Me and my girlfriend wanted to take a vacation in early August and we both were taken with the prospect of Key West. This is the point where I’m looking for advice on a couple things…
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[li]What are the good things to do or avoid when down there? Is there a “good” or "bad way to do Key West?[/li][li]How concerned should we be about going to Florida water-facing areas in August? (Read: should we be freaked out that it’s technically hurricane season?)[/li][li]Hi Opal. (Sorry. Just had to.)[/li][/ol]
We’ve done it a couple of times. There are some decent beaches and fine restaurants. It’s that kind of town.
Get a nice hotel, not one of the dives. You’ll be a bit further from the action but you’ll appreciate it in the long run.
Visit the Dry Tortugas. It’s an island change a ways to the west where an old fort is located. You can take a tour and see the fort and do some light snorkling with some nice fish to gawk at if you’re into that sort of thing.
The performers at Mallory Square come sunset are worth the walk most nights. They’ve had time to practice their craft.
Well, one question that narrows down the options - are you male or female? (tried to figure it out from previous posts, but I NEVER make assumptions on gender!)
I’ve only been there once, so I’m no expert, but what I like most was basically just the atmoshpere. Living in west central Florida, I wasn’t particularly looking forward to even going there a couple years ago, thinking “I’ve got plenty of beach and bars here; what’s the big deal about Key West?” and I ended up really enjoying it. It really is a unique place. The famous Hemingway house is a must see and I recommend the trolley tour. There’s a cool marine museum too. Mostly the goodness lies in walking around and soaking up the local color (off of Duval St). Oh and do get a pair of sandals from Kino
Last time BF and I went, we stayed at this place . Not too expensive, very clean, and close enough to the action to stagger back to your room after a night out. It’s right on Duvall Street, kind of across from Sloppy Joe’s.
It’s gonna be hotter than the hubs of hell in August, so I would recommend having a drink or two at Fat Tuesday . Mmmm…frozen, spinning, alcoholic, yummy goodness.
You must also have a piece of Key Lime Pie at the Blonde Giraffe. Yes, it’s yellow and not green…yes, it’s supposed to be that way.
It may not be there anymore, but one of the highlights of our day was getting our daily “Mudslides” at local pizza shop. Get on Duval, head to the Atlantic, and it’s on the right hand side (first floor). On a hot day (and in Florida in the summer, it WILL be hot), they were wicked refreshing And, you could get them “to go” (unofficially).
The lighthouse was also pretty great, although it is not for people who are afraid of heights.
There is a multi-story hotel on Duval, with a rooftop bar. It was a pretty wonderful place to watch the sunset. I think it’s a Crowne Plaza now - it’s one of the tallest buildings on Duval.
Oh, fair warning. The sun in Key West is STRONG :eek: , no matter where you are from. The partner Slip tans walking across parking lots, and both he and I turned lobster red (even with factor 15). Get high powered sunblock, and stay out of the sun during peak hours.
I lived there for 8 years - in the 90s - and I try and get back once a year if I can. Sometimes I miss it so much I can’t believe I ever left. (I had my reasons, though.)
Stay at the Eden House - about the same price as a chain, and a thousand times cooler and funkier.
Have dinner at Blue Heaven in Bahama Village. Have another dinner at the very pricey La Terraza Del Marti, commonly known as La Te Da.
Cheaper eats and cold beer - Turtle Kraals at Lands End Village.
Have a drink at the Hogsbreath and send bartender George (a very pretty woman) my fondest regards.
Buy some hot pepper sauce at Peppers of Key West and be prepared to spend all day drinking beer and sampling sauces with my old pal Tom Luna.
The natural beaches aren’t much, but the man made beaches at the Casa Marina Hotel are the nicest, and you can crash them without staying there.
Oh - nude sunbathing at the Atlantic Shores- you have to pay a couple of bucks for your lounge chair, keeps out the riff raff. No cameras, generous bartenders.
Try to dpend an afternoon walking around off Duval Street. The old houses, the gardens, and the cemetary are very much worth wandering around.
If it’s still there, then Two Friends Bar and Restaurant makes the best omelettes. Buy one of the snorkeling trip/sunset cruise packages offered by dozens of boats. You’ll go snorkeling in the afternoon and then sail out to watch the sunset at dusk. Truly amazing sunsets in Key West. Is Captain Tony still alive? If so drop by Capt’n Tony’s and listen to a real character hold court.
Ditto that. I lived in Boca in '87-88 and made four visits to Key West, one in August. The humidity will wilt you. But a bad day in Key West is better than a good day at work.
I stayed at the Atlantic Shores a couple of times with my then-girlfriend, right on the water with a private pool, pier and outdoor bar. However, when I returned one of my co-workers said, “The Atlantic Shores? You mean the gay place?” Didn’t strike me that way though. It was not a dirtbag hotel but not upscale either. I have no idea what that place might be like nearly 20 years later so don’t take this as a recommendation.
Rent scooters. Don’t bother with a car. Parking is very hard to find near Duval Street. You can rent scooters for very cheap. Don’t rent from near the big hotels. Find someone a block off of Duval, who is renting scooters that are a little dinged up. You will pay a lot less, and they run just find.
When we went to Key West, we flew into Miami, rented a car, and drove down. It was a nice drive, and I’m glad we saw the rest of the keys, but we’ve talked about it, and next time, we’ll probably just fly straight into Key West, totally skip getting a car, and get scooters instead.
Also, there are a couple of trolley/busses that run circuits from downtown around to the hotels. You can get a day pass for them. Well worth not having to drive and park.
I have a time share in Key West. Been going there for 15 years. It is different . If you like it you love it . I am old and once I get there I park my car for a week and walk everywhere. That is the only way to see the island. its hokey but start with the Tourist Train. to familiarize yourself with where things are located. a walk down Duval street shows world famous bars and a variety of restaurants.The bars are Hogs Breath,Captain Tonys, Margareetaville,Sloppy Joes and others. Live intertainment from afternoon til 4 in morn. Green Parrot address 0 ,on !75.Problem is I dont know how well it recoverered from the Hurricane last year. Touristy things like Hemmingway House,Fisher Museum and Wreckers Museum are good once.
How about anything for kids? My son and I love saltwater sportfishing, and I know that’s available, but is ther anything else for a teenager not yet imbibing age to do?
Hey, I’m going to Key West too. Second weekend of June. It is going to be my first time. I am staying at the Lighthouse Court. Anyone know if it is a dive or an OK place to stay?
I second the Dry Tortugas visit. I’m not a drinker, so that doesn’t appeal to me. I got bored after 10 minutes on the jetski, and the beaches on Key West ain’t so nice. After visiting the shipwreck museums and the White House South, I was getting sorta tired of the place.
A quick seaplane flight to Ft. Jefferson on the Dry Tortugas changed all that. A fantastic fort, a beautiful beach, clear waters, interesting coral, and visiting a barracuda made it a delight.
A female friend of my wife’s had been contemplating a trip down to Pearl’s Rainbow in Key West. Anybody got any input on that place?
Thanks for all the input everyone. We had a great time and with as hot as the summer has been in KC, Key West was no worse than what I was used to. If anyone is interested, here’s some photos from the trip.
And, you could get them “to go” (unofficially).