Bahama Village, Key West: Ultimate Neighborhood Guide
A historic neighborhood filled with Bahamian art, culture, music, and food, plus some of the island’s biggest attractions, Key West’s Bahama Village is a local and visitor favorite. So much so that you’ll have a hard time finding a Key West itinerary, trolley route, or even just a recommendation from a local that doesn’t include a stop in Bahama Village.
Whether you’re planning to spend the day strolling the shops, museums, and attractions or are looking to book your vacation rental in this vibrant neighborhood, there’s so much to explore in Bahama Village.
Ready to see what all the buzz is about? Here’s your ultimate guide to Bahama Village, Key West!
About Bahama Village, Key West
Named for the Bahamian settlers who put this neighborhood on the map in the 1800s, Bahama Village is one of the oldest and most culturally significant neighborhoods in Key West, beloved for its Caribbean food, music, art, and architecture.
Strolling through Bahama Village today, you’ll see lush tropical plants, historic “conch” and ”shotgun” houses, colorful murals, artisan markets, and lively restaurants and bars serving up authentic Caribbean cuisine. And of course, there are the roosters, these colorful, feathered locals love Bahama Village as much as we do and can often be spotted roaming about.
Bahama Village, Key West Location
As the saying goes, when choosing where to stay in Key West, it’s all about location, location, location — and Bahama Village is among the best of them!
Located on the southwest side of the island in the historic district known as Old Town, Bahama Village spans about 16 blocks between Petronia and Louisa Streets. It’s close enough to walk to Downtown, The Southernmost Point, and some of the smaller Atlantic side beaches in about 10 to 20 minutes, or even all the way to Mallory Square and other northside attractions in 20 to 25 minutes.
Overall, Bahama Village offers somewhat of a centralized place to stay on the west side of the island, with proximity to some of Key West’s biggest attractions.
Things to Do in Bahama Village, Key West
From shopping and dining to museums and attractions, Bahama Village is full of fun things to do.
Enjoy Bahama Village Shopping
Bahama Village is one of the best places to shop in Key West. Starting on the corner of Whitehead and Petronia Streets, you’ll find the famous Bahama Village Market sign. While this was once the entrance of a bustling flea market, in recent years, it’s become more of an array of shops, restaurants, bars, and occasional pop-up artisan markets and street vendors.
Must-stop shops in Bahama Village include:
- Besame Mucho: Charming apothecary shop filled with candles, essential oils, bath and body products, books, unique apparel and jewelry, teas, candies, salts, and more.
- The Green Pineapple: High-end, eco-boutique specializing in sustainable fashion from around the world, like organic Egyptian cotton shirts, handmade Balinese jewelry, and sustainable Italian handbags.
- Handshucked: Part clothing store, part art gallery, packed with unique, hand-printed t-shirts, hats, jewelry, artwork, souvenirs, and more.
- Frangipani Boutique: Coastal-inspired clothing boutique featuring a small, but perfectly curated collection of “sun and sea” inspired dresses, jewelry, and handbags.
Eat at Bahama Village Restaurants
Bahama Village is famous for its island-style cuisine. You’ll find fresh, authentic Caribbean and Floribbean (a unique, Floridian/Caribbean fusion of flavors featuring fresh seafood, citrus, tropical fruits, and spices) cuisine on nearly every corner. Try these gems.
Blue Heaven
Vibrant spot famous for its open-air patio, Floribbean-style dishes, tropical drinks, live music, and resident roosters.
Local favorites include the jerk chicken, carrot curry soup, and Caribbean BBQ shrimp deglazed with Red Stripe beer. Blue Heaven is also a fantastic brunch spot, serving up their famous homemade banana bread, eggs, pancakes, shrimp and grits, and much more.
Ram’s Head Southernmost
Breezy, casual spot serving up island bites, beers, and famous Bloody Marys. Must-try menu items include the conch fritters, firecracker shrimp, blackened Mahi-Mahi sandwich, and the “Crabby Mary” — yep, it’s a Bloody Mary with crab in it.
But if that’s not your thing, they also have their famous build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, where you can whip up the Bloody Mary of your dreams with a variety of toppings.
Santiago’s Bodega
Cozy, Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving up a wide selection of hot and cold tapas, wines from around the world, and authentic, house-made sangria.
Tasty tapas to try include the goat cheese-stuffed dates, hummus trio, portobello-stuffed puffed pastries, Yellowfin tuna ceviche, and patatas bravas. The cozy setting and menu made for sharing also make it a great spot for date night.
Moondog Cafe
Colorful, artsy cafe and bakery shop most famous for its selection of cakes, pies, pastries, and other bakery items, but also features a full menu of burgers, salads, seafood, and pizzas, plus breakfast specialties like omelets and French toast. Fan favorites include the brioche French toast for breakfast, the Moondog burger for lunch or dinner, and the Key lime pie, which is good any time of day!
Bahama Village Museums and Attractions
Bahama Village is home to some of the most famous museums and attractions in Key West! These are some of the must-see attractions in Bahama Village.
Hemingway Home and Museum
One of the most famous historic attractions in Key West, the Hemingway Home invites you to step back in time into the life and literary works of Ernest Hemingway. And of course, you’ll also get to meet the famous six-toed cats that roam the grounds, descendants of Hemingway’s original polydactyl feline friend, Snow White.
Key West Lighthouse
A relic of Key West’s maritime past, you can tour and even climb to the top of the Key West Lighthouse, which once helped guide ships through the rocky waters of the Florida Keys. Be sure to also stop by the Keeper’s Quarters Museum to explore artifacts and exhibits relating to the lighthouse’s history.
Bahama Village Murals
While you’ll find street art throughout Bahama Village and Key West in general, there are a few famous murals painted by local artists that are worth a stop.
Rick Worth’s “Bahama Village Life,” located on the corner of Petronia and Thomas Streets, is an ode to the lives and culture of Bahama Village residents, and Billy Kearin’s “It Takes a Bahama Village,” located at the Frederick Douglass Community Center, honors past and present black leaders who have helped shape Bahama Village and Key West over the years.
Truman Little White House
While not technically in Bahama Village, the Truman Little White House is just outside of the neighborhood, in the Truman Annex, and is easy to walk to from most places around Bahama Village.
Once the winter home of President Harry S. Truman, the Truman Little White House is Florida’s only presidential museum, filled with historic architecture, furnishings, and exhibits. It’s a must-visit for history buffs.
Book Your Key West Vacation in Bahama Village
If you love food, music, and culture, and want to enjoy being within walking distance to many of the island’s most popular areas, Key West’s Bahama Village neighborhood is a great place to stay.
Book a Bahama Village vacation rental with Vacation Homes of Key West to enjoy prime vacation homes with premium amenities like full kitchens, private pools, and hot tubs, and locations close to various Key West attractions.
