Key West Tourist Trap Tips by grandmaR Top 5 Page for this destination

The Canonization of Truman Truman White House Review

When we lived in Key West the Truman White House was on the Naval Base. I thought it might be nice to see it now that it is open to the public. So we walked over from the Shipwreck Museum (there's no parking inside the gates).

We had about 45 minutes on the parking meter.

Unique Suggestions: I realized that the homes that used to be officers quarters for the Navy had been turned into condos etc. Everything is very sanitized in a Disney type way. (This is not a compliment.)

I also realized that the tour not only would cost $10.00 each (way too expensive), AND would take more time than we had on the parking meter.

I read about the tour. The house had been restored to the 40's styles.

I can remember the 40s. I don't need to see 'restored' 'historic' sites that are from the 40s.

Historic - NOT
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Fun Alternatives: There is a FREE 10 minute video tape extolling all possible virtures of Harry Truman and his life that you can see before the tour. I decided that the video tape was sufficient, and we didn't stay for the tour.

Captain Bob's Grill-Steak is not recommended

Although the billboard outside of Captain Bob's Grill-Steak has attractive prices, the food is suspect, service is not attentive, and Captain Bob glowers at the diners from his corner.

We got suckered in twice (a year apart. -The first time it wasn't so bad - a bit ordinary but not terrible).

I talked to folks on the Dry Tortugas ferry and he said they wouldn't feed that food to their cat, and that the service was terrible.

Unique Suggestions: This is not the restaurant on Front Street (which I have no experience with) it is at 2200 N. Roosevelt

Fun Alternatives: There are plenty of other good restaurants to chose from.

Parking Lot Charges

Under construction

T-Shirt Scammers T-Shirt Shops Review

T-shirt shops have been found guilty of scamming customers, failing to give written estimates of costs, and telling them how much T-shirts would cost after the work was done. Sometimes they would quote one price for the work and then charge another price at the the register. 37 out of 40 shops were in violation of the codes which are meant to stop these practices and eight of them were found guilty in a special master hearing in February 2004. Those shope are Smile Mon Inc., Smile Mon II, Sun Island, Coconut Island of Key West, Sunset Sport, Inc., Paradise Corner, Sivan of Key West and the Pelican. They were barred from making T-shirts for 10 days and fined $5000.00. The suspensions are being appealed.

Unique Suggestions: I have not been here, but if you don't want to buy from the aggressive T-shirt vendors, I suggest going to the T-Shirt Factory and getting a custom shirt with whatever logo you like done for you. They will charge about $15.00 each
316 Simonton St.
305-292-2060

I have a picture under the Shopping Tips

Fun Alternatives: If you have a car, and are in Key West on the weekend, take a ride up to the Big Pine Flea Market, which is every Saturday and Sunday between 8 and 2. If you don't mind digging through the pile to find your size or color or logos that you like, you can get 4 T-shirts or polo shirts for $10.00 (usually seconds which will often have a star embroidered over the flaw). They also sell food (to eat or to cook), jewelry, socks, sunglasses, and souveniers.