Historic Duval St. in Old Town Key West offers the best people watching, eating and drinking and, most importantly, the best shopping in South Florida. Everybody who comes to the island eventually gets around to cruising this street, where some of the most unusual and original shops offer something for everyone.
Anchored at one end by Mallory Square and at the other by the southernmost point in the United States, Duval Street’s boutiques and gift shops are as much of the local charm as the gorgeous sunsets.
Whatever you want to purchase is probably available somewhere on Duval & at almost any hour you want to do it. Though there are plenty of tacky tee shirt shops peddling items of questionable taste, there are dozens of fine stores selling the excellent work of local artists and craftspeople.
National chain stores such as Banana Republic, Coach and Express have moved in and satisfy some of the shopping needs in a town that does not boast even a single mall. More memorable, however, is Fast Buck Freddie’s – an amazing emporium of fine clothing, home decorations and gifts that townsfolk call the “Southernmost Bloomingdale’s” – with window displays that could compete with Tiffany’s.
Off Duval you will find Key West Hand Print Fabrics on Simonton Street with their colorful and locally produced clothing, and Key West Aloe on Front St. which has been making and marketing all-natural skin creams and cosmetics for over 25 years. One unique shopping destination on the waterfront is The Key Lime Shop which, as the name implies, makes and sells only items made from the legendary local citrus fruit. Caroline Street is another colorful Old Town street with eye-popping shops such as Local Color, Blue and Global Nomad.
If you are interested in original designs for your home, you must visit Glass Reunions on Duval Street. You’ll find the incredible work of noted stain glass artist Greg McDonald. Exquisite arts and crafts genre lamps found in few galleries worldwide.
A fresh take on a new collection of short plays by one of Key West’s favorite authors. Shel’s unique view of modern life, combined with his uncompromising artist’s skill, makes for another unforgettable evening of hilariously warped and unpredictable vignettes. A wide range of scenarios are played out with the biting wit and a sometimes twisted view of everyday life. The adult and playful work of Shel Silverstein returns to our stage in all its mischievous glory.
February 05 to March 08, in Key West
“Shel Shocked” at Red Barn Theatre
The theatre at 319 Duval St. is proud to bring back more of Shel Silverstein’s short plays. Contact: (305) 296-9911
KEY WEST, Florida Keys – In the 1930s, when he wasn’t writing, fishing or indulging at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, Ernest Hemingway often officiated boxing matches outside a small bordello near his Spanish colonial home on Whitehead Street.
That tradition is scheduled to return to Key West in a harborside series of bouts set for Friday, Jan. 18, at Mallory Square.
Dubbed “Fight Night in the Keys,” the seven-bout evening card is to feature a title fight and is slated for a live broadcast on ESPN 2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
“There is a very rich history of boxing in Key West,” said Si Stern, a Key West resident who manages several boxers. “When Hemingway lived here, there were a number of championship fights.”
Scheduled marquee events include Randall Bailey, a former two-time junior welterweight world champion, against Anthony Mora for the WBC Latin American Belt and Tarvis Simms versus a contender to be announced.
General admission tickets begin at $35 per person and cap at $165 per person for VIP seats that also includes parties and a pre-fight reception with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
After years of study, cooking and refining his skills in France, John Correa returned to the states, met his wife Judy and opened this unpretentious, intimate little restaurant in Key West. In a very short order, Café Solé captured the hearts and palates of locals and visitors lucky enough to discover this culinary gem off the beaten path. By combining his French mastery of sauces with fresh locally caught seafood, John has created a menu unlike any on the island, where every dish is bursting with indescribable flavors. Mutton snapper in pesto and champagne, yellowtail in a beurre blanc of lobster or a rare hog snapper with red pepper zabaglione top a list of nightly specials. As for the classics, the Duck a L’Orange, Rack of Lamb with herb de Province and Lobster Bouillaise are as authentic as you will find this side of Paris. Chef Correa combines the best of both of his worlds, European and Caribbean to win the People’s Choice and Best Entree awards at a recent Master Chefs Classic. With his creative cuisine, a knowledgeable wait staff and a “joie de vivre” ambiance, Café Solé is a must visit for Key West!
Key West Entertainment and Charters 