8 Best Shopping in The Florida Keys, Florida

This nonprofit, independently minded, neighborhood bookstore is the brainchild of a small group of local booklovers, led by authors and Key West residents Judy Blume and her husband George Cooper. It is affiliated with the Miami-based book store of the same name and is in The Studios of Key West, a nonprofit arts center providing artist-in-residency opportunities for artists and writers. If you stop by, you might find Judy behind the register or stocking books.

What was once a row of worn-down buildings is now a merry mix of gift shops and galleries. By day, these colorful stores glisten at their canal-front location; by nightfall, they're lit up like a lovely Christmas town.

You'll see Kermit himself standing on the corner every time a trolley passes, pie in hand. He carries many key lime products—from barbecue sauce to jelly beans—and his key lime pie is the best on the island. Once you try it, perhaps frozen on a stick and dipped in chocolate, you may consider quitting your job and moving here. Savor every bite in the patio-garden area, or come for breakfast or lunch in the on-site café. Note, too, that Kermit's frozen pies, topped with a special long-lasting whipped cream instead of meringue, travel well. There's a smaller second location on the corner of Duval and Front Streets.

This shop produces hundreds of soap, candle, sunscreen, and skin-care products for men and women. Soothe your skin from head to toe and slather on natural, tropical products that boast an added boost from science. A second location is at 1075 Duval. 

The only chocolate factory in the Keys specializes in key lime truffles. In addition to fine white, milk, and dark Belgian-chocolate confections (the salted turtles, a fan favorite, are worth every calorie), you'll find cupcakes and ice cream. Chocolate-making classes are also available for kids and adults, and a small gift area showcases local art, jewelry, hot sauces, and other goodies.

A pair of Kino sandals was once a public declaration that you'd been to Key West. The attraction? You can watch these inexpensive items being made. The factory has been churning out several styles since 1966. Walk up to the counter, grab a pair, try them on, and lay down some cash. It's that simple.

This shop is filled with ceramics, bronze and copper creations, and jewelry—all made by local artists—but it's the secret sculpture garden that really makes this place unique. Further, owner-artists Cindy and Dwayne King genuinely embody the joyful spirit of the Florida Keys.

Painter, sculptor, and photographer Robert Wyland is world renowned for his marine-life art pieces and conservation efforts. You'll get your first glimpse of his work as you enter the Keys: he chose the Bimini Blue paint for the concrete safety walls that stretch from the mainland to Key Largo. At Mile Marker 99.2, you can't miss Keys to the Seas, one of his famed "whaling wall" murals; Florida's Radiant Reef is in Marathon, at Mile Marker 55.5; Florida's Living Reef is in Key West at the foot of William Street (Guy Harvey helped on this one). This gallery carries many incredible works by Wyland and other marine-life artists. You might not be able to afford anything, but viewing the art is the equivalent of exploring underwater without getting your hair wet.