Duval Street Facts for Kids

Duval Street is a famous street in Key West, Florida. It stretches from the Gulf of Mexico in the north all the way to the Atlantic Ocean in the south, covering a distance of just over 1.25 miles. The street is named after William Pope Duval, who was the first governor of Florida when it was a territory.

In 2012, the American Planning Association recognized Duval Street as a “Great Street.” Many of the beautiful buildings on Duval Street show influences from Bahamian and Spanish styles. These old Victorian mansions have been carefully kept in good condition thanks to local efforts that started in the 1960s.

Exploring Duval Street
Duval Street Neighborhood
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Exploring Duval Street

The end of Duval Street closer to the Atlantic Ocean has a mix of old Key West Victorian mansions and smaller bungalows. You'll find art galleries, unique shops, and cozy inns along the wide sidewalks. Even though this part of Duval Street feels more like a neighborhood and has fewer tourists, the sidewalks are still busy with people.

Southernmost Point and Historic Homes

Just one block west of the southern end of Duval Street, you can find a special buoy marker. This marker shows the southernmost point in the United States! It's also very close to the Southernmost House. This beautiful Victorian mansion was built in 1896. Famous people like Harry S. Truman and writer Ernest Hemingway enjoyed visiting this building. It was fully restored in 1996 to its original beauty.

Cuban Culture and Coffee

Duval Street also shows how much Key West has been influenced by its close ties to Cuba. Many Cuban people moved to the area starting in the late 1860s. Because of the many cigar stores that used to be on Duval Street, Key West was once called “Cigar City USA.” Today, you can still enjoy outdoor cafes that serve "Cuban Coffee." This is a strong coffee made from roasted Cuban coffee beans with a lot of sugar.

Northern End and Tourist Fun

At the northern end of Duval Street, you'll see many tourists. They often come from cruise ships that dock nearby at the Margaritaville Resort & Marina or Mallory Square. These visitors explore the many shops looking for souvenirs and T-shirts. The streets here are often busy with Pedi cabs, trolleys, bikes, mopeds, cars, and the Conch Train, all adding to the lively tourist atmosphere.

Mallory Square's Importance

Close to the northern end of the street is Mallory Square. This historic area is the main center of Key West’s waterfront. Both the City of Key West and Duval Street itself began near this deep harbor.

Lively Evenings

On some nights, the northern end of Duval Street, near the Gulf of Mexico, becomes very lively. It feels like a big party that lasts late into the night. Duval Street is home to many famous restaurants and places to eat, including Sloppy Joe's, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Fogarty's Restaurant, Bar and Bakery, and Irish Kevin's. Many visitors enjoy exploring these popular spots.

Protecting History

Duval Street is very important historically. In 1967, a survey by the National Park Service identified 18 buildings as historic. Later, in 1971, six full blocks of Duval Street were added to the National Register of Historic Places. To help protect this special street even more, the City of Key West approved "Historic Architecture Guidelines" in 2000. These rules help make sure that any new construction on Duval Street fits in with its historic look.

Duval Street Neighborhood

Duval Street is also the name of a neighborhood in Key West. This area includes the parts of the city on either side of Duval Street. It also stretches north of Front Street, including Wall Street, Mallory Square, and the Port of Key West.

Images for kids

Aerial view of Duval St. with a view toward the Gulf of Mexico, taken from atop the La Concha Hotel during the day of Fantasy Fest parade 2004.
Duval Street, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico; taken from the air, south of the island.
Duval St. seen from atop the La Concha Hotel in 1938, with a view toward the Atlantic. The Kress department store building seen at bottom right now houses a CVS.