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Mallory Square
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23 reviews for Mallory Square
People aren't kidding when they say you HAVE to go to Mallory Square in Key West. My sister's name is Mallory, so I mostly just went in the beginning to get a picture of me next to a sign with her name on it.
First off the guy with the dogs is really awesome. My family has a bassett hound so it was cool to see that kind of dog do anything at all besides sleep. And then the other one that jumps rope! Coolest trick ever!
But what you really come for is the sunset, and oh my, it did not let me down! That was the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen. Of course my bf took at least 100 pictures of it so a lot of time was spent trying to get the perfect shot. However, he got a ton of perfect shots because it was pretty hard to screw up.
My coworkers didn't get in until later and most of them missed this view, but at least we can send them the pictures!
How many sunsets have I seen at Mallory Square?
More than I can count. It's best the first time. Repeat visits are all about Nostaliga (and people watching).
The entire population of the island seems to come here to watch the amazing sunset. There is a carnival-like assortment of sideshow acts, musicians, food, booze and souvenir vendors that line the boardwalk here.
I loved Juggler Guy, he was hysterical with his self depreciating humor.
Another MUST-DO in Key West.
Yes, it's touristy, but it's a must-see if you have never been to Key West before. The locals like to say that it's the best place in the U.S. to see the sunset. It's quite a show- so many street performers juggling fire, musicians singing island music, food and booze vendors, and there are lots of lovely restaurants nearby. I recommend eating dinner, grabbing a drink to go (because you can do that in Key West and I love that!) and heading over to Mallory Square to enjoy the sunset with hundreds of people.
Mallory Square is worth doing once to say you did it, then move on.
It's definitely a Key West experience. Mallory Square is an area where at sunset the street performers, vendors, and a couple thousand of your closest friends gather to watch the sunset. You can buy a frozen drink on the left side, then stake out your spot near the water so you don't miss the sunset. The street performers are interesting shows, but very very touristy. Keep in mind too that the sun is likely going to be setting behind an island; this is not the best spot to have a perfect Florida sunset.
However, it's a Key West institution, so check it out. The best pictures will be about 10-15 minutes after the sun sets, especially if there's clouds on the horizon, as the sky will turn to shades of pink and purple with sail boats in the foreground.
I do love a good sunset.......as you can read by other reviews that it's all about the sunset here too....One thing though....the thing is that I have always looked forward to about going to Florida is the rainy season....
not only is there thunder storms...
but they are warm thunder storms.
.
.
(don't forget the conch fritters...hmmm fritters)
.
.
but the weather isn't that great and...to be quite honest with you I kind of prefer a lil adverse weather to the peace and quiet. I like...no, I love the rain. I love the lightning storms and the thunder and all that. Ever watch Forest Gump???
http://www.youtube.com...
It's like looking into the face of gawd....
XD
Not the best sunset.
Sorry, to disagree with everyone, but depending on what time of the year you are there, sometimes the sun sets behind the island just off shore (see photo).
Also, beautiful sunsets are supposed to be quiet and romantic. Mallory Square is loud and bustling.
There are better locations in the keys for viewing the sunset.
But Mallory Square is still a fun place to be around sundown.
TIP** Bring plenty of singles and quarters.
When the sun finally goes down, the street performers take their cue and begin. There really is a lot to see, do & buy.
When in Key West, do as the Conchs do: enjoy the sunset on Mallory Square. Yes it's touristy, yes it's crowded. But this is a piece of Key West you will not regret being a part of. Just before sunset, the whole square comes alive with various street performers (the sword swallower was my favorite) and souvenir stalls. All you have to do is stake out your little piece of real estate by the water and watch the sun say good night.
Mallory Square is chock full of wonderfulness. Yes, we all go there for the sunset but really, the charm of Mallory Square lies in the street performers, the residents peddling their wares and yes, the tourists, who for a little while, come together to celebrate the end of another fantastic day at the southernmost end of our awesome country. So many people come out and are part of this group - they talk to each other, they participate in performances - the have fun. Yes, the sun goes down behind the island, but the light show that it provides is spectacular. If you're coming down to Mallory Square to see a perfect unobstructed sunset, we apologize, but we conchs know that the sunset is our excuse to bring everyone together!
This is where the cruise ships park so expect plenty of touristy ware for tourists to scarf up before the get back to the boat horn sounds. That is the bad thing and the only bad thing.
When we stayed in Key West, we stumbled upon this beautiful square with its crowing roosters, historical markers and trinket booths. Every night they have what is called "the Sunset Celebration" which is the celebration of the sunset. DUH! But it is the sunset that everyone waits for all day long until it goes down and people breakout the party scene along Duval.
I vaguely remember there being a lot of street performers and magicians being there too but only vaguely as I was trying to jockey for the best view of the lowering sun.
As it goes down, the buzz grows and grows. People begin to shake and point until the green flash at the very bottom goes off like a firework and everyone yells and appaluds and cheers. It is so much fun becasue it is really the most beautiful sunset you wil ever see and I have seen sunsets in San Diego, Mexico, Santa Cruz, Maui, Oahu, Miami and this one whopped them all.
Then as soon as it happens, within 30 seconds everyone splits for drinks. It is incredible how the attitude changes from one event to another.
I'm a sunset type of person. You poor east coasters really don't get to see some fabulousness unless you are places like Key West or Jamaica. If that's the case-then i'm not hatin
How beautiful is it to see the sunset with sailboats coasting by. So at 7pm, entertainers come out to earn some $$$ as you wait for the sun to set. We hung out with a juggler/tight roper/comedian for the most part. They really are pushing to earn their keep. If you hang out for the entire show- then you should pay up. There was a group of 2 brothers and a sister that did more acrobatic type stuff that were pretty cool. There's also musicians and street vendors and of course a slushy bar to fill up on rum runners.
The sunset is the perfect ending to a fabulous day and the beginning to a fun filled night in Key West
The sunset itself it gorgeous, of course. I mean, when is a sunset crappy, really? And hearing everyone's appreciation of it is a nice thing.
After sunset, the street performers start plying their trade. Some are quite talented & interesting to watch for a couple minutes, but I tended to take off around that time; I wasn't into buying tchotchkes or paying for the performances.
If I were you, I'd go one night despite this review: Perhaps it's not my thing because I can see street performers close to where I live - we're never interested in that which we can see anytime, right? If it interests you, though, don't let me discourage you from giving it a shot.
Love the SUNSET!! This place was breathtaking. I got lucky and had the pleasure of enjoying a sunrise in the Island of Islamorada and a sunset in Key West on the same day. Perfect place for couples.
Awesomeness.
This square is right by the docks. As you can imagine, alot of the tourists come through here. Ha! I'm talking like I'm not a tourist at Key West. Unlike me, most are from the cruise lines. In the evening, the square comes alive with entertainers. I saw a dog trick show (it's more funny than it sounds), Maori-style fire dancers, magicians galore, and a host of musicians. The sunset, of course, was fantastic.
review 1/21/2008
I.M.Y.
Mallory Square has something for everyone. All types of people, all types of shows, young and old. Mallory square was a lot of fun. They have all sorts of side show performers (jugglers, mimes, a tight-roping dog, and many more), food vendors, beverage slingers and a host of other events to keep your attention. Then, when the time is right, everything ceases and everyone watches the sun set over the horizon. Although we only had 1 good sunset on the night we were there, it was worth going down to the square every night to people watch. This is another MUST on anyone's first trip to Key West!
I have to admit the sunset at Mallory Square is spectacular, but watching trained cats walk through hoops of fire was despicable. I can't believe people actually applauded after each stunt? I'm not a PETA member, but this just isn't right people. Anyway, if you can block this, and the various other entertainers, and the plethora of trinket and art stands, you might actually get a chance to enjoy a virginal and beautiful sunset. This is a perfect case in point where some things were meant to be left alone.
The most beautiful sunset I have ever seen-and everybody claps when it goes down. (I think it's because everyone can go party and drink all night once it sets.) You can buy melted flat booze bottles, jewelry, purses made out of children's books, hand painted shot glasses. You can drink and drink and drink and watch the Cat Man (CHOPIN!) and the robot silver guy and the tightrope walker....it's amazing and it all makes total sense.
We stood here for a while and waited to see the breathtaking sunset everyone speaks about. While waiting, there was plenty to keep me entertained - magicians, music, and people watching - as it's a popular place to hang out - especially if you're waiting for the sun to set. The island in the near distance is where Oprah and Shaq live - not that anyone cares, but I thought I'd share my vast knowledge of where celebrities reside. Or something. Anyway, beautiful sunset. Really. I haven't seen anything else like it.
I miss this place...stunning sunset and great entertainment. When we lived in South Florida this was a monthly outing. I would not say that this is a romantic setting, but it sure is fun! It is a must if you make the trip.
On a trip to Key West, do not miss the Sunset Celebration every evening in Mallory Square. Everyone applauds the sunset (as if it needed encouragement) but before that there is a great atmosphere of street performances, crafts sales, low-level revelry and general hustle and bustle.
The street performers were awesome. There was a guy with trained cats, and some acrobatic English kids, but the star was Rondini, a vaguely Caribbean-accented guy in a red silk pirate shirt. He did escape tricks and jokes, and both were pretty great. One woman in the audience was showing some discomfort with his mild profanity. He gave her a sidelong look and said, "Don't worry, lady. We'll read the Bible together after the show...look for loopholes." As two audience members were chaining him up for his last trick, he cracked some jokes about "two white guys chaining up a black guy." Then: "Oh, you don't like my black jokes? Here's a white joke. What do you call 150 white guys chasing a black guy? The PGA Tour!" Rondini was hilarious. His finale was fantastic--handcuffed, straitjacketed, chained, hung by his feet from a tall tripod, and he escaped in under 90 seconds. The show was so good that I came back to see it the next night.
Want to see the best sunset of your entire life? Do it here. It's breath-taking.
I make sure I visit this place everytime I'm in Key West. You'll be satisfied even if you go just to look at the sunset.
bustling. touristy. lotsa pricy stuffs. see the silver robot and elvis chicken. for my $$ I'll take nitefires, RI or SF Pier anytime. Except sunset. sunset is beautiful. if you're there, go and check it out. everyone says so. Just don't take a boat ride (Especially stay away from the ones with unlimited free beer!!) - would've been much better for me if they had a motorboat ban.
