A First Timer's Guide to Duval Street, Key West

Key West may be best known for its beautiful beaches, but no trip to the island is complete without visiting the world-famous Duval Street. Akin to Broadway Street in Nashville or Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Duval Street is where all the action happens in Key West.

Duval Street is where you can shop for unique treasures, dine on fresh seafood and Key lime pie, have a cocktail in a haunted bar, snag a great vacation home, and so much more. You may even spot a friendly pirate with a parrot on his shoulder, street magicians performing magic tricks, and roosters roaming around — it’s all part of the Duval Street charm!

Ready to dive into Duval Street? Here’s your first timer’s guide to Duval Street in Key West!

About Duval Street

Duval Street is a 1.25-mile road that runs north and south in downtown Key West, spanning from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.

Filled with unique shops, galleries, museums, historic landmarks, restaurants, bars, and so much more, Duval Street is THE place to be in Key West!

And while Duval Street has a bit of a reputation as a party atmosphere with its boisterous bars and drag shows, rest assured, there’s still plenty of family-friendly fun to be found there, especially during the day.

 

Getting Around Duval Street

The best way to get around Duval Street is simply to walk. This ensures you can see everything at your own pace and stop whenever you’d like. But you can also just as easily rent a bike or scooter or hop on the free Duval Loop Bus.

If you’re planning to do a Trolley Tour of Key West which takes you to many famous landmarks on the island, many routes and stops also happen to be on or around Duval Street. You can also find different walking tours of Duval Street that focus on food, history, and even hauntings!

If you prefer to drive down Duval Street, be advised that traffic can be heavy and parking is limited, so whenever possible, plan to walk or use other forms of transportation.

 

Best Things to Do on Duval Street

There are dozens of things to do on Duval Street so it's nearly impossible to name them all, but here are our top 10 picks for must-dos when you’re strolling Duval!

 

1. Visit Mallory Square at Sunset

Situated at the very west end of Key West, just a few blocks from Duval Street, Mallory Square is filled with shops, restaurants, and bars, and features its famous nightly sunset celebration.

Locals and tourists gather to watch the sunset with live music, street performers, and food vendors for one big party as the sun goes down.

 

2. Stop By Sloppy Joe’s Bar for a Drink

A Key West icon since the 1930s, Sloppy Joe’s Bar is way more than just a bar. Once the watering hole of Ernest Hemingway, Sloppy Joe’s is a historic landmark that serves up good food, good drinks, and good times.

And don’t be surprised if you spot a Hemingway look-a-like sitting at the bar!

 

3. Walk Among Butterflies at The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

A family-friendly favorite, the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory features gorgeous gardens, interesting insect displays, and, of course, hundreds of beautiful butterflies and birds flying about.

You can also shop for unique, handmade butterfly art and souvenirs in the gift shop and gallery.

 

4. Stop in for a Slice of Key Lime Pie at Kermit's Key Lime Shoppe

No visit to Key West is complete without trying some Key lime pie, and Kermit's Key Lime Shop sells some of the best pies around! Stop in for a traditional slice, or try one of their signature chocolate-dipped Key lime pie bars — the perfect portable snack while strolling Duval Street.

While you’re there, you can also shop for some unique souvenirs, such as Key lime candy, sauces, and much more.

 

5. Snap Some Pics at The Southernmost Point

While not exactly on Duval Street, the Southernmost Point is just a quick walk from where Duval Street ends at the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s a must-see.

This large, brightly-colored buoy marks the Southernmost point in the continental US, and it’s the perfect place to snap some pics for your vacation album.

 

6. Shop for Souvenirs

Duval Street is full of unique shops where you’ll find everything from designer clothes and beachwear to handmade art, jewelry, and souvenirs. Whether you’re searching for some new flip-flops, a bottle of premium rum, Key lime confections, or a one-of-a-kind piece of pirate art — you’ll find it all on Duval.

Stop by Tucker’s Provisions for some of the best rooster-themed apparel on the island!

 

7. Meet Some Marine Life at The Key West Aquarium 

Just off the north end of Duval Street, in Mallory Square, The Key West Aquarium is a must-visit, especially if you’re traveling with little ones. Kids love getting an up-close view of the sea turtles, tropical fish, hermit crabs, and other marine life that call the aquarium home.

The aquarium also hosts educational presentations, shark feedings, and so much more.

 

8. Visit The Historic Sites

From historic homes and churches to bygone buildings and bars, Duval Street is home to many fascinating landmarks.

These are a few of our top recommendations:

• See the gorgeous stained-glass windows at the historic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church


• Marvel at centuries-old home craftsmanship at The Oldest House in Key West


• Pull up a barstool for a drink and learn some local history at the oldest bar in Key West, Captain Tony’s Saloon.

 

9. Peruse The Art Galleries

From end to end, there are nearly twenty different art galleries to be found on Duval Street. From fine art and furnishings to antiques, collectibles, and unique glasswork, metalwork, pottery, and sculptures — Duval Street is a dream for art lovers.

 

10. Party The Night Away at Rick’s Key West

If you’re in the mood for some drinking, dancing, and overall debauchery, Rick’s Key West doesn’t disappoint. A complex of eight different bars in one, Rick’s is the perfect spot to let loose and kick up your dancing shoes.

Enjoy live music, craft cocktails, and one big party that often spills out onto the street after hours.

 

Best Time to Visit Duval Street

There’s truly never a bad time to visit Duval Street, but depending on what you want to see or do, some times of day may be better than others.

If you’re looking for family-friendly fun or want to spend some time shopping or exploring museums and art galleries, daytime is best. But if you want to see how Duval Street earned its nickname “Party Central,” then visit at night.

Late night on Duval Street is exclusively for adults. After about 9:00 PM, the bars and nightclubs really come alive, and you’re more likely to find rowdy revelers in the streets.

 

Duval Street Events

Duval Street is known for hosting some of the island’s most epic events, including:

• Conch Republic Independence Celebration: A weeklong celebration of the birth of the “Conch Republic” with parties, parades, pirates, and more, taking place in April.


• Hemingway Days: Hoards of Hemingway look-alikes descend upon Duval Street for block parties, parades, look-alike contests, and so much more during this summer celebration.


• Key West Pride: A 5-day-long celebration in June featuring parades, festivals, music, parties, drag shows, and other special events to celebrate pride month.


• Key Lime Festival: A celebration of everything Key lime, this 4-day festival features food, fun, and, of course — lots of Key lime pie to try!


• Fantasy Fest: It’s like Mardi Gras meets Halloween for this 10-day fall festival featuring live music, costume parties, parades, drag shows, and more.

These are just a few of the biggest Duval Street events, if you’re visiting around a holiday, like the 4th of July, Halloween, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve, there’s lots more fun to be found. Be sure to check the Key West Calendar when visiting to see what fun festivities await!

 

Dining on Duval Street 

When strolling Duval Street, you’re never far from finding great food. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, a sweet treat, or a plate of fresh seafood, there are dozens of restaurants, cafes, and quick-service spots on Duval.

You’ll find familiar favorites like Hard Rock Cafe and Margaritaville —  plus local legends like:

• Kaya Island Eats for Caribbean specialties


• Hog’s Breath Saloon for beer and BBQ


• Mangoes for boozy brunches


• And many, many more

 

Ready to Find Your Fun on Duval Street?

The best part about Duval Street is it’s a truly choose-your-own-adventure destination. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing morning of brunch and art galleries, an afternoon of family-friendly fun, a romantic evening of dinner and dancing, or an adults-only party — Duval has it all!

Ready to plan your perfect Key West vacation? Book your stay with VHKW and enjoy private vacation homes with premium amenities like pools and hot tubs.

You can even choose to stay right in the heart of Duval Street and never be more than a few steps away from all the fun!