"Mile Zero" typically refers to the Southernmost Point in Key West, Florida, which is considered the starting point of U.S. Highway 1. Here's more information about Mile Zero in Key West:
1. **Southernmost Point Marker:**
- The Southernmost Point is marked by a large painted buoy located at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets. The buoy is a colorful and iconic landmark, and it reads "Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A., Key West, Florida."
2. **Geographic Significance:**
- The term "Mile Zero" is often associated with the starting point of U.S. Highway 1, which runs from Key West to Fort Kent, Maine. Key West is considered the southern terminus of this highway.
3. **Tourist Attraction:**
- The Southernmost Point buoy has become a popular tourist attraction, and visitors often line up to take photographs with the buoy as a symbol of reaching the southernmost point of the continental United States.
4. **Historical Marker:**
- In addition to the buoy, there is a historical marker near the Southernmost Point that provides information about the significance of Key West as the southernmost point in the contiguous United States.
5. **Distance to Other Cities:**
- The buoy often displays the distances to other major cities in the United States, indicating how far away they are from this southernmost point.
6. **Located in Old Town Key West:**
- The Southernmost Point is situated in the historic Old Town neighborhood of Key West. Visitors can explore the charming streets, historic homes, and vibrant atmosphere of the area.
7. **Symbolic Starting Point:**
- For many travelers, reaching Mile Zero in Key West symbolizes the beginning or end of a journey, especially for those embarking on a road trip along U.S. Highway 1.
8. **Sunrise and Sunset Views:**
- The location is also known for its stunning sunrise and sunset views. Many people gather in the area to witness the sun rising or setting over the Atlantic Ocean.
9. **Nearby Attractions:**
- The Southernmost Point is in close proximity to other Key West attractions, including the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.
10. **Land's End Feeling:**
- Standing at Mile Zero gives visitors a sense of being at the southernmost edge of the United States, surrounded by the vastness of the ocean and the unique island culture of Key West.
The Southernmost Point in Key West, often referred to as "Mile Zero," serves as both a geographical marker and a symbolic starting point, attracting visitors who want to experience the southernmost tip of the continental United States.