Everything You Need to Know About the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum

Are you a super fan of Ernest Hemingway? Or perhaps more of a casual admirer? Regardless of your level of idolatry, the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum is a wonderful way to spend a day in Key West. When you get tired of the endless sunshine and gorgeous beach days (if that’s even possible!) or you get a hankering to learn about something historical, the Ernest Hemingway House is the perfect spot!

When planning your perfect Key West itinerary, we’d absolutely recommend adding the Hemingway House to your list. Even if you’re not into classic American lit, most people find something to love in this quirky house-turned-museum. Ready to learn more? In this piece, we’ll explain all you need to know about the classic museum.

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In this blog:

• Who Was Ernest Hemingway?
• History of the Hemingway House
• How Much Does Admission to the Museum Cost?
• What Are Museum Hours?
• Can We Take a Tour of the Museum?
• Do We Need to Make a Reservation?
• Tell Me More About the Hemingway Cats!
• Which Works Did Hemingway Write in Key West?
• What is the Hemingway Home Evening Writing Experience?
• Book Your Key West Trip Directly with Dwell!

Who Was Ernest Hemingway?

Ernest Hemingway is one of the most famous American authors of all time. He is most well-known for classics such as The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Old Man and the Sea. A novelist, short-story writer, and journalist, he lived quite a vibrant life that inspired his writings. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, he later went on to enlist in the Red Cross and serve as an ambulance driver in World War I. After the war ended, he moved to Paris in 1921 and then to Key West in 1928. Hemingway never stayed anywhere too long; he also went on to serve in World War II and spend a good deal of his later years in Spain. He won the Pulitzer Prize for literature for his 1952 novel, The Old Man and the Sea.

History of the Hemingway House

Hemingway lived in Key West for about a decade. He moved to Key West with his wife, Pauline, in 1928, and they bought the now-famous property known as the Hemingway House in 1931. When the marriage ended in 1939, he left Key West, though he retained ownership of the residence until his death in 1961. Nowadays, it’s a museum open to the public! Thousands of visitors attend the museum annually.

The house is quite grand; you’ll notice the in-ground swimming pool, which was a major luxury for Key West residences at the time. It was the only one of its kind within 100 miles at the time it was built. The site of the pool is actually also Hemingway’s former boxing ring, where he challenged local amateur boxers to sparring. As we noted, he lived a very fascinating life! The flora around the pool is also quite gorgeous—it’s well worth stopping to smell the roses, literally!

How Much Does Admission to the Museum Cost?

Admission to the museum is as follows:

Adults: General Admission $19

Children (6-12): $7

Children Under 5 Free

What Are Museum Hours?

The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. When we say daily, we truly mean every day—it’s open 365 days a year!

Can We Take a Tour of the Museum?

Yes! Tours are offered every 15 minutes, with the first tour of the day starting at 9:15. They're 20-30 minutes long.

Do We Need to Make a Reservation?

No. You don’t have to make a reservation to attend the museum; you can just walk in!

Tell Me More About the Hemingway Cats!

The museum is home to over 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats! In case you didn’t know, cats typically have five front toes and four back toes. All the cats on the property have this polydactyl gene, and many are even descendants of Hemingway’s own beloved cat, Snow White. She was originally gifted to Hemingway by a ship’s captain, and they were quite the bonded pair. If you’re a cat lover, you’ll love spying the many friends around the property! Many of the cats have fun names, named after famous figures (Hemingway loved to name his pets after well-known figures, so the museum follows suit).

Which Works Did Hemingway Write in Key West?

While living in Key West, Hemingway wrote prolifically. He finished (or significantly worked on) the following works in Key West:

• A Farewell to Arms
• Death in the Afternoon
• Green Hills of Africa
• To Have and Have Not
• The Snows of Kilimanjaro
• For Whom the Bell Tolls
• Islands in the Stream

What is the Hemingway Home Evening Writing Experience?

The Evening Writing Experience is something truly special! You and one guest will receive a guided tour of the property, and then afterwards you’ll have access to the entire home, gardens, and, best of all, the writing studio. You’ll have the opportunity to gain inspiration in the very same room Hemingway did in the 1930s! The experience can be booked in advance, and is only available Mondays through Thursdays. It does come with a hefty price tag--$1500 for 3 hours’ access to the space (4:30-7:30).

Book Your Key West Trip Directly with Dwell!

Pictured: the Hemingway Suite at the Inn on Fleming.

Wow! Who knew there was so much fun to be had at the Ernest Hemingway Museum? We sure hope you have an absolute blast when you visit. After you get your exploring done for the day, you’ll of course want to return home to the best boutique vacation rentals in Key West. Lucky for you, you’re already in the right place. Look no further than Dwell!

Our boutique Key West rentals are designed for travelers like you to have the best experience possible. Whether you want access to a pool or a rental with a full kitchen, you’ll find it all in our inventory. Hey, we even have a Hemingway Suite, if you’d like to stay on-theme with this article.  Go on, embrace your inner author!

No matter where you choose to stay, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect room for you. After all, you can’t go wrong when you book with Dwell! Browse our available hotel rooms near Duval Street now and book your Key West stay directly with us!