Local's Guide to Living & Visiting

K R Y S T A L T H O M A S P R E F E R R E D P R O P E R T I E S K R Y S T A L T H O M A S R E @ G M A I L . C O M

R E A D Y T O C A L L P A R A D I S E H O M E ? L I V E L I K E T H E L O C A L S D O B Y L E A R N I N G M O R E A B O U T T H E I R F A V O R I T E D O W N T O W N S P O T S ! The Keys: seen as island oasis within reach of the U.S. border. The Keys offers hundreds of miles of pristine sandbars, easy access to some of the best fishing in the country and a laid back lifestyle that feels other worldly. Thousands of vacationers and new residents flock to the to enjoy a slice of island life. While visiting is great, living on the Florida Keys is becoming a reality for vacationers and enthusiasts alike.

There are numerous Keys to choose from, but the most popular destination is Key West. Known for its vibrant, laid back culture as well as many famous residents, Key West provides many a hometown feel with a side of fun. Our residents are as varied as the rainbow flag we wave and the cultural experience is second to none. Combining Cuban culture with renaissance men, painters, artists of all kinds and local Conchs creates the perfect breeding ground to “Come as You Are”.

So you’re sold on Key West, right? How do you choose the perfect area of our 4x2 island to call home? Living near the culture, restaurants, shopping and entertainment you love can make this hunt a little easier, especially with the help of an expert real estate agent. What are some of the Conch and Freshwater Conch favorites around the island? R E A D Y T O C A L L P A R A D I S E H O M E ? L I V E L I K E T H E L E T U S H E L P G U I D E Y O U T H R O U G H O U R L I T T L E P I E C E O F P A R A D I S E , K E Y W E S T ! Restaurants

Let's start with everyone’s favorite pastime in the Keys: Local Cuisine! With hundreds of restaurants to choose from, finding your hidden gem can take some time. Luckily, we’ve tried many of these and have chosen some of the Conch favorites to share with you.

Cheap Eats

Lagerheads Beach Bar When you think of paradise, does a sandy beach come to mind? What about some tacos and sangria along with that? Good thing Lagerheads Beach Bar provides all of this in one place! With Key West’s only Old Town/Downtown beach, Lagerheads is the place to be to get your toes wet and enjoy a relaxing drink and cuisine at their beach shack.

Garbo's Grill Featured on Diners Drive-Ins & Dives, Garbo's Grill is a local and tourist favorite that brings a little piece of Mom and Pop to Key West. Cooking out of a custom AirStream trailer, Garbo’s provides amazing seafood tacos, wraps and hot dogs that will keep you coming back every week! Enjoy their outdoor dining and grab a drink at Grunt’s in front of Garbo’s.

L O C A L C U I S I N E A T I T S F I N E S T ! Restaurants

Keys Coffee Company

Looking for that coffee shop appeal in the heart of Con Leche land? Keys Coffee Company is the place for you! With great breakfast and lunch sandwiches, Cafe Con Lechess and a Cold Brew to die for, this place provides the perfect locals spot for meetings and gatherings with friends! Harpoon Harry's Bad Boy Burrito

Ever lost your salt shaker while partying Think Chipotle, without the chain and in the Keys? Harpoon Harry’s has your quality meats & vegetables. This walk up back. This old-school diner experience burrito stand pumps out massive burritos provides some home-cooked breakfasts that will make your heart sing with joy. and a brunch that will get you up and Stop over to the Bottlecap for a cold running for another fun night. Corona to go with your burrito!

L O C A L C U I S I N E A T I T S F I N E S T ! Restaurants

Key West provides some of the highest quality restaurants in Florida, with fresh seafood and other influences including Caribbean and European cuisine, all on one island. When the locals are feeling fancy, these are some of the places they run to first!

Fine Dining

Tavern & Town Connected to the Marriott Beachside, this restaurant known for quality steaks stays busy, especially during happy hour for one reason: $19.95 entrees and half off wine! Yes, it is literally heaven in a happy hour. Not only is this an affordable night out, but the food is superb. Bonus points if you go on your birthday, where you eat for free!

The Flaming Buoy Antonia's If you love Old Town Key West homes and Feeling a pasta night? Antonia’s fine dining, this may be the place for you. provides Italian-focused pasta that is Using techniques from the city, the Flaming nowhere near Olive Garden. Antonia’s Buoy provides a quirky place for a great is in the heart of Duval, but seems a meal. Their Mac&Cheese is a must try. Chat million miles away from the inside. Visit with one of the owners who is usually on Antonia’s in the summer for their site! summer pasta local’s special!

L O C A L C U I S I N E A T I T S F I N E S T ! Restaurants

Michael's Key West

Do fine dining and martinis make for a perfect nice out? YES! Look no further than Michaels for superior steak and lobster as well as a tapas and martini menu that will keep you coming back for happy hour!

Latitudes

Looking for a destination dining experience? Latitudes is the place for you! Located on Sunset Key just off of Key West, take a quick ferry ride over to the restaurant and enjoy fine dining beachside as parasailing tours and boaters drive by!

L O C A L C U I S I N E A T I T S F I N E S T ! Galleries

Art & Sculpture have been a part of Key West’s story since the beginning. Many artists of all genres have flocked to Key West to retreat from the hustle & bustle, meditate and be inspired by local culture to create the finest art in the world. What galleries should you visit and bring pieces home to decorate your new Key West home from? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered.

Peter Lik Gallery: Vibrant images from around the world and daily life await at the Lik Gallery in Key West. Choose from a variety of local “Conch” shots as well as memorable landscapes throughout the world.

Alan S Maltz Gallery: Maltz has been designated the "Official Fine Art Photographer for the State of Florida" by VISIT FLORIDA and "The Official Wildlife Photographer of Florida" by the Wildlife Foundation of Florida. His art is represented in private, public and corporate collections throughout the world. Maltz calls Key West home and has many of his fine pieces of photography on display for sale at his Key West Gallery.

Key West Gallery: The collection is hand selected by owner Kellie Alpert who brings in artwork from around the globe. Alpert reflects, “The most rewarding part about owning the gallery has definitely been getting to know so many interesting people from all over the world and many of our collectors have become lifelong friends. Watching our collection grow to include almost 50 internationally published artist has also been very rewarding. I’m proud of what the gallery has brought to the community too. One of my favorite things we do is bring the artists into town for live painting demonstrations so that residents and collectors can meet them and watch them create in person. Many times it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that people talk about for years, it’s fun to watch how excited they get about the artwork. I am really excited to see what the next 10 years will bring.”

A R T & B E A U T Y : K E Y W E S T S T Y L E ! Galleries

Gallery on Greene

As the name denotes, the Gallery on Greene is located on Greene Street in the heart of Key West and proudly supports Cuban artists throughout the world and especially those in the . Walk in the gallery and enjoy the various artists presented and learn about the history and culture of Cuba in Florida and throughout the world!

DeLa Gallery: Exclusively featuring the work of award winning photographer Jorge de la Torriente. His work provides a fresh and modern approach to the landscapes of Florida and the Caribbean. Limited edition prints are beautifully presented and ready to be shipped to all parts of the world. Located across from the historic La Concha Hotel on Duval St. Please come in, relax and enjoy the calming visions of the Florida Keys and surrounding areas.

Harrison Gallery: Looking for something off of Duval? Here is a great spot! Located in the southernmost city in the continental United States, Harrison Gallery has become a local institution, earning a reputation as a destination for some of the best fine art in the area for nearly three decades. A privately owned and operated art studio and show space, the gallery was opened by Helen and Ben Harrison in 1986.Harrison Gallery represents a select group of artists from around the world whose work, along with that of the Harrison's, make the gallery a truly personal and unique artistic experience that should not be missed.

A R T & B E A U T Y : K E Y W E S T S T Y L E ! Boutiques

Wanderlust Key West: Wanderlust is named after and inspired by the people who "wander" to this island and never leave, at least their heart never does. Here you can find works of art from locals, ethnically inspired wears, imported and homegrown accessories, as well as a range of handcrafted jewelry.

Indigo Boutique: Stylish Women’s Clothes in the heart of Duval. Find Caribbean- Style Clothing for your relaxing days in Key West!

The Captain’s Mermaid Boutique: Dive under the sea for all things mermaid and ocean at Captain’s Mermaid Boutique near A&B Marina! Find nautical theme clothing, housewares and of course mermaids tails for the kids (over even you!).

Besame Mucho: Besame Mucho is located in a local neighborhood known as Bahama Village on the island of Key West. This romantic shop is a place where one can escape and lose themselves in an atmosphere of charm, an atmosphere that excites, inspires, and calms, all at the same time. Savor some of the old- world simplicity that has been lost to the past. Take your time, examine, explore and surface with a special treat. We hope you experience or remember what it is like to visit our shop. These are just a few places in Key West that will capture your heart and bring you closer to the island. Ready to learn more about owning a home or vacation rental in Key West? Contact Krystal Thomas today!

As Realtor with Preferred Properties Krystal Thomas provides a wealth of local Key West knowledge, real estate and vacation rental market experience, and a client experience with a personal touch. Krystal decided to make this slice of paradise her home in 2006 and considers it a privilege to live and work where others vacation. As a Buyer’s Agent her focus is assisting you in the purchase of the best property for your investment needs, island home, or both!

S H O P T I L Y O U R D R O P !