[cricket1]

When (not IF) you go to Key West, be sure to find "Kermit's" for key lime pie and all things key lime. YUMMY!

[George Bieniaszek]

Love Key West!! Been there many times. We took a 4 day cruise on Majesty of the seas and KW was one of their stops. All the posters above named the best places to visit. Duval Street is the most popular to shop, have a drink, etc etc. You can also visit Ernest Hemmingway's house, stop by Sloppy Joe's for a cold beverage, go to Fort Zachery Taylor for some beach time. They have a small diner on the beach to take care of the hungry tummy, go to Southernmost Point for the obligatory tourist photos and just enjoy.

They also have the Conch Train Tour where for an hour they will take you all around KW and describe all the attractions. You can even get a bus pass and map of all the main stops and do a mini self guided tour yourself. You can get on and off the bus all day as you go around the town.

Drive time is all of 8 hours. 5 hours to Miami and then approx. 3 more hours to Key West.

Have a Blast

[jpharmat]

My husband and I visited the Key West several years ago. I was so surprised at how far it was from Miami.... We stayed at Chelsea House and Garden B&B which was a beautiful B&B. As for Key West. I thought that it was nice to visit once, but once is enough. We did all the touristy stuff... tour of Key west, the Southern most point and visited the shops. I am not much of a bar hopper so that was not for me. We were glad that we went.
As a side note, we drove from Massachusetts, stopped in Deerfield Beach, then off to Key West for a couple of days... took Alligator Alley to the west coast, spent the night on Sanibel Island, toured the Ding Darling Preserve, went to Fort Meyers to check out where the Red Sox play in spring, stayed a couple of days at Disney and then to The Villages.

[gomoho]

If you want to see the REAL Key West go for FantasyFest at Halloween. You will never see the world in the same way again!!!!

[DonH57]

Never been there during fantasy fest but I've seen sights when we were there for new years. I do know what fantasy fest is all about.

[DougB]

Kind of like a 10 day Mardi Gras type celebration.

[paulandjean]

Originally Posted by DonH57

Never been there during fantasy fest but I've seen sights when we were there for new years. I do know what fantasy fest is all about.

Not for the faint of heart.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

Not for the faint of heart.

If you've ever been to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, multiply that by 10 and you have FF. If you go the week before ff, you get to see all the awesome decorations going up but miss the crowds, many of whom are wearing little more than body paint. Don't take you grandkids to FF!

We rented a house in KW for six winters because my husband traveled so much, and I could work from home. There is a get-together every evening at White Street Pier for people and their dogs. Great views and not nearly as crowded as Mallory Square, but no entertainment. It's a locals thing. And the Casa Marina area around there has some gorgeous old homes Just walking the neighborhoods of KW is interesting. It doesn't have to be all Duval St and bars.

Having said that, I always liked shopping at Fastbuck Freddies department store and having lunch outdoors (but under cover) at Willie T's, both on Duval. Great pina coladas and a good blackened grouper caesar salad. St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 401 Duval gives free concerts every noon. Their 9 o'clock Sunday service is full-on high church, with awesome music and choir, sung congregational responses, incense. It's a beautiful church, worth even just stopping in to see.

Sarabeth's Simonton at Southard has very unique breakfasts.

Before we started renting there, we liked a little place at 1015 Fleming. Built in 1924, completely renovated, owned by one person since the '70s. Very Keysian. Key West Hotels | Hotel in Old Town Key West | Eden House Hotel, Key West, Florida, 33040 Far enough away from the Duval crawl that it's quiet, and the buildings and grounds are awesome. One of the more moderate-priced places.

Don't forget the cemetery. Lots of above-ground burial sites, interesting statuary and epitaphs. the most famous, of course, is "I told you I was sick," but I like the one where someone's dog is buried: "Here lies ______ (forget). he was a challenge to love." the office has maps, and you can spend a couple of hours in there.

We also like the restaurant next to White St Pier, Salute! On the Beach. Indoor or outdoor covered dining on the beach.

I think Blue Heaven is overrated for anything other than breakfast. No reservations, long waits, and not very friendly service. The owner came over and chastised a friend of mine for touching a baby chick that had gotten separated from its mother. KW is overrun with chickens, and they're all over Blue Heaven, fighting you for your food. This is very KW, but beware. (The wait may be less now that it's off-season, but many Europeans love to come to the Keys in the summer, so it's not all that empty.)

I like the Commodore down on the water--very elegant surroundings, but pricey.

Look for a free magazine when down there that lists many restaurants and their menus, or go here The Menu - A Dining Guide to Paradise - Key West, Florida

These posts are making me very nostalgic for KW. I smell a trip brewing!

[OpusX1]

We have been to six FF. Did the body paint, went to Kelly's Kinky Karnivlle, did the masquerade march on Fridays, marched in the Saturday parade. pretty much been there done that. If you plan on going to FF, Monday through Friday is a great time. Saturday the place gets full of drunk kids and is not as much fun. Last year we went down for the power boat races and had a great time.

[OpusX1]

Fast Buck Freddie's closed a year ago . Agree about Blue Heaven, we don' go at all. Around the corner on Pretoria is Le Creperie, some of the best Crepe's ever.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by mainlander

Key West:
I found the "Best Western" downtown a good place to stay, reasonable rates, nice pool and a short walk to the night life, parades, restruants (Duval Street). Just park and walk, you will not need to drive. A fairly quiet neighbourhood, yet close to the scene. the Hemminway house is worth the tour if only for the narrative. Loads of walking amusements and sights, well worth the trip imo. Enjoy. I have been down a few times and will likely return again in the future.

This is the same place we stayed as well when we went to Key West a number of years ago. Great location as mainlander stated - easy walking distance to many of the things you'll want to see..........and they had their own parking lot. Those are two things to keep in mind when considering where to stay - will you have to walk or drive to many of the things you want to check out.....and does the facility have off-street parking. Parking can get tough the closer you are to the high activity areas.

Very enjoyable trip for us!

Bill

[Finfan]

Key West is a must go. Blue Heaven for the Shrimp and Grits. If you just do not like to drive fly and rent a scooter that is the best way to get around town anyway not a lot of room for parking. I hope to go again myself. If you like to drink and have a good time go.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by OpusX1

Fast Buck Freddie's closed a year ago . Agree about Blue Heaven, we don' go at all. Around the corner on Pretoria is Le Creperie, some of the best Crepe's ever.

So much for the cruise ships bolstering the economy. But maybe it was a family issue?

[Barkay]

My advice is "Go". Find lodging a few blocks off of Duval so you can walk to most of the activities. Best advice is "ask a local". Over the years I have visited my best "finds" have been those places where local dine and drink. For example, El Sibonet is a family Cuban food restaurant with excellent roast pork, black beans, yellow rice and onions served with fried plantains (making my mouth water just remembering)- got our morning Cuban coffee at a laundromat where all of the city workers get theirs- excellent cafe con leche y pan con mantequela (pardon the spelling but it is Cuban flat bread toasted with butter and strong coffee with hot milk and sugar) at Sandy's Cafe, which is a window to the street at the M&M Laundry 1026 White Street. Walk by get the grub then enjoy a sunrise in the beach with a Key West delight. Oh, their Cuban Sandwich is also very good so swing by for lunch too!

If you're interested in water sports or want a unique way to see the islands, consider this local tour group specializing in ecology trips. See crystal clear waters with tropical fish, reefs and mangroves inhabited by rare birds. They offer daily back country tours that depart from Key West in sea kayaks to explore the northern islands of Geiger Key and Sugar Key. Tours last approximately six hours. 9 AM to 3 PM (pack a brimmed hat, sunglasses and waterproof sunscreen) Mosquito Coast Outfitters 310 Duval Street.

No shortage of things to do and yummy delicacies to consume (or drink) during a visit to KW. I am headed back with a buddy in September for a few days to soak up some Conch Republic "culture", diving, drinking and dining.

Just go and have fun.

[Jbirds99]

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

Make sure u get to the Dry Tortugas. I personally always at the Crowne Plaza. My wife and I love the place and the location is perfect.