Florida Keys -have you been

[slugguts]

Hi All
Having a family trip in May to Florida Theme parks(11 parks ), Disney 4nite Cruise ,Miami, and NY.
Have only a short stay in Miami and I would like to drive down the overseas hwy at the Florida keys - have any readers done the trip? Is it spectacular?
I added it to my bucket list since booking family holiday and will probably have to make an early morning dash from miami to squeeze it in.
also wanting to know if you have an suggestions for airboat rides in florida-want traditional swamp area
rgds
slugguts

 

[PrincessInOz]

Welcome to the Dis!


How long do you have to drive down the Keys? With stopping, from Key Largo down to Key West will take at least 5 - 7 hours depending how many times you stop.

The Keys have been on my bucket list ever since I was a little girl and I loved the drive down and staying overnight at Key West before driving back up again. It is single lane highway all the way down and it takes more time to drive than you expect. I thought it was worth the time.

If you only have an early morning dash, you might want to consider if you prefer to explore Miami a bit more. The alternative might be to head towards the Everglades. If it is airboat ride you are after, there is an aligator park near the Everglades that does airboat rides. I'll have to go check what it's called a little later if you're after more information. Otherwise, I'm sure I noted it down in my May 2010 TR, link in my signature below.

 

[slugguts]

Hi Princess
I have two days in miami but definitely want to visit the keys.
The early morning dash- I was thinking of leaving Miami about 4.30-5am, drive down and catch a sunrise, cross the 7mile bridge and then do the return trip. Dont think I will go all the way to Key West to save a bit of time.
The 5-7 hr drive you quote, is that a return trip from Miami?
Will check your may TR

rgds
Slugguts

 

[Andona]

The Keys have been on my bucket list ever since I was a little girl and I loved the drive down and staying overnight at Key West before driving back up again. It is single lane highway all the way down and it takes more time to drive than you expect. I thought it was worth the time.

If it is airboat ride you are after, there is an aligator park near the Everglades that does airboat rides. I'll have to go check what it's called a little later if you're after more information. Otherwise, I'm sure I noted it down in my May 2010 TR, link in my signature below.

Great to hear this Princess! We are driving down to Key West for a night on our trip and I'm really looking forward to it.

I've been researching places to do the airboat ride and we're planning to stop in at Gator Park http://www.gatorpark.com/ on our drive across to Tampa after we have been to the keys. That looks like great fun and I think DS will love it

Good luck with your planning, Slugguts!

 

[queenie82]

That Was one of the most boring drives I have EVER done.

It seems to never end.

And I've driven across the Midwest. That was more interesting.

The bridge infamously blown up in true lies is best seen from the air. It.is.a.boring.road.to.a.crappy.town.

Key west is boring and tacky and a tourist trap. Safer than Nassau but more boring.

Never ever will I go there again.

I'd sooner spend time in Miami looking around much more at the art deco buildings.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi Princess
I have two days in miami but definitely want to visit the keys.
The early morning dash- I was thinking of leaving Miami about 4.30-5am, drive down and catch a sunrise, cross the 7mile bridge and then do the return trip. Dont think I will go all the way to Key West to save a bit of time.
The 5-7 hr drive you quote, is that a return trip from Miami?
Will check your may TR

rgds
Slugguts

The 5 - 7 hours drive is one way.

As an alternative to Gator Farm, the Everglades Aligator Farm link is here: http://www.everglades.com/

 

[Andona]

The 5 - 7 hours drive is one way.

As an alternative to Gator Farm, the Everglades Aligator Farm link is here: http://www.everglades.com/

Thanks for the link. I'll definitely look into that one too

Queenie, your review is a little worrying! But I guess it's one of those ymmv things. . We have close friends who are doing it in May and they have similar tastes to us so I guess I'll see what they have to say before making any definite decisions. Might be hard to convince DH not to do it, though, he's into all the iconic drives and the Keys trip is listed in all his scenic driving books as a must-do.

Andona

 

[PrincessInOz]

Andona - Just remember that everyone has different tastes. It's good to get a viewpoint from the different perspectives; but you will have your own viewpoint and tastes. This forum is fantastic because it does offer you the diversity of views to take into consideration.

 

[queenie82]

I love the movie true lies and I was excited to go

That is a day I'll never get back.

It was the most boring.drive.ever.
If you like kids saying are we there yet you'll have a blast.

I think heading to Vero beach would be way way way way better.

 

[australiankaren]

No....and a friend just got back on mon after doing the usa, her only prob was in Miami..horrible place and her credit card was skimmed.....so I will avoid this area. She said it was awful....so dont go south of vero

just my 2 cents......or if it was usd my 3 cents i do love our exchange rate at the mo

 

[Jade+3]

We visited Key West last year while on our Carnival cruise. Loved it. DH wants to go back for a few nights. I am a bit worried about the kids and the long drive, especially as I rated the four hour drive from Miami to Orlando as the longest car trip ever.

Andona, I would love to see your proposed road trip itinerary.

 

[Callymum]

That is a long Drive. We drove from Miami to Vero and that was exhausting.
We visited Miami and hated it, the Public Toilets were full of Blood and really Dirty on South Beach. I hated the way they pushed Menus for food in your Face and it was not a great place for Kids in My Opinion.

We have drove to Key West and stayed for 4 days there and we have stayed in Key Largo and Marathon. The Key west is the Busiest key and more for Kids etc.
We actually enjoyed the Drive to Key West, a few stops made it more enjoyable.
The Sunrise and Sunsets gorgeous . Don't do it a night time as its a bit Dangerous being one Road and you miss the Views.

I would miss out Miami and either stay in Key West or Visit Disneys Vero Beach Resort which is Beautiful. Just my Opinion but hope it helps you.

 

[slugguts]

Quick replies thank you.
Andona & Princess Oz thanks for the website links - will check out both tonite.
Queenie -Would be the reverse for me - looking at Art Deco Buildings would keep my attention for a good 5 minutes and then I would prefer to watch paint dry -each to our own.
I will be able to tell you after the drive how great it was- the journey will be half the fun, new places and a cross on my bucket list.
Not sure if the wife or kids are as eager to do Overseas Hwy drive but can leave them in Miami for the day
rgds
Slugguts

 

[queenie82]

Quick replies thank you.
Andona & Princess Oz thanks for the website links - will check out both tonite.
Queenie -Would be the reverse for me - looking at Art Deco Buildings would keep my attention for a good 5 minutes and then I would prefer to watch paint dry -each to our own.
I will be able to tell you after the drive how great it was- the journey will be half the fun, new places and a cross on my bucket list.
Not sure if the wife or kids are as eager to do Overseas Hwy drive but can leave them in Miami for the day
rgds
Slugguts

Well don't worry about buildings There are none enroute. Just non stop mangrove swamp. Which stops any view of the water even if that counted as a view.