Key West --- What to do there / Where stay ?
 

I'm doing a roadtrip from San Antonio to Key West at end September / mid October in my 88 Coupe.
Anyone have any suggestions of good places to stay in Key West or good places / bars / eateries to checkout around that area ? ..... any tips appreciated ...

Great question. Subscribed.

I like to stay at the Southernmost Key West Hotels & Resort, Florida Vacation Travel Beach Wedding Hotel - Southernmost Resorts
I get a beachside room. There's plenty of good food Seafood is hard to miss on

We stayed at the fly navy hotel ( actually pretty nice, 2 room suite for $60 a night) the naval base on the far end of key west has the best beaches. The beaches on there are not that great. Duval street is the party spot and the boardwalk is fun to walk/shop/ eat and see the huge boats and Tarpon.

Visit the Hemingway house.

Every Bar says Hemingway drank there.

Rent a Sea-Doo and make a lap of the island. Drink Mojito's 'til you pee green.

JR

I make my yearly pilgrimage to KW every November for the Offshore power boat world championships. Been going there every year since the mid 80's. Plus try to make another trip down during the year.

Hard to recommend a hotel for you. Hotels vary from one end of the spectrum to the other. Depending what you are looking for. High end, you have the La Concha, Casa marina, Hyatt. All great places. If you are just looking for a nice place to crash between partying, you have the Blue Marlin on the southern end on Simonton Street. Also a few really nice B&B type places.

Duval is the main tourist drag. Sadly I've seen it go from a really cool laid back party place to an over priced commercialized tourist trap. But, still great bars there. I usually hang at the Greene Parrot, the Schooner wharf, and Conch Republic Seafood company. They are all away from Duval.
Oh, yeah a lot of the hot babes on the 800 block of Duval, aren't babes....http://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...ys/rainbow.gif

As far as food. Conch Republic Seafood Co. is awesome. Montes, A&B Lobster house. Best conch fritters are from the stand in front of the aquarium by Mallory Square. Definitely hit up the Hogfish grill on Stock island. For a more "classy" meal, Louie's Backyard is the place.

I could go on forever with suggestions with things to do...

Ugh we also went to the Red Garter strip club. Hubs told all the strippers I got new boobs so strippers were asking to touch them all night.

You say that like it's a bad thing....

JR

Felt pretty dirty.
Kw is a blast though, can't wait to plan another trip this winter.

I will say we drove from va to the key west and Miami to key west kinda sucks... Specifically, driving through Miami. There is a bypass we'll take next time.

Red Garter in KW? yeah I sort of heard of that place .... Might have driven by it once or twice...

My wife and I go there on occasion. Fun place to go and play, but if gay would make you stay away, hey!, stay away because the majority of the restaurants and bars in Key West are gay owned/operated.

Which is to say, if you're a tighty righty, anti-gay, right wing whack job, you'll be shocked by the decadence of a society gone flamboyantly queer and will be likely to barf up your eggs Florentine a la Key West when your two gay waiters include you in their morning b!tch fest. :D

Key West is great...if you're not a typical denizen of the up-tight! Right wing world of PARF. ;)

One of my long time friends husband was just commissioned CO of NAS Key West.

My wife and I just got back from a week in Key West. We stayed at the Southernmost Hotel which is right next to Southermost on the Beach. I highly recommend it.

My Tripadvisor review
A great getaway - Review of Southernmost Hotel, Key West, FL - TripAdvisor

Places to eat:

Southernmost Beach Cafe - Great breakfasts, drinks and fantastic view
Southernmost Beach Cafe

Garbo's Grll - This is a food cart. But, they serve fantastic food. Try the mahi-mahi fish tacos.
Garbo's Grill / Sinz Taco's - Awesome Food Truck Full Of Awesome-Ness

Lattitudes - Expensive, but worth it.
Latitudes Restaurant | Key West Restaurant | Key West Dining at Sunset Key

A nust see is the Harry S Truman Little White House. It was a fascinating experience. The tour guides are excellent.
Key West Museum History | Truman Little White House




Dan, I'll be calling your shop on Monday. I have a PPI I need done.

Thanks guys -- what is security regarding car like ?

THIS:
drink a lot
plus there is a really cool lighthouse there
climb the lighthouse
cool Ripleys museum too.
way too much to do there.
Probably my favorite place to be. so much fun
take lots of pics and post some

Last time I was there me and wifey were on a cruise, ship docked at a Navy port then a shuttle picked us up and drove us over. will do again soon.

My wife and I stayed at the Pier House Hotel, on January 24, 1989. Long time ago, and I remember that date because that was the night they put Ted Bundy
out of OUR misery, at Stark Fed Prison, North Florida.

It was fairly big news, and a bit creepy. He was a nasty pri*k.,

Good riddance!

The Pier House was nice, with a small private beach.

Dont forget to check out the cemetary also.



.

I missed a lot of cool stuff last time. Good reason to go back.

I'll have to refer back to this thread at some point.
One of my goals, when I get my biplane finished, is to fly down to KW.

I don't know a good hotel but stay away from the Doubletree resort in key West. We had to wait over two hours for them to get our room ready. We had a balcony room that over looked a construction area and both me and my wife got wicked food poisoning at the hotel restaurant. The worst hotel I have ever stayed at, I wouldn't go back if they payed me.

Spend an evening sitting outside at the Schooner Wharf Bar - it's (for me anyway) a little slice of paradise on earth, made even a little but better if you happen to get there o an evening when Michael McCloud is playing (likes to hang out and play there).

It's a chill scene there which I like infinitely more than a lot of the "get falling down drunk and puke" bars. It's a great place.

last year we rented a house which was awsome, nice pool, clean, walk to bars etc...

Rented through Historic Hideaways.
Property: Poinciana House
Property Address
0417Olivia, Key West, FL 33040

Rented houses in the past and was happy but cant remember the name


Schooners is my favorite place to hang out. Seems I always end up back there even when I try to go other places. ...i have a habit of stealing their coasters..i must have 300 of them now :-)
http://www.schoonerwharf.com/

I have a favorite sea food place ive been to quite a few times but i cant remember the name of it....there's picnic tables inside the place. If the name comes to me i will let you know. Doesnt really matter because there are a ton of great places to eat, especially if you like sea food

whats to do there? Tarpon fish, eat sea food, rent a bicycle or scooter and explore, get drunk, get a lap dance in a VIP room. Next day, do the same thing

Having watched what looked like a 1,000lb hammerhead eat my 6 foot long tarpon in 1 bite, I would never ever go out on a jetski or any other water activity in the shallows. NO WAY

If you are interested in fishing, i highly recommend at least 1 day with this guy. Awsome!

Captain Paul is a great person and an excellent fishing guide - Review of Seize the Day Fishing Charters, Key West, FL - TripAdvisor

Car parking is somewhat limited and can be pricey. I'd plan to walk a bit - not very far from 1 side of town to the other actually.

We go often, have a condo there.

Favorite happy hours at Boathouse, Alonzos, Kellys, Conch republic, Lazy Gecho, Southernmost Beach bar.

Favorite bars/music at schooners, Gecho, green parrot, and I like the 'durtbags' at Dirty Harrys. Good breakfast at Caroline's. Finnigans Wake for Irish pub. Also like Jack Flats for apps and food(sports bar)
Favorite Italian at LaTrattoria, Martinis on Monday's ($5) at their back bar -Virgilios.
Best Martinis at White Tarpin.
For a fun show check out Aqua or LaTeDa, but google first and make sure it's for you.

I try to stay away from Mallory square/lower Duvall when the cruise ships are in, but it's interesting to catch the street performers/vendors/sunset after they leave. I also like the Cuban food at el mason de pepe at Mallory or El Sibonet (off Duvall)


If you are going in October, the whole island changes flavor last week of October for Fantasy Fest. Either plan to go or avoid. Hard to get rooms and crowded.

Secure parking for your 911 will be tough. I'd try to find a B&B with off street, or rent a condo with attached parking.

Blue Heaven: Fantastic food, particularly breakfast (best shrimp and grits ever, and awesome banana bread). You sit outside under a canopy of trees with cats and chickens running around, great place.

Better Than Sex: Dessert-ony restaurant, reservations required at least a day in advance. Get a "Rim Job," a wine glass dipped in chocolate fondue and then red wine poured in. Amazing.

As already mentioned, A&B Lobster house is a great place for fine dining.

Last time I was there was in late August, and signs everywhere indicated many businesses and restaurants were taking pretty much the whole month of September off, so be advised if you will be there during that time, your selection may be somewhat limited.

Mallory Square at sunset is a must.

If you need a tour guide I can be available for airfare to/from Denver for two plus lodging :D

Have fun!

Just can't resist parfing it up, Schlegel?

no key waste is very gay
so that was a warning

mel's treasure is worth a look

dive boat to the reefs

I like the little motels in the keys out side key waste
more of an old conch vib there

but we mostly sail and anchor out by the little uninhabited islands

Lets talk route! Take I-10 across to Jacksonville, FL and head south on I-95 til you see the St. Augustine, FL exit (past World of Golf), head east and spend a few hours in St. Augustine before heading over the Bridge of Lions to AIA. A road trip through Florida requires a drive down AIA along the beach. You can get back on I-95 south anytime along the route, but the ocean scenery, and towns are worth the drive.

Avoid the turnpike as its boring and $$$$. Much to do along the coast with a strong suggestion to stop and tour the Kennedy Space Center (Cocoa Beach).

You will find the Keyes okay but if your a scuba diver or snorkler it pays to do a dive in John Pennekamp park. Tons of dive shops along the Keyes route. Stop in Key Largo for the best Grouper sandwich on the planet or anywhere along the Keyes chain for the scenery and food.
Key West is okay for the tourist, but try to stop along the way to see all the Keyes.

I never found Key West to be all that great aside from the usual toursit stops and taking in the crazy sites and some great seafood. You should enjoy all of the east coast of Florida and the fall is a great time to do it. By the way Disneyworld is least crowded in Ocotber!

I did this trip a few years back in my 1973.5T 911 from Atlanta. I took AIA and US1 south, jogging back to I-95 when inlets changed my route temporarily. Once you get down to West Palm you can take I-95 to the Keyes.

Enjoy.

Bob
73.5T

Thanks for the warning. We need to keep clear of queers at all times. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

My wife and I make a yearly trip to KW--there are some good suggestions here for places to stay, but it is tough to nail down since everyone has various likes.
Same goes for what to do--we still haven't done everything, but following is a list of things you may like:
Bars:
Schooner wharf give the "old time KW" vibe--it is fun--right on the water--I wouldn't eat there, but great place for happy hour and beers.

We love the oysters at Turtle Kraals--sit in the tower bar for a great view. Cheap oyetrs, good beer, go for the turtle races for a little bit of a distraction/fun

You should go to Sloppy Joe's just because you are in KW

Capt. Tony's is also "must" when vsiting--It has a really interesting history check out the tombstone near the pool table, the "hanging tree" and ask to see the skeleton behind the bar(real--bones found on-site and cobbled together from various people according to the story)

I like sitting on the balcony at the Bull & Whistle and people-watching folks on Duval.

If feeling it, go to the roof of the B&W to Garden of Eden--clothing optional--hit or miss, but can be entertaining.

Green Parrot--cool "local vibe" bar.

Irish Kevin's on Duval gets a bit rowdy if that is your scene

Food

Latitudes is pricey but has an awesome sunset view--dinner right on the beach.

Hogfish bar and Grill on Stock Island--great Hogfish sandwich--definately worth finding it.

Pepes has a good breakfast--if you want an interesting history of the place--talk to Mego next door at the art gallery/shop--he bent my ear for an hour about a fued with Pepe's and how they "aren't the orginal and stole the name"

If you want to go off-island try Square Grouper on Cudjoe Key--it can get packed, and is a little pricey, but I really enjoy their food

Sights:
Once again, hard to say, depends upon what you like to do

mallory Square for sunset and street entertainers.

West Martello Tower near the airport has some intersting history and also the real "Robert the Doll"

Hemmingway House--must do.

Trumans' "Little white House"

Cemetary is interesting--you can see the USS Maine memorial.

The butterfly conservatory is really interesting. Definately worth a visit.

The wrecker's museum is hokey, but the climb to the top of the tower offers great views.

There are various sunset and "booze cruises", but my favorite is the "Jolly Rover II" which is a rigged ship and--waaay more laid back than the Fury nonsense and it is BYOB.

Planty of great charter fishing trips to choose from--go to Charter row.

I would avoid Duval when cruise ships are in-port--gets crazy packed.

There are also things to do in the mid-upper keys of you have a car. Bahia Honda state Park has an actual "beack" and you can see remants of the Flagler RR (and original US1 built on top)

Big Pine Key has the key deer refuge. Drive out to No-Name Key and check them out (and when there stop at the no-name pub for a beer and pizza)

Drive over the 7-mile bridge and check out the old 7-mile bridge (before they raze it--ongoing battle)

Last time there, we took a helicpoter tour down to Plantation Key--very cool trip--lots of sealife to check out from the air

Some photos for inspiration


Hemmingway House

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1370869854.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1370869901.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1370869944.jpg

Sunset

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1370870027.jpg

View from Latitudes


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1370870091.jpg

Sloppy Joes

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1370870173.jpg

I grew up in the keys, Islamorada to be specific.

Stop At Ms. Macks in Key Largo for lunch on your way down.

Late afternoon drinks at the Tiki Bar then dinner at Marker 88 in Islamorada (my grandfather opened this place and sold in the 80s, great food).

We always try to stay at the Andrew's Inn in KW. Nice bed and breakfast with close proximity to pretty much everything in KW. Park your car and rent a scooter for the weekend.

Many of the bars on Duval change ownership from year to year so explore and have fun. Hemingway House is cool and of course you have to hit Sloppy Joe's. Jimmy Buffets burger joint is over rated, I would skip it for the local places.

If you have time book a sea-plane down to Ft. Jefferson, it is a very cool day trip.

Key West is a blast, I have been more times since I left the keys than I ever went when I lived down there. In High School we played KW High in football, the running joke back then (80s) was that if you dropped your wallet in KW you had to kick it all the way back home.

Have fun.

Here is the Great Website with lot of info Florida Keys Vacations

Thanks guys ---- I'm lookin forward to this roadtrip in my 88 Triple Black Coupe-- I leave San Antonio last week of September and travel to KW via NOLA (small fly trip return to NYC for someones bday ex NOLA) ---then drive NOLA to in FL in 1st week October and drive to KW -- return to San Antonio fast via interstate and then fly to Hawaii for a break from driving -- then fly to Australia ---- all tips along the way are welcome and appreciated ....

I spent 7 days there years ago. Did you know that is has NO BEACH? I'm not going to knock the place, but if your thinking this is a US Mainland version of a Carribean island you are mistaken. Did I mention it has NO BEACH? It's got a lot of quirky attractions and followings by people of all gender (and transgender) but once in a lifetime was plenty enough for me. I think this a required pilgrimage by all the Parrotheads once in their lifetime. I just didn't get it. I was hoping for a tropical paradise and found out it had NO BEACH!:D (On the way there, I did think some of the lesser known Keys did look beautiful)

Thank you, just put another check mark on the list of places I'll never need to go to.

Since you are driving--check into getting a temporary Sunpass for the turnpike if your route is taking you through Miami--you NEED a transponder to travel the toll road since they eliminated any type of collection booths.