Numerous historic and interesting sites dot the landscape of Key West. One way to easily see these sites, and understand their extensive history, is to take a trolley tour during your stay at the quaint bed & breakfast, the Tropical Inn. Two main trolley tour companies in Key West, Old Town Trolley Tours and the Conch Tour Train, cruise the streets of the city, passing by such landmarks as the Ernest Hemingway mansion and the Little White House. Each tour departs from the Mallory Square area, only blocks down Duval Street from the Tropical Inn Bed & Breakfast.  The Conch Tour Train departs from the Front Street Depot in front of Mallory Square every 30 minutes from 9-4:30 daily. The tour includes 2 stops, one for 10 minutes at the Station Depot and a short stop at Flagler Station where passengers can disembark; see some of the sites, and return to catch a later train to finish the trip. The first train for Old Town Trolleys leaves Mallory Square at 9:00, departing every 30 minutes until 4:30. This tour can take as little as 90 minutes or the whole day. Passengers are allowed to go off and on the train 10 times so you could stop and visit the Hemingway House for instance. Trains come around to each stop every 30 minutes. Referred to as “transportainment” a trolley tour provides a lively mix of transportation and entertainment. Live narration brings history alive and makes you a part of the story of Key West.

Each night starting about 2 hours before sunset, the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is where visitors and local residents gather to see what was rated in 2006 as the best place to watch a sunset in Florida by Florida Monthly magazine. Located only 5 blocks down Duval Street from the Tropical Inn Bed & Breakfast, Mallory Square is an eclectic venue where artists, musicians, and performers display their talents with the sun disappearing into the Gulf of Mexico. In a way, the Sunset Celebration can be termed a mini circus. Plenty of entertainment can be found including jugglers, comedians, magicians, and more. Currently at Mallory Square in the evenings, world renowned animal trainer Dominique the Catman performs a magnificent act with his trained house cats.
Mallory Square and the deepwater port it borders have seen much history since the inception of Key West and before. Pirates once used the area as an anchorage point and the square also served as an assembly point for American troops for four wars. Many ships and submarines have wrecked just offshore.  Plenty of other attractions from museums to shopping abound at Mallory Square. The Sunset Celebration however is something that must be on your list of things to do. 

A convenient, quaint and historic spot to visit while staying in Key West is the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Located just south of Duval Street off Truman Avenue, an entire day can be spent at the best beach in Key West.

Construction of the fort, named after the 12^th President of the United States, Zachary Taylor, dates back to just after the War of 1812. Only one of three forts in Florida that remained in Union hands during the Civil War, the fort served as headquarters for a blockade squadron that intercepted Confederate supply ships sailing from ports in the Gulf of Mexico.

Over the years, the fort was adapted to the times and was useful in the Spanish-American War. Serving as a strategic defense post for the United States, the fort continued to see a military role through World War II. By the time the fort was decommissioned in 1947, radar and other more sophisticated weapons took the place of artillery.

Guided tours of the fort are available daily at 12 and 2 pm.

Aside from the rich history, the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Park offers many of the other leisure activities Key West is known for. You can experience the rich marine life snorkeling off the beach. Or, fishing is allowed on the west side of the park along the shipping channel.

Also, dine at the Cayo Hueso Café. Open daily from 10-5 at the park, they serve up great Key West beach cuisine.

So while you are staying in Key West, plan a visit to the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.