[coconutmama]

We stay at the Pier House for special occasions. It is pricey but is located at One Duval Street, so you are right there, near so much of the action. They have their own beach and a very nice pool area. No need to rent a car.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by wendyquat

I may be the only person who has never been to Key West and we have decided to make the trip soon! I would like to hear of your Key West experiences, ie, good location to stay, restaurants not to miss and anything else to help me plan our trip. Thanks

Stop in for a meal, even breakfast at the Blue Heaven. Eclectic, looney and fun!
BLUEHEAVENKW.COM

[Jhooman]

I went to high school in Key West many years ago, 1969. My Fathers wife was a Conch or a Key Wester for many generations. The Conchs have a very tight community. We lived on Whitehead Street right down the street from Hemingway's home with a panoramic view of the ocean. Everyday the ocean had a different look, I feel so gifted to have had that experience.

For fun we would pool hop from motel to motel, when caught jump off their pier. The only time we could surf was during hurricane season, we had so much freedom. My main form of transportation was my bike, it took about 20 minutes to cruise the island. My first job was at the Strand Theater on Duval Street. Back then Duval Street had a lovely ambiance, not saturated with bars and tee shirt shops. We would have our teen dances at Mallory Square, then catch a few kisses from my boyfriend under a palm tree. Because my step-mom was related to everyone my teen troubles were minute.

Fast forward, my parents sold their home in Key West seven years ago and moved to The Villages. My Step-Mom missed Key West everyday until she passed away two years ago. She is buried in Key West with her son and grandson, she is home.

When you go to Key West and if your interested dig into the history of the island, it's fascinating. If not, enjoy the Duval crawl, food, tee shirt shops and beaches. But whatever you do enjoy Key West. I know that island has a special place in my heart and mind.

[jblum315]

Key West: Been there, done that. Years ago when my husband was alive, we used to stay in Islamorada and do a day trip to Key West. It was wonderful. Went last year in May with a friend. Not so wonderful. Really really crowded, impossible to park, impossible to find a restaurant, bar or cafe where you can just walk in and get a drink or snack. We waited 3 hours at Blue Heaven, wanted breakfast but by then breakfast was over and lunch wasn't so great.. I'm not saying don't go, but don't expect Key west to be easy or friendly.

[DonH57]

We will definately return to Key West at some point. We enjoyed breakfast at Blue Heaven. Great outdoor eating experience . We learned a lot on the conch train tour and had a great time as well.

[CFrance]

IMO, Blue Heaven is resting on its laurels. And I mean laurels from the early 2000's. But everybody tells everybody else to go there, so the myth gets perpetuated. Never cared for the food that much, except for the shrimp & grits.

But there are soooooo many good restaurants in KW. Just pick up the free resto magazine and read the menus. And make a reservation. I wouldn't want to go into a tourist town with no reservations for dinner. KW doesn't have so much of a down time because so many Europeans come over to visit in the summer. So reservations are the way to go.

Jhooman, I'm with your step-mom. I miss KW. Every time I think I'm over it, someone mentions it and I'm longing again. As much as I love TV and am perfectly content here, if we could afford to buy in KW, that would have been my first choice. Rented there for six years and just loved it.