Truman Beach takes its name from President Harry S. Truman, who established his "Winter White House" in Key West and visited the island eleven times during his presidency from 1946 to 1952. The United States Secret Service had this private beach built specifically for Truman's security, though he reportedly visited it only once, preferring the public beaches where he could interact with locals. The beach sits within the area that would become Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, which surrounds a Civil War-era fort whose construction began in 1845 as part of a mid-19th century coastal defense plan following the War of 1812. The fort served strategic roles in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Today the fort houses the nation's largest collection of Civil War cannons and stands as a National Historic Landmark at Key West's southern tip.
Truman Beach within Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers Key West's best swimming and snorkeling, positioned where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Gulf of Mexico. The main shipping channel currents keep waters exceptionally clean and clear, providing wade-in snorkeling access to rich tropical marine life including parrot fish, schools of yellowtail snapper, lobster, and various hard and soft corals. The park rents chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling gear, and bikes at the chickee hut. Daily narrated tours of Fort Zachary Taylor at 11 a.m. showcase Civil War cannons and the red brick corridors of this National Historic Monument. Additional activities include birding, biking, scuba diving, fishing, and picnicking in shaded areas along the shore. The park opens at 8 a.m. and remains accessible until sundown year-round, with the fort closing at 5 p.m. The beach's family-friendly atmosphere and pristine conditions make it a favorite among both residents and visitors.
Dining near Truman Beach and Fort Zachary Taylor includes the on-site Cayo Hueso Cafe, a beachfront walk-up cafe open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. serving traditional Cuban sandwiches, fresh salads, burgers, wraps, pizza, nachos, and ice cream. Nearby Old Town Key West offers numerous dining options including Seven Fish, serving the freshest local catch in a casual contemporary bistro. A&B Lobster House provides upscale seafood dining specializing in lobster preparations. Antonia's features Italian cuisine with salmon and swordfish specials. Cafe Marquesa prepares in-house dishes with the freshest seafood sourced from local vendors. La Trattoria Old Town serves Italian fare, while Nine One Five offers contemporary American cuisine. Jack Flats on Duval Street provides home-style food popular with locals.
