Key West - what to see and do

[Wachsdds]

We've done the Western Cruise on the Magic a couple of times and I agree renting an electric car is the way to go. The rental company picks you and your family up at the dock and brings you back afterwards. You have all the freedom to explore. Definitely stop at Kermit's for the best Key Lime Pie!!

 

[Makua]

Can someone tell me where the sandal factory is? Is it close enough to walk? Thanks.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

First first off you never ever need to to "go through an excursion" at least not in Key West. Here are most links that will help answer some of your questions

1)http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/kwtg-header-web-optimized.gif

2)http://www.keywestsearch.com/maps/old_town.jpg

3)http://www.keywest.com/beaches.htm
Now these are just some of the links that I know of - yes I have gone to both of the mentioned places, but you have to remember foremost, my dad's side of the family were "seafarer's" and the stories my granddaddy spun was so interesting that I can still go back in memory and remember his stories - I know my grandmother once showed me a small leather bag that contained coins of gold and after she passed away, they disappeared. My ggreatgrand parents, and their children were on a "cruise" and never returned to their homeland of Denmark, for their ship was lost just off of Key West and my GGgrandparents and one of their children were lost, my GGrandfather and 2 of his siblings were rescued, taken to KW where they were raised by "conchs". This was in the mid or so of 1800's. The house that belonged to my dad's family that was built with the wood that came from ship wrecks and washed up from the ocean is located at 1121 Pine Street. My dad was born there and I heard all the "tales of the sea" there. I believe we have so much history and when I offer tidbits, when you are in my hometown, you can almost feel the atmosphere of what I grew up in.
It now has been "renovated" and sold for quite a bit of monies. Yes I do find both of the museum interesting and couldn't pick a favorite.
Anyhow its past coffee time and will finish answering all the questions, when I get to the shop.
Always
Shirley

Shirley, your stories are fascinating, have you ever considered writing a book?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We've done the Western Cruise on the Magic a couple of times and I agree renting an electric car is the way to go. The rental company picks you and your family up at the dock and brings you back afterwards. You have all the freedom to explore. Definitely stop at Kermit's for the best Key Lime Pie!!

What rental car company did you use?

 

[snelsonbrown]

What rental car company did you use?

You do NOT want to rent a car in Key West - trying to find a parking place in KW would drive you nuts and you would waste so much valuable time trying to go around and around and around and around trying to find somewhere you could squeeze into. I posted on my helpful site a place where you can rent like golf carts and I saw them while Norm and I were in Key West last month and LOVED THEM - I wanted to rent one so bad, but we had to get the graveyard cleaned up, people to see, places to go that we just didn't have enough time - anyhow this is only my thoughts and feelings.
Here is the link for help on KW again scroll all the way to the bottom/

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520273

About my little tidbits - my father, grandfather, grandmothers were all tale spinners and this is how I learned so much about my family and how they looked at KW through their eyes over the years - my dad was born in 1899, and was there were the first train was brought into Key West in 1912. He was married to my spanish mom and one month before I was due to be born, the hurricane of the century tore the keys up - the year of 1935 - they use to tell me that noone left the island and everyone was gathered together in family homes with a vitual guard watching for the hurricane to arrive and the only way to warn anyone was the bell that stood in the Key West Cemetery. no lives were lost in KW, but families that were working up the keys were loss completely without ever finding anything to link them to that they even existed.
I like to share the stories with you for when you do go to Key West you will see more than a party town -
Anyhow ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always
Shirley

 

[snelsonbrown]

Can someone tell me where the sandal factory is? Is it close enough to walk? Thanks.

Its Kino Sandal and its on Front and Fitzgerald Street which is right accross from Mallory Square - awesone sandals and worth the visit.
Go to this site for help with Key West and scroll all the way down.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520273
Always
Shirley

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You do NOT want to rent a car in Key West - trying to find a parking place in KW would drive you nuts and you would waste so much valuable time trying to go around and around and around and around trying to find somewhere you could squeeze into. I posted on my helpful site a place where you can rent like golf carts and I saw them while Norm and I were in Key West last month and LOVED THEM - I wanted to rent one so bad, but we had to get the graveyard cleaned up, people to see, places to go that we just didn't have enough time - anyhow this is only my thoughts and feelings.
Here is the link for help on KW again scroll all the way to the bottom/

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520273

About my little tidbits - my father, grandfather, grandmothers were all tale spinners and this is how I learned so much about my family and how they looked at KW through their eyes over the years - my dad was born in 1899, and was there were the first train was brought into Key West in 1912. He was married to my spanish mom and one month before I was due to be born, the hurricane of the century tore the keys up - the year of 1935 - they use to tell me that noone left the island and everyone was gathered together in family homes with a vitual guard watching for the hurricane to arrive and the only way to warn anyone was the bell that stood in the Key West Cemetery. no lives were lost in KW, but families that were working up the keys were loss completely without ever finding anything to link them to that they even existed.
I like to share the stories with you for when you do go to Key West you will see more than a party town -
Anyhow ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always
Shirley

Thanks for the info. I guess I should have worded that better, actually I meant the name of the company that the PP used for their electric car.

 

[Makua]

Thanks Shirley!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Thanks for the info. I guess I should have worded that better, actually I meant the name of the company that the PP used for their electric car.

Go to this link scroll all the way to the bottom and you will find the information on the electric cars that I saw and wanted to rent one -


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520273

This will give you a lot of insight to Key West as to places to go, places to see, etc
Always
Shirley

 

[Babs417]

Love Kinos worth getting

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Thanks Shirley, your the best!

 

[Donnaksmj]

great info

 

[girli565]

I'll be in the Keys at the end of this month for a long weekend with the DFi, we are staying at the Comfort Inn Key West on points and was wondering since parking is such an issue can we ride our bikes from the Comfort Inn to Duval ST, is it far. We ride 5-6 miles 2-3 times a week so I thought that would be easier than taking the car out parking.

 

[Mom24Princesses]

I'll be in the Keys at the end of this month for a long weekend with the DFi, we are staying at the Comfort Inn Key West on points and was wondering since parking is such an issue can we ride our bikes from the Comfort Inn to Duval ST, is it far. We ride 5-6 miles 2-3 times a week so I thought that would be easier than taking the car out parking.

The whole island is only 2 miles by 4 miles ( I think - I'll be corrected I am sure if I am wrong).

I think you'll do great on bikes!!!

 

[shelleyr25]

Does anyone know how far the Butterfly Conservatory is from the ship and how to get there??
TY

 

[bobbi565]

Does anyone know how far the Butterfly Conservatory is from the ship and how to get there??
TY

Just about two miles near the Southernmost Point. We walked it, straight down Duval Street, and stopped all along the way for shopping and sightseeing. Or, you could take a cab or the Bone Island Shuttle, which will take you all over the island, and you can get on and off wherever you wish.

 

[shelleyr25]

Just about two miles near the Southernmost Point. We walked it, straight down Duval Street, and stopped all along the way for shopping and sightseeing. Or, you could take a cab or the Bone Island Shuttle, which will take you all over the island, and you can get on and off wherever you wish.

Thanks!!

 

[mmouse37]

The whole island is only 2 miles by 4 miles ( I think - I'll be corrected I am sure if I am wrong).

I think you'll do great on bikes!!!

You are correct..

MJ

 

[ArmandXG]

What is KW like on Halloween??? We will be there next year on our anniversary and would like to know what kind of atmosphere to expect.
I grew up in South Miami and Homestead but NEVER made it down to Key West. I've been as far south as Key Largo. Sad, huh? I am looking forward to the key lime pie... my favorite!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Does anyone know how far the Butterfly Conservatory is from the ship and how to get there??
TY

The Butterfly Conservatory is located at 1316 Duval Street which is 13 blocks South from Mallory Square - you can go to www.keywestbutterfly.com and it will give you an insight to an awesome place to visit.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always
Shirley