Key West Aquarium - The Island's First Tourist Attraction

Reaching into the Gulf of Mexico at the end of Whitehead Street is a uniquely interesting home to many of the local species of sea creatures. I'm talking about the Key West Aquarium, the island's first tourist attraction. As one of the top family friendly things to do in Key West, make sure it's on your itinerary. 

Built back in the 1930s, the aquarium is still a popular destination for tourists. Imagine going snorkeling or diving after your visit. You'll get to see the same creatures you learned about here, but in the wild. 

Inside the main building there are large salt-water pools with stingrays, turtles and sharks. Along the walls there are tanks filled with the fish of the Florida Keys. In them you'll see: yellowtail, grunts, clown fish, parrotfish and more. 

Out back there is an area where rescued turtles are rehabilitated before they are release back into the sea. Next to it is where the shark feeding takes place, a must see part of your experience.

 

While you're here, help out by feeding and petting some of the sea life on display. Reach in and pet a Cownose stingray, pet a shark or hold a starfish in your hands. Whatever you decide to do, you'll have a fun learning experience.

 

The Aquarium is located at 1 Whitehead Street, just behind the Key West Shipwreck Museum and next to the sponge market. Hours of operation are daily from 10-6 pm with guided tours and shark feedings at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 4:30pm. Pricing is the same as the Key West Shipwreck Museum: Adults = $15.04, Children = $8.59 and Seniors = $12.90. If you purchase your tickets online the prices are as follows: Adults = $13.54, Children = $7.93 and Seniors = $11.61. Check them out online at www.historictours.com or www.keywestaquarium.com or you can call them at 305-296-2051.

"Wreck Ashore!" A Visit to the Key West Shipwreck Museum

"Wreck Ashore!" The cry goes out over the island. Quickly every able-bodied man rushes to his skiff and heads out to sea. There is a lot at stake. The first one to reach the wreck becomes the 'wrecking master' and gets the lion's share of the booty from the sinking ship. This was life in Key West back in the 16, 17 and 1800s.

The Key West Shipwreck Museum brings the days of the wreckers back to life. When you step inside, you are surrounded by artifacts from ships that lost their lives on the reef off the Florida Keys. Master salvager, Asa Tift greets you and walks you through what life was like back then. There are gold and silver coins, a 64 pound silver bar from Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas, old bottles, and a grand piano sits in the center of the room. Take your time looking around at all these ancient treasures.

Upstairs travel along the halls of artifacts used by and found by wreckers of the day. Read about the lives of some of the richest wreckers and see a list of all the wreckers from back then. Look closely; maybe you have an ancestor listed there.

When you're done exploring inside, step out and climb to the top of the 65' lookout tower. You can see the whole island from here. Imagine being the first one to see a shipwreck and yell out the call "Wreck Ashore!"

After you've walked all the way to the top of the tower, descend to the lowest level and enjoy a short film about the life of wreckers. As you get ready to leave, you'll pass by the diving gear from the past and present. Would you like to put on that heavy gear and jump in the water to salvage gold and jewels?

To visit is easy. Bring your family to 1 Whitehead Street, right in front of the Aquarium, the sponge market and Mallory Square. Hours of operation are daily from 9:40-5pm with the last show starting at 4:40pm. Pricing for here and the Aquarium are the same: Adults = $15.04, Children = $8.59 and Seniors = $12.90. If you purchase your tickets online the prices are as follows: Adults = $13.54, Children = $7.93 and Seniors = $11.61. Check them out online at http://www.historictours.com/or http://www.keywestshipwreck.com/ or you can call them at 305-292-8990. Come revisit the life of a wrecker at the Key West Shipwreck Museum.

What Do The Boots Say

A few weeks ago we went to the rodeo. A real rodeo. I took over 1,030 pictures of everything from horses, bull riders, the Junior rodeo, hats and boots. Yes, boots.

Here are some pictures of boots. Now, as you look at them, decide what the boots are saying. Each of these has a story to tell. Maybe someday I'll tell those stories, but for now, you make up your own stories. Share them in the comments here if you want to. If you do, I'll assemble them and do a post with the picture you chose and what it said to you. Have fun with this, get creative and see where it takes you. I can't wait to read what the boots said to you.

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4

5a

5b

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7a

7b

8a

8b

                                

9

Have fun!

Horseshoe Crab Orgy

I know it's been a while since I posted. I guess life got in the way. Anyway, today I have an interesting tale for you from our travels. Sit back and enjoy, and be glad you aren't a horseshoe crab!

As I sat on a bench taking pictures of the sunset, I saw these little legs and spiky tails flailing around in the breaks of the waves. After watching for a few minutes I realized they were horseshoe crabs. As the waves started to wash them up on the beach, I noticed they were coming in pairs, a big one on the bottom and a smaller one attached to its' back. At first I thought they were mommy and baby, but soon realized they were male and female mating. I quick got my GoPro and started filming them as the female would bury herself in the sand and the male was shifting around on her back. 

So I filmed this one couple work their way through the waves and come to shore. The female started burying herself then suddenly stopped. Next thing I know she's turning around and heading back into the river. I think she got to close to this other horseshoe crab couple that she didn't like.

One more tale from that night: At the end of the beach invasion a couple was struggling in the breaking waves. Just as they were being tossed on the beach, a wave came up and flipped them on their backs! Well, the female tried and tried to flip back over. When she was almost there, the male separated from her. Now, instead of trying to help her, he took off and started to horn in on another copulating couple and abandoned her! There she was, butt stuck in the sand, tail in her face. I tell you! When she finally flipped over, she took off back into the river, as fast as she could get away from him. Here is a picture story of this. 

Couple arrives on the beach.

Trying to flip over.

She uses her tail to trip and flip.

The male is hanging on for dear life.

The male breaks free.

The male flips himself.

Now the male is checking on his mate. You think he's going to help her, right?

WRONG! He abandons her for another.

See, he's trying to horn in on this other couple.

So now he tries to steal this female from her partner.