PX7F3T The supposedly haunted Robert the Doll is one of the prime attractions found at the East Martello Tower art gallery in the city of Key West, Florida
Fort East Martello Museum & Gardens

William Silver/Alamy

Fort East Martello Museum & Gardens

Key West


This old fortress was built to resemble an old Italian Martello-style coastal watchtower (hence the name), a design that quickly became obsolete with the advent of the explosive shell. Now the fort serves a new purpose: preserving the old. There's historical memorabilia, artifacts, the folk art of Mario Sanchez and ‘junk’ sculptor Stanley Papio, who worked with scrap metal; plus a genuinely creepy haunted doll.

Perhaps the most haunted thing in Key West, 'Robert the doll' is a terrifying child’s toy from the 19th century who reportedly causes much misfortune to those who question his powers. Honest, he looks like something out of a Stephen King novel; see www.robertthedoll.org for more information.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Key West attractions

1. Smathers Beach

1.07 MILES

One of Key West's largest public beaches, Smathers is a pretty stretch of sand with a few palm trees providing shade. It's east of the Old Town, and best…

2. Sheriff’s Animal Farm

1.7 MILES

Just before you hit Key West, you may be tempted to stop at this farm, located near the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center (seriously)…

3. Higgs Beach

2.22 MILES

This artificial beach, located at the southern end of Reynolds St, has barbecue grills, picnic tables and a long pier, where you can go out and watch the…

4. South Beach

2.46 MILES

This small sandy beach is a pleasant spot for a dip. A restaurant sits on the edge of the sands, and rents out lounge chairs and umbrellas. South Beach is…

5. Key West Cemetery

2.55 MILES

A darkly alluring Gothic labyrinth beckons at the center of this pastel town. Built in 1847, the cemetery crowns Solares Hill, the highest point on the…

7. Southernmost Point

2.72 MILES

The most-photographed spot on the island, this red-and-black buoy isn’t even the southernmost point in the USA (that’s in the off-limits naval base around…

8. Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden

2.87 MILES

Nancy, an environmental artist and fixture of the Keys community, invites you into her backyard oasis where chatty rescued parrots and macaws await…