Rentals in Key West for with teens

[Tiggeroo]

I want to take my teens down to Key West in the early summer. Looking first for the most reasonably prices housing. Then any money saving ideas for while down there. Good activities for with teens, non-drinking. Local favorite food places. etc...

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

It's been quite a few years since I was there so not sure if these places are still there. I went the acquarium, that was fun. They have a lighthouse you can tour, I did not. Hard Rock was cool with all the celebrity memoriabillia in it.

Stay away from the Bourbon Street bar.....that is unless you want to catch a drag show. (that was so much fun though, it is mainly a male gay bar - I went with a friend down there and we wentr there)

You have to see the sunset on Mallory Square too - very cool.

Not sure if this will help but you can order this coupon book for some cheaper hotels. FL Travel Saver Guide

Good luck and hope you all have a nice time.

 

[Tiggeroo]

Thanks. What I really need is some idea on places to stay, esp. rental homes or condos.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I am not sure what you will find as far as reasonable. My husband and I are thinking of doing a a week or more in Key West in March. He is looking for an ultra nice (5 star) resort on the beach. I have been looking at www.keywest.com, I think they have just about everything listed for accomodations. While there are a lot of things to do there, there are a lot of bars and a considerable party population and atmosphere. You might look at Key Largo, too.

edited for poor typing skills!

 

[bballmom56]

Hi - I'll let DH respond to this one as he just got back from his second trip in a year to Key West.

I just returned yesterday from Key West. Took my 15-year-old son along.

Key West is not known for its beaches, so it’s not a big consideration for me. The Wyndham (stayed there last year) has a decent beach but it’s pricey. I stayed at the Comfort Inn on Roosevelt Blvd. this time. About 10 min. from the action, but decent rooms and a nice pool. The Radisson next door is also good. There’s a shopping center nearby with a grocery store, T.G.I. Friday’s, Outback, and other fast food places.

Good downtown restaurants at reasonable prices—Duffy’s Seafood House, Camille’s (great breakfast, Diner Shores (breakfast), Hard Rock, Louie’s Back Porch Grill. There’s even a Denny’s in Old Town if that’s your style.

Don’t miss the sunset at Mallory Square—go an hour early or have dinner in the Cuban restaurant inside the cigar factory museum. Be prepared for a wild show on the square—not too offensive; really lots of fun.

Duval Street: There are bars on every corner and tee shirt shops everywhere. Some of the shirts may be offensive—nothing my son had not seen before. Go in the late morning or late afternoon when it’s not so hot and not so crazy. Only go at night if you dare—it’s insane. Most people are just having fun and won’t bother you, but they may be a little tipsy. Most merchandise is expensive, especially anything that says “Key West,” but you can bargain a little with some store owners. If you see something you like, shop around a little—you may find it cheaper elsewhere.

Hard Rock is great for lunch. Dine outside and do some people watching, then buy the kids a tee shirt.

Don’t miss—Aquarium, Truman Little White House, the Chicken Store (my favorite), Hemingway House, Southernmost Point. If you have the time (and money), take a catamaran out and do some snorkeling on the reef.

I rented a car, but you can take the Bone Island Shuttle, which will take you anywhere on the island. You can buy a weekly pass that is a good deal. You could also rent bicycles or mopeds, but they’re expensive. There's a trolley too that's very good.

I have fallen in love with the island, but it sure ain’t Disney World. But it is a very unique place—crazy, funny, friendly, carefree, and tropical.

Rentals and condos are VERY expensive. If you have not been there before, stay at a hotel. The island is small enough that you're never very far from anything.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

DH

 

[aprilgail2]

I was just there last week with my 4 year old and my 14 year old god daughter.....I can't say its a place I would go out of my way to go back to. It was not a bad place but my 4 year old was a bit taken back by the amount of nudity there. We walked down a street and there was a naked woman walking her dog and then we went down to grab a bite to eat down a street by the water and there was an outside bar with many naked men and women so we just turned around and went back to our ship!

 

[Tiggeroo]

bballmom56's dh

If I can rent a condo for like $200. more would it save me in food. If we stay at a hotel we might eat bagels and fruit in the room and pack some sandwiches, then grab dinner out. Or maybe get a late breakfast out and get some pizza or burgers. Just trying to figure which is more cost efficient. We're not looking for fancy, just clean.
We'll have a car rental, but I hear parking is tough and that you are still better off leaving the car parked and taking public transit.

 

[bballmom56]

Key West is not a good place for real little kids. In my opinion, it's O.K. for teenagers, but for some it may be too wild. I never saw any open nudity there. The cruise ship area has become somewhat of a tourist trap these days as the city depends upon the revenue of the passengers.

The city has been working hard to clean up its image and seemed much better this year.

Parking is not as bad as you may think. You can park at meters on the street or at Mallory Square or the Hilton parking garage for $3 an hour-- about the same price of taking the shuttle for the day.

We had a great free daily breakfast at the Comfort Inn and bought food at a local supermarket. I bought a styro cooler for $2 to keep things cool in the room.

Key West is not the ultimate family destination. It's a very different place, a little wild and out of control for some. But away from Duval Street there are many fascinating parts of the island. Many artists have settled there and there is much good art to explore in galleries. And if you like fishing or snorkeling, it's a great place.

A good book to check out-- "The Florida Keys" by Joy Williams.
Gives the history of the Keys and great advice on lodging, food, and transportation.

DH

 

[Tiggeroo]

Thanks. My kids are 17, 17, and 20 so even a bit of nudity is not going to crush them. They like art, photography and snorkeling. My daughter likes history and Hemingway. So I thought it would be a place we could have some fun at. I'm not looking for a Disney style vacation. It was supposed to be just me and my 20yo dd, but now the boys are bugging me to go too. With them it will be a slightly different trip. With just my dd I might have gone into a bar or two, and done some more adult night time things. I'm thinking the Comfort Inn might be a good idea. We get breakfast, can do sandwiches for lunch and can do some more expensive dinners and some at chain places. I'd rather spend our money on snorkeling or boating trips.