Key West City Guide
The Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West
The Harry S. Truman Little White House sits on a quiet, gated one-acre parcel at 111 Front Street within the Truman Annex. Originally constructed in 1890 as quarters for naval station command officers, the white-clapboard home served as President Harry S. Truman's winter White House across 11 presidential working vacations totaling 175 days between 1946 and 1952. Preserved with nearly 90% original furnishings—including Truman's custom poker table, executive desk, and mid-century telephone switchboard—this is Florida's only presidential museum. The wider island directory and travel planner starts on the Key West City Guide homepage.
Quick answer Guided tour requirement, ticket discounts, and presidential history
Read on 10 September 2026: The Little White House is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission is strictly via a 45-minute guided docent tour. Tickets cost $26.95 at the gate ($24.25 when booked online in advance). The property has hosted six U.S. Presidents, including Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton.
Key takeaways
- Pre-book online to save 10% on adult admission ($24.25 vs $26.95 gate price) and reserve your preferred departure slot.
- Entry inside the residence requires joining a docent-led tour: self-guided access inside the house is not permitted.
- The botanical grounds, naval torpedo garden, and presidential gift shop are free to explore without a tour ticket.
- Combine your visit with Mallory Square or Fort Zachary Taylor, both within an 8-minute walk.
Key facts
Opening hours
| Daily | Daily 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Guided tours depart every 15-20 minutes) |
|---|
Admission
- Adult
- $26.95 adults ($24.25 online), $12.50 youth (ages 4-12), under 4 free
Planning it
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Book ahead
- Recommended — a few days
- Address
- 111 Front Street, Key West, FL 33040
Admission to the Little White House is sold as guided docent tours and VIP experiences:
Reserve standard docent tours online for a discount, or choose the VIP White House limousine tour:
| Tour Option | Type | Highlights | Best For | Rate | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Guided TourStandard sightseers wanting an expert 45-minute historical walkthrough | Docent tour | 45-min guided house tour, original 1940s furnishings, grounds access | General visitors | $24.25 online / $26.95 gate | Official site |
| White House VIP TourHistory buffs seeking private access to Truman's bedroom and limousine ride | Exclusive access | Ride in Truman's 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan, access to private second-floor rooms | Presidential enthusiasts | $600.00 (up to 6 guests) | Official site |
| Conch Tour TrainVisitors wanting a seated tram tour that stops at the Truman Annex gate | Narrated tram | Highlights Truman's Key West legacy and naval station history | First-time visitors | $42.95 | Check Availability |
| Old Town Trolley TourHop-on hop-off transit across Old Town attractions | Hop-on hop-off | Stop #2 (Truman Annex) drops 200 yards from the front lawn | Full-day transit | $48.50 | Check Availability |
Explore Old Town trolley and historical walking tours stopping at the Truman Annex.
from $42.95
Key West: Conch Tour Train 75-Minute Sightseeing Tour
The quintessential 75-minute loop through Old Town operating since 1958. Best for orientation and first-timers who prefer continuous live storytelling over walking in midday Florida heat.
Check Availability
from $48.50
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.
Check Availability
from $64.00
Key West: Glass Bottom Boat Coral Reef Eco-Tour
The premier option for non-swimmers, families with toddlers, or visitors wanting to see the barrier reef without donning a mask and snorkel. Marine biologists explain brain corals, sea fans, and fish species.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own, checked in Q3 2026; dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
Harry S. Truman's Key West presidency
In November 1946, physically exhausted nineteen months into his presidency following World War II, President Truman's personal physician ordered him to take a warm-weather break. Truman traveled to Key West Naval Station, immediately fell in love with the island's casual atmosphere, and returned for a total of 11 working vacations over the next six years.
From this modest white wooden residence, Truman conducted vital Cold War business: he drafted the Marshall Plan reorganization, signed the executive order desegregating the U.S. Armed Forces, and hosted secret negotiations that created the Department of Defense. Truman was famous for shedding his formal double-breasted Washington suits for brightly colored Hawaiian-style 'Key West shirts', spending his mornings swimming at the naval beach and playing poker with his cabinet secretaries late into the evening.
Preserved Cold War interiors and the famous poker table
What sets the Little White House apart from other historic homes is its extraordinary authenticity: nearly 90% of the furnishings, decorative objects, and appliances currently on display are original pieces used during the Truman administration. The tour guides lead visitors through the formal dining room, the communications annex where a secure teletype machine linked Key West directly to the Pentagon, and Truman's private second-floor bedroom suite.
A centerpiece of the tour is Truman's custom-built poker table. Crafted by naval station carpenters from solid mahogany, the table features built-in brass ashtrays, drink holders, and hidden chip wells. Truman famously had his poker chips custom-inscribed with the phrase 'The Buck Stops Here' on one side and 'Pass The Buck' on the reverse.
Navigating the Truman Annex grounds and parking
The Little White House is situated within the Truman Annex, a peaceful, upscale residential community that was once part of the active naval base. While vehicles cannot park on the residential streets of the Annex, pedestrians and cyclists can enter freely through the historic wrought-iron gates on Front Street or Southard Street.
If arriving by car, park at the Old Town Garage (Park 'N' Ride) at Grinnell Street or the Opal Key Resort garage on Front Street. The free Duval Loop bus drops passengers at Stop 1 (Front & Whitehead), just a 3-minute stroll from the White House gate. Allow 15 minutes before or after your guided tour to stroll the lush shaded gardens, which feature royal poinciana trees, banyans, and historic naval artillery relics.
Nearby Old Town cultural landmarks
Step outside the Truman Annex gates to reach key historic downtown sites:
Mallory Square
Waterfront plaza famous for nightly sunset street performers and sunset catamaran departures.
5 minutes walk (400 meters)Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
World-renowned 1622 Spanish galleon gold and emerald treasures salvaged from the Atocha.
4 minutes walk (300 meters)Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
Civil War brick fortress, natural snorkeling beach, and coastal shaded pine groves.
8 minutes walk (700 meters)Frequently asked questions about the Little White House
How long is the tour of the Truman Little White House?
The guided docent tour lasts approximately 45 minutes, with an additional 30 to 45 minutes recommended for exploring the grounds, torpedo gardens, and gift shop.
Do you have to take a guided tour to see inside?
Yes, interior access to the historic rooms is strictly permitted through guided docent tours to protect the original mid-century furnishings.
How much are tickets to the Little White House?
Tickets purchased at the gate cost $26.95 for adults and $12.50 for youth ages 4 to 12. Pre-purchasing tickets online saves 10% ($24.25 adult rate).
Did any other U.S. Presidents stay at the Little White House?
Yes. In addition to Truman, Presidents William Howard Taft, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton all used the residence for working summits or private retreats.
Is photography allowed inside the Little White House?
Interior photography without flash is permitted during docent-led tours. Video recording is prohibited inside the residence rooms.
Key West on video: Little White House
Verified video walkthroughs and footage of Little White House, providing visual perspective before your visit.
Inside Harry S. Truman's Little White House in Key West
Walkthrough of Little White House by Tidy Island.
Video: tidy islandTouring Harry Truman's Little White House in Key West
Walkthrough of Little White House by Freyzel Productions.
Video: freyzel productionsTruman's Little White House in Key West | Presidents in Florida
Walkthrough of Little White House by WUCF.
Video: wucfReviewed 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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