Trip to the Southernmost Point 11.26.23
The ultimate guide to Key West, USA's southernmost point
Half the fun of going to Key West is the actual drive itself. Unlike any other route in the country, the trip to Key West will take you down stretches of road which surround you with nothing but endless turquoise waters in all directions. You will get a glimpse of Florida's history, seeing remnants of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad, which was largely destroyed after the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. After driving through Florida's hundreds of keys, you'll find yourself greeted by the sign you've been waiting for: "Welcome to Key West, Paradise USA."
Key West is not a large island, stretching about four miles long and less than two miles wide. That means you can technically stay on the outskirts of the island to score a cheaper hotel, and just take an Uber, taxi, scooter, or bike where you want to go without being far from anything. However, if I'm going to be honest, one of the things I love most about Key West is being close to all of the action, so I prefer to stay as close to Duval Street as I can.
One rule I always follow in Key West is that once I have parked my car, it does not move. Key West is walkable, and its small streets are usually quite congested with pedestrians on vacation and locals going about their day. Many of those vacationers, might I add, are happily inebriated. I find that the safest and easiest option is always to rent a bicycle. I see many people renting scooters, but I don't think scooters mix well with frozen hurricanes and daiquiris.
Must Do's
I usually tend to deviate from zoos and attractions that make spectacles of wildlife, but the Key West Butterfly Conservatory is not to be missed. Everywhere you look, there are colorful butterflies and myriad species of birds. I've even had butterflies land on me, which makes for an excellent photo opp!
Once you leave the Conservatory, the famous Southernmost Point buoy will be standing down the street. You will undoubtedly know the spot by the long line snaking down the street. Now, I will not tell you it isn't worth it to wait to take a photo, but it isn't for the faint of heart to wait in the heat for that photo. This is coming from a Florida native.
Another quintessential Key West experience is visiting the Ernest Hemingway home, his 1930's residence with his second wife, Pauline. I have been there half a dozen times and still find something beautiful and interesting each time I visit. I admit that I may be a bit biased; Hemingway is my favorite author and I eat up every bit of history I can glean about his fascinating life as I can, but the grounds are truly beautiful, and there are so many interesting relics. By the way, if you are a lover of cats, there are about 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats roaming the property. Yes, you are allowed to pet them.
While we are on the topic of Hemingway, be sure to check out the Hemingway Rum Company, AKA Papa's Pilar. Truth be told, I'm more of a tequila fan, but Papa's Pilar rum is so good that I enjoy sipping it on its own. They offer tours of the distillery and rum tastings, and I suggest both. You won't even need me to convince you to leave with a bottle of the blonde rum (wink wink).
Be sure to head to Mallory Square at least thirty minutes before sunset for the sunset celebration. You will definitely want a good spot. While you're waiting for the main event, plenty of performers dance, do magic tricks, and more to keep you entertained until sunset. Then watch as nature puts on its pink and orange show. Watching a sunset at Mallory Square is a Key West tradition because you feel as if you are at the end of the world. Pictures do not do it justice. You just need to see it yourself.
Once the sun goes down, Duval Street comes even more alive. Bar hopping on Duval is fun no matter what - whether you're just people watching, in the mood for some karaoke, or drinking. I highly recommend Irish Kevin's.
Must Eats
Key West is obviously dense with terrific seafood and Cuban, being a mere 90 miles from Cuba. When in Key West, I gorge myself on both. I like to stop at Cuban Coffee Queen, a chain on the island, to enjoy a Cubano and a coffee. With all of that walking, biking, and unrelenting heat, it's a great way to start the day.
Later on when you have an appetite again, a little tiny shack is nestled on Duval Street. It is so small that it is nearly missable. DJ's Clam Shack has a small menu but boasts the best lobster roll in Key West. I am extremely picky about lobster rolls to the point of usually not ordering them. Too often, "lobster" rolls are nothing but mayonnaise, celery, and nearly undetectable traces of lobster hidden in mysterious seafood salad. At DJ's, you will find entire pieces of tender claw. What you may not find, unfortunately, is a seat.
It is no secret that Key West is the destination for key lime pie lovers. I even took my mother's best friend, a Brooklyn native and key lime lover, on a key lime pie tour of Key West, bouncing from one spot to the next. Signs will claim that this place has the best pie and this place has the best pie, but my favorite is the towering, golden meringue at Blue Heaven.
If you can, I suggest purchasing some fresh catch for yourself. Excellent seafood can be found in the Florida Keys, so before leaving, I wanted to take some home with me. The Eaton Street Seafood market is a great stop before leaving the island. One can purchase ready-to-eat food and dine in or purchase seafood to cook. The day I was there, there was hogfish, lobster, and so much more. My decision was difficult, but I went with mahi-mahi to make moqueca, a Brazilian stew that we love at home. It was delicious. They will put it over ice for you for safe transport.
I am lucky to live in Miami. Key West, being about three and a half hours away, is practically down the road. Any time I have a key lime pie craving, a desperation to see a cotton candy sunset, or a calling to visit Hemingway, all I have to do is drive along the ruins of an old railroad. If you are farther than I am, I still think everyone should see this little island in their lifetime.
