Here are the latest recommendations for great Key West places to eat, see and shop. We were there with a large group of friends and here are our favorites.
It’s hard NOT to feel relaxed in Key West, Florida. The beautiful aqua ocean, swaying palm trees, delicious fresh seafood…happy people on vacation.
Our friends’ two families have been renting a large house on the island for the past couple of years. Mercedes found a motel that’s right across the street: The Harborview Motel and Marina so that we could be nearby but not too invasive.
The motel was friendly, clean, comfortable, and convenient (we paid to have our friend’s boat moored there–and he took us out in it- which was nice). But I am not sure I would stay there again if our friends were not across the street in the large house…
Here are fun things to do in Key West:
Key West Places to Eat And Drink
Cafe Sole Our friend, Alec liked this place so much he ate there two nights in a row. Make reservations everywhere for dinner. Try this:
“HOG SNAPPER ~CHEF CORREA’S AWARD-WINNING DISH. WITH A ROASTED RED PEPPER ZABAGLIONE. A DELICATE WHITE MEAT WITH THE FLAVOR OF SHRIMP, CAUGHT EXCLUSIVELY BY DIVERS.”
Louie’s Backyard This is a beautiful setting with views of the ocean. The food is good, too. Mark treated us to dinner for Mercedes’s 60th birthday.
The Green Parrot Bar
We loved the free live music here. You can check out the music calendar here.
Note: That J.Jill Beaded and Embroidered Linen Dress that I am wearing is on sale now plus an extra 30% off! Comes in regular, tall, women’s, and petite (I’m wearing a petite small).
Shopping in Key West
Soul House Shop Fun beachy goods here.
Besame Mucho This little shop has an international flair. Besame mucho means “kiss me a lot” in Spanish…I purchased a little onesie for my soon-to-be granddaughter with the logo.
The Angling Company This is a fishing shop but they have really cute t-shirts and sun protective wear. I bought a long-sleeved shirt to wear boating with an SPF 30.
Transportation and Easy Bike Rentals
We had a rental car that we mostly left in the parking lot in favor of bikes, Uber at night, and our friends’ boats.
Eaton Bikes makes renting bikes easy. When you are ready to return them, you lock them up to any bike stand on the island and text the company an photo and they will pick up the bikes.
Key West Home Exteriors
Some shots I took while biking…
Ernest Hemingway House
The bottom right photo in the collage above is Ernest Hemingway’s house…now a museum. I’ve been before but this time we had a guide (free) and it was much more interesting.
Nightly Sunset Gathering At Mallory Square
This is a fun tradition. Our whole group went one night to see this…
Have you been to Key West? Do you have any other recommendations for me?
You may also like News and Style Notes From Florida and Feeling Chic In A Heatwave.
The Hemingway house tour was one i will never forget. The story about the pool and the penny. (Hemingway said it took his last cent) The six toed cat cemetery and the urinal from Sloppy Joes that was used as a water fountain that one lady bent down and took a big gulp from and then was told Hemingway took it from Sloppy Joes when the bar was remodeled.
And yes,Blue Heaven is a must Breakfast spot! and I hear the food trucks are some of the best places to eat!
And we rented motor scooters and had a blast! Enjoy your next trip!
Thanks…the last cent was a good story.
You make Key West look like so much fun! Beautiful post.
Any idea where your friend Mercedes dress is from?
I can ask her!
Mary Ann loved this tour. Key West has always been on our list! Great to have a little peek and see the architecture and what you do there. I would love seeing Hemingway’s home. Driving down there would be really fun also. You are going to see so many cool things in Florida. The blue dress was so pretty, as Juliet said. I would buy it. You and Mercedes and pals look so cute all in blue. I am off to check out your dress. Whatever you wear, I always love! x Kim
Mary Ann,
What a charming place. I’ve never been but good friends of mine are going in December. I’ll pass along your tips.
Have fun back in CA with your family.
Karen B.
We have been for the mini lobster season and another time stayed on Stock island at Oceans Edge resort it was Bliss!! I loved a sailboat excursion just talked about it today! Your trip looked like so much fun!!!
So fun, Karen!
El Siboney has great Cuban
Santiago Bodega good tapas
Latitudes on Sunset Key is great and fun for the boat ride
Stop at NoName Pub on the drive back to Miami for pizza and to see the key deer.
My uncle lived in the keys -it was great
Thanks fo the great ideas, Courtney. We flew down this time. But might drive the next time.
Blue Heaven is a must for breakfast!
I need another trip there, Sandy!!
You have to be cool as a cucumber to visit Key West in July ( I am NOT! ;-}
Visited in early May ~5 years ago and it was already summer!
I enjoyed your beach home photography, Mary Ann: it took me right back to my visit… Visited with a girlfriend and we both love cats, so Ernest Hemingway’s early home and its many polydactyl kitties was a lot of fun! And the guided tour was very informative: just one period of Hemingway’s many families (wives) & lives.
Yes…lots of cats at the Hemingway House…fun tour. His wife (one of them) has the same chandelier as my mom…which is now going in the baby’s nursery.
Blue Heaven is a really cute and really good food place to eat!!!
Thanks. Next time!!
You go on the best vacations. Key West looks like a very fun place to visit with lots to see and do. Love all the houses and of course that beautiful sunset!
I think you would think it’s fun Gail.
Oh, MA … yes, yes, yes! Key West has been on my bucket list. Forever. What am I waiting for?! The scenery, the food, the shops … everything. I’m hoping you bought the blue and white dress in the Besame Mucho shop. Lovely. It look like paradise … I want to go to paradise. Now. Safe travels and have so much fun at the shower! You’re making the most of summer. Love it. xo
I didn’t buy it Juliet since I have something similar. But maybe I should have!!
My husband and I love Key West; we stay at the Key West Harbor Inn–beautiful B&B which offers complimentary breakfast and 4pm Happy hour-; it is an Adults Only B&B, beautiful rooms and location is great- can walk everywhere from there.
Also, we did the Dolphin Boat Ride and a Sunset Tour which was fantastic.
Next time — will be a shopping Trip as per your recommendations!
Thanks for the tip!!!
Love this! And you blog….you don’t need to change a thing! And again love Your friend Mercedes floral dress!🥰. I did purchase the stripe one on your blog❤️
Beautiful! Pinned for winter!