Ernest Hemingway House Museum

Key West home museum famous for polydactyl cats

Key West home of Ernest Hemingway, preserved with period rooms and descendants of his polydactyl cats; guided tours cover his life, memorabilia and the courtyard garden.

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Ernest Hemingway House at a Glance#

Address: 907 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, United States

Website: https://www.hemingwayhome.com/

Hours: Daily 9:00am-5:00pm (hours may vary seasonally; check website)

Admission: Admission: Adults $17 (approx.; check current pricing)

About Ernest Hemingway House#

The Ernest Hemingway House in Key West, Florida, is a Spanish Colonial-style home best known as the residence of author Ernest Hemingway from 1931 to 1939. The property is preserved and interpreted today as the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

Public tours cover the house’s rooms, Hemingway’s upstairs writing studio, and the surrounding tropical gardens; the site is also notable for its resident polydactyl cat colony of roughly 40 animals. The museum presents period furnishings and displays related to Hemingway’s life and work in Key West.

The house was built in the mid-19th century and later acquired by Hemingway in 1931; he lived and worked there through much of the 1930s, producing and revising several works during that period. Ownership and use changed after Hemingway’s residency and the property was eventually opened to the public as a museum.

Situated in Old Town Key West, the property is part of the island’s historic district and is a short walk from other downtown attractions and waterfront areas.

  • Location and access: Located in Key West’s Old Town at 907 Whitehead Street, the property is operated as a museum and regularly offers guided tours of the house and grounds.
  • Cats: A colony of polydactyl (extra-toed) cats lives on the property; the animals are descendants of Hemingway’s own cats and number around 40.

What to See#

  • House and studio: The main house is a Spanish Colonial-style building where visitors tour rooms, the writer’s second-floor office, and period furnishings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • Gardens and cat colony: Gardens include tropical plantings and shaded paths that surround the house and link the main structure with the writing studio; the site is known for its resident polydactyl cats descended from Hemingway’s pets.

How to Get to Ernest Hemingway House#

The house is a 10-15 minute walk from Key West’s Mallory Square and close to many other historic sites in Old Town. From Key West International Airport (EYW) it is a short taxi ride into town; parking in Old Town can be limited so walking or biking is often recommended.

Tips for Visiting Ernest Hemingway House#

  • Buy tickets online in advance for busy winter and spring seasons to avoid lines
  • Listen to house staff about the cats - descendants of Hemingway's own cats still roam the property
  • Visit early in the morning to see the house with softer light and fewer tour groups

Best Time to Visit Ernest Hemingway House#

Winter and spring offer the best weather for Key West, but expect higher visitor numbers in winter months.

Winter
December-March · 18-26°C
Peak tourist season in Key West: dry, pleasant weather but busiest.
Spring
March-May · 20-28°C
Warm with fewer crowds than mid-winter; good for walking and house tours.
Summer/Fall
June-November · 25-32°C
Hot and humid; hurricane season peaks in late summer and early fall so check advisories.

Weather & Climate near Ernest Hemingway House#

Climate

Ernest Hemingway House's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 18°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1026 mm/year), wettest in September.

Air Quality: AQI 23 Good
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryMarchApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 18° - 24° 21° 63 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.6 m/s 1.1 high 10.7h
February Ideal 18° - 24° 21° 42 mm some cloud 80% 4.7 m/s 1.5 very high 11.2h
March Ideal 20° - 26° 23° 49 mm mostly sunny 77% 4.9 m/s 2.0 very high 11.9h
April Ideal 22° - 27° 24° 51 mm mostly sunny 76% 4.7 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.6h
May Excellent 24° - 29° 26° 90 mm some cloud 76% 4.1 m/s 2.3 extreme 13.2h
June Very Good 25° - 31° 32° 135 mm partly cloudy 78% 3.4 m/s 2.3 extreme 13.5h
July Very Good 26° - 32° 33° 95 mm partly cloudy 75% 3.3 m/s 2.4 extreme 13.4h
August Very Good 26° - 32° 33° 138 mm partly cloudy 75% 3.0 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.9h
September Very Good 25° - 31° 32° 143 mm partly cloudy 77% 3.5 m/s 1.9 very high 12.2h
October Excellent 24° - 29° 26° 115 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.2 m/s 1.6 very high 11.5h
November Excellent 21° - 27° 24° 53 mm some cloud 76% 4.6 m/s 1.2 high 10.8h
December Excellent 19° - 25° 22° 52 mm some cloud 79% 4.5 m/s 1.0 moderate 10.5h

Nearby Attractions to Ernest Hemingway House#