Florida Keys
Mar 1st, 2017, 11:05 AM
#1
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Florida Keys
A group of us (6 adults and 3 children) are interested in visiting the Florida Keys for a week. None of us have been there and would love to get some suggestions. We like to hang out at the beach and drive around to explore new places. Because we have children, we are not looking for places with lively night life.
1) When is the best time to go? We are looking at either 06/17 - 06/24 or 08/05 - 08/12.
2) We are planning to rent a house/apartment for the duration from either VRBO or Airbnb and take a few day trips to visit other location. What would be a good place to have this home base?
3) Any place to stay away from?
1) When is the best time to go? We are looking at either 06/17 - 06/24 or 08/05 - 08/12.
2) We are planning to rent a house/apartment for the duration from either VRBO or Airbnb and take a few day trips to visit other location. What would be a good place to have this home base?
3) Any place to stay away from?
Mar 1st, 2017, 11:10 AM
#2
It might be helpful if you told us why the Keys seem attractive. Not saying they aren't but when you say you like to "hang out at the beach" the Keys may not be the ideal place to do that.
I'm going to pass on the VRBO/Airbnb thing and let others make suggestions.
The "few day trips"...to where, exactly?
I'm going to pass on the VRBO/Airbnb thing and let others make suggestions.
The "few day trips"...to where, exactly?
Mar 1st, 2017, 12:16 PM
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We have visited Florida before (Orlando, Tampa, Miami)but have never gone south of Miami so we figure it is time for a visit to the keys. We love to spend time in/near the water. Being from Northern California, we have plenty of beaches but the water is always too cold. I actually was not exactly correct when I said we like to hang out at the beach. We like to be near the water however we do not enjoy laying in the sand all day long. The keys seem attractive - long stretch of water with lots of places to explore. I haven't done my homework so I don't know which areas to target for our day trips. Was hoping for suggestions while waiting for my Florida Keys guide book to arrive 
.
.
Mar 1st, 2017, 12:34 PM
#4
Hoai, thanks for your reply which makes perfect sense.
The reason I asked about those daytrips is due, as much as anything, to the Keys geography which I am certain you already understand.
Doing a daytrip from Key West could be challenging, for example.
You will most definitely be near the water for sure and it will be warm enough to go into, too.
While you are considering all of this do you think you might be as, if not more, interested in the southWEST coast of Florida? Sanibel and Captiva, for example. If not, no worries.
Am sure a lot of folks will comment now that we know where you have already BEEN in Florida (which helps, IMO) and there are plenty of "Keys people" out there (I live on the beach in Fort Lauderdale and I am not necessarily amongst them and although I think Key West and surrounds are worthwhile for a visit I think there are other Keys places just as satisfying).
The reason I asked about those daytrips is due, as much as anything, to the Keys geography which I am certain you already understand.
Doing a daytrip from Key West could be challenging, for example.
You will most definitely be near the water for sure and it will be warm enough to go into, too.
While you are considering all of this do you think you might be as, if not more, interested in the southWEST coast of Florida? Sanibel and Captiva, for example. If not, no worries.
Am sure a lot of folks will comment now that we know where you have already BEEN in Florida (which helps, IMO) and there are plenty of "Keys people" out there (I live on the beach in Fort Lauderdale and I am not necessarily amongst them and although I think Key West and surrounds are worthwhile for a visit I think there are other Keys places just as satisfying).
Mar 2nd, 2017, 05:12 AM
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My first trip to the Keys was in mid June and the weather was great. Key West is so much fun. There is an aquarium, butterfly conservatory, a Conch Train tour that is great for first time visitors. Great place for a day trip to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson (with snorkeling) via ferry or to Bahia Honda Key where you can explore part of the original bridge with great views and a small beach.
May want to look at properties in Truman annex to rent for the week. Many come with pools.
May want to look at properties in Truman annex to rent for the week. Many come with pools.
Mar 2nd, 2017, 05:34 AM
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Key West has a few small beaches (small in comparison to many big beaches in mainland Florida). The largest is Smathers Beach, in what is called "Midtown" and there is also Higgs Beach, closed to Old Town.
There have been several recent threads about visiting Key West, with lots of information about what to see and where to stay, in Old Town or in newer parts of the island. Just search the Forida forum.
You can easily spend several days in Key West, lots of things to see and do. Enjoy!
There have been several recent threads about visiting Key West, with lots of information about what to see and where to stay, in Old Town or in newer parts of the island. Just search the Forida forum.
You can easily spend several days in Key West, lots of things to see and do. Enjoy!
Mar 2nd, 2017, 07:23 AM
#8
You might also want to AVOID Key West when any cruise ships are in. Here's a link to the schedule:
http://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/department/calendar.php
http://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/department/calendar.php
Mar 4th, 2017, 08:35 AM
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If you envision endless beaches with white soft sand, Key West is not the place to go. There a few small beaches with sand shipped in from the Bahamas. The coral reefs that surround the Keys are to blame for the lack of sand.
Mar 4th, 2017, 12:26 PM
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About those cruise ships...in any given week there will be one or more cruise ships one, two, or three days of the week in the summer. Now, in March, it is the peak season and this week five of the seven days have cruise ships scheduled. A useful thing to remember is this: the cruise ships dock in the morning and passengers usually start leaving the ships around 9 a.m.
The two main piers, A and B, are located on the edge of Mallory Square. If you look at an online map of Key West, imagine waves of cruise ship visitors heading out in this pattern: first, Mallory Square-Hogs Breath (gotta buy a T-shirt), Sloppy Joe's (gotta buy another T-shirt), hop on the conch train or trolley...then by 10 a.m. the cruise crowds and other visitors are really accumulating out at the Hemingway House (the 900 block of Whitehead, about a 25-minute walk from Mallory Square) and the Lighthouse (across the street from Hemingway). A smaller number of cruise visitors will start heading into the Truman Little White House (I'm a guide there, we see them come in late morning, with the tide ebbing in early afternoon).
By 1:00 p.m., the cruise visitors start heading back toward Mallory Square, grabbing lunch, and getting close to the ships. They do not want to miss their ship! The ships start boarding around 2 or 2:30 p.m. and then they lead around 3:30 p.m. and after.
So if you arrange your day around this "flow", you won't be much affected by the presence of cruise ships. There's much to see beyond the "cruise ship visitor zone"--just check out any good guide book.
Enjoy!
The two main piers, A and B, are located on the edge of Mallory Square. If you look at an online map of Key West, imagine waves of cruise ship visitors heading out in this pattern: first, Mallory Square-Hogs Breath (gotta buy a T-shirt), Sloppy Joe's (gotta buy another T-shirt), hop on the conch train or trolley...then by 10 a.m. the cruise crowds and other visitors are really accumulating out at the Hemingway House (the 900 block of Whitehead, about a 25-minute walk from Mallory Square) and the Lighthouse (across the street from Hemingway). A smaller number of cruise visitors will start heading into the Truman Little White House (I'm a guide there, we see them come in late morning, with the tide ebbing in early afternoon).
By 1:00 p.m., the cruise visitors start heading back toward Mallory Square, grabbing lunch, and getting close to the ships. They do not want to miss their ship! The ships start boarding around 2 or 2:30 p.m. and then they lead around 3:30 p.m. and after.
So if you arrange your day around this "flow", you won't be much affected by the presence of cruise ships. There's much to see beyond the "cruise ship visitor zone"--just check out any good guide book.
Enjoy!
Mar 4th, 2017, 06:07 PM
#11
With the VERY GREATEST of respect for the two airports above, take a LOOK at that cruise ship schedule: notice that many of the departure times are at 5 PM..Usually passengers are asked to be back on board NLT 30 minutes prior to sailing.
I'm sorry but if you think there is some sort of "regular flow" to ANY cruise ship passengers then your experience in Key West is going to be a LOT different than ours has been. That would be BOTH as a cruise ship passenger and as a visitor watching them all around me on Duval Street and a few other places.
Have a wonderful time in Key West regardless.
I'm sorry but if you think there is some sort of "regular flow" to ANY cruise ship passengers then your experience in Key West is going to be a LOT different than ours has been. That would be BOTH as a cruise ship passenger and as a visitor watching them all around me on Duval Street and a few other places.
Have a wonderful time in Key West regardless.
Mar 4th, 2017, 06:45 PM
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Re the "cruise ship passenger zone" -- yes, some of the ships leave later in the afternoon. But one should not exaggerate their impact. There are a lot of sites in town which are not heavily impacted by cruise shop crowds. Here are a few:
--Key West cemetery: wonderful place, from the 1840s; wander after getting the free map from the sexton's office at Passover Lane; look for the grave marker stating "I Told You I Was Sick" and the graves of the three little Yorkshire Terriers
--the beautiful 19th century mansions on Southard (pronounced "sutherd") Street and Fleming Street
--Saint Paul's Church, Duval and Eaton (nary a tourist there!); Bahamian-style church from early 1900s; fine stained glass windows; Sunday afternoon concerts if you happen to be in town at that time
--Saint Peter's Church: historic Bahamian African church on Center street just south of the Petronia intersection
--Cornish Church: the largest Bahamian African church in town; on Whitehead Street, a block from the Green Parrot; commemorates Sandy Cornish, a Bahamian who refused to be enslaved; prosperous entrepreneur in post-Civil War Key West
--West Martello Tower: Civil War era fortified tower; also the home of the Key West Garden Club; beautiful tropical gardens inside the little fort; go up to the top walls for a fine view of the sea
--African Cemetery Memorial: dedicated to the scores of Africans who perished from a slaving ship before the Civil War; marks the approximate site of their burial; on the edge of Higgs Beach
--Casa Marina: one of the first Flagler hotels, completed in the early 1920s; famous visitors include Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, and Martha Gellhorn (Hemingway Wife No. 3--but she dumped him, not vice versa! HH was not amused); have lunch or a drink in the gorgeous beach cafe overlooking the sea
--Bahama Village: the earliest settlers of Key West included white English Bahamians and African Bahamians, both free and enslaved; this neighborhood can be visited by taking an interesting walk down Thomas Street, from the intersection of Thomas and Southard down to the end of Thomas (the Atlantic end), where it stops at the Martin Luther King Community Center
--the MLK Community Center (see just above): free community pool, which is built on the second floor of the center; even if you don't walk to swim, check in, free, and walk up to see a beautiful view over the Straits of Florida; chairs under sun screens for relaxing
--White Street Pier: just on the edge of Higgs Beach; walk out to see the pelicans, gulls, turquoise water, and in early morning the magnificent sunrises
--Cuban cafe con leche and pan con queso: visit the little Cuban cafes--Five Brothers (muy fuerte cafe!) at the corner of Southard and Grinnell; Felix' "No Name Cafe" in the M&M Laundromat at the corner of White Street and United Street; Sandy's Cafe at the corner of White Street and Virginia Street
--the small but very interesting Tennessee Williams Museum, on Truman just to the east of Duval Street
--a coffee, or drink, or snack/breakfast/lunch/dinner at the Southernmost Beach Cafe, at the Atlantic end (=high number end) of Duval Steet, overlooking the beach where Tennessee Williams swam each morning
--Saint Mary Star of the Sea Basilica: corner of Truman and Windsor Lane; Tennessee Williams was baptized here late in his life (he may not have been fully conscious when he did this??); visit the shrine which native Key Westers claim has protected the island against hurricane devastation; light a candle, make a wish
--Fort Zachary Taylor: go out to the far west end of Southard Street to enter this great Florida state park, Civil War fort, forested picnic area, beach, snack bar, and excellent viewing point from the jetty to see the sunset, minus the crowds which you would encounter at Mallory Square
So...even though you may still have some cruise ship passengers wandering around the Mallory Square area at 4:00 p.m., there is a lot of Key West to explore at your leisure, minus the crowds!
--Key West cemetery: wonderful place, from the 1840s; wander after getting the free map from the sexton's office at Passover Lane; look for the grave marker stating "I Told You I Was Sick" and the graves of the three little Yorkshire Terriers
--the beautiful 19th century mansions on Southard (pronounced "sutherd") Street and Fleming Street
--Saint Paul's Church, Duval and Eaton (nary a tourist there!); Bahamian-style church from early 1900s; fine stained glass windows; Sunday afternoon concerts if you happen to be in town at that time
--Saint Peter's Church: historic Bahamian African church on Center street just south of the Petronia intersection
--Cornish Church: the largest Bahamian African church in town; on Whitehead Street, a block from the Green Parrot; commemorates Sandy Cornish, a Bahamian who refused to be enslaved; prosperous entrepreneur in post-Civil War Key West
--West Martello Tower: Civil War era fortified tower; also the home of the Key West Garden Club; beautiful tropical gardens inside the little fort; go up to the top walls for a fine view of the sea
--African Cemetery Memorial: dedicated to the scores of Africans who perished from a slaving ship before the Civil War; marks the approximate site of their burial; on the edge of Higgs Beach
--Casa Marina: one of the first Flagler hotels, completed in the early 1920s; famous visitors include Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, and Martha Gellhorn (Hemingway Wife No. 3--but she dumped him, not vice versa! HH was not amused); have lunch or a drink in the gorgeous beach cafe overlooking the sea
--Bahama Village: the earliest settlers of Key West included white English Bahamians and African Bahamians, both free and enslaved; this neighborhood can be visited by taking an interesting walk down Thomas Street, from the intersection of Thomas and Southard down to the end of Thomas (the Atlantic end), where it stops at the Martin Luther King Community Center
--the MLK Community Center (see just above): free community pool, which is built on the second floor of the center; even if you don't walk to swim, check in, free, and walk up to see a beautiful view over the Straits of Florida; chairs under sun screens for relaxing
--White Street Pier: just on the edge of Higgs Beach; walk out to see the pelicans, gulls, turquoise water, and in early morning the magnificent sunrises
--Cuban cafe con leche and pan con queso: visit the little Cuban cafes--Five Brothers (muy fuerte cafe!) at the corner of Southard and Grinnell; Felix' "No Name Cafe" in the M&M Laundromat at the corner of White Street and United Street; Sandy's Cafe at the corner of White Street and Virginia Street
--the small but very interesting Tennessee Williams Museum, on Truman just to the east of Duval Street
--a coffee, or drink, or snack/breakfast/lunch/dinner at the Southernmost Beach Cafe, at the Atlantic end (=high number end) of Duval Steet, overlooking the beach where Tennessee Williams swam each morning
--Saint Mary Star of the Sea Basilica: corner of Truman and Windsor Lane; Tennessee Williams was baptized here late in his life (he may not have been fully conscious when he did this??); visit the shrine which native Key Westers claim has protected the island against hurricane devastation; light a candle, make a wish
--Fort Zachary Taylor: go out to the far west end of Southard Street to enter this great Florida state park, Civil War fort, forested picnic area, beach, snack bar, and excellent viewing point from the jetty to see the sunset, minus the crowds which you would encounter at Mallory Square
So...even though you may still have some cruise ship passengers wandering around the Mallory Square area at 4:00 p.m., there is a lot of Key West to explore at your leisure, minus the crowds!
Mar 12th, 2017, 07:40 AM
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Hmmm. How old are your 3 kids? Are they old enough to snorkel? If so, make sure you go on a snorkeling trip in the middle Keys. It's the only place in the states where you have access to a real reef! Check out advice at tropicalsnorkeling.com.
My husband and I just finished a bike trip from Key Largo to Key West, and I can assure you there are lots of low-key things to do all over the Keys. Lots of "manmade" destinations such as the turtle rescue, the Dolphin Research center and Theater of the Sea, kind of a Sea World type place without the rides. Several opportunities to interact with dolphins, all for a price. Lots of adventures by boat, especially fishing, which the Keys is famous for. Those cost money too but we saw lots of signs that they're trying to make it affordable for families.
For less money, look to the state parks with beaches, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing. Bahia Honda is a definite day trip with a beautiful beach and a great view of the old railroad bridge that illustrates the demise of Henry Flagler's Dream of a train from miami to key west. Check out Park nature programs involving the mangroves. Friends took a guided kayak trip in Islamorada that they loved, saw gators etc. Long Key State Park also seemed to have a lot going on, and the Aquatic Bight is a place I'd like to explore via kayak.
Key West of course is a fun day trip for wandering around. Lots going on. Street performers pack Mallory Square before and after sunset. Ft Zachary Taylor state park has a beautiful beach right next to the old fort. Adults will find Truman's Little White House interesting and surprising. The Dry Tortugas is a great but very pricy day trip. The ferry is $175 and there's only one (this is a point of contention considering it's a national park that many Americans cannot afford to see). And it fills up, so if you have your heart set on it during a busy period, book ahead. As for crowds in key west, We were not bothered by cruise ship crowds even tho cruise ships were there when we were.
Try to find a rental that's on a sandy beach if you can. That would just make life easier for relaxing with kids. And if you like the idea of watching the sunset from your condo, make sure you rent on the sunset side! Keep an eye out for happy hour deals, which often involve food. A real score is a happy hour restaurant with happy-hour bites on a beach that faces the sunset!
If you do end up in Islamorada, a street called Mallory has attracted half a dozen art galleries and a craft brewery with tasting flights. We can recommend a restaurant called Kaiyo's Grill for some innovative sushi. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort which is a old-timey kind of place with a good beach. (Make sure everybody has water shoes in any case. The Keys beaches have rocks and coral pieces even when they're sandy.)
My husband and I just finished a bike trip from Key Largo to Key West, and I can assure you there are lots of low-key things to do all over the Keys. Lots of "manmade" destinations such as the turtle rescue, the Dolphin Research center and Theater of the Sea, kind of a Sea World type place without the rides. Several opportunities to interact with dolphins, all for a price. Lots of adventures by boat, especially fishing, which the Keys is famous for. Those cost money too but we saw lots of signs that they're trying to make it affordable for families.
For less money, look to the state parks with beaches, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing. Bahia Honda is a definite day trip with a beautiful beach and a great view of the old railroad bridge that illustrates the demise of Henry Flagler's Dream of a train from miami to key west. Check out Park nature programs involving the mangroves. Friends took a guided kayak trip in Islamorada that they loved, saw gators etc. Long Key State Park also seemed to have a lot going on, and the Aquatic Bight is a place I'd like to explore via kayak.
Key West of course is a fun day trip for wandering around. Lots going on. Street performers pack Mallory Square before and after sunset. Ft Zachary Taylor state park has a beautiful beach right next to the old fort. Adults will find Truman's Little White House interesting and surprising. The Dry Tortugas is a great but very pricy day trip. The ferry is $175 and there's only one (this is a point of contention considering it's a national park that many Americans cannot afford to see). And it fills up, so if you have your heart set on it during a busy period, book ahead. As for crowds in key west, We were not bothered by cruise ship crowds even tho cruise ships were there when we were.
Try to find a rental that's on a sandy beach if you can. That would just make life easier for relaxing with kids. And if you like the idea of watching the sunset from your condo, make sure you rent on the sunset side! Keep an eye out for happy hour deals, which often involve food. A real score is a happy hour restaurant with happy-hour bites on a beach that faces the sunset!
If you do end up in Islamorada, a street called Mallory has attracted half a dozen art galleries and a craft brewery with tasting flights. We can recommend a restaurant called Kaiyo's Grill for some innovative sushi. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort which is a old-timey kind of place with a good beach. (Make sure everybody has water shoes in any case. The Keys beaches have rocks and coral pieces even when they're sandy.)
May 9th, 2017, 03:39 PM
#16
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After checking out a few guide books we have tentatively planned a couple of day trips from Islamorada - Key West, and Bahia Honda state park. We have lots of questions so any input is appreciated.
1. Is a day trip to the everglade workable? Once there should we sign up for an Airboat or canoe tour? Can you recommend an outfit?
I saw some recommended trails but I am apprehensive about venturing out on our own...afraid of an encounter with alligators/crocodiles!
2. Is John PenneKamp Coral reef worth a visit?
3. Should we plan a kayak trip to Indian Key?
4. Any other suggestions?
To answer pthonas156, our children are 16, 14, and 13
1. Is a day trip to the everglade workable? Once there should we sign up for an Airboat or canoe tour? Can you recommend an outfit?
I saw some recommended trails but I am apprehensive about venturing out on our own...afraid of an encounter with alligators/crocodiles!
2. Is John PenneKamp Coral reef worth a visit?
3. Should we plan a kayak trip to Indian Key?
4. Any other suggestions?
To answer pthonas156, our children are 16, 14, and 13
May 9th, 2017, 03:40 PM
#17
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After checking out a few guide books we have tentatively planned a couple of day trips from Islamorada - Key West, and Bahia Honda state park. We have lots of questions so any input is appreciated.
1. Is a day trip to the everglade workable? Once there should we sign up for an Airboat or canoe tour? Can you recommend an outfit?
I saw some recommended trails but I am apprehensive about venturing out on our own...afraid of an encounter with alligators/crocodiles!
2. Is John PenneKamp Coral reef worth a visit?
3. Should we plan a kayak trip to Indian Key?
4. Any other suggestions?
To answer pthonas156, our children are 16, 14, and 13
1. Is a day trip to the everglade workable? Once there should we sign up for an Airboat or canoe tour? Can you recommend an outfit?
I saw some recommended trails but I am apprehensive about venturing out on our own...afraid of an encounter with alligators/crocodiles!
2. Is John PenneKamp Coral reef worth a visit?
3. Should we plan a kayak trip to Indian Key?
4. Any other suggestions?
To answer pthonas156, our children are 16, 14, and 13
May 10th, 2017, 11:09 AM
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Hoai, may I add one word to your planning list? SUNSCREEN! I know this may seem blindingly obvious, but you are visiting in the summer. Already in mid-May, the sun right now (I'm on my back covered deck in Old Town Key West) is ferocious. And on the beach, or on a boat, it will be even more so.
Even strolling early this morning, on the shady side of the street, to get my Cuban coffee and pan con queso, I did the whole routine: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Avoid a bad burn, it can be a bummer.
Even strolling early this morning, on the shady side of the street, to get my Cuban coffee and pan con queso, I did the whole routine: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Avoid a bad burn, it can be a bummer.
May 11th, 2017, 10:01 AM
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We will be flying into Miami, rent a car and use it to travel up and down the keys. I saw in another threat that it might be advisable to purchase a sunpass sticker for $5. Does it work on a rental car? I believe that rental companies offer toll programs as well but I assume that they will be more expensive.
