Key West City Guide
The Historic Key West Cemetery in Old Town
The Key West Cemetery spans 19 peaceful, tree-shaded acres right in the geographic heart of Old Town, bordered by Angela, Frances, and Olivia Streets with its main entrance at 701 Passover Lane. Established in 1847 following a devastating hurricane that washed graves out of the island's previous coastal sand cemetery, this historic necropolis holds an estimated 100,000 interments—far exceeding the island's living population. Characterized by above-ground whitewashed stone vaults (necessitated by Key West's shallow coral bedrock and high water table), the cemetery is internationally famous for its quirky, humorous Conch epitaphs and significant maritime monuments. The wider island directory and travel planner starts on the Key West City Guide homepage.
Quick answer Operating hours, famous funny gravestones, and walking tips
Read on 10 September 2026: The Key West Cemetery is open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM with free entry. Stop by the sexton's office at the Passover Lane gate to pick up a free numbered self-guided walking map. The most famous grave is that of B.P. 'Pearl' Roberts, inscribed with the legendary epitaph: 'I Told You I Was Sick.'
Key takeaways
- Pick up the free walking map: the cemetery sexton office provides a printed guide marking 42 notable historical graves and humorous headstones.
- Visit in the early morning: the 19-acre grounds have limited shade in the central plots, and the midday tropical sun can become intense.
- Respect above-ground vaults: do not sit or lean on historical whitewashed limestone crypts, many of which date back to the 1850s.
- Hop off the free Duval Loop bus at Stop 8 or 9 (Simonton & Angela St), located just three blocks away.
Key facts
Opening hours
| Daily | Open daily 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Summer) / 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Winter) |
|---|
Planning it
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Book ahead
- Optional — walk-up usually fine
- Address
- 701 Passover Lane, Key West, FL 33040
General self-guided walking is free of charge, while guided ghost and historical walking tours visit the cemetery perimeter:
Walk the grounds independently with a free map, or book a guided evening ghost tour:
| Option | Type | Highlights | Best For | Rate | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Guided WalkingIndependent visitors walking the 19 acres with a self-guided paper map | Public access | Free map, 42 marked points of interest, quiet morning photography | History buffs | Free ($0.00) | Official site |
| Ghosts & Gravestones TourNighttime travelers wanting narrated tales of yellow fever epidemics and cemetery legends | Trolley & walking | Narrates 1846 hurricane disaster, cemetery founding, and haunted vaults | Ghost hunters | $41.95 | Check Availability |
| Guided Bike Tour with Cuban CoffeeActive cyclers wanting morning rides past Old Town cemeteries and historic lanes | Bicycle tour | Cruises quiet avenues bordering cemetery with architectural guide | Cyclists | $80.00 | Check Availability |
| Old Town Trolley TourVisitors using hop-on hop-off transit across Old Town | Hop-on hop-off | Stop #5 drops visitors 3 blocks from the Passover Lane entrance | Full-day transit | $48.50 | Check Availability |
Explore guided ghost excursions and historic bicycle tours passing Old Town's historic burial grounds.
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Key West: Glass Bottom Boat Coral Reef Eco-Tour
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Key West: Guided Bicycle Tour with Cuban Coffee Tasting
The most intimate way to explore Old Town back lanes, smelling jasmine and frangipani blossoms while hearing stories of wreckers, sponge divers, and rum-runners from a resident guide.
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Key West: Old Town Trolley 13-Stop Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Full-day transport covering 13 stops across the entire island from Mallory Square to New Town. Ideal for travelers visiting Key West without a rental car or avoiding costly Old Town parking.
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Famous humorous epitaphs: Conch wit carved in stone
What endears the Key West Cemetery to travelers is its distinctly irreverent, good-natured Conch humor. Unlike somber mainland Victorian cemeteries, many residents chose to leave the world with a dry final laugh.
- B.P. 'Pearl' Roberts (Grave #4): The most photographed headstone in the Florida Keys, famous for her deadpan inscription: 'I Told You I Was Sick.'
- Fred 'Hypo' Cabanas: A legendary local stunt pilot whose marker features a carved biplane and the inscription: 'I’m just resting my eyes.'
- Gloria M. Russell: Inscribed with the playful culinary advice: 'I’m just resting my eyes... At least I know where he's sleeping tonight!'
- A local widow's tombstone: Reads succinctly: 'Devoted Companion to Sir Peter Fitzwilliam... If You're Reading This, You're Standing on My Boobs.'
Historical monuments: The USS Maine and Cuban freedom fighters
Beyond the humor, the cemetery contains deeply significant national and international military memorials.
Near the center of the grounds stands the USS Maine Memorial plot. In February 1898, the battleship USS Maine exploded mysteriously in Havana Harbor, triggering the Spanish-American War. Two dozen recovery victims whose bodies were pulled from the harbor were transported to Key West and buried here beneath a bronze sailor statue and salvaged naval artillery anchor chains. Nearby, the 'Los Martires de Cuba' monument honors Cuban patriots and cigar workers who launched revolutionary expeditions from Key West to overthrow Spanish colonial rule in the 1890s.
Visiting logistics: shade, iguanas, and etiquette
The cemetery grounds are home to dozens of large, harmless green iguanas and curly-tailed lizards that bask atop the warm whitewashed tombs. Early morning (between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM) is by far the best time to visit: the air is relatively cool, the light filtering through the mahogany and poinciana trees is ideal for photography, and the grounds are serene.
There are no restrooms inside the cemetery gates, but public restrooms are available three blocks away near the Truman Avenue transit stops. Bicycles are permitted on the wide paved pathways, but ride slowly and dismount when exploring the narrow footpaths between crypts.
Nearby Old Town landmarks
The cemetery sits in the quiet center of historic Old Town:
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Historic residence on Whitehead Street with six-toed cats and writing studio.
7 minutes walk (600 meters)Historic Seaport
Working harborwalk marina with raw bars, wooden schooners, and boat charters.
8 minutes walk (650 meters)Duval Street
Key West's 1.25-mile main commercial avenue packed with cafes and shops.
6 minutes walk (500 meters)Frequently asked questions about the Key West Cemetery
Is Key West Cemetery free to visit?
Yes, admission to the cemetery is completely free ($0.00). Visitors can pick up a free self-guided walking map at the sexton office by the main gate.
Where is the 'I told you I was sick' grave located?
The grave of B.P. 'Pearl' Roberts is located near the main entrance along Section B, clearly marked as Stop #4 on the official sexton office walking map.
What are the opening hours for Key West Cemetery?
The gates open daily at 7:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM during summer months (6:00 PM during winter months).
Why are the graves above ground in Key West?
Because Key West sits on solid coral limestone with a shallow water table that is just 3 to 5 feet beneath the surface, digging deep traditional graves is impractical. Above-ground whitewashed vaults protect interments from flooding.
Are dogs allowed inside the Key West Cemetery?
No, pets and dogs (other than certified service animals) are not permitted inside the cemetery grounds.
Key West on video: Key West Cemetery
Verified video walkthroughs and footage of Key West Cemetery, providing visual perspective before your visit.
Take a walk through The Key West Cemetery
Walkthrough of Key West Cemetery by Tiki Man Radio™ (Tiki Man Radio).
Video: tiki man radio™ (tiki man radio)Key West Cemetery: A Walk through the History of the Island
Walkthrough of Key West Cemetery by Fitting In Adventure.
Video: fitting in adventureKey West Cemetery Walk
Walkthrough of Key West Cemetery by Kickin' It In The Keys.
Video: kickin' it in the keysReviewed Q3 2026 (July–September 2026); next review Q4 2026. Prices, hours and terms are set by the venue or operator and confirmed at checkout.
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