Hemmingway’s personal life or the cats, the guided tours are actually really great. They’re led by historians and literature lovers so that means they are full of information and love getting questions. We’ve done the tour several times and each guide has shared a very different run of information, with one guide being very literature focused and one all about “Papa” and his persona. I highly recommend a visit with a tour.

Bring your camera to the Hemmingway House. Photography is allowed all through the house, the grounds and the private study. I think using a phone camera is fine for capturing much of the house, but given the decor, the collection, the cats and the beautiful lighting, there are some wonderful shots to capture throughout the house. Another helpful thing to bring: a fan. Even though the Hemmingway House has pretty great circulation and lots of outdoor access, on hot summer days it can be very warm inside, so a small fan can save you if you’re sensitive to the heat.

Being Prepared for a Visit with Cats

If you’re allergic to cats, take an allergy pill before visiting and then enjoy your time at the Hemmingway House. While the house is very well kept and cleaned, a lot of the cats like to rest inside and sometimes run around through the house. They aren’t everywhere but there tend to be at least 10 cats in the home when you’re touring the Hemmingway House.

Most Unique Tour in Key West: Writing in the Studio

That’s right! If you’re a writer and don’t mind paying a pretty price tag for a once in a lifetime experience, you can actually book a special tour of Ernest Hemmingway’s home that ends with you getting to enjoy several hours WRITING IN HIS STUDIO. While this may not give you the inspiration and drive to write the next great American novel, it could be that moment where everything that a writer struggles with clicks into place. I think something that’s evident in much of Ernest Hemmingway’s work is his continual struggle with life and the weight of his own demons. Maybe this is where you need to spend an afternoon confronting your own obstacles…

Booking: if you do want to book the Writing Experience you’ll need to email or call to set it up (info below). The cost is $1500 and it is for two people.

Accessibility for the Hemmingway House in Key West

Accessibility at the Hemmingway House: Key West has done a good job at making many of the tourist attractions and historic places wheelchair accessible, but not everyplace is. The Hemmingway House does have accessible entrances and ramps, with the grounds and the first floor of the main house being wheelchair accessible, but the upstairs and the private study are not accessible. Stairs are required to see these parts of the Hemmingway House. There is a film available that digs into the house and Ernest Hemmingway a bit, so that’s a nice addition, but the upstairs rooms with the most kitties aren’t an option.

Parking for the Hemmingway House

Like at the Audubon House, there is not dedicated parking for visiting the Hemmingway House. 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.