Travel Florida The 15 Best Things To Do On Duval Street In Key West By Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola has been on staff at Southern Living since 2015. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on December 4, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Peter Unger What Bourbon Street is to New Orleans, Duval Street is to Key West. Yes, this quirky road is tourist central, but that's because there's so much to see and do here. Although Duval Street is just about a mile long, it is a hub for restaurants, shops, galleries, and bars, and a prime place to take in Key West's colorful scenery and history. At the northern end of Duval is Mallory Square, where you can take in a nightly show of street performers and musicians that's only rivaled by the magnificent sunsets you'll see here. It's a must-do for any visitor. At the Southern end is the Southernmost Point, which is a concrete marker that's one of the most popular selfie spots in town. And in between, you'll find enough to keep you busy for a weekend. Start with our suggestions here and build your own Duval Street itinerary. 01 of 15 Embark On The Ultimate Bar Crawl Bruce Yuanyue Bi /Getty They don't call it the Duval Crawl for nothing. Start at one of the more famous 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! 02 of 15 Run With The Bulls Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau No this isn't Pamplona, it's Key West. Every summer, during the annual Hemingway Days festival, Ernest Hemingway lookalikes ride a manmade bull on wheels in a lively parade. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author lived and wrote in Key West throughout most of the 1930s. 03 of 15 Find The Perfect Souvenir 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. For more of a boutique experience, head to Tucker's Provisions, a cute shop that stocks clothing, accessories, and home goods. 04 of 15 Take A Ghost Tour SPhoto79 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!) Explore the city by night and hear these spooky tales with Ghosts & Gravestones Key West. 05 of 15 Head To Mallory Square At Sunset Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau Join the crowds at Mallory Square for a nightly 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. 06 of 15 Attend A Costume Party 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. 07 of 15 Stay At The Southernmost House 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. To spend the night in one of these historic homes, book a room at the Southernmost House, both a hotel and a museum, located at the southern end of Duval Street. 08 of 15 Bike Around Town 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. 09 of 15 Catch A Drag Show Anna Bryukhanova Home to an active and fun-loving LGBTQ community, Key West is a great place to check out a drag show or two. On Duval Street, talented divas perform nightly shows at Aqua Nightclub and La Te Da. 10 of 15 Visit Local Art Galleries 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. 11 of 15 Pet A Six-Toed Cat 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. 12 of 15 Eat A Slice Of Key Lime Pie 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. Or, do a Key lime pie crawl and try some reader-selected favorites, many of which are in Key West. 13 of 15 Hop On A Conch Train Tour 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. 14 of 15 Visit An "Odditorium" 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. 15 of 15 Snap An Only-In-Key-West Photo Franz Marc Frei While it's now the restored façade of a drugstore, 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! Frequently Asked Questions What is special about Duval Street in Key West? Duval Street is Key West's main drag and where much of the action happens when it comes to drinking, dining, and shopping. The street is also home to historic sites like Sloppy Joe's, the San Carlos Theatre, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Is Duval Street like Bourbon Street? There are some similarities between Duval Street and Bourbon Street, like the party atmosphere, live music, and street festivals. Unlike on Bourbon Street, visitors to Duval Street are not allowed to carry open containers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit