Conch Republic Confidential: The Real Key West Is More Than Mojitos
Key West's charm goes way beyond Duval Street.
What do a haunted doll, authentic Cuban mojitos, and some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet have in common? You’ll find them all in Key West. Before last year, I’d never been to the Florida Keys. This year, I spent four days in the Conch Republic discovering the town is much more than a wicked bar crawl. It’s a place rich with history, incredible cuisine, and amazing people. But what surprised me most was learning the best Key West dessert isn’t Key Lime Pie.
Come for Duval, Stay To Become Part of ‘One Human Family’
Like so many, I had a preconceived notion about the party town known around the world for the eccentric nightlife of Duval Street. However, the Southernmost Point of the continental U.S. is so much more. It’s a community of people who prosper on tourism and love sharing their town.
“One human family” is the unofficial catchphrase of Key West, which I learned from the hilarious and lovely Amy Andrade. She’s the owner of Island Tales Walking Tours and the Activities Director at the Southernmost Beach Resort. Stay here and spend even an hour with Amy. She’ll download you with so much information about this incredibly historic (and haunted!) locale.
Plus, you’ll be mere steps from the iconic red and black Southernmost Point buoy and within walking distance of everything the town has to offer. It’s about a 20 minute walk from one side of town to the other!
What to do in Key West
There’s not a place you can go in Key West that isn’t deeply rooted in history. Pop into historic Building One and have a meal at the Key West Cooking School where you’ll learn to make authentic Conch Cuisine.
Swing by the Artist House on Eaton Street to see the former home of Robert the Doll, the haunted doll who inspired the Chucky franchise.
Visit Paul and Crystal Menta’s Key West Legal Rum Distillery for a lesson on how to make the perfect mojito from the first (and only) reverse rum runners. Book a sunset cruise or go dolphin watching with Fury. Their captains are some of the most knowledgable on the ocean (and they’ll serve you drinks)!
Truly, you’ll be hard-pressed to find somewhere in Key West that isn’t connected to a fascinating story. Even The Boat House Bar and Grill at Turtle Kraals has a tale. It’s here you’ll find the best dessert in all of the Keys—the Sticky Toffee Pudding. Stop in and ask for the owner, Roderick Gill. You’ll get the warmest welcome and the best retelling of the restaurant’s history.
Whether you need a reminder that there are still good people in the world, stiff cocktail, dose of Florida sunshine, or all three, Key West offers all of that and so much more.
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