The Key West Historic Seaport is Key West’s best place for fishing, sunset cruises, diving, snorkeling, kayaking & other water excursions. With a variety of unique restaurants and bars offering live music along the Harbor Walk with authentic shops around every corner. The Historic Seaport offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Whether you’re on the rooftop of The Waterfront Brewery soaking up the view, the Tower Bar at Turtle Kraals savory concoctions or strolling along the Seaport, the best place to watch the famous Key West sunset is at the Historic Seaport. Every time you visit the Historic Seaport, you can learn something new about its history. Here are 8 things you may not know about the Key West Historic Seaport.

1. Local Color at Land’s End Village is the original location of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville store. That’s right, the fashion forward shop that sells the best handmade jewelry in Key West along with your favorite apparel brands is located in what was one time the “Margaritaville” retail store. Click here for information on Local Color.

2. What’s now a 20 acre facility for visitors and locals began as a thriving Seaport for turtle cannery, sea sponging, fishing and shrimping industries. In the mid to late 1800’s, Key West was the center for the sea turtle processing and canning industry. The Sponge Fishing industry began in the 1800’s when native Key West fisherman found sea sponges washed ashore. While initially the sponges were only used locally, they soon became a highly sought after domestic commodity nationally, especially in New York. Click here for more information on the history of the Historic Seaport.

3. Conch Republic Seafood Company stands on the property that was once the Singleton Fish House and Ice Plant. The ice plant once boasted as the largest in the world, allowed for more efficient unloading and processing of the daily shrimp catch. More information on Conch Republic Seafood Company’s history here.

4. The Sailboat Breezin from Breezin Charters has been to Venezuela, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and more! Captain Dennis Krinitt (Captain Dees) is quite the traveler and has sailed Breezin to many islands and countries. Now, he docks Breezin at the marina at the Key West Historic Seaport and offers half days, full days and sunset cruises aboard Breezin.

5. B.O.’s Fish Wagon started out of a little wagon on Duval Street more than 25 years ago. B.O.’s is now a hopping little open-air shack that has been at the Historic Seaport location for nearly 22 years. Fish lovers from near and far attest that they have the best grouper sandwich and conch fritters around.

6. Paul & Evalena Worthington, owners of the Schooner Wharf Bar, first sailed into town in the late 1980s where they opened a bar on their Schooner named Defiance. You can find an image of the Defiance on the Compass Ship t-shirt’s, for sale in the merchandise area at the Harbor Walk entrance of the Schooner Wharf Bar. Paul and Evalena would dock Defiance behind where the bar is currently located and eventually opened the Schooner Wharf Bar on the mainland.

7. Half Shell Raw Bar shucks nearly 200 oysters a day during Happy Hour. Considered one of Key West’s Best Happy Hours, the Half Shell Raw Bar Happy Hour is from 4:30pm-6:30pm and you can oysters on the half shell. Order ½ dozen raw oysters for $4.50 or a dozen for $9.00.

8. November 22nd kicks off the Holiday Season with the Lighting of the Harbor Walk as part of the Key West Holiday Festival and The “Bight” Before Christmas.  Music — Lights — Give Aways — Kids Countdown — Holiday Fun! Dozens of events are happening throughout the holiday season. For more information, visit KeyWestChristmas.org.

Add the Key West Historic Seaport to your list of places to travel to and experience historic sites, extraordinary shopping, delicious eateries, water excursions all found in our historic paradise! Before you book your next trip to Key West, explore any of the hotels nearby the Historic Seaport and rest your head close to museums, shops, restaurants, bars, watersports and boat tour access.  There’s nothing like waking up, rolling out of bed and conveniently jumping aboard a diving, kayaking or fishing trip without the hassles of driving and parking.

Key West Historic Seaport: Your Gateway to Everything Key West!