Duval Street
The approximately one-mile-long main artery of Key West – lined with bars, galleries, boutiques and the island's queer hotspots around the southern end. During the day for strolling, in the evening for partying.
The key addresses in Key West — verified and regularly updated. Clicking takes you straight to the location page.
The approximately one-mile-long main artery of Key West – lined with bars, galleries, boutiques and the island's queer hotspots around the southern end. During the day for strolling, in the evening for partying.
The Spanish Colonial Estate of 1851 was the home of Ernest Hemingway. Today, around 60 six-toed cats roam the garden, and you can tour his original writing studio. A National Historic Landmark in the middle of the Old Town.
Every evening, the waterfront square is transformed into a folk festival: street performers, live music and food stalls accompany the sunset over the Gulf. The Sunset Celebration is free and an absolute must-see in Key West.
The red-black-yellow buoy marks the southernmost point of the continental USA – only 90 miles to Cuba. The most popular photo motif on the island; come early in the morning or late afternoon, otherwise you'll be standing in line.
Gay attractions in Key West tell a lot about an island that has been considered a haven and showcase for the queer community for decades. A central location is the Key West AIDS Memorial on the Atlantic Ocean, which was completed in 1997 and is considered one of the few official urban monuments of its kind in the world. The names of over a thousand people who died as a result of AIDS are engraved on the stone. If you want to learn more about the literary side of the island, visit the Tennessee Williams Museum on Truman Avenue. The openly gay playwright had his home in Key West and remained connected to the island until his death in 1983.
The attitude of the city itself is also formative. In 2000, the city government officially adopted the motto One Human Family, which was later adopted by the entire Florida Keys. To this day, you can find the slogan on countless stickers and signs scattered across the island. Duval Street, known as the Pink Triangle in the queer core, forms the axis where the history and present of the scene meet. The highlight of the year is Key West Pride in June with parades, street parties and the famous rainbow flag spectacle on Duval Street. The following places will take you to the most important stations of queer island history.