Key West, Florida

You can find traces of Ernest Hemingway's legacy in cities around the world, but Key West provides the most intimate look at his life. The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, a U.S. National Historic Landmark, is where the writer penned some of his most famous works. Keep an eye out for the six- and seven-toed cats that roam the property: They're actually descendants of Hemingway's cats. Then, grab a drink at Captain Tony’s Saloon, the site of a bar run by Hem's friend “Sloppy Joe” Russell. In 1937, Russell moved the bar half a block away to what is now Sloppy Joe’s. Here, the writer often stored his belongings, some of which are still on display. Before you skip town, stop by the permanent Hemingway exhibit at The Custom House. You can also get face-to-face with the writer's bust at the nearby Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden in Mallory Square. 

Read More: A Budget Guide to Key West