It’s no accident that the Pirate Soul Museum (524 Front St., 305/292-1113, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat.–Sun., $13.95 adults, $7.95 children) is located on Front Street just a couple of blocks from where the cruise ships disgorge their time-crunched tourists. The exterior promises an engaging experience, with interactive exhibits and hundreds of pirate artifacts.
In reality, it’s a fairly tiny place, notable only for its ice-cold air-conditioning and a dark guest room where you can don headphones and feel like Blackbeard is breathing down your neck. The authenticity of some of the artifacts is questionable, and visitors shouldn’t expect more than a quirky, campy half hour out of the heat.