The Florida Keys- Anyone Here Visited Before?

Musicman408 · #1 11-15-2009, 01:23 PM

There's a chance that my family will be headed to one of the Florida Keys for Christmas, since we won't be doing anything with my mom's side of the family (that's a long story). I was wondering if any of you all had been to the keys, or had one you'd recommend over the others!

Thanks,
Ethan

golddustdrummer · #2 11-15-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman408

There's a chance that my family will be headed to one of the Florida Keys for Christmas, since we won't be doing anything with my mom's side of the family (that's a long story). I was wondering if any of you all had been to the keys, or had one you'd recommend over the others!

Thanks,
Ethan

remember that movie Vacation?
when my family went down to Key West when I was 16, it was a lot like that movie.
everything that could've went wrong...did.
we should've known we were in for a "great" trip when we had to drive straight thru b/c we couldn't find a hotel.
kentucky, tennessee, georgia, and then to the tip of florida = over 21 hours in a car together...not fun.
but we made the best of it and had a weird bonding session

overall it is one of the most beautiful places in America!
so much cool stuff to see and do
Ripley's Museum, a couple military forts, beaches that will make your eyes fall out, jet skiing, snorkeling, ghost tours, train rides, carriage rides, great restaurants, etc.

you will love it most definitely!!!

ILoveFM · #3 11-16-2009, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman408

There's a chance that my family will be headed to one of the Florida Keys for Christmas, since we won't be doing anything with my mom's side of the family (that's a long story). I was wondering if any of you all had been to the keys, or had one you'd recommend over the others!

Thanks,
Ethan

Hey, Ethan! My grandmother and my poppy owned a restaurant in the keys a few years ago (5 years I'd say), so me, my sister, and mom drove down to visit them for new years. The trip was long, not nearly as long as Shawna's, but it seemed like forever, close to 12 hours I believe. But the drive was worth is. Such a beautiful place. I think I could've enjoyed it more at my age now, but I do remember how peaceful it was. You'll love it if you do end up going.

louielouie2000 · #4 11-16-2009, 04:32 AM

The Keys are one of my favorite places in the world. I went every year until I became poverty stricken a couple years back

. I've always stayed in Key West in a B&B in Old Town right off Duval St (the famous party street). The great thing about Key West is there's so much to do. I highly recommend getting a scooter, and traversing the island. Every tourist has to see the sun set at Mallory Square once. The Mel Fisher museum of the Atocha is very fascinating. Ernest Hemingway's house is very neat, and still has dozens of descendants of his famous 6 toed cat. The historic Key West Lighthouse is awesome, and provides the most amazing view of the island and ocean. There are sunset tours and snorkeling tours that leave from Key West Bight, the historic seaport. My favorite place for a really memorable dinner is called Seven Fish. For a cheap and unforgettable lunch, you can't pass up B.O.'s Fishwagon. B.O.'s is literally made up of trash, and has chickens running around inside... it's so very Key West

. Sloppy Joe's is perhaps the most famous bar, and they serve a mean frozen drink! Topped off with 151 rum of course! There are tons of art galleries and neat shops, restaurants, and bars in Key West... I could go on forever.

The one downside of Key West is it's lack of beaches. The couple beaches is does have are not that great. I recommend a quick drive up to Bahia Honda State Park, a few Keys up. You'll never see clearer, more beautiful water anywhere. You can step into the water and it's like stepping into a tropical aquarium. The whole Key is a state park, so it's wild and beautiful.

I definitely think the middle Keys are the prettiest... from about Islamorada down to Big Pine Key is just spectacular. They're the least developed. Key Largo in the upper Keys is OK... but it's overdeveloped, and kinda looks like anywhere else in the world. 3/4 of Key West is that way too... stay West of White St if you go. I could ramble on for hours... let me know if you've got any specific questions!

fringed n fab · #5 11-16-2009, 06:53 AM

I've been to Florida and someday plan to move there but never been down to the Keys but from everyone I've ever talked to that lives in Florida, Louie hit everything on the nail about the Keys and it's pluses and minuses, and about Bahia Honda being a must see.

LB Freakazoid · #6 11-16-2009, 11:27 AM

I used to go down to the Keys about every other weekend... and got married at sunset on a boat off of Key West. Personally I would recommend going between milemarker 95 thru 60 (upper and mid Keys) - a lot less tourists and better diving/snorkling. And that drive back all the way from Key West is forever. If you do go all the way down there, just don't drive back up Sunday afternoon! It's VERY slow. From Florida City to Key West is like a 2 hour drive - when there is no accident and light traffic.

You can rent a boat pretty cheap too. The sandbar (yes, a real sandbar where lots of boats gather and have a party) in Islandmorada is a lot of fun - great way to spend the day. Lots of restaurants will cook your catch too.

Sunset is extremely important in the Keys. Whether you're in Key West or Islandmorada - the thing to do is to go to a waterfront bar (most of them are) and toast to sunset - that's what everyone else is doing! Papa Joe's (it's around mm 79?? can't remember - but it's on the bayside) is a great place to go - great views from the bar in the sky.

Finding a place to stay is always an adventure in itself. A lot of places are - for lack of a better word - icky. If you find a place that has towels that won't exfoliate your skin and larger than a napkin - stick to it. I personally stay away from chain hotels when I'm down there. It just doesn't feel like the Keys when you are in one of those places. Also, I like to support the locals. Also, staying oceanside is preferable than bayside - something about the bayside water is just murkier - especially in the upper keys.

And just remember that it is totally "island time" down there. Forget your watch. Things just run a little slower. It's so funny to watch people who are in a hurry - they get so uptight! And people who constantly check their phones look completely out of place - some people just don't get what the Keys is all about!

Hope this helps - have a great time!

HejiraNYC · #7 11-16-2009, 01:41 PM

It's unquestionably one of the most beautiful areas in the world, but it is a little bit dull at the same time. Depends on what you're into. Personally, I go crazy if I do nothing but laze around for several days. Indeed, there isn't too much of a beach scene since the little beaches are all manmade (these are, after all, coral atolls). Some beaches look nice, but be careful if you go into the water- the coral can mess up your feet something awful.

So if you're going to go down to drink, party, be lazy and drink some more, I can't think of a better place than Key West, that is, if you can stomach bar bands playing "Margaritaville" 24/7. But as an under-age/family destination? Not so sure about that...

Musicman408 · #8 11-16-2009, 04:11 PM

Thanks all of you all for your comments!!! We're different- we enjoy going to areas where there may not be TONS to do. We spent THanksgiving several years ago on St. George Island, FL, which is very underdeveloped- but that was the best thanksgiving EVER!!!

golddustdrummer · #9 11-16-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

It's unquestionably one of the most beautiful areas in the world, but it is a little bit dull at the same time. Depends on what you're into. Personally, I go crazy if I do nothing but laze around for several days. Indeed, there isn't too much of a beach scene since the little beaches are all manmade (these are, after all, coral atolls). Some beaches look nice, but be careful if you go into the water- the coral can mess up your feet something awful.

So if you're going to go down to drink, party, be lazy and drink some more, I can't think of a better place than Key West, that is, if you can stomach bar bands playing "Margaritaville" 24/7. But as an under-age/family destination? Not so sure about that...

and your feet can mess up the coral! when we went snorkeling in the keys, the guides said standing on it would kill it. that didn't stop some people from doing so...