Any tips re: Miami/Key West?

[SouthCoastPhil]

I'll be heading to Miami for a graduation in a month or so and am thinking about taking a drive to Key West for a couple of days (~Sunday-Tuesday) after the family festivities have concluded.

Would appreciate any tips re: "must-do/see" (especially related to cars, food, music) as well as any "don't go there" ideas.

TIA for your help,
Phil

[johnsjmc]

Key West See the Hemingway house and eat at Sloopy Joe,s . Walk between them on Duval St. Miles of tourist bars and tee shirt sales. We used to like KW a lot but it,s feeling very crowded/noisy as we get older. South Beach area in Miami. Stay at any of the many boutique hotels and walk around there also. The architecture of this 30s art deco hotel district is what is most interesting to us there.

[Roosterrusek]

Rent boat and guide, hit the flats for bonefish, permit and maybe even some tarpon.

[VINMAN]

If in Key West, hit Louies Backyard, Conch Republic Seafood Co. for lunch or dinner. The stand on the corner of South and Simonton, and Two Friends bar for breakfast. Schooner Wharf for entertainment.

Been going to KW few times a year for 20+ yrs.. Was always my favorite place to go. Unfortunately, now it has lost its appeal to me. It has gotten way too commercialized and touristy. Duval st is like walking through Times Square now. Prices are out of control too..

Stay away from the real touristy stuff and check out the off the beaten path places.

[byfdinky]

The Turtle Crawl is an open air laid back bar. Good cigar makers by the marina. Great Cuban breakdfast near the opening of the Military Base. Look for a Grocery store with a bench in front. Kitchen in back and they have great Cuban coffee

[esample]

+1 on Hemingway's House. Sloppy Joe's is a waste of time. Go to Capt. Tony's, Green Parrot, and Hog's Breath Saloon for the real KW experience.

If you take the Old Town Trolley tour when you get into town, you'll be able to decide what interests you. Mallory Square is fun at sunset. Check out the Pirate Museum and take a sunset cruise on any of several "pirate ships" if you like that sort of thing.

Islamorada and Marathon are less "touristy".

-e.

[Laneco]

When in Miami, Cuban food and more importantly, Cuban coffee are a "must." You don't have to spend a fortune to really enjoy. Lunches are the best bet - look for a Cafeteria that's busy - jump in line. Cuban coffee is phenomenal and the human equivalent of rocket fuel. A little goes a long way, a lot will give you heart palpitations.

South Beach is extraordinary. I suggest you hit it early in the morning when only the locals are out. Fabulous architecture, beautiful views, lovely beaches and warm water.

Oleta River State Park is practically in down town Miami, but inside the park, you feel like Ponce de Leon searching the jungle! You can even rent a cabin there for a really out there experience. Also, you can rent kayaks or mountain bikes to explore the park.

If you are renting a car, your SUNPASS that your rental car comes with might not work on some of the smaller toll bridges. So bring change.

angela

[johnco]

my brother and I were there sometimes in the 80's. sitting at the hog's breath saloon drinking cinnamon snapps and tabasco shots, the bartender felt that after we finished the second bottle of snapps, he should pay for the third. nice people there

[azasadny]

Turtle Krall in Key West has great food and do the glass bottom thing in Key Largo!

[flatbutt]

snorkeling out on the reef is a pretty good time also. +1 Hogs Breath. I dont know if Kelly's is still there but the backgarden used to have a nice dinner.

[pwd72s]

Too bad you're not in Key West for Halloween Weekend.

[motion]

I'm heading there in June. Not really interested in the touristy spots outside of South Beach, but am going to look into kite surfing lessons (first-timer). Any leads?

[widgeon13]

Joe's Stone Crab

[bell]

rubbers....... LOL