The road trip to Key West had finally come to a close as we crossed the bridge into the southernmost part of the United States.  After checking into the Huron House, we finally found a parking spot a few blocks away and started our mid-morning exploration of Key West.

Several members of our group wanted to start bar hopping while a few of us wanted to wait at least until the afternoon before a pitstop at Sloppy Joe’s.  Splitting up in two groups, the explorers entered the Mel Fisher’s Treasures Store on Duval Street.    It was exciting to see first-hand some of the treasures that Mel found from the Atocha.  Original coins start at $2465.

We explored t-shirt and souvenir shops set in two-story Victorians and tropical-themed Key West boutiques.  We bought Key Lime pies and sampled rum cakes from the West Indies.

Bahama Village is a colorful, revitalized neighborhood that includes a market as well as upscale shopping and lodging.  This section of Key West was named for the Bahamians that made The Keys their home and now displays colorful murals and island restaurants.

Located on Duval Street is The Strand.  Once a theater that had opened in the 1920s, today, it houses a Walgreens Pharmacy.  This location was also a Ripley’s Believe it or Not attraction before 2002 and each business had kept the facade which is a lovely attraction.

We held out until late afternoon to have lunch and agreed on the authentic Sunset Tiki Bar with its Tahitian-inspired decor.  I ordered the grouper strips with a dill dip that was absolutely delicious and ordered a Mai Tai served in an Easter Island-esque plastic cup.

After a great meal and our first drink, it was time to meet up with our party half of the group, unsure of what we would be getting ourselves into, but we were ready to find out.

Have you visited Key West? What were your favorite shops, activities, restaurants and bars?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to The Keys and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Mel Fisher’s Treasures
613 Duval Street
Key West, FL  33040
Telephone:  305 295 9555

Open 10AM to 4PM daily.

Don’t forget to stop by the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum located at 200 Greene Street!

Montage Key West Collection – shop has closed

Bahama Village – 16-block neighborhood, a short walk from Old Town.

The Strand (now Walgreens Pharmacy)
527 Duval Street
Key West, FL  33040

Sunset Tiki Bar – Located on the Marina
The Galleon Resort
617 Front Street
Key West, FL  33040
Phone: 305 295 0207

Where to Stay:

Heron House
512 Simonton Street
Key West, FL  33040
Telephone:  305 294 9227

Where to Eat:

Sunset Tiki Bar – Located on the Marina
The Galleon Resort
617 Front Street
Key West, FL  33040
Phone: 305 295 0207

What to Eat:

• Ceviche
• Conch Fritters
• Crab Cakes
• Grouper
• Lobster
• Mahi Mahi
• Shrimp

What to Read:

• To Have and Have Not, by Ernest Hemingway
• Key West, Tequila, a Pinch of Salt and a Quirky Slice of America, by Jon Breakfield
• Gumbo Limbo, by Tom Corcoran
• Florida Keys Volume 1: A History of the Pioneers, by John Viele

Photo Guide to Key West:

• Casa Marina Key West
• Charming Houses and Front Porches
• Ernest Hemingway Museum
• Fort Zachary Taylor
• Hens and Roosters
• Higgs Beach
• The Kapok Tree
• Key West Lighthouse
• Key West Mural
• La Concha Hotel
• Marilyn Monroe at Tropic Cinema
• Mile Marker 0
• Mural at Waterfront Brewery
• The Old Pier Behind Casa Marina
• Rainbow Walkways at 801 Bourbon Bar
• San Carlos Institute
• Smathers Beach
• Southernmost Beach Cafe
• Southernmost House
• Southernmost Point Bouy
• The Strand