Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

Inside the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum, you can learn about the story of the treacherous Florida Keys reef and the many wrecks it caused, including the infamous 1838 Isaac Allerton vessel. Highlights of the museum include a silver bar from a Spanish galleon and the chance to look out from the captain’s observatory. You can explore the museum on its own or combine it with other nearby popular attractions such as Harry S. Truman's white house.

• Some travelers say that the museum is best suited for teens and older kids.

• Guides dressed in period costume are on hand to answer questions and offer info.

• The lookout tower does not have an elevator and only one floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible.

The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is located on the northside of Key West at 1 Whitehead Street. It’s accessible from the Lower Keys Shuttle route. Since Key West is quite small, locals and visitors typically prefer to get around on foot or by bike. Taxis and ride-share services are also readily available.

Not surprisingly, snowbirds flock to Key West during the winter months, so expect the largest crowds from December through February. March through May (the springtime shoulder season) is also a pleasant period to visit, with great weather and fewer people. The Keys experience hurricane season from June to November, so consider buying travel insurance if you’re planning to visit during that time.

If you’re interested in seeing some shipwrecks up close and personal, dive along a trail of historic shipwrecks that are found off the shore of the Florida Keys. Located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, each of the nine ship sites boast an underwater guide who can provide info on its history and marine life. Conditions on the trail sites vary from easy dives in shallow water to deeper dives of l00 feet (30 meters) or more.