The Southernmost point of the U.S. is quite the popular getaway — whether you’re looking to barhop along Duval Street, tan by the ocean while sipping a mojito, explore some of the historic spots like the Ernest Hemingway House and the Tennessee Williams House, or check out the many tropical gardens and nature preserves throughout the area. There are tons of tourism-centric opportunities in Key West, but I recommend taking it easy: adapt to the laid back ex-pat-esque mindset of the locals, and keep an open mind and a flexible schedule. Here are some of the favorite spots from my long weekend in this sun-soaked destination:

Schooner Wharf Bar

This local watering hole is a can’t miss as you’re meandering dockside down the Historic Harbor Walk. It’s an open air hangout space with a classic menu of fried seafood and frozen drinks – exactly what you want to enjoy while watching the boats dock and depart from the harbor. I recommend grabbing a table upstairs if you can for the best view. I tried the fish dip, conch fritters, and coconut shrimp and they were all delicious (especially the coconut shrimp – a must order in my opinion). Even if you just stop in for a drink, this self-dubbed “last little piece of Key West” won’t disappoint.

Lagerheads Beach Bar

Lagerheads is a favorite spot, kind of tucked away at the end of Simonton Street, but so worth a stop for an opportunity to wade (or dip your feet) in the ocean and watch the sun go down. You can grab a drink here too, of course, and check the website for a chance to see some live music. It’s a small slice of beach but feels like a true mini getaway in itself. Just keep in mind it closes up at sunset, so I’d recommend either hitting it mid-day to tan and hang, or right before sunset for beautiful views across the water.

Duval Street

If you’re looking for a good time, going out in the heart of downtown Key West is easy. Duval Street is packed with laid back bars and restaurants filled with live music and locals that keep the energy of this little city pumping. Some popular spots along the street include Hogs Breath Saloon, Green Parrot Bar, and Sloppy Joe’s Bar. If you’re like me, though, and not always looking to indulge in the full-blown party atmosphere Key West is known for, don’t write Duval Street off your list. There are tons of little shops and cool galleries along the street worth checking out, and the casual, beachy atmosphere of the bars makes window shopping and perusing the less-rowdy spots fairly manageable even amongst the groups of bachelorette parties and barhoppers.

Peter Lik Gallery

I highly recommend stopping into the Peter Lik Gallery while on Duval Street. Known for his masterful panoramic photography, Peter Lik is an Australian artist whose work will completely captivate the viewer. This gallery features his massive works that capture nature and play with light in a way totally justifies the hefty pricetags. Be sure to check out the back room, where you can sit on a couch and adjust a lightswitch while observing how his art reacts. It’s breathtaking.

Stock Rock Cafe

A new waterfront restaurant on Stock Island, Stock Rock Cafe is a charming tiki-style spot. Yet another location offering killer seafood, along with housemade fries and a beer and wine menu. They also have weekly live music, and a very friendly 3-legged dog named Cooper who will be your new best friend if you throw him a fry. I enjoyed a delicious meal of fish and chips before heading out on an afternoon sailing excursion.

Sunset Sail Key West

You really have to make sure you get out on the water at some point during your Key West trip. There are tons of options you can check out when you’re on the Historic Harbor Walk, and that’s where we found Sunset Sail Key West, a private chartering service. If you’re like me and would prefer not being crammed onto a boat with a bunch of (likely loud and intoxicated) tourists, private charters are the way to go – and prices with Sunset Sail were really reasonable for our 2 hour sailing trip. Conch West is a beautiful, 55 foot ketch and Captain Matt and Ren were friendly and made the experience quite memorable. We got to see a stunning sunset while on the water, and Matt suggested one of his favorite dinner spots which we had to check out.

Café Solé

A cozy restaurant serving up French-Caribbean cuisine, Café Solé is a great option for a bit more of a fine dining option. Their appetizer menu in particular was impressive: escargot, saganaki (a baked halloumi dish they torch table-side for a fun “wow” factor), and an excellent conch carpaccio recommended by Captain Matt. The mashed potatoes served with the lamb chop appetizer were also incredible, though I found the chops themselves a bit bland. My entrée, the Duck L’Orange, was probably the best I’ve ever had. This dish can be a tricky one to perfect, and the chef did an excellent job: the skin was crispy but not burnt, and the meat perfectly moist and tender. I will add that the main dishes were all served with what I found was a bit of an excessive collection of sides, which I found took away from the fine dining experience the restaurant was intending to offer. Like many spots trying too hard to satisfy the tourist appetites, the servings were all significantly larger than necessary, but the flavors were delicious. I do have a bone to pick with their dessert offerings, however. We ordered Key Lime Pie and Crème Brûlée – incredible dishes if done well, and lackluster if they miss the mark. Read my next blog where I dig into the key ways to perfect some common dessert dishes, and the easy ways to instantly ruin them. Overall, this was a really enjoyable dinner spot and atmosphere – after all, I’m including it in this post!

While you may think of Key West as a tourist destination with a wild party atmosphere, it is truly a beautiful city with a lot to offer beyond the obvious. I recommend a little weekend trip if you love diving into delicious seafood and stunning ocean views, and I highly recommend connecting with the locals for recommendations and stories about their hometown. Remember, the unexpected conversations are the ones that take any trip from good to unforgettable.

 

The Southernmost point of the U.S. is quite the popular getaway — whether you’re looking to barhop along Duval Street, tan by the ocean while sipping a mojito, explore some of the historic spots like the Ernest Hemingway House and the Tennessee Williams House, or check out the many tropical gardens and nature preserves throughout the area. There are tons of tourism-centric opportunities in Key West, but I recommend taking it easy: adapt to the laid back ex-pat-esque mindset of the locals, and keep an open mind and a flexible schedule. Here are some of the favorite spots from my long weekend in this sun-soaked destination:

Schooner Wharf Bar

This local watering hole is a can’t miss as you’re meandering dockside down the Historic Harbor Walk. It’s an open air hangout space with a classic menu of fried seafood and frozen drinks – exactly what you want to enjoy while watching the boats dock and depart from the harbor. I recommend grabbing a table upstairs if you can for the best view. I tried the fish dip, conch fritters, and coconut shrimp and they were all delicious (especially the coconut shrimp – a must order in my opinion). Even if you just stop in for a drink, this self-dubbed “last little piece of Key West” won’t disappoint.

Lagerheads Beach Bar

Lagerheads is a favorite spot, kind of tucked away at the end of Simonton Street, but so worth a stop for an opportunity to wade (or dip your feet) in the ocean and watch the sun go down. You can grab a drink here too, of course, and check the website for a chance to see some live music. It’s a small slice of beach but feels like a true mini getaway in itself. Just keep in mind it closes up at sunset, so I’d recommend either hitting it mid-day to tan and hang, or right before sunset for beautiful views across the water.

Duval Street

If you’re looking for a good time, going out in the heart of downtown Key West is easy. Duval Street is packed with laid back bars and restaurants filled with live music and locals that keep the energy of this little city pumping. Some popular spots along the street include Hogs Breath Saloon, Green Parrot Bar, and Sloppy Joe’s Bar. If you’re like me, though, and not always looking to indulge in the full-blown party atmosphere Key West is known for, don’t write Duval Street off your list. There are tons of little shops and cool galleries along the street worth checking out, and the casual, beachy atmosphere of the bars makes window shopping and perusing the less-rowdy spots fairly manageable even amongst the groups of bachelorette parties and barhoppers.

Peter Lik Gallery

I highly recommend stopping into the Peter Lik Gallery while on Duval Street. Known for his masterful panoramic photography, Peter Lik is an Australian artist whose work will completely captivate the viewer. This gallery features his massive works that capture nature and play with light in a way totally justifies the hefty pricetags. Be sure to check out the back room, where you can sit on a couch and adjust a lightswitch while observing how his art reacts. It’s breathtaking.

Stock Rock Cafe

A new waterfront restaurant on Stock Island, Stock Rock Cafe is a charming tiki-style spot. Yet another location offering killer seafood, along with housemade fries and a beer and wine menu. They also have weekly live music, and a very friendly 3-legged dog named Cooper who will be your new best friend if you throw him a fry. I enjoyed a delicious meal of fish and chips before heading out on an afternoon sailing excursion.

Sunset Sail Key West

You really have to make sure you get out on the water at some point during your Key West trip. There are tons of options you can check out when you’re on the Historic Harbor Walk, and that’s where we found Sunset Sail Key West, a private chartering service. If you’re like me and would prefer not being crammed onto a boat with a bunch of (likely loud and intoxicated) tourists, private charters are the way to go – and prices with Sunset Sail were really reasonable for our 2 hour sailing trip. Conch West is a beautiful, 55 foot ketch and Captain Matt and Ren were friendly and made the experience quite memorable. We got to see a stunning sunset while on the water, and Matt suggested one of his favorite dinner spots which we had to check out.

Café Solé

A cozy restaurant serving up French-Caribbean cuisine, Café Solé is a great option for a bit more of a fine dining option. Their appetizer menu in particular was impressive: escargot, saganaki (a baked halloumi dish they torch table-side for a fun “wow” factor), and an excellent conch carpaccio recommended by Captain Matt. The mashed potatoes served with the lamb chop appetizer were also incredible, though I found the chops themselves a bit bland. My entrée, the Duck L’Orange, was probably the best I’ve ever had. This dish can be a tricky one to perfect, and the chef did an excellent job: the skin was crispy but not burnt, and the meat perfectly moist and tender. I will add that the main dishes were all served with what I found was a bit of an excessive collection of sides, which I found took away from the fine dining experience the restaurant was intending to offer. Like many spots trying too hard to satisfy the tourist appetites, the servings were all significantly larger than necessary, but the flavors were delicious. I do have a bone to pick with their dessert offerings, however. We ordered Key Lime Pie and Crème Brûlée – incredible dishes if done well, and lackluster if they miss the mark. Read my next blog where I dig into the key ways to perfect some common dessert dishes, and the easy ways to instantly ruin them. Overall, this was a really enjoyable dinner spot and atmosphere – after all, I’m including it in this post!

While you may think of Key West as a tourist destination with a wild party atmosphere, it is truly a beautiful city with a lot to offer beyond the obvious. I recommend a little weekend trip if you love diving into delicious seafood and stunning ocean views, and I highly recommend connecting with the locals for recommendations and stories about their hometown. Remember, the unexpected conversations are the ones that take any trip from good to unforgettable.