[stags]

My wife and I are heading to the Keys end of June - plan is to fly to Ft. Laud., rent a car and drive down kinda freestyle. We don't fish, golf or dive (for which there is no end of information); this is more of a "toes in the water, a$$ in the sand" deal. Looking for suggestions on places to stay (or to avoid), best beaches, bars, attractions, even where or what car to rent as I haven't done that deal in years.

Is it necessary to book hotels ahead that time of year or should we be able to find decent rooms as needed?

All ideas welcome. Thanks, Mark O.

[goatless]

By all means, book a room in advance! There are lots of hotels there, from fabulous to flea bag places I wouldn't board my dog at!

Key West isn't that big, so you can check out all of the bars on foot to see what suits your style. Beaches are the same deal but you may want to drive. None of the beaches are that great, but they'll all do in a pinch.

One thing I'd recommend is to go snorkeling out on the reef. There are tons of boats that go out. If you've got time, go out to Dry Tortugas National Park. It's an all day trip as it's way out in the Gulf of Mexico. There you can tour the fort and enjoy all the history, then snorkel and then kick back on the beach.

Oh yeah, the number one priority- RENT A CONVERTIBLE! The Mustang is way better than the Sebring so choose wisely.

[Old Goat Racer]

We drove down there in Dec '92 in my New Corvette Conv. Key West was a cluster.
No safe place to park my new ride. Motels were in the $250 range (20 years ago).
Plenty of great food along the way. We drove back to Miami to get a room.

I could have enjoyed the trip differently in a rental car.

[Cammer-6]

are you military?if so the navy base has a nice hotel

[form74]

Been a few years since I went first time we drove down from Boca Raton for the day, big mistake, long drive threw the keys and back as you go threw al lthe small towns and parking is a nightmare. 2nd time we booked a room on the North End of Key West and rented a moped, you can park it most everywhere in downtown. You will see some wild sites as some of the locals are quite colorful.

[sonjaab]

Its summer !
Florida is empty !!!!!!!!!!!! Snowbirds are GONE!
Motel deals are to be had galore. Ca$h talks for cheap room rates
at the mom and pop motels if your not the fussy/hi-class type.
Ragtops are nice but the sun will eat you alive during the day.
Reserve the cheapest car they have on line and trade up at the
rental counter for a ragtop for the best deal.
Parking and driving will be easy in the Keys since the tourists are gone.

Just wing it and polk around key west and stop along the keys at anything
that interests you................

Have a good time!

I lived in West Palm for 10 years and now have a home and winter in Daytona.

[FrankieT/A]

Check out Mallory Square on key west in the early evening, pretty interesting. They all kinds of side show acts. If the dude with the cats is still there, he's pretty entertaining.

Enjoy!

[hurryinhoosier62]

DO NOT drive U.S.1 through Miami UNLESS you really like carrying a pistol on your lap. Take the tollway to where it intersects U.S. 1 (south of Homestead). If you go to the Keys on the weekend, prepare for a LONG drive either coming or going. We stay on the islands east of Key West and drive in. Not only is it cheaper, the drive across the Florida Straits is stunning.

[FrankieT/A]

Definitely take the turnpike south for sure coming from Ft. Lauderdale. If you want sort of an interesting ride, when you get to Florida City, which is where the turnpike dumps you off(you will know it when the highway ends), you will be on US 1. Go past the traffic lights you will see a sign that says "Card Sound Road" turn left there. Follow that and it will take you back to US 1 ultimately, it's cool ride and takes about the same amount of time give or take. Everybody I take that way always says that's the best part of the ride. The only place in the United States that has salt water crocks. But don't expect to see any! I've been going that way for over thirty years and haven't seen one yet. Lol

[james brady]

I have a son who bartended at the Hyat for 7 years in Key West. Rates are resonable in the summer but the heat and humidity are unberable, go in January!

[hurryinhoosier62]

James,

That's the ENTIRE state of Florida in the summer!

[Jim Scites]

There used to be a mini-sea world type of thing in Islamorada. They had an entertaining show and it was pretty reasonable. I agree about snorkeling, my wife doesn't swim but they gave her a life jacket, once you lay face down in the water and look at the fish and coral you will be amazed. If you go to any of the shops you can't be in a hurry because the people that own the shops aren't. They will hold a conversation and ignore you for a very long time, I walked out of more than one T-shirt place. Make sure you go to the sunset festival, it's just a bunch of people staring at the water but it's worth doing once.
All in all, the water is just as clear and pretty as any of the islands in the Caribbean but it's' still in the US.
The picture is from the sunset festival from many years ago.

[stags]

Appreciate the ideas so far.

Jeremy, convertible - yes! I'm gonna miss my Goat but not the black interior and will appreciate having AC when the sun's too much. I'm 6'3" so I'll have to "test sit" a Stang before I go. Tortugas trip sounds good if time allows and I will get to some snorkeling and jet skiing.

sonjaab - that's what I'm hoping - crowds should be minimal. As for the room, doesn't have to be the Plaza but got to be clean. Wife prefers the resort types so that's probably where we'll end up

hurryinhoosier62/FrankieTA - avoiding Miami like a rap concert. Card Sound Road sounds interesting.

james brady - hot - I know, but it's easier for us to get away right now.

Jim Scites - Islamorada is on our list. My wife's friend has family there and suggested some stops. You hit the nail on the head - we've been to the Carribean enough - looking for the weather, sunsets, etc but on US soil.

Thanks and keep 'em coming.

[GpFreak]

Stayed at one of the oldest places in Key West named Casa Marina back in 1998. Nice dinner at Flaglers in the hotel, they even had cigars and brandy for after. Another great place to eat is Pepe's Café. Don't forget to hit Sloppy Joe's and then Sunset pier for the pirates.

http://sloppyjoes.com/

[69goatboy]

In Key West, stay away from any bars that have a number for the name.

Well, unless you like to swing the other way that is.

I know the snow birds have left, but the spring breakers might still be around and the end of the year college trippers will be moving in, so hotel deals might not be there.

[428PHIL]

Mark
Since your renting a car I would stay over by the airport away from Duval St. Some people complain about noise from the airport, but it's really not bad. No planes after 7:00 PM and none before 7:00AM We have stayed at the Best Western Ambassaror 5-6 times. Great pool, clean and a nice tiki bar. The beach is about a mile down the street, nice walk in the morning. Takes about 15 min. to drive to Sloppy Joe's. Park the car on Green st down by Schooner Wharf ($10-$15 bucks) cheaper then other places. Schooner Wharf is a great dive place, live music two happy hours 8-noon, and 4-7. Not really a bldg, all outside lots of chickens, and a dirt floor. About mile marker 38 you could checkout Bahia Honda State park ($12. to get in) listed as one of the best beaches in the Keys. Also south of Bahia checkout the "No Name Pub" on no name key. Neat place to have lunch.

When coming into Key West on 1 about a 1/2 mile before you turn is Bone Island. Great local bar on the right called Huricane Hole, go down to the back. Good food and happy hour. Am sure you'll find a lot of other good places when you walk around. Just remember there really are no big beaches in the Keys. Have a great trip.

[John V.]

I always wanted to get to Key West, finally did about 10 years ago. I have no interest in going back. But if you've never been, I understand the allure.

More recently, stayed at Hawks Cay in Marathon. Pretty nice place. Was on business, so didn't get to do any touristy stuff. They had a nice pool and a swim with the dolphins deal.

For my money, the lack of nice beaches makes Key West less attractive. That plus the fact it is such a long drive. Why spend your vacation driving?

While in Marathon, I knew some folks that drove out to Key West for a long evening. They got back very late but point is, you could visit Key West for a day, see the sun set and all that without having to stay out there. Staying in Marathon shortens the return drive to Ft. Lauderdale when vacation is over.

My wife and I prefer beaches so the Keys is limited. Check out Sombrero Beach in Marathon.

[428PHIL]

Mark
Did you decide what you are going to do for your Key West trip.

[stags]

Phil

My wife booked the first 2 or 3 days at a resort in Islamorada that a friend of hers recommended. The idea of just winging it for the whole week was out of her comfort zone (lol). After that we'll improvise our way down to Key West and back. Got some great suggestions on places to see along the way so I'm sure we'll be busy. Hurricane Hole is on the list, thank you - just hope it doesn't become one for real and of course, Sloppy Joe's.

[David Holmberg]

Here is a little known plan that I really like.

Fly into Ft Myers, take one of the Key West water shuttles to Key West (a great ride). Rent a moped when you arrive and spend your time checking out all the cool places.

Almost everyone will tell you the worst part is the drive from Miami to Key West and parking. This eliminates those issues and replaces it with a really nice boat trip.

I know its too late for you on this trip, but might help someone else.

Enjoy your trip!