Mallory
Square in Key West FL gives You Culture and
Chickens
- by Jean
Pardue
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Visiting "The Square" in
Key West - Unforgettable!!
When you think about Key
West, FL, what comes to mind first? Which travel
aspects of Key West, FL are important, which are
essential, and which ones can you take or leave?
You be the judge after reading this enlightening
travel article about Mallory Square.
Imagine shopping in
open-air shops filled with history and oozing
with the culture so prevalent to Key West. But,
does culture have to include chickens walking
through the stores as if they owned them? Well,
that's what you'll see on your visit to this
Southernmost point in the continental United
States!
Mallory Square is an
entertainment complex and open-air marketplace
located by the waterfront in historic Key West,
Florida along Wall Street at the north end of
Duval, Front and Whitehead Streets. The numerous
restored restaurants and shops at The Square
were once historic buildings that supported the
local maritime industry.
A Brief History of
Mallory Square
Mallory Square was named
after Stephen Mallory, a Key West bigwig whose
claim to fame was initiated when he was
appointed Confederate Secretary of the
Navy.
When Key West residents
congregate, they often reminisce about the time
when Mallory Square was once a gathering place
for pirates, and later a place for anti-pirate
demonstrations. The Square was also used as a
gathering point for U. S. soldiers in four
different wars.
While you and your family
are visiting Florida, a trip to Historic Mallory
Square is a must, especially since it is rated
the second most exciting thing to do while in
Key West. You will be overwhelmed by the
reflections of Key West's past in everything you
see and do at the Square.
Truthfully, the only
difference between you and Key West, FL travel
guides is time. If you will only invest a little
more time in reading about the Sunshine State,
you'll be that much nearer to expert tourist
status when it comes to visiting Florida.
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Getting Around
Key West
Finding your way
around Key West is easy since most of
the island can be toured by auto using
Highway 1-A.
If driving is not
your thing, you can see all the sights
by hopping aboard the Old Town Trolley
or the Conch Tour Train, both departing
from Mallory Square, and enjoy the
90-minute narrated tour given by the
expert guides.
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Not interested in taking
structured guided tours? You can stroll through
the Square at your own pace and enjoy the rich
history, people watching, and beautiful sunsets.
Shopping at Mallory
Square
As a shopper who enjoys
giving extraordinary gifts, you will have an
experience of a lifetime while shopping at the
Key West Sponge Market and Shell Warehouse.
The Shell
Warehouse
The Shell Warehouse has
been a favorite of locals and visitors since
1950. It is located next door to the Key West
Chamber of Commerce and housed in one of the
first buildings in Key West. You will find a
smorgasbord of fascinating items at the Shell
Warehouse to take home as reminders of Key West.
Just a few of the souvenirs available are
jewelry, artwork, and thousands of rare shells.
The Sponge
Market
During your visit to The
Sponge Market in Mallory Square, there is much
more besides shopping to see and do. For a
better understanding of sponges, you can take a
stroll through the museum featured at The Sponge
Market as many thousands of visitors have done
in the past. At the museum, you can preview a
video of the gathering, cleaning, and use of
sponges over the years and even today.
A large selection of
unique sponges is available to purchase at The
Sponge Market either to give as gifts or as
souvenirs of Key West, Florida. Antique bottle
reproductions, collectibles, art, and shipwreck
treasures are sure to become family heirlooms
you will cherish for years to come.
Other shops you will want
to visit are the Caribbean Cargo that offers
specialty gifts and the Conch Store where you
can pick up extra film so you won't miss out on
any great photos while visiting Mallory
Square.
Family Attractions at
Mallory Square
Mallory Square is famous
for its family attractions. If you would like to
meet Key West's most influential past residents,
just take a stroll through the Historic Memorial
Sculpture Garden. The Garden , which opened in
1997 and has over 1,000,000 visitors a year, is
located beside the Key West Chamber of Commerce
on the original shoreline.
While visiting the
Sculpture Garden you will have the opportunity
to observe 36 cast-bronze busts portraying the
men and women who had the greatest influence on
Key West. Admission to the Sculpture Garden is
free, but any brick donated for the walkway will
help to finance the garden and will be
appreciated. Each brick you donate will have a
commemorative engraving with a special message
in memory of the loved one of your
choice.
The Key West Shipwreck
Historeum
Another Mallory Square
adventure for the entire family to enjoy is the
Key West Shipwreck Historeum. You and your kids,
along with the actors, can become a part of a
show that will take you back in time to 1851
when shipwrecking made Key West the richest city
in the U. S. The live actors and real artifacts
help to bring the Isaac Allerton wreck, which is
the richest wreck in Key West history, back to
life.
You can also climb to the
top of the 60' lookout tower and imagine seeing
a shipwreck in the horizon. This adventurous
tour lasts 30 minutes and there is an admission
charge.
The Historic
Aquarium
Children and grown-ups
alike get excited when they visit the enjoyable
and educational Key West Aquarium at Mallory
Square. This spectacular feature, which was
built in 1934 is Key West's first attractions,
offers all visitors an experience of a
lifetime.
You can just walk around
the Aquarium on your own and view the different
species of marine life. If you want to know more
about the curious creatures, there are guided
tours available. A favorite at the aquarium for
all the children, both young and old, is the
Touch Tank. Here visitors are encouraged to meet
and even pick up the harmless animals while
feeding them. Visitors watch with excitement as
the turtles, rays, and sharks are fed. If you
are brave enough, you can even pet a live shark.
Numerous other fish featured at The Aquarium
include tarpon, grouper, parrot fish, tropical
fish, moray eels, barracuda along with many
others.
The Key West Aquarium is
not just for fun and entertainment. It also has
a commitment to protect the endangered sea
turtles. Several injured turtles are now on the
mend here, while the ones with more severe
injuries will live here permanently.
Attractions Near
Mallory Square
Other places of interest
near Mallory Square and included on the Conch
Tour Train and Old Town Trolley tours are the
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West
Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, Harry S.
Truman Little Whitehorse, Mel Fisher's Maritime
Museum, Custom House Museum, Audobon House, and
the Waterfront Playhouse. Don't end your Key
West vacation until you've seen it
all!
Wrapping Up your
Fun-Filled Day
As you conclude your day
of fun and excitement, you encounter the
enticing smell of Cuban cuisine and roast pork.
You must stop by The Original Conch Fritter
Stand and try the local's favorite, the meat of
a shellfish prepared in numerous ways. There are
also ice cream and cold drinks available if you
just want to cool off.
Sunset Celebration at
Key West Florida
As your day at Mallory
Square comes to an end, you and just about
everyone else are gathering at the water's edge
to witness a miraculous sunset that disappears
in the Gulf of Mexico before your very eyes.
While anticipating this spectacular event held
nightly, tourists and locals just sit back,
relax, and enjoy the entertainers, food vendors,
and local artists. Children get a real thrill
watching the jugglers, getting their faces
painted, and following the suspense of the
tightrope walkers. Be sure to arrive early so
you can get a good seat!!
On your visit to Key West,
Florida with your family, you absolutely must
spend at least one day and evening at Mallory
Square. You will come away with some amazing
memories!!!
- Hopefully the sections
above have contributed to your understanding
of Key West, FL. Share your new understanding
about Key West, FL with others. They'll thank
you for it..
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Jean
Pardue is a
professional travel writer located in the
Southeastern USA. Contact
Jean with any
article needs for your publication. See info
below about purchasing this article about
Bluffton.
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STOCK IMAGES OF MALLORY SQUARE AND KEY WEST?
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West available
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