What's your favorite thing to do in Key West???

[goin2dzny]

Not sure if we should do an excursion... or something else...

experiences please

 

[mrsltg]

I've never been, but friends spent their honeymoon in Key West last year... they loved it! There's lots of shopping and lots of drinking (if you like to go to relaxing bars). She has suggested that we just walk around.... and of course, don't miss the pie!!!

Erin

 

[snelsonbrown]

Being born and raised in Key West in 1935 and a 4 generation to boot - I can help, tho Key West has changed so much since "my time".
I can tell you that I have a number of pamplets, coupons for discounts etc and at no charge of any kind other to send me a self addressed enveloped with about $3.00 worth of stamps on it -

I have family in KW and will be going down within 6 weeks and will be bringing back more information - at this time I hope to see a number of more vendors that will work with me in giving me discounts for the discruisers.

If you would like, just send it to the address of my shop
The Perfect Gift
6550 North Atlantic Avenue
Cape Canaveral, Florida
32920
If we can help in any other way ------just call us at 800-950-4559
Good wishes to everyone
Always
Shirley

 

[goin2dzny]

Thanks for the offer... I just may do that... Does anyone know about the shopping there? Is it Expensive?

Which place on the Western Itinierary is the better place to shop... Jewelry? T-Shirts? I would hate to go to the first place and spend all my $$$$ only to find out I should have saved it for the last... I surely wouldn't want to hold out only to find there wasn't much to buy... wishing I had spent it at the last port of call!!!

It's enough to drive me crazy!!!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hi there - as I said, I have discount cards for something in KW - all you have to do is send for them - and as I said before there is no strings attached.
Call me if you have the chance ok.
Always
Shirley

 

[prymsu]

The info that Shirley sent me is amazing. I am studying it loads! I have been to Key West before, and I would recommend that you do the Conch Train tour. The depot is close to the pier, and you will get to see lots of highlights of Key West in an hour or so. This is not too expensive, and still leaves plenty of time for shopping and walking around. just my two cents.

 

[Twinave]

My family and I stayed at MM 21 in a private house for 10 day back in 10/98. We spent most of our time scuba and snorkleing. And eating Fl lobster& Key lime pie. It was right after one of the big hurricanes blew through so there was still damaged areas being repaired. We enjoyed the counch train, my sister-in-law and I visited the old graveyard. We stopped by the Southern Most Point for a photo. Did some t-shirt shopping. Went to Sloppy Joes, and Hard Rock Cafe. And of course Mallory Square at sunset. All of these things were fun, but do not miss the sunset party. Enjoy!

 

[atigeg]

I really enjoyed the Conch Train...it's a 90 minute trip, but they stop for a break at a fudge shop after an hour. Unfortunately, I had to get off and head back to the ship at the break, as I had a spa appointment. But they really crammed a lot into that first hour! It's a great way to see some highlights of Key West. I wish that we had more time to explore...oh well, we're returning in January. The sunset is not to be missed...we saw it from Palo, and I was amazing at how quickly it sinks into the horizon. I was hoping to see the man with the performing cats at Mallory Square, and also to tour Hemmingway's house, but I never made it (Shirley, ever since your story, I always picture him with his bag of rocks!).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hello there girlfriend,
Isn't funny here it is over 60 years later and I myself have never ever been in Papa Hemingway's house - concern his "ghost" would start pitching stones - someday i hope to make it in there - the conch train is a wonderful way to go - I wish that they covered a lot more of the island, but it would take so long - the best place to go for jewerly is Touch of gold - I have known vinny for many years and always found him to be very honorable with his customers - places to get the good key lime pie is Roof Top cafe - its as close to the real thing that I have eaten - as for the tee shirt shops so many are so questionable due to the big scandal due to rip offs - the city closed them down and they open up under a new name and "new" ownerships - I found the ones closes to the port more reliable - I will know more when I come back from there - as for water sports of all types - i can not say enough about Key Cat right there at Mallory Square - they too have proved to be honorable and honest - The old conchs that still are there do not venture anywhere downtown now known as "old town" --if you are interested in hanging with the locals they can be found at a restaurant called B's Restaurant on Bertha Street off of Flagler - or there is of course 5 brothers on Southard Street that has been there as long as I can remember - and don't forget the LaConcha Hotel and going to the "top' where you have a 360 view of the city -
I wish each of you had known KW as I did as a child - women did dress as in Sarongs with leis of hibiscus around them and in their hair - Island/latin music could be heard all over the city way before Jimmy Buffet - and the best part living on a 2X4 island - crime was something that we children didn't know existed -
anyhow this is it for now
God bless each and all
With Love
The island Girl
Shirley

 

[prymsu]

Shirley, i really appreciate the mini history lessons that you give us about Key West!!!

 

[snelsonbrown]

You are most welcomed Sue
As always
Shirley

 

[rae519]

WowShirley! Key West as you recall it from your childhood sounds so inviting. How sad that commercialization took over and changed it from that quiet paradise.

I lived in a summer tourist area when I was a child and couldn't wait for the fall when they would leave our town and it would be quiet once again. My parents always said that it was the summer trade that got most families through the winter, but as a child, I just got tired of the noise, cars and crowds.

I am sending an envelope today for information since I am taking my 73 year old Mom on her first cruise with the Cruisears (9/28 group) and want her to get all the experiences she can!

Thanks again for so much insight and help,
God love ya' sweetie!
Rae

 

[imgoingtodisney]

In Dec, while cruising on NCL, we did the conch train and stopped at Hogs Breath for a drink at 10am
Hey we dont know when we'll be back

 

[driver]

i go to key west at least once every year and so far my two favorite things are (1) buying kino sandals at the factory (located behind hogs breath saloon) for about $7 (they last forever) and by far the best thing in key west.... (2) a jet ski tour of the island. i can't remember the name of the outfit but their stand is on the boardwalk as you debark the ship (behind the hilton). they take about 8 jet skis out at a time and you go completely around the entire island. they make about 3 or 4 stops to tell you about where you are and to allow you to swim. we had our jet skis up to 60 mph. it was awesome! there are some old hidden submarine bunkers behind boca chica that they also showed us too. it may even be an excursion offered by dcl (i have only been on the 3 day, the 4 day and the eastern caribbean cruise) so i'm not sure. i do this every time i go to key west and it is really awesome!! i highly recommend it whether it is a dcl excursion or not!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hey there - everytime Key West is brought up, I have to jump in as an old conch and say thank you for the wonderful words expressing Cayo Hueso (street of bones) - this is another name KW is famously called - it was called street of bones since it was a pirate's paradise and many killing on what was a smaller island and just right for pirates -
Some suggestions for KW
If you are interested in mopeds or bikes - you can go to Moped Hospital and ask for Charlie and tell him his dad sent you in - he will take great care of you.
Second if you are interested in any type of water sports regardless of what it is - call Shelly at Key Cat - I know them to be very honorable and honest.
If you are looking for gold, silver etc - Vinny with The Touch of Gold is another shop that is honest - tell Vinny I sent you to him and he will give you an awesome discount.
Those that want pamplets etc about KW - send me a self address envelope with about $3.00 or so postage on it and I will get it out to you.
Too if you need baskets, flowers etc we do that too, but there is no strings attached to any of the above.
Meanwhile everyone have a great week.
Always
Shirley
08-10-02

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hey there - everytime Key West is brought up, I have to jump in as an old conch and say thank you for the wonderful words expressing Cayo Hueso (street of bones) - this is another name KW is famously called - it was called street of bones since it was a pirate's paradise and many killing on what was a smaller island and just right for pirates -
Some suggestions for KW
If you are interested in mopeds or bikes - you can go to Moped Hospital and ask for Charlie and tell him his dad sent you in - he will take great care of you.
Second if you are interested in any type of water sports regardless of what it is - call Shelly at Key Cat - I know them to be very honorable and honest.
If you are looking for gold, silver etc - Vinny with The Touch of Gold is another shop that is honest - tell Vinny I sent you to him and he will give you an awesome discount.
Those that want pamplets etc about KW - send me a self address envelope with about $3.00 or so postage on it and I will get it out to you.
Too if you need baskets, flowers etc we do that too, but there is no strings attached to any of the above.
Meanwhile everyone have a great week.
Always
Shirley
08-10-02

 

[Boomerwon]

Very interesting information about Key West. The jet ski tours sound great! Too bad we have little ones who would be scared out of their minds jet skiing. Maybe in a few years....

Couple of quick questions though. My DS-5 is a train nut and we're trying to decide between the train and trolley. Are they one in the same? Everyone on the boards mention the Conch train, but not the trolley. Which would be more interesting to a 5 and 2 year old? Please let me know we are down to 6 days before we leave and can't wait!!!

 

[goin2dzny]

Looks like it should be great... and we can take our DD on it too!!!

 

[nancyz]

We just returned from Key West and did the jet ski island tour with Island Water Sport Rentals right on the pier. It was a fantastic 2 hour tour!!! My little ones, 5 and 3 yrs old, stayed on board at the Club.

Well worth taking the tour if you love to jet ski!

nancy

 

[JeffR]

The biggest difference between the train and the trolley (from what I've heard) is that you can get off the trolley for as long as you want and pick up a later one. That way you can stop and shop or take pictures or whatever and get back on later. They run about ever 15 - 20 minutes.

We took the trolley, which is a little more enclosed than the train and so not quite as nice, but we wanted to be able to come and go as we pleased. We booked it ourselves once we got off the ship and really have no idea how comparable it was in cost to the train (the trolley was $20 per adult and $10 per kid).

Another thing to consider is renting scooters, bicycles, or Harley's (on the other side of the island) and taking yourself around.

All things considered though, I wish after reading the earlier posts that I had taken the wave runner. We took our 6 and 8 yo out in Grand Caymans and they loved it (but not at 60 MPH!).

Hope this helps.