Sunset celebration in Key West
 

Could anybody tell me more about the Sunset celebration in Key West? We are staying at the Hyatt in January. Is that a good location? Also I have heard about trained cats and a ghost tour both look really cool. Any thoughts?

Sunset celebrations are held nightly in Key West. They're centered around Mallory Square, which is right down Front Street from the Hyatt. There are lots of street entertainers, but one of the most popular is a man with his trained cats. Sorry to say that I can't remember his name, but the Hyatt is in a great location. Have fun!!!

Dominique and his cats are great. The last time I saw him, he was performing in front of the Hilton on the Board Walk. Pull up sunsetcelebration.org/ for more info The Hyatt is one of the best places to stay in KW. You will love it! The Ghost Tour is a nightly walking tour that lasts about 1 1/2 hours and is very intertaining. Look at hauntedtours.com for more.

We just returned from Key West and we had a blast!!! Malory Square is nice- the entertainers are great and sunset in wonderful!! Have a wonderful trip.

viv,<BR><BR>It's a casual fun celebration every evening in Mallory Square, a 60's feel to it! Kino's Sandals are made there like a leather flip-flop. Louie's Backyard is a ocean front dining - always gets good reviews. Stock Island is the Key just north of KW-great affordable trimaran, can snorkle if you like.<BR><BR>Sylvia

Louie's Backyard is a ocean front dining - always gets good reviews. <BR><BR>Are you kidding??!! You won't find too many locals and regular visitors who like it. It has really gone down hill. Very pricey for stuck-up service and overly done food.

I agree with the above post. We've eaten at Louie's a number of times and think the best thing about it is the atmosphere and the view. The seating hosts/hostesses are the absolute WORST I've ever encountered anywhere. The quality of the food is inconsistent.

Louie's is not as good as it once was. There are too many other nice restaurants on this island that are far better. Go to Louie's Afterdeck for a drink and go to dinner somewhere else.

Hyatt is a nice hotel but on the wrong side of Key West. Mallory Square is a dump with lousy bars and endless t-shirt shops. See the sunset but stay down on the oceanside of Key West. 2 large hotels are near the opposite end of Duval st. Casa Marina and The Reach. I like The Reach better. They flank Louie's. Friends just returned from Key West and had a great meal there. Mira is another wonderful restaurant and the Half Shell Raw Bar is a lot of fun.One last bit of advice, catch the sunrise along the Atlantic side, just as beautiful as the sunsets and no drunken crowds.

Arnie - I disagree with you that the Gulf is the "wrong" side of Key West. One of the things we like most about Key West is the close proximity of restaurants, and there are at least 20 or 30 restaurants within CLOSE walking distance of the Hyatt.

Hyatt is in a prime location as most people want to stay on the gulf side but you also will pay a pretty penny for it. Most consider it one of the best locations. You are close to all the main activities and site seeing things. Mallory Square is only about a 5 minute walk from it. Mallory Square doesn't have t-shirt shops or bars. The main strip in town does - Duval Street. Mallory does have artist that sell their hand made t-shirts that are beautiful. Where is Mira?

Be sure to take the tour of Hemingway's house. Not only is the house beautiful and of historic note for obvious reasons, there are tons of 6-digit kitties running around. Very cute. The sunset festival is a lot fun. Local artisans sell their wares, street performers do their thing....which could be anything from the previously mentioned trained cats to fire eaters.<BR>MANGO'S is a great restaurant with friendly service...give them a try.And, of course, you must order the Key Lime Pie. I took a boat tour of an island wildlife reserve which included some snorkeling. The water is beautiful! <BR>You'll have a great time!

The first night we went to Mallory Square for the sunset celebration there was a large cruise ship at the pier. Couldn't see the sun set unless you were on the correct side of the ship... But the entertainers were good. Is the Silver Man still there?

Yes, the silver man is still there. He is fun to watch. That too bad about the cruise ship blocking your view. They are all suppose to be gone before sunset. There must have been a problem with the ship.

Try the key lime pie on a stick, covered in chocolate, from the little Haagen-Daaz store.