
The Hemingway Experience in Key West
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 70 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Hemingway Experience in Key West worth booking?
The Hemingway Experience in Key West is a 4-hour experience in Key West, United States, from $189 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 70 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (70)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $189 per person
The Hemingway Experience celebrates Key West’s most infamous author, Ernest “Papa” Hemingway, with a historical walking adventure retracing his steps on a "Bucket List" tour of Old Town. Our 4-hour guided experience stops at (6) locations, helping tell Hemingway’s story in Key West & Cuba. Each ticket includes guided entrance into his famed Key West home. Then eat, drink, and explore the island on foot through “Papa’s eyes”, feasting on Cuban cuisine (& 3 boozy beverages) while your knowledgeable local guide impresses with interesting stories & amazing fun facts. The adventure takes you behind the scenes of a 3rd generation family run cigar rolling factory, and into the newly remodeled Social Club at Hemingway Rum Co. for his favorite drink made with his family company’s premium rum. Then finish with a slice of our famous key lime pie! After the tour, you’ll receive a collection of exclusive recipes, recommendations on restaurants, attractions, entertainment, and cultural offerings.
What you get
About this experience
The Hemingway Experience celebrates Key West’s most infamous author, Ernest “Papa” Hemingway, with a historical walking adventure retracing his steps on a "Bucket List" tour of Old Town. Our 4-hour guided experience stops at (6) locations, helping tell Hemingway’s story in Key West & Cuba. Each ticket includes guided entrance into his famed Key West home. Then eat, drink, and explore the island on foot through “Papa’s eyes”, feasting on Cuban cuisine (& 3 boozy beverages) while your knowledgeable local guide impresses with interesting stories & amazing fun facts. The adventure takes you behind the scenes of a 3rd generation family run cigar rolling factory, and into the newly remodeled Social Club at Hemingway Rum Co. for his favorite drink made with his family company’s premium rum. Then finish with a slice of our famous key lime pie! After the tour, you’ll receive a collection of exclusive recipes, recommendations on restaurants, attractions, entertainment, and cultural offerings.
What's included
Included
- Ticketed entry into Hemingway's Home and Museum
- Alcoholic beverages
- Lunch
Not included
- Gratuities
- Private transportation
What you'll see and do
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Enjoy a guided tour through Ernest Hemingway's home where he wrote literary works such as "For Whom the Bell Tolls," wander the lush gardens, pet his six-toed cats, and see the writers desk where it all happened.
50 minutes here · Admission included
Enjoy a full cuban meal of roast pork, rice, beans, and plantains accompanied by a glass of homemade sangria.
30 minutes here
Stop into the iconic and nearly 100-year-old hotel in the heart of Key West - this culinary experience celebrates local flavor with a twist. Sip on Mojitos and savor local shrimp cocktails in a Havana inspired modern restaurant. There might even be a surprise visit from the Chef!
30 minutes here
Rodriguez Cigar Factory
Meet the close cuban family of this 3rd generation owned and operated Cigar Factory. Learn how they moved their business and rebuilt their lives in Key West. See the cigar rolling process in person, peek your head into their humidor and leave with a surprise.
20 minutes here
Pop into the original and the new Sloppy Joe's to see where Hemingway rubbed shoulders with his local "mob" at their favorite watering hole, now turned into a MUST SEE for every Key West visitor.
Pass by without stopping
No Key West Food Tour would be complete without a slice of the pie that put us on the map!
20 minutes here
Hemingway Distillery
Finish the tour inside the Hemingway Rum Co's newest renovation, The Social Club, for his signature drink that he fell in love with during his many stints in Cuba taking back to introduce stateside. Become familiar with the drink and space over a distillery guide's entertaining presentation.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Key West
Please meet your guide in front of museum entrance. *Do not go to the ticket booth* Your tickets are only valid with the tour guide.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends inside the Hemingway Rum Company's Social Club.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Key West Food Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 70 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
8 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
70 verified traveler reviews for The Hemingway Experience in Key West. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Good value for tour
Very informative and grounds with kitties are beautiful 😍
via Tripadvisor
Walking history and food tour was perfect!
Excellent tour! History, fun facts, cultural influences. Great food and beverages. Jo was an excellent tour guide - enthusiastic and knowledgeable of Key West, Hemingway, local lore and just a fun guide. Highly recommend this tour.
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend
AmyJo was an amazing guide. Fun and extremely knowledgeable. The tour was packed with information and delicious food and drinks, all at a very leisurely pace.
via Viator
Excellent tour of Hemingway home along with local food, drink & culture
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Janice. She was a wealth of information a d we learned so much about local food, history & culture. I was apprehensive to book such a long tour (4 hrs) but the variety of places we visited for food, drink & cultural experiences were fantastic. We highly recommend this tour! Arrive hungry!!!
via Viator
Hemingway Experience
The experience was well planned and informative. The food was extremely good especially loved the sliders at Mangoes and the mojito at La Concha’s Tropicado Bar. An enjoyable experience from beginning to end.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 25
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Key West Food Tours, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 83.2 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Key West Food Tours runsWhy this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Hemingway Experience in Key West: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Key West.
How much does The Hemingway Experience in Key West cost?
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Prices start at $189 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Key West usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Hemingway Experience in Key West take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Key West is not rushed.
Is The Hemingway Experience in Key West worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 70 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Key West, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Hemingway Experience in Key West?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Hemingway Experience in Key West suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Hemingway Experience in Key West?
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Around 25 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Key West can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Key West and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Hemingway Experience in Key West start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Key West within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Key West?
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Key West is a boat town. The only living coral barrier reef in the continental US sits seven miles offshore, and reef trips, sunset catamarans and backcountry kayak runs are the core bookings, alongside Hemingway house and Duval history walks. Our ranking weighs boat capacity and reef site rotation, which separates the good operators from the party cruises. On Outty we rank every Key West experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Guided Bike Tour of Old Town Key West, Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset, Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Key West?
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December to April, dry season and calm reef water. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Key West?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in The Hemingway Experience in Key West?
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Included: Ticketed entry into Hemingway's Home and Museum; Alcoholic beverages; and Lunch. Not included: Gratuities; and Private transportation. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Hemingway Experience in Key West?
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Please meet your guide in front of museum entrance. *Do not go to the ticket booth* Your tickets are only valid with the tour guide. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is The Hemingway Experience in Key West offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for The Hemingway Experience in Key West?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is The Hemingway Experience in Key West wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Hemingway Experience in Key West if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Key West. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about The Hemingway Experience in Key West?
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Across 70 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, food and drink, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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