Being in Key West, it is impossible to miss the famous Duval Street, running north and south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. From shore to shore, the street is just over a mile in length. It is named for William Pope Duval, the first territorial governor of Florida according to wikipedia.
On the Atlantic Ocean end of Duval Street there is a mix of early Key West Victorian mansions and bungalows, art galleries and boutiques, inns and Bodega’s lined up on the wide sidewalks. Although this end of Duval is more residential and less filled with tourists, the sidewalks still bustle with activity.
Near the northern end of the street is Mallory Square. Historic Mallory Square is the center of Key West’s waterfront filled with tourists from the cruise ships, Mole pier or Mallory Square’s sunset celebration.
Source: keywestduvalstreet.com
Here is an aerial view of Duval St. with a view toward the Gulf of Mexico, taken from atop the La Concha Hotel from Wikipedia.
Source: wikipedia.com
Dave and I not only drove, but also walked Duval Street from one end to the other several times. This vibrant street is busy during the day and at night.
On certain nights, the gulf shores of Duval Street often vibrate with a carnival like atmosphere that lasts until dawn and beyond. In fact, the ritual has a name known to tourists and residents as the “Duval Pub Crawl.”
Duval is the location of many famous restaurants and bars, including Sloppy Joe’s, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, which is the original, Fogarty’s Restaurant, The Flying Monkeys Bar, The Bull and Whistle, Rick’s Cafe and many others.
Duval Street well represents the cultural influence of Key West’s proximity and cultural ties to Cuba. Many Cubans immigrated to the area beginning in the late 1860’s. At one time, the many cigar stores on Duval gave the city the moniker “Cigar City USA”. There are many pleasant outdoor cafes to enjoy another Cubano influenced product, “Cuban Coffee,” which is espresso made from roasted Cuban Coffee beans with a heavy dose of sugar.
There are numerous souvenir shops. This one offers a full grown alligator’s head.
Duval street gets even more crowdeed at night. Funky Chicken Store offers chicken sculptures, chicken paintings, T-shirts and hats with chicken applications and more. I guess the chicken theme is popular there due to the abundance of them on the island.
Clothing store House of Lords.
Passing the Island Cigar Factory store.
It was right before Christmas, so Duval Street shined with Christmas lights and decorations.
The street is congested with Pedi cabs, trollies, bikes, mopeds, cars, and the Conch Train all adding to the touristy feel of this heavily visited Duval.
But Duval is probably the most crowded during Key West Florida’s Fantasy Fest, which usually runs in October. Famous Duval Street gets loaded with over 70,000 visitors. Fantasy Fest is a wild Key West event which features some of the best and stranges body painting and costumes as they parade around the Southernmost party town in Florida.