Smathers and Higgs Beach Walk

Key West’s Smathers and Higgs beach areas offer signature public beaches with watersports rentals, open-air weddings, nearby Civil War hidden history and a 2.5-mile scenic walk, partly along a sidewalk that runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Key West Garden Club — with a rare collection of native, exotic trees and plants including blooming orchids and bromeliads — has made its home at the historic never-utilized Civil War-era West Martello Tower at 1100 Atlantic Blvd., listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Walkers can meander the tranquil butterfly, waterfall, prehistoric, native, cactus, perfume and orchid gardens and discover a hidden garden by the sea with benches overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. There’s a delightful garden gift shop.

Footsteps away, Key West African Burial Ground at Higgs Beach is billed by historians as the United States’ only African refugee cemetery. The oceanfront site was forgotten until research and a 2002 ground-penetrating radar survey revealed the presence of graves with remains of Africans brought to Key West for sanctuary in 1860 after the U.S. Navy freed them from three American-owned slave ships captured near Cuba. A memorial with African symbols marks the site. 

The Edward B. Knight Pier (often called White Street Pier), at the corner of Atlantic Boulevard and White Street, juts out several hundred feet into the Atlantic Ocean and is a haven for fishermen, families and those seeking reflection. It’s home to the Key West AIDS Memorial, remembering those lost because of the once-devastating disease.

The Key West Wildlife Center within the 7-acre Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park, at 1801 White St. near Atlantic Blvd., provides rehabilitation for native wildlife including birds, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals.

About a 2-mile walk away and near Key West International Airport is the Fort East Martello Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, at 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd. It was built in 1862 to provide protection for Key West against a possible Confederate Army sea assault. Today it houses memorabilia and the haunted Robert the Doll, infamous for his eerily quirky, mysterious behavior.

Allow a half-day or about four hours. Ubers or taxis offer pickups along the way.

Walking is partially along a paved, largely unshaded sidewalk, with some gravel or streetside areas. Wear sunscreen, a hat and comfortable walking shoes (save your flip flops for the beach!). The sidewalk runs parallel to the well-traveled South Roosevelt boulevard — also called A1A or the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.

Difficulty level: Easy
Best for: Sightseers, exercise walkers
Admission: Free at West Martello, open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations accepted at Key West Wildlife Center. Fort East Martello admission is priced from $17 per adult, open Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: Near Edward B. Knight Pier, White Street and Atlantic Boulevard.
Nearby lodging: Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton; Margaritaville Beach House Key West
Nearby dining: Dorada at Casa Marina Key West; Salute! on the beach, between Edward B. Knight Pier and Casa Marina; Tin Cup Chalice Bar & Chill at Margaritaville Beach House; various food trucks.