Visiting Mallory Square in Key West is a must-do and see when visiting Key West for the first time, or any time really. Depending on when your cruise requires you to board and leave Key West will determine if you get to see the sunset activities in this area of Key West. Head to this area even if you cannot stay until the sun sets for the seemingly endless entertainment in Mallory Square for sunset. The area is quite large and you’ll find many things for sale such as fresh coconuts and coconut water. You can also find a lot of local artists selling their crafts and paintings in this area near sunset.
You’ll find this center street quite easily as this is where most of the Key West activities take place during the day, and night. Here are the top 5 things you can see on Duval Street in Key West:
The Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum ( actually just off Duval Street)
Sloppy Joe’s Bar – The famous Key West bar 201 Duval Street
The Southernmost Point Buoy – the end of Duval Street, near the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – This church is located at 401 Duval Street
If you are thinking about visiting the Ernest Hemingway home in Key West you might either just check out the sign and old and worn brick wall that surrounds the Ernest Hemingway home. If you are curious you can go inside and see where he wrote some of his most famous works, such as “The Old Man and the Sea” and “A Farewell to Arms.” Some of the novels were written partially in Key West. This house has been turned into a museum, which requires an entry fee to get up close to things in the house.
The butterfly conservatory in Key West is a unique Key West experience that is easy to miss. Yes, you can go inside this Conservatory, or just walk by and take photos on the way to the Southernmost Point, which is right around the corner from the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. The Southernmost Point, and the famous building near this point is where most people go in this area of Key West. You can walk from Mallory Square to this location and see a lot of other places along Duval Street. Everything from places to get a tropical 2 hour couples massage, to quirky named bars and restaurants.
Inside the conservatory, you can see tropical gardens filled with local flowering plants and indoor trees. The air in Key West is usually warm and humid – ideal for a butterfly’s natural habitat. You can see 100s of butterflies flying inside the conservatory. A place suited for children and curious adults.
The mile marker 0 sign in Key West is a famous place everyone visits in Key West. The sign is known to be stolen often, but replaced the next day or so. The sign is the starting point of US Highway 1, which goes all the way from Key West to Maine. For couples looking for a romantic photo spot , the mile marker 0 sign is an symbolic location, similar to the Southernmost Point, which is not near this sign. The sign is located near Duval street and near Mallory Square.
We left off the Southernmost Point because this is the most popular place to visit in Key West. In fact, if you went to Key West and didn’t get your photo at the Southernmost Point, did you really go to Key West?
Here is the 90-Miles to Cuba Southernmost Point in Key West. Expect a 10-15 minute wait to take photos here. Hard to find a time of the day that does not have someone standing next to this famous landmark.