Going Beyond the Old Town of Key West
The Old Town of Key West is spread across an overall area of 22 square kilometers. It is also called the Key West Historic District and has many historic buildings worth exploring. During your time spent in Key West, you can explore the Old Town on foot. In case you feel tired walking up and down the streets, you can always rent bikes.
There are some accommodations where they offer bikes for free! You can also take the sightseeing trolley or Conch Train to enjoy the sights. All the excellent places that offer comfortable stays are located within walking distance of Duval Street.
Mallory Square
Some of the best resorts in Key West are located on the boundaries of Old town. You can reach them from Mallory Square using a shuttle boat. After sunset, Mallory Square comes alive with an exciting nightly street fair. You’ll come across artisans, fire-eaters, tourists, and vendors who keep the night-long thrills going.
Duval Street
From Mallory, the eight-block stretch along Duval Street is the place where you’ll find most of the action. There are some bars, clubs, and taverns that are popular among many who frequent this place. Music from these establishments can be heard on the streets. The restaurants along the street would be ideal to stop and have something to eat. You’ll also find something unusual, such as Ripley’s Believe it or Not.
When you go a bit off Duval, the side streets will take you to some more attractions. They include The Harry S. Truman Little White House. This is the place where many American presidents have stayed. You’ll see a Caribbean restaurant, which was a former PanAm airlines ticket office. A micro-brewery restaurant here has been named after Kelly McGills, the actress of Top Gun.
You can visit a Bahamian ‘Conch’ village and see the orange-feathered chickens on the streets. Don’t miss the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum and a factory that sells cheap sandals. There are some corner shops where you can find many items from cigars to bikinis. There are seafood shacks, water sports rentals, and specialty shops in the Historic Key West Seaport area.
East side of Key West
When you get to Key West’s east side, you can visit some of the city’s most popular attractions. They include the Key West Aquarium, Ernest Hemingway Home, Key West Lighthouse, and Keeper’s Quarters Museum. The beaches are located within a half-an-hour’s walk from Mallory Square. You can stop at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park for some history lessons and a beach break.
Water sports enthusiasts can head to Higgs Beach, the White Street Pier, and Smathers Beach. At the historic Casa Marina, you’ll find a poolside bar to stop in for some refreshments. Walk along Passover Lane and visit the Old Town Cemetery. When you arrive at Eaton Street, you’ll feel that you’ve come full circle.
While taking a stroll on the residential streets, you’ll be quite impressed with the architecture. There are homes here that were constructed at the turn of the last century. Some of the older ones now serve as inns and bed-and-breakfasts.