TOURIST TIPS

_ Sure, the world-famous Duval Street is intriguing, with its gamut of Old Town bungalows, Victorian mansions, historic landmark buildings, high-end boutiques, art galleries, and inns on the Atlantic end — to boozy bars, bustling restaurants, and T-shirt shops leading up to the Gulf of Mexico — to theaters, museums, hotels, churches, and cabaret drag shows in between.

But don’t forget to step off the beaten path and traverse the 16 streets that cross Duval. Round the bend to find a treasure trove of bistros, bars, and boutiques, each with its own special taste of Key West. You’ll also find colorful bursts of jasmine, frangipani, bougainvillea, and orchids and a huge variety of palms that frame a mishmash of the island’s Old Town architectural styles like cigar-maker cottages or classic Victorians with widow’s walks, sprawling verandas, and gingerbread accents.