I apologize if this has been covered in other threads… can’t search “Key…”
Going on a honemoon the first week in August. Mike really has his heart set on Key West, it being one of the few places in the CONUS he hasn’t been. I have been to Key Biscayne but not Key West, and wanted an ocean location, so Key West it is.
Anyone have a hotel recommendation? What are the must-see places? I already know I definitely want to hit the Hemingway House. And, if we stay right in Key West, do we need to rent a car?
I have a time share and have been going to Key West for 15 years. If you stay down near Duvall street ,you can walk almost everywhere. I drive there and my car sits for 7 days. You can live in shorts and t shirts . Duvall is the key. There are restaurants of all kinds and quality. Chinese, Italian ,Cuban , French etc. I like Louies Back Yard on the Atlantic Ocean. There are world class bars and entertainment at nearly all of them. At yhe downtown end there is The Hogs Breath, Captain Tonys ,Sloppy Joes, Buffets Margaritaville, etc. There are biker bars, gay bars and almost all have live entertainment.
Normal tourists go to pylon 1 blk south of Duvall which is marked the closest spot to Cuba. Down the street is the lighthouse which you can walk up and look around. There is the Wreckers Museum ,Mel Fisher Museum showing the artifracts from the hugely rich and important wreck he found. There is the Hemmingway House that is nice and the cats there have 6 toes. Fort jefferson is a Civil War fort you can walk to.
You can take a trip to the Drey Tortugas by boat or seaplane. It was a Civil War prison and Samual Mudd who treated John Wilkes Booths leg serves real hard time there.
It is a very relaxed and safe place. I would start with the tourist train which will take you around the whole island so you can get your bearings and plan an itinerary.
I had visited there years back and enjoyed watching the sunset from the square. But last time we visited, maybe 5 years ago, there was a cruise ship tied up at the square and you couldn’t even see the sun. Quite disapointing really.
Get into Sloppy Joes web site. They have cameras from around the whole city. You can watch live action in the bar and see the band. Then connect to other bars . You can watch the sunset on the sunset camera every day.
We are flying in, though we haven’t decided if we’re flying into Miami or Key West, renting a car or not. Is it easy to get to the other keys if you don’t have a car?
I’m definitely into the Dry Tortugas idea, btw. I’m dying to go snorkeling. Haven’t been to the Caribbean in 20 years.
Drive from Miami. You drive over about 43 bridges going from Key to Key. The longest is called the 7 mile bridge. I wonder how long it is. It can be a pleasant drive if you enjoy driving. I think it about 150 miles. I have stayed in Marathon and Key Largo. Key West wins by far. But the original African Queen boat is in a Holiday Inn (i think) dock in Key Largo. You could take a quick peek.
