Anyone vacationed on the Florida Keys? Tips?

[izzy]

It looks awesome, but I unfortunately it's already rented for the time that I will be there. I will definitely keep it in mind for the future, though!

 

[OhMari]

We stayed in Marathon. We rented a Condo at Cade's Cove, worth every penny with teenagers. There is a turtle Hospital in a Marathon. We went kayaking in The Mangroves and snorkeling out of Marathon out to the reef. We went to the state park where the 7 mile bridge starts. We went down to Key West for a day and did the usual pictures, bars, etc.

 

[LargoLori]

Count me in!!!! We are heading there the end of August for our first ever Key West trip. We will be stopping at Alabama Jack's on the way. Ate there once years ago when we were in Homestead for a race. Looking forward to all the suggestions!!!!

 

[LargoLori]

I'm headed to Key West in a few weeks, so I'd also love to hear your suggestions! In addition to things to do, do you have any recommendations for places to stay in Key West? Everything I'm seeing is very pricy and I would love to find something less than $200 a night.

We are staying at Merlin Guesthouse. The couples we are going with have stayed there before and recommend. They may have availability.

 

[phinz]

We stayed in Marathon. We rented a Condo at Cade's Cove, worth every penny with teenagers.

Isn't Cade's Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National park? There's a Sea Cove in Marathon but no Cade's Cove that I'm aware of.

 

[Squirlz]

We're going to Key West in September. We stay in Master Suite #1 in the Curry Mansion.

 

[phinz]

We're going to Key West in September. We stay in Master Suite #1 in the Curry Mansion.

Did the Curry ever sell? It was on the market for the past few years. I've always loved the Curry. I used to love the Cypress House until they were sold and did a bunch of changes to the property.

 

[JJZMgailey]

Key West is running almost 100% capacity right now, which is unusual for this time of year but it's happening. $200 a night can be done, but you may have to look into a little more unconventional booking, like http://www.vrbo.com or http://www.airbnb.com I've stayed at condos in Truman Annex for about $1500 for a week. If you're not averse to a hostel, there is one in Key West that is reasonable. I've not stayed there, but friends who did said it was OK, by hostel standards. http://www.keywesthostel.com/motel_rooms.html Their regular hotel rooms (I'm not sure of the quality) are about $135 a night, give or take, for mid-August. I've rented houses, cottages, B&B rooms, hotel rooms and condos. Each has had their own appeal and merits.

To really enjoy much of what Key West has to offer while still being within decent walking distance you'll want to stay in Old Town. Depending on what you want to do primarily you should choose either closer to Upper or Lower Duval. Upper is quieter. Lower is where more bars, restaurants, shops, museums, etc. are located.

I tend to avoid Duval like the plague, but if you must then you must. Of the places on Duval I like, there is:

Butterfly Conservatory - http://www.keywestbutterfly.com/
San Carlos Institute - http://www.institutosancarlos.org/
Island Style Gallery - http://www.islandstylegalleries.com/
La Trattoria/Virgilio's - http://latrattoria.us/
Croissants de France - http://www.croissantsdefrance.com/
Whistle Bar, which is above The Bull. Sit out on the balcony with a drink and watch the craziness on Duval. Garden of Eden, the bar on the roof, is clothing optional. - http://www.bullkeywest.com/
The Porch. Great craft beer, and even better when friends are working the bar. - http://www.theporchkw.com/

Restaurants I tend to frequent:

Louie's Backyard. A Hangover Burger with a Red Stripe while sitting at the bar on the Afterdeck is my idea of Paradise. - http://www.louiesbackyard.com/
Pepe's Cafe. Great breakfast. - http://pepeskeywest.com/
The Cafe, A Mostly Vegetarian Place - http://www.thecafekw.com/
Sarabeth's - http://sarabethskeywest.com/
Kojin Noodle Bar - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...Noodle_Bar-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html
Mr. Z's for late night drunk food, or when I need a slice or a cheesesteak. - http://www.mrzskeywest.com/
Blue Heaven. So good Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about it. - http://www.blueheavenkw.com/
Roof Top Cafe - http://www.rooftopcafekeywest.com/
Turtle Kraals - http://www.turtlekraals.com/
Duetto Pizza and Gelato - http://pizzaandgelato.net/
El Siboney. The best Cuban food I've had in a restaurant. - http://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/
Rum Barrel - http://www.rumbarrel.com/
Garbo's Grill. Don't miss it. - http://www.garbosgrillkw.com/


Bars I love on The Rock:

Schooner Wharf Bar. My favorite bar in the world, bar none. When Michael McCloud is playing and I have a frozen Rum Runner with a 151 floater in my hand I'm in heaven. It's right next to Jimmy Buffett's studio, Shrimpboat Sound, though unless you know what you're looking for you'll probably never find the studio. It's not unusual to see music stars at Schooner Wharf when they take a break from recording. Zac Brown, George Strait, Toby Keith and many others record there. - http://www.schoonerwharf.com/
Smokin' Tuna Saloon - http://smokintunasaloon.com/
Virgilio's - See the La Trattoria link above. Virgilio's is off of Duval, behind La Trattoria, on Applerouth.
The Chart Room. This is where Jimmy Buffett went with Jerry Jeff Walker once he got to the island. Popular hangout of Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Mel Fisher and many others. - https://www.pierhouse.com/dining/chart-room-bar.aspx
The Porch
Louie's Afterdeck
Green Parrot. Get The Root Beer Shooter. This place is packed at night with locals. Great bands at times. One of my favorite dives in the world. Legendary. - http://www.greenparrot.com/
Cork and Stogie - https://www.corkandstogie.com/

If you're looking to do a sunset cruise, I've been on Fury (the quiet one, not the Commotion on the Ocean) and Schooner Hindu. I loved Schooner Hindu, but she's in P-Town for the summer. She usually returns to Key West in October. Fury was nice but not as intimate - https://www.furycat.com/key-west/sunset-sailing-cruises.htm and http://sailschoonerhindu.com/key-west-sailing/

Trip Advisor is a great place to find any other activities you want to do. I tend to eat, drink, visit friends, walk, bike, sit, write and read when I'm in Key West, so I've not done Jet Ski tours, snorkeling, etc.

This should keep you busy for a while.

This is fabulous! You totally rock for taking the time to post all of this fantastic info!

We're going to do some research over the next couple of days and firm up our plans. We can't decide if we want to only spend our first night in Key Largo and then just head to Key West for the next few days or if we should stay at places between the two. We're definitely stopping at Robbie's to feed the tarpon!!

Originally we were thinking one night in Key Largo and two or three nights in Key West but I just don't know now. Such decisions!

We stayed in Marathon. We rented a Condo at Cade's Cove, worth every penny with teenagers. There is a turtle Hospital in a Marathon. We went kayaking in The Mangroves and snorkeling out of Marathon out to the reef. We went to the state park where the 7 mile bridge starts. We went down to Key West for a day and did the usual pictures, bars, etc.

It sounds like there's lots to do in Marathon! My teenagers would really love the turtle hospital!

 

[Squirlz]

Did the Curry ever sell? It was on the market for the past few years. I've always loved the Curry. I used to love the Cypress House until they were sold and did a bunch of changes to the property.

I've heard that it did. I hope things haven't changed much.

 

[phinz]

This is fabulous! You totally rock for taking the time to post all of this fantastic info!

We're going to do some research over the next couple of days and firm up our plans. We can't decide if we want to only spend our first night in Key Largo and then just head to Key West for the next few days or if we should stay at places between the two. We're definitely stopping at Robbie's to feed the tarpon!!

Originally we were thinking one night in Key Largo and two or three nights in Key West but I just don't know now. Such decisions!

You are quite welcome: There's so much to do in Key West that I can't even make a dent with a three-week stay. I'd go as long as I can, but that's me.

Look into the Dry Tortugas trip if you want a really unique experience. They also do a jet ski tour around the entire island, several sailing/snorkeling/etc. excursion, standup paddleboarding in the Salt Ponds, and a multitude of other things. I'm not active enough to do those kinds of things, but a lot of people swear by them. Summer time is also when the dolphin are running (Not mammal dolphins) if you like to fish. You can get into some serious bull dolphin this time of year if you charter a boat and head out offshore. Fresh grilled dolphin/mahi/dorado is an incredible thing.

I also have to mention B.O.'s Fish Wagon as another place to eat. Their grilled dolphin sandwiches are to die for, and you can't beat the place for a true, funky Key West atmosphere. This is the original truck B.O. used when he was mobile. I took this picture back in 2009. It's *covered* in stickers now. Take one of your own to stick on there. B.O.'s is now a food trailer surrounded by the weirdest, cobbled together seating and roofing you've ever seen, complete with chalk on the tables to write on things. It's a great place.

 

[mondragon]

My brother and I own a place in key west about 4 blocks off duval. We each go about once a month and rent out for the remainder. We love it down there and there is a lot to do. If you want recommendations on where to eat let me know.

 

[Squirlz]

My brother and I own a place in key west about 4 blocks off duval. We each go about once a month and rent out for the remainder. We love it down there and there is a lot to do. If you want recommendations on where to eat let me know.

Please do!

 

[mondragon]

Please do!

Well for Cuban we always go to el siboney. Not really in a touristy area and many locals go there. Really good. You must try out Cuban coffee queen. We walk from our house and it's the best. You must have the bread with the coffee. Go to blue heaven for breakfast. Really good home cooked food. Sometimes there is a wait but it's worth it. Our favorite for lunch is bien restaurant. I suggest the Caribbean roast and the corn.

 

[Squirlz]

Thanks! We tried Coffee Queen last time and plan to try Blue Heaven this time. I'm going to wish we had booked more than 8 nights with all the great sounding food.

 

[missnic]

I am SOOO glad I read this thread. I spent almost a month working in Key West during/after the 2005 hurricanes (insurance). I remembered the food at El Siboney, but for the life of me could not remember the name. We would go there several times a week for lunch or dinner. I still dream about their bread! And what I would give for a Cuban coffee.. sigh.

Anyway.. I have no help on the lodging front, we were put up in a Double Tree quite a ways from anything cool. I did enjoy Hemingway house, the butterfly conservatory, and the little white house. I'm a huge history nerd

 

[NotUrsula]

We're excited about that stop to feed the tarpon! What a kick and inexpensive too! The kids said that fish is "nothing but mouth"!

Trust me, it's more tail than mouth. Tarpon is THE gamefish challenge for the dedicated sport fisherman, though they are pretty much inedible. They will fight you for hours if you let them, and they are famous for their ability to jump out of the water and "tail-walk" to try to get off the hook. When I was a kid I had a relatively small one hit me with it's tail after Dad caught it, and it nearly launched me overboard.

 

[phinz]

Well for Cuban we always go to el siboney. Not really in a touristy area and many locals go there. Really good. You must try out Cuban coffee queen. We walk from our house and it's the best. You must have the bread with the coffee. Go to blue heaven for breakfast. Really good home cooked food. Sometimes there is a wait but it's worth it. Our favorite for lunch is bien restaurant. I suggest the Caribbean roast and the corn.

Don't forget Five Brothers for a bucci and cheese bread!

 

[mondragon]

Don't forget Five Brothers for a bucci and cheese bread!

Don't forget Five Brothers for a bucci and cheese bread!

they make a killer Cuban sandwich. The problem is not many know they have a full breakfast and sandwich menu.

 

[NewRVLady]

subscribing to this thread!!

The funniest thing my DH LOVED on our drive down to the Keyes

HOMESTEAD FL.......there were miles and miles of farmland-right next to the road
Veggies, fruit , palm Tree growers....it really was amazing -the amount of produce grown there!!!

 

[phinz]

subscribing to this thread!!

The funniest thing my DH LOVED on our drive down to the Keyes

HOMESTEAD FL.......there were miles and miles of farmland-right next to the road
Veggies, fruit , palm Tree growers....it really was amazing -the amount of produce grown there!!!

Was this on Krome Avenue? That road seems to go on *forever* with all the farmland, the Taylor wildlife preserve and the Keys anticipation, especially if you take it from 27 after leaving Alligator Alley at Weston.