The 15 Best Things to Do on Duval Street in Key West

By Kara Franker
Updated June 29, 2020
Peter Unger

In Key West, Duval Street is home to a vibrant collection of hole-in-the-wall bars, historic haunts, funky shops, galleries, and outdoor cafés.

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Embark on the Ultimate Bar Crawl

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They don’t call it the Duval Crawl for nothing. Start at one of the more infamous watering holes like Sloppy Joe’s, Captain Tony’s Saloon, or the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery. Order a cold drink, listen to a little live music, and then stroll over to the next fine establishment on the block (there are dozens!).

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Run with the Bulls

Credit: Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau

No this isn’t Pamplona, it’s Key West. Every summer Ernest Hemingway look-alikes ride a manmade bull on wheels in a parade during the annual Hemingway Days festival. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author lived and wrote in Key West throughout most of the 1930s.

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Find the Perfect Souvenir

Credit: Peter Unger

Whether you’re in the market for a mini buoy modeled off of the Southernmost Point, or a slightly offensive, only-in-Key-West statement T-shirt, there are plenty of souvenir shops that line Duval Street. Or check out one of the elegant local boutiques like Terra Nova, where you can find island-style wraps and stylish resort wear.

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Go on a Ghost Tour

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If you’re into the paranormal, then you’ve come to the right place. Key West is home to its fair share of ghoulish haunts like the town’s oldest graveyard, historic Victorian mansions and more. The local ghost hunters say even the Hard Rock Café is haunted!

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Head to Mallory Square for Sunset

Credit: Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau

Join the crowds at Mallory Square for a nightly sunset celebration. As the sun sinks into the sea, you’ll find acrobats, guitarists, sword swallowers and entertainers like Will Soto performing his juggling high wire act.

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Attend a Costume Party

Credit: Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

It’s completely acceptable to wear costumes year-round in Key West. But the atmosphere gets extra festive during the annual 10-day Fantasy Fest every October. More than 50,000 costumed revelers descend to Duval Street for a flamboyant parade and party.

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Stay at the Southernmost House

Credit: Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau

Near the end of the 19th century, wealthy business owners began constructing pastel-colored Victorian mansions that many today describe as Key West-style architecture. Spend the night in one of these historic homes and book a room at the Southernmost House, both a hotel and a museum, located at the southern end of Duval Street.

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Ride Bicycles Around Town

Credit: Anna Bryukhanova

Renting bicycles and cruising down Duval is a great way to explore the entire stretch from end to end. Start at the Southernmost Point and then ride up the strip all the way to Mallory Square on the north end. You’ll find plenty of places to stop along the way.

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Catch a Drag Queen Show

Credit: Anna Bryukhanova

Home to an active and fun-loving LGBTQ community, Key West is a great place to check out a drag queen show or two. On Duval Street, talented divas perform nightly shows at Aqua Nightclub, La Te Da, and 801 Bourbon Bar.

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Visit Local Art Galleries

Credit: Courtesy of Peter Lik Fine Art Photography

Because of its colorful history and tropical landscape, Key West has attracted international artists from around the world for years. Browse through island-inspired collections at places like the Peter Lik Gallery at 519 Duval Street. 

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Make Friends with a Six-Toed Cat

Credit: Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau

Did you know that around 40 six-toed cats live at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum? Legend has it that the writer was given a white six-toed cat by a ship's captain and the legacy lives on. At the home, you can also go on one of the daily tours to learn about the life and times of one of Key West’s most famous residents.

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Eat a Slice of Key Lime Pie

Credit: Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau

Key lime pie is the signature dessert of the quirky island. Equal parts sweet and tart, it’s a must-try at Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe on Duval Street.

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Hop on a Conch Train Tour

Credit: Jeff Greenberg/Contributor/Getty

Perfect for families (kids 12 and under ride free!), the 90-minute Conch Train Tour has been introducing visitors to the unique aspects of Key West since the 1950s. The tour departs from the Front Street Depot, makes a loop through Old Town Key West, and ends right behind Mallory Square.

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Visit an “Odditorium”

Credit: Courtesy of Ripley's Entertainment

If you’re an aficionado of all things weird, then you’ll want to visit the strangest place in all of Key West. Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium is home to more than 500 peculiar exhibits like a statute of Captain Jack Sparrow made from recycled car parts.

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Snap an Only-in-Key-West Photo

Credit: Franz Marc Frei

While it’s now the restored façade of a convenience store, The Strand Theater was a popular place for live shows in the 1920s, and it’s the perfect backdrop for a unique photo. Or head over to the Southernmost Point to snap a tourist-style selfie. Be on the lookout for one of the many wild roosters that roam the island and snap a pic—if you can catch it in time!

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