Southernmost Point, Key West

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OK, you are going to feel goofy standing in a line to get your picture taken next to this concrete buoy, but all the tourists do it (and we LOVE the silly touristy stuff sometimes)... According to the Key West Visitors Center, it is the most photographed attraction in Key West. Hey - at least it's FREE!

The buoy marks the Southernmost Point in the continental United States, 90 miles from Cuba.

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We drove past Southernmost point once and were amazed by the throngs of people standing around taking pictures of a weird red, blue, yellow, and white striped buoy on land. I'm not sure what the real draw here is... Is this the southernmost point in the US? No, all of Hawaii is further south. Maybe it is the southernmost place in Florida? Oops, Ballast Key is farther south. Then it will just have to settle for being the southernmost point on Key West... nope, the Truman Annex has piece of land that juts more southward. Even the writing on the buoy is not accurate, Cuba is 94 miles way, not 90 miles! With all of the tourists, you can't even find a moment of peace here. The odd marker was erected in 1983 and is considered the most photographed point on the island. Why?

Skip this tourist buoy and check out the views from some of the nearby streets which are much quieter. Grab a sandwich and Cuban coffee and have a picnic along the water. Just skip the tourist gathering place.

The Southernmost point is one of the most popular spots in Key West. Except for the concrete block, there is nothing else around. I think that's a pity. 10 years ago there were little souvenirs stands all around, but now the place is "clean". However, it's a jolly place with a lot of crowd. Want a photo of yourself touching the brightly colored block? Come early while the queues are long. My husband and I were not patient enough...

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Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States. At the corner of Whitehead and South Streets you will find a large concrete buoy which marks the actual Southernmost Point which is only 90 miles from Cuba.

The buoy marks a backdrop for many a tourist to Key West - in fact, there are that many that visit for photos that they have a volunteer on duty to take the photo for you!

The City of Key West erected the monument in 1983 and it is one of the most visited, photographed attractions in Key West. It is also a very busy location and is crowded most of the day, the trick to beat the lines is to go early in the morning when you can also get the wonderful colors of sunrise.

While geographically, the true southernmost point of Key West is located on restricted military property, a colorful buoy at the south end of Whitehead Street serves as the officially designated "Southermost Point" of the continental United States. Standing here one can look out to sea toward the small, communist nation of Cuba. While Cuba is too distant to actually see from here, it is only 90 miles away. That's less than the distance from Key West to Miami.

The Southernmost Point marks the southernmost point in the continental United States and is located approximately 90 miles from Cuba. A colorful concrete buoy sits here, which is photographed by many visitors who come to Key West. There is usually a line that forms to take photographs, so it may be best to park your car close by and walk here, instead of temporarily stopping on the street. You may have to wait up to ten minutes for your turn to get your picture taken with the buoy.

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The giant bouy, encircles in black, yellow and red stripes symbolizes the southernmost point in the continental USA, just 90 miles from Cuba.
However, the geographical southernmost point is not here; it lies about one mile to the Westsouthwest and may not be accessible by the public because the point is on a military area of the US Navy.

The place is most time of the day very crowded with a bunch of people around it getting their pics taken.. Best light for photos is in the morning, because the sun stands behind you. We visited the place late in the afternoon and that is one of the reasons, why my pictures not so good.

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When my son visited with the Boy Scouts they were allowed to walk around Key West in groups on their own. They walked from one end of Duval to the other.

Of course everyone had to go to the Southernmost Point and take a picture with the pylon that was there. You have to have that picture to prove you were there. On the top of the monument is painted the logo of The Conch Republic. My mom gave my sister who was born in Key West a Conch Republic flag

Some of them also took pictures through the fence of the Navy base on the other side which is the true southernmost point, but it has no marker since it is U.S. Navy land and cannot be entered by civilian tourists (photo 4). They also took photos of the numerous other "Southernmosts" that are nearby — hotel, house, restaurant, etc. (photo 5)