STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

Key West

Karina · Chanel

Key West is very very touristy... just as an FYI.

I would go to

-the hemingway house

-take a reef tour http://www.discountkeywest.com/html/glass_bottom_boats.html

-take a walk to the southernmost point in the US (Key west is very very walkable)

There are no real beaches in Key West, and don't think about going to Margaritaville unless you are REALLY into it.... it's pretty much a dingy hole in the wall. Things are very overpriced and there are t-shirt shops every where you look. Stop to get some Key Lime pie.

valenciana · Dooney & Bourke

it is touristy, but in an offbeat sort of way. well, except for those t-shirt shops.

Mallory Square at Sunset is a definite must-do, there are street performers, palm readers, fire eaters, musicians, all that sort of thing, goofy, but the sunset really is great

if you don't want to walk around, you can rent a moped, but i'd probably break my neck on one, so walking is good.

besides the Hemingway House, you can check out Truman's Little White House. Kind of interesting. THere's also a pirate museum that is pretty cool. Kelly McGillis (from Top Gun) has a restaurant down there, i cannot remember where it is though and i have no idea if it's any good, but interesting to walk by at least? I think it's called Kelly's.

there is one public pay beach that is alright, but still a bit rocky, and like i said, you have to pay for it. i think it's near the little White House...Zacharey Taylor beach? yeesh, i can't remember the name. snorkeling is cool though. there are lots of marinas around that take snorkel tours out.

honestly, Key West is great for just relaxing, lounging, and people watching. there are lots of shops, aside from the cheesy t-shirt shops that are neat. actually, i think Lucky did a feature on key west shopping, let me know if you want me to dig it out and list the places for you.

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

quote:
Originally posted by: valenciana
honestly, Key West is great for just relaxing, lounging, and people watching. there are lots of shops, aside from the cheesy t-shirt shops that are neat. actually, i think Lucky did a feature on key west shopping, let me know if you want me to dig it out and list the places for you."

This is what we plan on doing RELAXING.. but im sure I can only sit by the pool reading for so long.. so I will definately need to do some shopping! If its not too much trouble, I would love to hear more about that Lucky feature. I havent been getting Lucky all that long, so I'm pretty I don't already have it. Thanks for the help!

RyanJ · Coach

Another one for the Hemingway house- it is a very cool place.

valenciana · Dooney & Bourke

alright...there isn't a whole lot, i forgot it's actually a florida feature, with just a small section on key west. but for what it's worth, here's what was in there anyway. hope it helps you some.

Besame Mucho
315 Petronia St.
Located down a tiny, palm tree-shaded street that seems more accessible by moped than car. Besame Mucho's tucked away appeal is reason enough to visit. (Trust us, you'll want an escape from nearby tourist drag Duval Street). Once you browse Besame's amazing array of offerings - handcarved cinnabar bangles ($12 to $22), painted chiffon Chinese lanterns ($26), Diptyque candles ($40), and scented cologne waters by Italian line Santa Maria Novella ($65) - you'll be doubly glad you made the detour.

Key West Aloe
524 Front St (main store)
540 Green St (outlet store)
More than 30 years old, this locally owned shop started out selling aloe vera gel to sunburned shoppers. Today the store still does a swift business in its namesake product, but has expanded its offerings to include sunblocks, tropically scented lotions, face cleansers, shower gels, and perfumes (the lightly fragranced Key Lime Body Mist, $7.95, is a customer favorite).

Kino Sandals
107 Fitzpatrick St
We couldn't believe our eyes when we walked into this rustic sandal factory, located in the oldest quarter of Key West, and saw the incredible array of leather-and-rope flip flops, toe strap slide-ons, and other hippie styles - all for between $8 and $11 a pair. In our minds, Kino is an essential stop in Florida. We urge you: Bring as many pairs home as possible, becasue you can't buy them anywhere else.

Shell Warehouse
1 Whitehead St in Mallory Square
Though the difficulty of finding shells in a Key West store is about as challenging as locating a Slurpee in a 7-Eleven, most of what's available is banal at best. Don't let that stop you from visiting the Shell Warehouse. There are so many unexpencted surprises here - gorgeous polished, pearlized Afrian Turbo shells, taxidermied blowfish, gigantic dyed red starfish, and back scratchers made from real alligator fee - that the place makes shopping feel like some fantastic treasure hunt (you never know what you'll find next).

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

This is the exact type stuff I am looking for.. Thanks!!!!

Hedvig · Coach

I would definitely recommend taking the ferry tour to Dry Tortugas. It's about two hours each way. My BF loved snorkeling there - and it's a beautiful place. There's also a historic fort there.

And I agree on the Hemingway House. There are adorable cats everywhere in and around the house!

RyanJ · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: Hedvig
"And I agree on the Hemingway House. There are adorable cats everywhere in and around the house!"

Ohhh, I forgot about the polydactyl cats. There are like 60 of them there.

-- Edited by RyanJ at 15:26, 2005-04-15

Sunshinegirl · Kate Spade

My fiance and i tracked down a couple locals while we were in Key West last summer and they suggested the restaurant Seven Fish. It's not on Duval but i think either on or near Elizabeth street.

It's a must if you are a food lover like myself. Call before you go (reservation) because the place is small and always packed. Antonia's (Antonios) is really good as well.

Yes, rent a moped for atleast half a day. There is a really beautiful botanical (orchid) garden somewhere near one of the limited beach accesses/parks. Cannot remember the name but worth seeing if you like that sort of thing.

Have Fun!!