Nadine

Any suggestions for what to do Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

jessie

What are you looking to do? Site see, dine, fish? It is just another normal day.

grglnswsh

Nothing really special goes on. We (locals) do all of our parades and what not earlier in the month. I am sure there will be some nice dinner specials and brunches though. The town will be pretty quiet through the 24th and then on the 25th, it gets crazy. This is a good time of year to make reservations for anything you want to do that will take them.

Greg

Just got back from Key West, and let me tell you it's dead, dead, dead. Businesses are suffering BIG TIME. They also anticipate a much smaller crowd during the busy season {May through July}. No one can remember when it was this bad for tourism in Key West. Two reasons for the downturn are: 1. Many people are afraid to fly. 2. It's a 4 to 6 hour drive from Miami International Airport. It's not a hassle free destination.

KWguy

I guess it's whether you see the glass as half empty or half full. Sure, tourism is down in a lot of places, but one person's "dead" is another person's "peaceful."

I'd do some investigation beforehand and make a dinner reservation. Chances are that you can do whatever you like to do outdoors: walk, bike, play tennis, golf, etc., and just enjoy the weather. And, since it's Christmas, whether you're religious or not, you can attend a church service.

I was in a small town in Great Britain this year on Easter. Everything, quite literally, was closed. And the weather was damp and chilly. Nevertheless, with a little forethought, a warm sweater, and a lot of wine, we had a great day.

viv

If it is so dead why are the hotles still charging top dollar?

Greg

"GREED"!

susan

According to what I've heard, this part of December is ALWAYS pretty dead in Key West. And I sure wouldn't consider May through July the "busy" season. Rates start dropping in May because the summer months are so hot and humid.

grglnswsh

It is always "dead" this time of year. It is the slowest part of the year. Many B&B's are reporting a little, if anything at all, drop in business. Same with the moderate and less expensive places to eat. Some of the high dollar places have had a drop in business but not nearly what a lot of other tourist destination places are reporting around the country. KW will be packed starting the day after Christmas like it always is. It is still a very popular destination and one of the only tropical feeling destinations you can get to by car.

Greg

Susan: According to what I've heard, Key West is losing its popularity. Many people are afraid to fly into Miami, and then it's a 4 to 6hr drive all the way down to Key West. I know because I've done it! It's a hassle just to get there. Key West is NOT an easy place to get to, and after you get there, you wonder what all the fuss is about. Give me the sunny, warm caribbean islands any day.

Greg

Grginswsh: According to demograghics and future prospective business reports, Key West is suffering BIG TIME.
Other travel destinations {Cancun, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas} are not suffering nearly as much as Key West. Future B&B and Hotel bookings in Key West are way, way down from previous years. You must remember, it's much easier to fly into a Caribbean Island destination than it is to fly into Miami, AND THEN drive 4, 6 or 8 hours {depending on traffic} into Key West.
Plain and simple, THESE ARE THE FACTS. Key Wests future economy is in jeapardy.

grglnswsh

Greg, I am not going to argue with you. Obviously, we have both seen the facts and have gathered something different from them. I have lived here for years and Yes, KW is not the popular place it was in the 80's but overall it is doing just fine. The carribean is suffering worse than we are but they have some amazing deals and ad campaigns trying to get Florida business so it should be an interesting battle. Overall the island is reporting about a 12% loss in bed tax collection since 9/11. Like I said earlier the more pricey places are taking the majority of the hit. The future booking look about the same. Season is more the Spring months with rates dropping in May for the summer months. It is on the average a 4 hour drive from the airport and usually there are not too many delays. For people who don't like the drive, there are several flights into KW that are very hassle free. The average time it takes to go through the boarding process is about 15 minutes once you have landed in Fort Lauderdale or Miami. Much of our business will come from South Fla in the coming months and many of those people do drive. We also get a huge European market during the Spring and those bookings have not dropped at all.

Bob

I remember "Willy" constantly comparing Key West to the Caribbean. Sounds way too familiar for me.

I've driven from Miami to Key West many times and it's never taken more than 3.5 hours. Pleasant drive, too.

A friend of mine owns a guest house in KW. His business is down 6% in December. Future bookings look "typical" according to him.

If you don't like KW, Greg, don't go. But when you constantly bash a place it simply makes others discount your opinion.

Cindy

Greg, you have no idea what you're talking about! Cancun is WAY DOWN because they don't have the "drive in" market. Ditto for other island destinations. There is a reason you can get hotels for $65 in Cancun now. IT'S BECAUSE NO ONE IS THERE!

x

Greg you must have been given some wrong info. Season in Key West is Jan/Feb through May. Everyone knows that.

susan

Greg - No need to tell ME that it takes a long time to get to Key West!! We normally leave home about 8 in the morning, fly to Dallas, change planes, fly to Miami, then either fly to Key West or drive down. We're lucky to get there by 5 or 6. But is it worth it??? You bet it is!!! And the time it takes to get there hasn't changed a bit since 9/11. We go at least twice a year for a couple of weeks and wouldn't consider not going. If the trip is too long for you, don't go.

With

My wife & I fly to Ft.Lauderdale & rent a convertible & drive down to Key West. We have been driving for years now because we just love the scenic views & the great ocean breezes of the keys as well as the beautiful sites up & down the keys. We have been doing this for years now. We are very lucky that traffic is always great when we travel. This might sound like something else because every one we talk to said they do it once maybe twice but they would rather fly to Key West. We just like to drive to Key West. Is it worth it, you bet it is as Susan says. We do it every time & will continue to do it ever time. Like Grglnswsh said, it is always slow this time of the year & it picks up quite fast starting before New Years. Key West will always be a vacation spot for "all" regardless of the time of year & the only tropical island within the good old USA to drive to & enjoy there paradise vacation! Merry Christmas & Happy New Years!

KathyH

We also fly into Miami, rent a convertible and drive to Key West. We take our time, stop to look at things, sightsee, have lunch, usually 7 Mile Grill, stop again in the afternoon for a snack, and eventually make it to Key West. Half of the fun of this vacation is the trip itself. Well, maybe a quarter of the fun. We love it and love Key West and will be back again this spring. I can't wait.
KathyH

Gina

A slow Key West is actually a blessing! You kind of get a glimpse of what it used to be like. We were there 2nd week of December (our second trip)and loved it. First trip was in 2000 and it was CROWDED. This time was much nicer.

bill

My wife and I go to Key West every year. There are several flights out of Ft. Lauderdale every day on Gulfstream and Cape Air. Comparing Key West to Cancun is like comparing Miami to Acapulco - they both have beaches, but otherwise are totally different! Key West is for those who love to walk, kayak, sail and eat! OK, it's not a bad place to party, either.