This last Saturday, October 22, we (along with the Old Town Trolley) hosted A Day To Remember. Now in its 27th year, this annual event is our way of honoring the senior citizens of Key West to thank them for the wonderful contributions they have made to our island. It was especially meaningful to us as we had one of our own in attendance, Jason Mc Clintock, who was with the Conch Tour Train for 48 years. The Doubletree Grand Key did a wonderful job of preparing a delicious Cuban pork luncheon and donated their lovely convention center for the event. There was entertainment by the Key West Violin Studios, Blessed Community Choir, and Howard Livingston. We had Mayor Craig Cates and Key West City Commissioners Mark Rossi and Billy Wardlow calling bingo. The Red Shawl Ladies, Isabel and Maria, greeted each senior with a carnation and butterfly, courtesy of Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. The tables were decorated with cards made by the students at Mary Immaculate. Guests were escorted to their ballroom and served lunch by the Boy Scouts of Troops 573 and 578
The entire day was truly a community event with gifts donated by various businesses and organizations donating goody bags and items for the bags: Keys Energy Services, Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Cypress House, Key West Rotary, First State Bank, Historic Tours of America, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Comfort Inn and the Curry Mansion. The city of Key West DOT helped us along with the Old Town Trolley of providing transportation to the event.
Be sure to check out the photos from the event here!
The Conch Tour Train employees enjoyed a picture-perfect summer picnic with our friends at the Old Town Trolley. The weather cooperated this year and we were able to hold the event at our favorite venue, Higgs Beach. We had an amazing day this year, instead of our rainy-day alternative location in our Round House. Read the rest of this entry »
On Sunday May, 9th, 2010 the Conch Train would like you to celebrate Mother’s Day with us! See the Best on the train tour that’s been entertaining visitors to the Island City of Key West, Florida since 1958. The Conch Tour Train is one of the most popular Key West attractions, and for a good reason. Our expert ‘engineers’ and friendly staff have delighted over 15 million guests.
After a great day aboard, all moms are invited to wander across the street to Mattheessen’s Ice Cream Shop and redeem your coupon for some free ice cream courtesy of us. We hope we can make your Mother’s Day special! See you Sunday!
During her visit Behati decided to take a ride on the Conch Tour Train to see all the great sites of Key West.
On Thursday March 11th, 2010, Victoria Secret hosted a free concert in Mallory Square for Spring Break 2010. This is a special event was for members of their “PINK Nation”, an exclusive club where members receive free gifts, exclusive offers, special access and the inside scoop on everything PINK (Victoria’s Secret younger range clothing line). Read the rest of this entry »
The history of Key West has been greatly impacted by the lives of its African American citizens. Their influences can be found today all over the island and many which can be seen on our tour.
Sandy Cornish (Uncle Sandie) a freed slave who became a successful businessman and community leader. He built one of the most well recognized churches on the island, the Cornish African Methodist Episcopal Church at 702 Whitehead Street. It is famous for the stained glass over the front door which is said to represent the eye of God.
At Higgs Beach you will find the African Cemetery. Two US gunboats, the Mohawk and the Wyandotte captured two slave ships, the Wildfire and the Williams, and brought them to Key West. The citizens of Key West donated food, clothing, and care. Many of the slaves died from the harrowing journey and 294 of them were buried in a mass grave. The grave was undetected for nearly 150 years. In 2002 a consecration ceremony took place and today this hallowed ground has been lovingly preserved. Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum has done a display on the cemetery that is now a Key West attraction.
Each year, more than 30 thousand visitors flock to our small island to partake in the 10 day celebration called Fantasy Fest. As the party was ending on Duval Street a different party of sorts was just beginning. For the past 28 years, Historic Tours of America, Inc. has organized Children’s Day, a family oriented event that draws hundreds of kids dressed in their Halloween Costumes to Bayview Park. On this gorgeous and a little steamy Sunday in the park, each child had the opportunity to enter in costumes contests, play games, ride rides, and eat lunch with their families. Entertainment was provided by the local high school band, dance team and gymnasts. Anyone who wanted a free ride aboard the Conch Tour Train was granted one and the Old Town Trolley was on site to provide seating for anyone with tiresome feet. Read the rest of this entry »
Key West Attractions Association President Sarah Knott (left) with We're Glad You're Here Volunteers Tom Lavender and Loretta Uhl.
The Key West Attractions Association, of which we are a member of, has started a fabulous new program called We’re Glad You’re Here. Read the rest of this entry »
This Sunday, September 6, is Local’s Day here in Key West and that means free admission for all Monroe County residents. In addition to the Conch Train, the Key West Aquarium, Harry S. Truman Little White House and the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum are participating so make a day of it! All you have to do is bring a id with your local address on it and enjoy the day on us. It’s a great way to reacquaint yourself with the city or if you live up the Keys, to come to Key West and play tourist for the day.
Glenn & Bill with their "Love Your Island" tshirts
Glenn & Bill on the seventh day of the month
Here at the Conch Train, we are in the business of sharing this beautiful island of Key West we call home with thousands of visitors everyday. As such, each one of us is responsible for keeping it clean and green not only for our visitors, but for ourselves and future generations. We have made great strides in the last year in our operations to reduce, reuse and recycle. We have eliminated styrofoam, gone to bottle less water coolers and recycling anything we can get our hands on to. Our vehicles have been running on clean burning propane since we started over 50 years ago. In the Great Law of the Iroquois it is written, “In every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” On the seventh day of every month all of our CASTmembers wear their “Love Your Island” t-shirts to remind ourselves, our guests and our residents of our responsibility be good keepers of planet earth for the next generations to enjoy.
We are still riding on our Today Show high. The Conch Train and engineer Bruce Dodge were invited by the Today Show to escort Al Roker for his 7:30 weather live broadcast. The whole day was great fun for visitors and residents alike!
This Sunday, September 6, is Local’s Day here in Key West and that means free admission for all Monroe County residents. In addition to the 
