GoofyMomandPop---Oh my gosh....I'm so JEALOUS!! Key West is one of my favorite places to go. I have been 4 times in the last 10 yrs, 3 of those in the last 5 yrs. My DH and I usually go for Fantasy Fest which is the last 2 weeks of October. I didn't go last year due to work and childcare problems but he went and as always, had a great time.
What would you liketo know? When are you going? do you have reservations?
If so where are staying at? Are you driving or flying? We usually fly from Nashville to Ft Lauderdale on Southwest and then drive down. It's cheaper and we love to go through all the Keys, go across 7 mile Bridge, see the sailboats etc. However, KW has a fine airport so either way is good. Key West kinda gets a bad rap b/c there is a large gay community there but I have never been treated anything but resepectable and kind by everyone.
Things to do.........you MUST participate in every Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square that you can. This is when everyone gathers at the end of Front St and Duval St in an area called Mallory Square to watch all the streeet performers and then to watch the sun set in the ocean. It is honeslty one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen! Get there early tho b/c the best seats fill up fast! Another thing that you'll want to do is check out the Key West Cemetary. You can do this on your own or take one of the Ghost Tours. Very interesting and ALOT of history. And you MUST do "The Duval Crawl". This is where you hit EVERy bar on Duval St including Sloopy Joes, Hogs Breath, Capt Tony's, Rick's and of course, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. I'm probably forgetting one or two but those are the main ones and the ones I have been to myself. Ft Zachary Taylor is interesting. Smather's Beach is pretty much the only public beach but it is very nice. You can rent a 2 person float for $5 or $10 for all day and just enjoy the sun, the water and relax. They also have lawn chairs and beach umbrellas as well as several "food wagons" that are fairly reasonable.
If you fly down, you don't need a car. You can walk to pretty much everywhere or rent a moped or bicycle for more sightseeing. Mel Fisher has a museum that is awesome and a "must see". So much more that space does not allow for!!
And the food........oh my gosh, sooo good!! LOTS of great places to eat at...some more expensive than others but we found the prices were not that bad. We loved Willie T's, The Hard Rock Cafe, and Turtle Krawls.
Feel free to contact me personally via email or through here if you'd like more info. I don't want to take up any more space so will end but again, feel free to get in touch w/me if you want to know more. emails address is:
karenpiper@msn.com
Karen aka TN traveler