Pirates & Treasure: Self Guided Tour of Key Wests Old Town

Uncover the swashbuckling past of Key West’s historic Old Town through an immersive self-guided audio tour. Set out on a captivating journey filled with tales of notorious pirates, daring treasure hunters, and infamous shipwrecks. Follow in the footsteps of Captain William Shade as you explore iconic Cuban hangouts, lively saloons, and 19th-century landmarks, each with its own captivating story to tell. Discover the area’s rich maritime history and local legends, brought to life through engaging commentary in both English and Spanish. This one-hour adventure offers a unique opportunity to explore the town’s colorful past at your own pace. What secrets await those who dare to venture into Key West’s pirate-infested waters?

Key Points

• Explore Key West’s Old Town on a self-guided audio tour to uncover tales of notorious pirates, treasure hunters, and swashbuckling maritime history.
• Follow the ghostly footsteps of Captain William Shade and discover captivating local legends, iconic Cuban hangouts, and historic sites.
• Learn about renowned treasure hunter Mel Fisher and his Maritime Museum as part of the immersive tour experience.
• The tour is designed to last approximately 1 hour, with the flexibility to explore the landmarks and attractions at your own pace.
• Download the VoiceMap app and the specific Key West’s Old Town tour beforehand, ensuring a charged smartphone and headphones for the self-guided adventure.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The self-guided audio adventure through Key West’s Old Town allows visitors to explore the stories of pirates, treasure hunters, and wreckers at their own pace. This 1-hour tour provides an immersive experience, with an audio guide available in both English and Spanish.

Guests can follow Captain William Shade’s ghost as they discover famous pirates, wrecks, and local legends. Along the way, they’ll visit Cuban hangouts, saloons, and historic homes, including the Oldest House Museum & Gardens.

The tour offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and uncover the rich maritime history of this charming Florida city. With just a charged smartphone and headphones, visitors can embark on an unforgettable journey through Key West’s captivating past.

Key Highlights

This self-guided audio tour offers a compelling lineup of key highlights for visitors to discover in Key West’s Old Town.

Guests can follow the ghostly footsteps of Captain William Shade as they uncover the tales of famous pirates, notorious shipwrecks, and captivating local legends that have shaped the city’s rich maritime history.

Along the way, they’ll explore iconic Cuban hangouts, lively saloons, and historic homes, including the renowned Oldest House Museum & Gardens.

Travelers can learn about the swashbuckling exploits of pirates, the high-stakes world of treasure hunting, and the intriguing stories of the region’s ‘wreckers’ who salvaged goods from ships that met their demise on the treacherous reefs surrounding the Florida Keys.

Experiences Along the Tour

Visitors can experience a diverse range of attractions and historic landmarks along the self-guided audio tour of Key West’s Old Town. They’ll start at El Meson de Pepe’s Restaurant and Bar, a popular Cuban hangout that has been serving up authentic flavors since 1976. From there, they’ll venture to Capt. Tony’s Saloon, a legendary watering hole known for its haunted history and connections to infamous Key West characters.

Attraction	Highlight
Oldest House Museum & Gardens	Explore a 19th-century home and lush tropical gardens
Audubon House	Discover the winter home of naturalist John James Audubon
Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum	Learn about the renowned treasure hunter’s underwater heists
Mallory Square	Witness the nightly Sunset Celebration with street performers
Hemingway Home & Museum	Tour the former residence of the famous author

Starting Point and Directions

The self-guided audio tour of Key West’s Old Town begins on the southern end of Mallory Square, located at 420 Wall Street.

To access the tour, visitors need to install the VoiceMap smartphone app and download the tour before arriving at the starting point.

Once there, the tour will guide participants through the historic district, allowing them to explore the stories of pirates, treasure hunters, and wreckers at their own pace.

The route is set, so it’s best to start at the designated location to ensure a seamless experience.

Visitors should make sure they’ve a charged smartphone and headphones before embarking on this immersive journey through Key West’s captivating past.

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Audio Guide and Language Options

The self-guided audio tour offers narration in both English and Spanish, allowing visitors to enjoy the experience in their preferred language. This multilingual feature ensures everyone can enjoy the captivating stories of pirates, treasure hunters, and wreckers that unfold throughout the historic Old Town of Key West.

The audio guide provides a seamless, self-paced journey, bringing the destination’s vibrant past to life through vivid descriptions and engaging commentary.

Whether you’re exploring as an English or Spanish speaker, this versatile tour caters to diverse audiences, making it an accessible and inclusive way to discover the rich heritage and mysteries that have shaped Key West’s captivating character.

Tour Duration and Estimated Time

Although the self-guided audio tour through Key West’s Old Town is designed to last approximately 1 hour, the actual duration can vary depending on each visitor’s pace and the time spent exploring the various landmarks and attractions along the way.

The tour covers a set route, and it’s recommended to begin at the designated starting point on the southern end of Mallory Square.

Visitors will have the opportunity to follow Captain William Shade’s ghost, learn about famous pirates and legends, and discover historic sites like the Oldest House Museum, Audubon House, and Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum.

With an immersive audio guide available in both English and Spanish, travelers can fully enjoy the rich history and stories of Key West’s Old Town at their own leisurely pace.

Required Devices and Preparation

To fully experience the self-guided audio tour, visitors will need a charged smartphone and a pair of headphones. They’ll also need to download the VoiceMap app and the specific Key West’s Old Town tour before arriving at the starting point on the southern end of Mallory Square.

This allows the app to guide visitors through the historic district, sharing tales of pirates, treasure hunters, and wreckers along the way. The tour follows a set route, so it’s best to start at the designated location.

With the app and tour downloaded, visitors can embark on their adventure through Key West’s captivating past, discovering its iconic landmarks and hidden gems at their own pace.

Tour Route and Start Location

The self-guided audio tour of Key West’s Old Town begins at the southern end of Mallory Square, located at 420 Wall Street. Visitors will find the designated starting point easily, as it’s a popular gathering spot for both locals and travelers alike.

Before starting the tour, participants need to download the VoiceMap smartphone app and the specific tour onto their device.

Once ready, the audio guide will lead them through the charming streets of Old Town, sharing the stories of pirates, treasure hunters, and wreckers that have shaped this historic neighborhood.

The pre-set route ensures travelers don’t miss any of the key highlights, including famous locations like Capt. Tony’s Saloon and the Oldest House Museum & Gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Suitable for Families With Young Children?

The tour may not be the best option for families with young children as it covers some adult topics like pirates, treasure hunting, and haunted locations. However, the tour is self-guided, so families can choose what to explore.

What Is the Refund Policy if I’m Unable to Complete the Tour?

The tour’s refund policy states that full refunds are available if the tour is cancelled or rescheduled. However, no refunds are provided if the customer is unable to complete the tour for any reason. Customers should review the policy before booking.

Can I Stop the Tour and Resume It Later at the Same Location?

Yes, you can stop the tour and resume it later at the same location. The audio guide is designed to allow you to pause, move around, and pick up where you left off without losing your place.

Does the Tour Offer Any Discounts for Seniors or Students?

The tour doesn’t explicitly mention any discounts for seniors or students. However, some self-guided tours in the area may offer concessions, so it’s worth checking with the tour provider directly to inquire about any potential discounted pricing options.

Are There Any Accessibility Options for Individuals With Disabilities?

The tour offers accessibility options for individuals with disabilities. The audio guide can be played through a smartphone, and the tour route is wheelchair-friendly, allowing guests to explore Key West’s historic sites comfortably.

Recap

Embark on an immersive journey through Key West’s historic Old Town, uncovering the captivating tales of pirates, treasure hunters, and notorious shipwrecks.

Discover the ghostly footsteps of Captain William Shade as you explore iconic Cuban hangouts, lively saloons, and 19th-century historic sites.

This self-guided audio tour offers a unique opportunity to explore Key West’s swashbuckling past at your own pace, with engaging commentary in both English and Spanish.

You can check availability for your dates here: