This area used to be called Key West Bight, and it was where commercial maritime activities were based, such as spongers coming in from their spong-hunting, shrimpers coming in, turtle merchants unloading their haul, and the center where they hung out and drank in the pubs and swapped stories. Well, now the shrimp boats come into neighboring Stock Island instead of Key West, and sponging and turtle hunting are banished, so this area was dead for a while until in 1999 it was re-born as a tourist attraction, the Key West Historic Seaport and Harborwalk. The Harborwalk is a very pleasant long stroll along the docks leading up to Key West's Old Town, and there's a public parking garage at the start of the Walk, so it's a pretty convenient way to get to Old Town, leaving your car just outside all the congestion. You'll stroll past tall ships and million-dollar yachts and restaurants or raw bars aimed at tourists. The marine is still busy with the yachts and charters, make no mistake it's still a busy, fascinating place, and you couldn't ask for a more lovely and interesting stroll. You'll also find charters that go out to Dry Tortugas here, as well as a bevy of year-round special events based here, such as powerboay (cigarrette boat) races and other events you can find out about in the free Historic Seaport Log.