Neighbourhoods
Key West and the Florida Keys: the back story
The back story
About Key West and the Florida Keys: the back story
Key West sits at the end of the Overseas Highway, 113 miles from Key Largo across 42 bridges. Its Old Town is one of the easiest places in the Keys to see without a car.
Old Town and Duval Street
Old Town runs from Mallory Square, where the Sunset Celebration gathers every night, to the Southernmost Point. Duval Street crosses it from “0 Duval” at Ocean Key and Sunset Pier to the Atlantic, past Sloppy Joe’s, Nine One Five, 801 Bourbon Bar, La Te Da and the Butterfly Conservatory. The Hemingway Home, the Lighthouse and Audubon House are a few blocks away.
Bahama Village and the Truman Annex
Bahama Village, west of Whitehead Street, is the island’s historic Caribbean-heritage neighbourhood, home to Blue Heaven and Santiago’s Bodega. The Truman Annex, the former naval station, holds the Truman Little White House, and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is reached through it.
Key West feels less like the end of the road than the start of something slower.
The Historic Seaport
Key West Bight’s 20-acre harbourwalk has waterfront restaurants, the Schooner Wharf Bar, marinas, charter boats and the ferry terminal.
The Keys on the way
The Overseas Highway became Florida’s first All-American Road in 2009. Mile markers count down from Key Largo to zero in Key West; Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon have reefs, marinas and seafood stops, and the Seven Mile Bridge carries you on to the Lower Keys.
Our advice: stay at least one night, watch the sunset at Mallory Square, and explore Old Town on foot or by bike; the free Duval Loop bus was suspended in 2026.
Why it's on our list
- Old Town and Duval Street
- Bahama Village and the Truman Annex
- The Historic Seaport
- The Keys on the way
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Key West and the Florida Keys: the back story before you go.