WALKING KEY WEST Part 2of 3

The Martello Towers, once adjuncts of Fort Zachary Taylor, offer a look at 1850's defense construction. The East Martello Gallery and Museum has a fair historical display and some decent woodcarvings and metal sculpture. The West Martello Garden Center, near the beach on Atlantic Boulevard, is a "donations" attraction with some nifty tropical plants around the tower ruins.

The Key West Aquarium at Whitehead Street at Mallory Square is a good place to finish up an afternoon tour. The turtle pool, several shark tanks and the living coral reef, still in an experimental stage, offer wonderful viewing for all ages. The Touch Tank lets you handle conch and other marine life.

However, sunset viewing at Mallory Square Pier is the town's daily major function. Sunsets didn't seem that great, but the people viewing were outstanding. Handicrafts, food carts, entertainers such as jugglers, fire eaters and mimes keep everyone interested until you cheer the sunset that signals the start of wild and wonderful nightlife.

Key West swings after dark! Expect drinking, loud music and dancing at clubs, discos or even in the street. Street entertainers play guitars or sing Calypso songs on downtown sidewalks where you need to walk carefully at times to avoid the leavings of passing puppies. More sedate nightlife choices include The Jan McArt Cabaret Theatre for lively musicals.

Come morning this area offers more "T-shirt" stores per capita than Miami Beach. The nicer shops such as Key West Hand Print Fabrics sell fine summer-weight clothing and unique jewelry. Fast Buck Freddie is another must see shop for its mix of anything and everything unusual plus clothing and souvenirs. Key West Havana Cigar Company has a selection of books and Key Wes's nostalgic past plus the hand made cigars offer yet another must stop and see. . Pirate World features lovely rare artifacts from the treasure galleons, plus hand crafted jewelry.

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