In the middle of Key West’s lively bars and music, there’s a place that feels calm, cool, and almost timeless. It’s the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, a quiet island of shade and stories. Many visitors come for Hemingway’s writing history. Most stay, though, for the cats — especially the ones with six toes.
A Peaceful Place with a Wild Past
Hemingway moved into the Spanish Colonial house in the 1930s. It sits on one of the highest points in Key West, which surprises a lot of people. The home is bright, airy, and full of the author’s old treasures. Even with tourists walking through, the place feels relaxed. The gardens, the palms, and the cats all seem to know this house was made for slow afternoons.
The Famous Six-Toed Cats
Most people hear about the cats before they ever visit. Today, around 60 felines live on the property. Many of them have an extra toe, thanks to Snowball, a white polydactyl cat a sea captain gave to Hemingway. The trait stayed in the family line, so you’ll see big paws everywhere — napping on porches, posing on benches, and ruling the yard like they own it.
The staff cares for each cat like a tiny VIP. Every cat has a name, from Audrey Hepburn to Harry Truman. And yes, every single one is allowed to wander the grounds exactly as it pleases.
The Legendary Pool
Behind the house sits the famous swimming pool, and it comes with a story only Key West could pull off. Built in 1938, it cost $20,000 — an eye-popping amount at the time. Hemingway once joked that it cost him his last cent, and he pressed a penny into the still-wet cement. You can still see it there today.
The pool glows bright blue in the Florida sun, and it adds to the calm feel of the property. Even with crowds, it feels like a quiet escape from the busier parts of Old Town.
Why the House Still Matters
The Hemingway Home isn’t only a museum. It’s a look into island life in the 1930s. It’s a place where history is alive, where cats have personalities, and where visitors slow down for a moment before heading back into the bustle of Duval Street.
If you love Key West’s mix of charm, humor, and odd little surprises, this spot brings all of it together.
Fun Fact: The cats wander the grounds with complete freedom, but the museum keeps exact records of every pawed resident — family trees and all!
