31 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.

The owner, declared the state's official wildlife photographer by the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, captures the state's nature and character in stunning portraits. Spend four figures for large-format images on canvas or save on small prints and closeouts.

This inviting gallery carries a little bit of everything, from pottery to paintings and jewelry to sculptures. Most outstanding is its selection of glass art, particularly the jellyfish lamps. Take time to admire all that is here.

Where to start your shopping adventure? This cluster of spruced-up shops, restaurants, and vendors is responsible for the restoration of the colorful historic district where Bahamians settled in the 19th century. The village lies roughly between Whitehead and Fort Streets and Angela and Catherine Streets. Hemingway frequented the bars, restaurants, and boxing rings in this part of town.

This two-level retail center sells upscale and everyday fishing equipment, resort clothing, sport-fishing art, and other gifts. It's worth a stop to climb aboard the Pilar, a replica of Hemingway's boat installed in the middle of the store. 

For more than 20 years, this family-owned and -operated jeweler has been adding unique sparkle and shine to the lives of visitors and locals alike. At the premier jeweler in the Keys, you will find nautical- and tropical-themed jewelry as well as high-end pens, pocket knives, and money clips that are functional art.

Part museum, part shopping center, this circa-1879 warehouse includes a hand-rolled-cigar shop, one-of-a-kind souvenirs, a Cuban restaurant, and exhibits that tell of the island's Cuban heritage. Outside, a memorial garden pays homage to the island's Cuban ancestors.

Don't leave town without a browse through the legendary shop. Although it's not really a clothing store, you'll find an astonishing array of fantasy wear and outlandish costumes (check out the pirate section), as well as other "adult" toys. (Some of the products may make you blush.)

Since 1926 Fausto's has been the spot to catch up on the week's gossip and to chill out in summer—it has groceries, organic foods, marvelous wines, a sushi chef on duty 8 am–3 pm, and box lunches and dinners-by-the-pound to go. There are two locations you can shop at in Key West (the other is at 1105 White Street) plus an online store.

This is the largest gallery–exhibition space in Key West, and it showcases 37 museum-quality artists. It prides itself on being the leader in the field of representational fine art, painting, sculptures, and reproductions from the Florida Keys and Key West. You can see the love immediately from gallery curator Nancy Frank, who aims to please everyone from the casual buyer to the established collector.

The oldest private art gallery in Key West represents local and internationally acclaimed artists on an annually changing basis, in media ranging from paintings to art glass.

Go into olfactory overload—you'll find yourself sniffing every single bar of soap and scented candle inside this key lime treasure trove. Take home some key lime juice (super-easy pie-making directions are right on the bottle), marmalade, candies, sauces, and even key lime shampoo.

This home away from home for the large Key West writers' community carries new, used, and rare titles. It specializes in Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and South Florida mystery writers.

You won't find any painted coconuts here, but you will find a collection of contemporary tropical ceramics. Wife-and-husband owners Kelly Lever and Adam Russell take real pride in this working studio that, in addition to their own creations, features artists from around the country.

Roberto Pantaleo, better known as "Pasta," is one of the Keys' best-known (and widely collected) artists. His subjects range from vibrant turtles to subtle seas and mangroves. His work can also be seen in the local Roberto • Russell Galleries.

You can't miss the giant sculpture of Betsy the lobster in front of this eclectic spot. Set in a tropical garden of shady trees, native shrubs, and orchids, the crafts village has shops selling the work of local and national artists, as well as resident artists who sell work from their own studios.

Since 1989, this has been the place for unique gifts for every budget. Owner Randy and his wife, Lisa, aren't only fantastic at stocking the store with a plethora of items, but they're also well respected in the community for their generosity and dedication.

This gallery stocks hand-stitched clothing, giftware, and jewelry, in addition to works of art by watercolorists C. D. Clarke and Julie Joyce and painters Luther Hall, Stephen Left, Tim Borski, and Jorge Martinez, among others. Proceeds benefit cystic fibrosis research. It's in the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District.

Lots of shops in the Keys sell cheesy souvenirs—snow globes, alligator hats, shell-encrusted anything—and this is the granddaddy of them all. But at this sprawling building in the median of the Overseas Highway, you'll also find high-end clothing, jewelry, housewares, artwork, and keepsakes that range from delightfully tacky to tasteful.

Lush grounds, unique gifts, and free-spirited clothing are among the draws at this boutique.

Take home a shopping bag full of scarlet hibiscus, fuchsia heliconia, blue parrotfish, and even pink flamingo fabric chosen from the city's widest selection of tropical-print fabrics.