Key West Trolley

[mog]

Okay, I'm getting down to the wire on planning excursions for our ports. We've been on the Western 2 times before and never really did much in Key West except walk around and do some shopping in the tourist area.

I'm thinking about the trolley tour this time just so we can see more of the island. It looks like it is best to do it on our own so we can get on and off at the stops. It seems kind of pricey, though - about $25 for adults 13 and up. Are there any coupons or is there any advantage to buying ahead of time. Do you save much money over buying them when you get there?

Thanks!

 

[nextcruz]

Shirley, at the Perfect Gift, mailed me coupons for 1/2 price on the trolley in Key west. You can just PM her and ask her if she has more. She'll be glad to send them to you with a SAS Envelope. She has a web site for her shop at http://www.theperfectgift.cc/

We did the Key West trolley with girls age 8 & 12, and they were very bored. There was a lot of talking,and much history. Personally, I enjoyed but DH and both girls were over it well before we reached the end of the line. The nice thing was, if you book on your own instead of DCL, you can get on and off the trolley at various locations. (Pretty sure the DCL excursion does not allow you to get off and back on).

We had friends that rented the small electric cars in Key West, did a self tour, and had a ball.

 

[cockermom]

DH and I did the trolley tour in Key West on our first DCL cruise a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. Our driver/tour guide was a very entertaining and informative retired gentleman who kept our interest throughout the tour.

We got our tickets beforehand through the Key West Old Town Trolley Tours website (http://www.trustedtours.com/store/category2.aspx?SID=5&Category_ID=220) and saved a couple of dollars per person. You can also download the tour route from that site. I was a little concerned that the tickets I printed off at home might not be accepted once we got to the ticket booth, but no problems or questions.

We chose not to get on and off at the stops only because I have challenges with walking. Otherwise, it would have been a great way to cover a large area of Key West sightseeing. We'd have no qualms about getting aboard another Old Town Trolley tour in another city.

Barbara

 

[JeannieH]

A great alternative is to hire an electric car for 3hrs (but get them from town, not at the quay - its cheaper). We had a great time exploring KW - better than the Trolley Bus, which kids find very boring. The bus is fine if you've not been to KW before, but you dont get to see much of the place - execpt for all the back streets and the main road. Just a thought: we found the car fun and really easy to drive.

 

[WDWLVR]

For those who love to walk here's what we did with the trolley. We took it all the way over to stop 8 which is near the Southernmost point. That got us all away the far side of the island and everything over there. We then did the Southernmost point, the Butterfly Conservatory, and then started walking back to the ship. On one trip we did Hemmingway's house on the way back on another trip we did the lighthouse. We walked all the way Duval street so got to see all that had to offer.

 

[snelsonbrown]

There are so sites you can go to and check out before going to Key West.
Key West is a 2X4 island (well not quite 2 miles, but we have always said 2x4 to make it easier) - all the places you may want to see or check out is within walking distances unless you have small children or older adults and remember the humidity and heat is very high there.
The places to check out is as follows:
1) http://www.keywestfun.org/
2)http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/key-west-coupons.html#
3)http://www.keywestsearch.com/maps/old_town.jpg

These 3 sites will help you a great deal in making plans.
Always
Shirley
the ol' conch

 

[mog]

For those who love to walk here's what we did with the trolley. We took it all the way over to stop 8 which is near the Southernmost point. That got us all away the far side of the island and everything over there. We then did the Southernmost point, the Butterfly Conservatory, and then started walking back to the ship. On one trip we did Hemmingway's house on the way back on another trip we did the lighthouse. We walked all the way Duval street so got to see all that had to offer.

Thanks - that was one of my questions - if the trolley stopped near the butterfly conservatory. What is the entrance fee for that, if you remember?

 

[mog]

There are so sites you can go to and check out before going to Key West.
Key West is a 2X4 island (well not quite 2 miles, but we have always said 2x4 to make it easier) - all the places you may want to see or check out is within walking distances unless you have small children or older adults and remember the humidity and heat is very high there.
The places to check out is as follows:
1) http://www.keywestfun.org/
2)http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/key-west-coupons.html#
3)http://www.keywestsearch.com/maps/old_town.jpg

These 3 sites will help you a great deal in making plans.
Always
Shirley
the ol' conch

Thanks - those sites have some good info. I especially like the map one. It helps me to see where everything is ahead of time!
Does the trolley leave from the same place as the conch train? I remember seeing one of them the last time we were there, but don't remember which one it was.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Thanks - that was one of my questions - if the trolley stopped near the butterfly conservatory. What is the entrance fee for that, if you remember?

Here is an answer to your question and if you go to one of the sites that I posted above in my last post, it will give you more of an insight to the Butterfly farm. Also if you will stop at the Chamber of Commerce right there at Mallory Square they do have coupons to help with the cost.



Hours of Operation

Conservatory Hours
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing

Gift Shop and Gallery Hours
9:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Admission Prices

Adults $10
Children 4-12 years $7.50
Under 4 years Free
Seniors and Military $8.50

Hope this helps.
Always
Shirley

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Does anyone know how much the electric cars are? Would we be able to put DH, myself , our 9 yo DS and 4 yo DD on it. And could we rent one and ride it to the Pirate museum?

Is th ePirate museum worth it? Both my kids are real into pirates, especially DS and really want to visit the museum. Is it difficult to get around in Key West?

Sorry for all the questions, can you tell we've never been there. BTW, we're cruising in thebeginning of November.

TIA!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Does anyone know how much the electric cars are? Would we be able to put DH, myself , our 9 yo DS and 4 yo DD on it. And could we rent one and ride it to the Pirate museum?
Is th ePirate museum worth it? Both my kids are real into pirates, especially DS and really want to visit the museum. Is it difficult to get around in Key West?
Sorry for all the questions, can you tell we've never been there. BTW, we're cruising in thebeginning of November.

TIA!

You can go to www.piratesoul.com and that will give you some answers to your questions - nope it isn't difficult to get around Key West, but make sure you do NOT use a debit card since, unfortunalty, you can not dispute charges as easy as a credit card.

My sister rented an electric car when she was "home" last year and had a ball with it - she drove it all over KW including all the places we grew up in, born in, cemetery, so yep you can take it anywhere BUT can not be used to travel back home in

PS a little tidbit about a pirate's cave that still exist today althought it is now owned by private individuals that will not allow anyone to come into their backyard to view it - anyhow on Solares Hill AKA Angela Street, there is a house located on the left side of the street that has a 30' cave that once was used by the pirates in the 1800's - it housed all their booties. I never was allowed to go into it, but my hubby Norman did and he said it was so interesting, but that is when we were teenagers. Its a shame that only the ol' conchs got to see it and its wherebouts, but not opened to the public including conchs. Wish it would be opened as a museum for the visitors to enjoy.

The links that I have posted will give you all the information you will need while in Key West.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always
Shirley

 

[mog]

Here is an answer to your question and if you go to one of the sites that I posted above in my last post, it will give you more of an insight to the Butterfly farm. Also if you will stop at the Chamber of Commerce right there at Mallory Square they do have coupons to help with the cost.



Hours of Operation

Conservatory Hours
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing

Gift Shop and Gallery Hours
9:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Admission Prices

Adults $10
Children 4-12 years $7.50
Under 4 years Free
Seniors and Military $8.50

Hope this helps.
Always
Shirley

Thanks - that is a big help and I will definitely stop by the Chamber of Commerce to check out their info and coupons!

 

[eva]

Can you rent mopeds close to where the ship docks? DH and I thought this might be fun for an hour or two. We've never ridden one. Is it any more difficult than a bike?