INTERESTING KEY WEST FACTS
Did you know that there are 1700 keys in total that make up the Florida Keys? Key West has the largest number of residents of all. It is closer to Cuba than to Miami! Also, Key West’s temperature has never gone below 41 degrees – that means no frost!
DAY 2 – KEY WEST BOUND
Day 2 started early with a quick stop at Baby’s Coffee. Named after the previous building owner’s youngest sons, Baby’s coffee is roasted on premises (and on demand). We had the honor of meeting the owner, Gary, who was so kind and personable. I loved that they offered macadamia nut milk as a non-dairy option – my favorite coffee addition!
Fueled by coffee and conversation, we made our way over to Sunshine Scooters to pick up our golf cart. How great is it that you can travel throughout Key West that way?
They also rent super cute scooters too!
FIRST STOP – OSIR KEY WEST OFFICE
It was interesting to see the difference between the Key West office and the Islamorada office we visited the day before. I appreciated how the styles of each office appropriately fit the particular Key! The OSIR Key West agents welcomed us with a Mimosa Meet & Greet – how nice is that?!
We chatted for a bit and then jumped back into our golf cart to head over to the ferry for Sunset Key.
SECOND STOP – SUNSET KEY
Mainly comprised of multi-million dollar residences, Sunset Key is a short ferry ride away from the hustle and bustle of Key West. No cars are allowed. All shopping needs to be done on the mainland (as well as retrieving your mail).
Lunch at Latitudes was phenomenal. Appetizers included conch balls and a cheese platter with the most delicious truffle cheese ever. I ordered the Maine Lobster salad and ate every last bite. The mix of the lobster, avocado, and bibb lettuce was perfect!
LET THE TOURS BEGIN!
After taking some photos – you know that is what we influencers love to do, we headed down a private beach where the OSIR team had a surprise waiting for us. On a singular hammock lay 6 books by Jimmy Buffett. This hammock wasn’t any old hammock – it was the VERY hammock that Jimmy Buffett posed on for his book cover!
We walked through the streets of Sunset Key, admiring all of the homes. Whether it was the white fencing with the carved out pineapples or the beautiful gardens, each one expressed its own personality.
THIRD STOP – KEY WEST GALLERY
Once we returned to Key West, we hopped on our golf cart and jetted (slowly) over to the Key West Gallery for a private tour and cocktail hour with owner Kellie Alpert. There are many art galleries located throughout the island, but this one is special in that it is owned by a fellow OSIR agent!
Artists such as Peter Max, Bill Mack, Adam Scott Rote, Thomas Arvid, Romero Britto are represented on the walls as well as on the floor easels (interesting story behind them- ask Kellie!). What I liked most about this gallery is their penchant for bringing the artists that they represent into the gallery so that locals and collectors can meet them and watch them in action! I feel that it brings the art to a whole new level when you can actually talk to the painter or sculptor.
I fell in love with two paintings that I am still “discussing” with the husband. They were painted using natural pigments – not conventional paints! I especially loved a painting of this cool black bird…he’s such a character!
FOURTH STOP – PAPA’S PILAR
When someone asks what I would like to drink (of the alcoholic variety) I immediately respond wine – or an herbaceous gin and tonic drink. After touring Papa’s Pilar Rum Distillery and learning about how rum is made (and tasting it), I have a newfound appreciation.
The name of the distillery comes from Ernest Hemingway’s nickname, Papa, and one of his wive’s names – Pilar. One fact that I found quite interesting was that similar to wine, at some point, rum is distilled in wooden barrels, with the wood assisting in the flavor composition of the rum.
FINAL STOP – MY NEW JOINT!
After singing our hearts out in the limo it was time for sustenance. We headed over to My New Joint for what turned out to be some great food and drinks!
Located upstairs from Square Grouper Bar and Grill, My New Joint offers a raw bar, full bar, and some amazing tapas! We started off with soft pretzels and dipping sauces, cheese fondue, the BEST portobello fries, charred Brussel sprouts, and house-smoked fish. Next out was the shrimp and grits (which I think I ate every last morsel of and was eyeing Eli’s as well…) and fish tacos. To end the foodfest they served Keylime pie.
We rolled out of there into the limo and back to the Hidden Gem for some nighttime swimming and relaxing!
Stay tuned for the final part of my amazing trip to the Keys! If you happened to miss day one, you need to check it out!
Melissa says
Looks like a fun time! My husbands grand parents used to live in the Florida Keys.
Laurie says
Gorgeous place and the pics of the food and drink were making me drool! They keys are definitely on my bucket list!
Dana says
Thanks! I’m glad you liked the post, Laurie!
Joanna says
It looks like you went on a proper culinary tour on the second day. All the food you’ve shown us looks delicious! How amazing to sit on the same hammock that the author took the cover photo for his book on!
Eze Azubike says
The smile on your faces tells it all. It must have been a fun energising experience. The pictures are great.
Dana says
It was super fun and a GREAT time,eze!
Brittany Vantrease says
Ommnomnom! I think my favorite thing about reading reviews has got to be looking at all of the food pictures. My husband isn’t really into art, so I don’t get to go out and look often, but those are incredible. I thought the first picture, before reading about it, was a real tree. I was like, “What the heck kind of tree is that?!?!”
Dana says
Brittany, the tree was three dimensional – the paint was layered on top of the canvas – it was SO cool!!!
Arnab Majumdar says
This looks like a great place to go. Your food pictures are awesome, and looks delicious. Will visit here someday.
Dana says
Thank you Arnab! It is definitely a great place to go!
Nessa says
I hope one day I will travel there and visit !! Loved your pics! So much fun, thanks for sharing !! 🙂
Dana says
I am so glad you liked my photos, Nessa!!
Jonah says
Looks like an amazing place. I’ve always been curious about Key West especially its geographical location. The food looks amazing too! I’m glad you and your group have fun exploring the place.
Dana says
Key West is the southernmost point of Florida and such a cool, different place to vacation (and live)! It’s so laid back and beautiful!
Hannah Marie says
The place looks relaxing and lively at the same time. I love incorporating art with my travels. And the food looks delicious.
Agnes dela cruz says
You guys are gorgeous! I love traveling with people who enjoy each other company. I love all the photos you shared here it feels like I came along with you all. 🙂
Dana says
Awww, Agnes – thank you!!
Monique Starks says
I’ve been to Key West before and it was gorgeous! I went parasailing and had a blast! I had no idea it was closer to Cuba than Miami. That’s pretty cool!
Dana says
I thought that location fact was pretty cool too!!!
betzy cuellar says
Florida is on my list of places to visit.
Lynnette says
aww looks like you guys had a blast! I want to take a trip to the Keys
Dana says
It was so much fun, Lynnette!
Rosey says
I live right next door and I’ve never been!! Well not right next door, but you know what I mean. Looks like a great place to go to eat!
Dana says
Rosey, you have to check out the Keys! They won’t disappoint!
Nina Kasper says
All of that food looks just amazing! Visiting the Keys is on my bucket list of places to see!!
Becca Wilson says
This looks like it would be such an amazing trip. I have always wanted to go to the Keys!
Megan Jones says
After reading the great part 1, I just had to read part 2 and I wasn’t disappointed. Thanks for taking us on a wonderful culinary tour. I enjoyed the read (and it brought back good memories) and need to plan another trip to the Keys soon!
Dana says
Megan, thank you for reading them! Where do you like to stay when you are in the Keys?