Cheap entertainment in Key West

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH…

"Walking & Biking Guide to Historic Key West"

This free booklet of 14 detailed tours is distributed at shops, restaurants and tourist attractions all over the island.

Key West's Municipal swimming pool

The pool, atop the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in the picturesque Bahama Village section, offers terrific ocean views, is free and open to the public daily. Catherine and Thomas Streets.

Key West Cemetery

Located at the corner of Angela and Frances Streets, the peaceful spot features epitaphs such as "I Told You I Was Sick," "At Least I Know Where He's Sleeping Tonight" and "Devoted Fan of Julio Iglesias," along with pink-granite gravestones for three Yorkshire terriers and Elfina, a local family's pet deer, and other quirky afterlife oddities.

West Martello Tower

Sun-starved Northerners are exploring the ruins and helitroping among the lush vegetation, palm trees and fragrant flowers at this pre-civil war era fort maintained by the Key West Garden Club.

Unmarked home of author Tennessee Williams

Snap photos of a white clapboard, red-shuttered Bahamian cottage at 1431 Duncan St., the unmarked home of author Tennessee Williams. He wrote "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof," among others.

Higg's Beach

Thrifty sun worshipers relax and swim without paying a dime for parking or admission at Higg's Beach. Located where White Street run into the ocean on the south side of the island.

Nancy's Secret Garden

This one-acre Eden of exotic plants, palms and parrots is hidden in the center of Old Town. Teaching artist Nancy shares her passion for the natural world with visitors at 10 a.m. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10. www.nancyforrester.com, 518 Elizabeth Street, (305) 294-0015

Bo's Fish Wagon

This ramshackle, fishnet-draped structure at 801 Caroline Street offers great house specialties -- inexpensive orders of fish and chips and legendary conch fritters. www.bosfishwagon.com, (305) 294-9272

El Siboney Restaurant

Giant platters of roast pork, beans and rice, fried plantains and other authentic Cuban dishes are priced under $10. 900 Catherine Street, www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com, (305) 296-4184

Abbondanza

At this sleek Italian cafe where the menus read "Make Love, Eat Pasta," the restaurant's signature pasta dish will set you back just $9.99. abbondanzakeywest.com, 1208 Simonton Street, (305) 292-1199

Bahama Mama's Restaurant

This little eatery is just a block from the Hemingway House.

FOR GREAT INFORMATION ON CHEAP PLACES IN KEY WEST, READ:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/travel/sfl-keywestbargains,0,5739800.story

TOURIST TRAPS I CAN'T RESIST...

Old Town Trolley Tour in Key West

See the sights on this orange and green trolley, a narrated tour that allows you to hop on and off all day for one price. You can purchase your tickets in your hotel or in Old Town on Duval Street. 305-296-6688 www.trolleytours.com

Conch Tour Train

Key West’s train tour is a must-do for first-time visitors. It gives an invaluable overview of the place and all sorts of insights on its history and culture.

Key West Aloe

A company that has made their own all-natural products since 1971, without any animal testing. 419 Duval Street, Key West, www.keywestaloe.com

Captain Tony’s Saloon

This was the original Sloppy Joe’s, when Hemmingway was a regular. Live bands feature all the time; Conch hero Jimmy Buffett used to sing here. 428 Greene St, Key West 305-294-1838

Top Lounge

Located on the seventh floor of the Crowne Plaza La Concha Hotel, the Top Lounge is one of the best places to get a 360-degree view of the island and beyond, drink in hand. You can also go up for the view when the bar is closed. 430 Duval St., Key West, 305-296-2991

ALONG THE WAY

Dolphin Research Center

A highlight of any first-timer’s trip to the Keys, this non-profit education and research facility has a family of dophins and California sea lions, most of which were born at the Center, and also rescues and rehabilitates whales and dolphins. Guests are invited to walk around and watch the dolphins and sea lions play, or they can participate in interactiv programs. 58901 Overseas Hwy., 305-289-1121, www.dolphins.org, 9-4:30pm daily

Make a splash in DRC's new Shawn Rodriguez Family Sprayground! Run through jets and streams of water, shot from a colorful sea horse, whale flukes and other tropical and marine life sculptures while dolphins chatter and whale songs play. Access to the Sprayground is included in the price of admission!

General admission: Adults-$20.00; Active military and veterans - $17.00; Children 4-12-$15.00; Children 3 and under-Free.
Free parking