Cruise Through Key Wests Black History Audio Tour

The "Cruise Through Key West’s Black History Audio Tour" offers an engaging insight into the rich cultural heritage of the city’s African American community. Covering 18 significant sites, the self-guided experience explores historic landmarks, burial grounds, and the area’s connections to Bahamian traditions. Participants can also savor local culinary delights, deepening their understanding of the region’s unique history. Whether you’re a history buff or simply seeking a meaningful travel experience, this tour promises to enlighten and captivate.

Tour Highlights

This self-guided audio tour explores Key West’s rich Black history, immersing visitors in the city’s connections to the Bahamas and its role in defeating the Confederacy.

Highlights include visiting the burial site of 250 Africans and a historic blacks-only beach. Participants can sample local food favorites like conch salad and key lime pie while learning about the AMe Zion Church and the cemetery.

The tour offers 18 stops, providing a comprehensive look at Key West’s Black heritage. With a duration of a few hours, this tour is a must-do for those interested in uncovering the hidden stories of this vibrant community.

Historical Connections

As visitors embark on the Key West Black History Audio Tour, they’ll uncover the city’s deep connections to the Bahamas. Key West’s proximity to the Caribbean islands fostered strong cultural ties, with many Bahamian immigrants settling in the area. This historical relationship is explored during the tour, highlighting the Bahamian influence on local architecture, cuisine, and language.

| Bahamian Connection | Description |

| — | — |

| Migration | Bahamians sought economic opportunities in Key West, contributing to the city’s diversity. |

| Trade | Goods and resources were exchanged between Key West and the Bahamas, shaping the local economy. |

| Culture | Bahamian traditions, music, and folklore became integrated into Key West’s cultural fabric.

Defeating the Confederacy

During the Civil War, Key West played a pivotal role in defeating the Confederacy. As a Union stronghold, the island city prevented the Confederacy from gaining control of the Florida Keys and the surrounding waters.

Its strategically important position allowed Union forces to blockade Southern ports, intercept blockade runners, and disrupt Confederate shipping.

Key West’s role was crucial in denying the Confederacy access to the Gulf of Mexico, a vital waterway for transporting goods and supplies. This helped weaken the Confederacy and contributed to its ultimate defeat.

Significant Burial Sites

Among the key historical sites featured on the tour are the burial grounds for Africans who perished during the transatlantic slave trade. The tour takes visitors to the cemetery where over 250 Africans were laid to rest after drowning off the coast of Key West in 1860. Plus, the tour highlights a historic all-black beach where these individuals were first buried before being moved to the cemetery. The significance of these burial sites underscores Key West’s role in this tragic chapter of American history.

| Burial Site | Location |

| — | — |

| African Burial Ground | Key West Cemetery |

| Historic All-Black Beach | Truman Waterfront Park |

Culinary Delights

While traversing the audio tour, visitors can indulge in Key West’s renowned culinary delights.

The tour highlights local favorites like conch salad, a Caribbean-influenced dish made with fresh conch, citrus, and spices.

Visitors can also savor the iconic Key lime pie, a sweet and tangy dessert that has become a signature of the region.

These regional specialties provide a flavorful complement to the historical insights gained during the tour, allowing participants to fully enjoy the unique character of Key West’s vibrant culture and heritage.

Tour Logistics

The tour starts at Mallory Square in Key West, the central meeting point for participants.

From there, the self-guided audio experience takes visitors on an exploration of Key West’s Black history, ending at Truman Waterfront Park.

The tour is open from January 30, 2025, to March 12, 2026, with the following hours:

• Monday: 12:00 AM – 12:30 PM

• Tuesday-Sunday: 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and strollers and infant seats are available.

It’s a private tour, so only your group will participate.

Renting a golf cart is recommended for easy navigation, as the written directions may contain inaccuracies, and GPS is advised.

User Experiences

How have users experienced the Key West Black History Audio Tour? Overwhelmingly positive, with an overall rating of 4.9 stars from 8 reviews.

Visitors praise the tour’s historical depth and engaging narration. Many recommend renting a golf cart for easier navigation, as the written directions have some inaccuracies. Users suggest downloading the tour to their phones or tablets beforehand, as GPS is helpful.

While the tour is wheelchair accessible, some note that strollers and infant seats are also available. The Key West Black History Audio Tour offers an immersive glimpse into the city’s rich African American heritage.

The Sum Up

The "Cruise Through Key West’s Black History Audio Tour" provides an insightful exploration of the region’s rich African American heritage. Visitors can explore the area’s connections to Bahamian traditions, discover significant burial sites, and savor local culinary delights – all while learning about Key West’s pivotal role in defeating the Confederacy. This self-guided experience offers an engaging and practical way to uncover the vibrant culture and history of the Black community.