Fort Lauderdale to the Keys
Apr 7th, 2004, 10:32 PM
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Fort Lauderdale to the Keys
My husband and I are doing a very late/last minute trip to the Keys for five days. We'll be flying into Fort Lauderdale, then driving out. Looking for some help from fellow fodorites!
- shortcuts? scenic routes? (from FLL to the Keys)
- places to stop by on the drive out, to eat, to see, to experience
- your fave spot for cheap eats in the Keys
- suggestions for budget lodging (but clean!) say, $50 range, $100 range
- suggestions for activities/sites in the Keys
Anything! Anything to do with the drive out there to the stay there. =)
Thanks in advance!!!
- shortcuts? scenic routes? (from FLL to the Keys)
- places to stop by on the drive out, to eat, to see, to experience
- your fave spot for cheap eats in the Keys
- suggestions for budget lodging (but clean!) say, $50 range, $100 range
- suggestions for activities/sites in the Keys
Anything! Anything to do with the drive out there to the stay there. =)
Thanks in advance!!!
Apr 8th, 2004, 01:25 AM
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Just south of Florida City, you'll see left-point signs for Card Sound Road. It's the alternate route to the Keys. The great bar stop there (about 15 miles out) is Alabama Jack's, just before the toll bridge. Great funky feel--daylight hours only, though. Pictures in an album (at bottom) at http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall .
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. One of the Keys jewels.
Key Largo--we love Mrs. Mac's Kitchn for chow. About MM (Mile Marker) 99.5. Awesome onion rings! Not open Sundays, though.
Wild Bird Rehab Center, MM 93.6. Well-worth a stop. Don't pet the pelicans, though. My wife did a few years ago. She got pecked on the nose, and we have't been back since. I've used that as a sly reminder, on occasion, about minding one's own business...
Last couple of years we've stayed at Sunset Cove in Key Largo. Look in the 2003 Keys album at http://photos.yahoo.com/scullyyank .
In Marathon, We've stayed at Hidden Harbor Motel. It's also home to the Turtle Hospital. And only if you stay there can you see them feeding the turtles at 5PM.
While in Marathon, check out Sombrero Beach. It's a great, free, little-known municipal beach/park.
Pigeon Key, just before you cross the 7-Mile Bridge (about MM49) is worth a visit.
Bahia Honda State Park, about MM37, is arguably the 2nd-best state park in the Keys (after Pennekamp.) A mandatory stop on every trip!
Key West--the end of the line. Too many things to see and do. Though it's getting a bit pricey (20-some bucks,) I suggest the Conch Train ride. It hits the high spots, and you can decide what might deserves more of your time later.
We always take about four days getting from Miami to Key West. The trip down, for us, is half the fun! Your problem is going to time allocation. As it is for most visitors to the Keys. We generally leave with reluctance....
Be sure to do a search on this board on Key West, Marathon, Islamorada and the Keys for many more suggestions--it's an oft-discussed subject here.
And for lodging info, check the Visitor's Center/Chamber of Commerce in each of the major towns. They're excellent checkpoints for what, where and how much.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. One of the Keys jewels.
Key Largo--we love Mrs. Mac's Kitchn for chow. About MM (Mile Marker) 99.5. Awesome onion rings! Not open Sundays, though.
Wild Bird Rehab Center, MM 93.6. Well-worth a stop. Don't pet the pelicans, though. My wife did a few years ago. She got pecked on the nose, and we have't been back since. I've used that as a sly reminder, on occasion, about minding one's own business...
Last couple of years we've stayed at Sunset Cove in Key Largo. Look in the 2003 Keys album at http://photos.yahoo.com/scullyyank .
In Marathon, We've stayed at Hidden Harbor Motel. It's also home to the Turtle Hospital. And only if you stay there can you see them feeding the turtles at 5PM.
While in Marathon, check out Sombrero Beach. It's a great, free, little-known municipal beach/park.
Pigeon Key, just before you cross the 7-Mile Bridge (about MM49) is worth a visit.
Bahia Honda State Park, about MM37, is arguably the 2nd-best state park in the Keys (after Pennekamp.) A mandatory stop on every trip!
Key West--the end of the line. Too many things to see and do. Though it's getting a bit pricey (20-some bucks,) I suggest the Conch Train ride. It hits the high spots, and you can decide what might deserves more of your time later.
We always take about four days getting from Miami to Key West. The trip down, for us, is half the fun! Your problem is going to time allocation. As it is for most visitors to the Keys. We generally leave with reluctance....
Be sure to do a search on this board on Key West, Marathon, Islamorada and the Keys for many more suggestions--it's an oft-discussed subject here.
And for lodging info, check the Visitor's Center/Chamber of Commerce in each of the major towns. They're excellent checkpoints for what, where and how much.
Apr 8th, 2004, 06:19 AM
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getawaytime
I'll second what the above poster has said about doing a search here by typing Key West in the little block up top that says, "search this forum". You will be able to read lots of info. My suggestion is to stay in Old Town in Key West as you have to walk anywhere you go. You park your car and leave it for the duration. You might have to raise the price you're willing to pay for lodging. When we were there a few weeks ago, 165.00per night was the cheapest we could find in the location we wanted. However, that was peak season. Have fun!
I'll second what the above poster has said about doing a search here by typing Key West in the little block up top that says, "search this forum". You will be able to read lots of info. My suggestion is to stay in Old Town in Key West as you have to walk anywhere you go. You park your car and leave it for the duration. You might have to raise the price you're willing to pay for lodging. When we were there a few weeks ago, 165.00per night was the cheapest we could find in the location we wanted. However, that was peak season. Have fun!
Apr 10th, 2004, 04:22 PM
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Thank you both so much for all the great information!!! I did a search on the boards as suggested and sure enough, tons of information about visiting the Keys. I can't thank you both enough and all the fodorites who post here!
I did find a fantastic price for three nights in Key West and a night in FLL for $99/night. $50/night was definitely not going to happen! You were so right, CD. But I think I did pretty well considering!
I originally hoped that we would stay in Islamorada for a night, but with such last minute planning, we agreed we that we could always drive out there while staying in Key West if we REALLY wanted to. It just would be too much to have to plan for two different locations for a mere five days and what if we liked Key West to not want to leave or vice versa with Islamorada? I get the impression from these boards that the two have quite a different atmosphere - both of which are appealing to us! I'm already wondering when our next trip back is going to be! haha! Too much cofee, I guess.
Thanks again!
I did find a fantastic price for three nights in Key West and a night in FLL for $99/night. $50/night was definitely not going to happen! You were so right, CD. But I think I did pretty well considering!
I originally hoped that we would stay in Islamorada for a night, but with such last minute planning, we agreed we that we could always drive out there while staying in Key West if we REALLY wanted to. It just would be too much to have to plan for two different locations for a mere five days and what if we liked Key West to not want to leave or vice versa with Islamorada? I get the impression from these boards that the two have quite a different atmosphere - both of which are appealing to us! I'm already wondering when our next trip back is going to be! haha! Too much cofee, I guess.
Thanks again!
Apr 10th, 2004, 11:39 PM
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Definitely go to Bahia Honda park. It was so beautiful we couldn't believe our eyes. We rented a kayak there and paddled over swimming-pool-clear blue water way out and the calm flat water (a VERY warm 80 degrees in MARCH) was only up to our knees. There's a few spots to paddle out to and explore, they can help you...we went to a little mangrove area with lots of crabs and birds. The sand is white and soft, and you'll see critters lapping at the shore in some tidepools. We also took a snorkeling trip through the park to Looe Key, about 40 minutes out on a catamaran, it was a lot of fun and seeing the keys from out on a boat is really cool, especially that area. It is a fantastic place to spend the day, and I'm making myself want to go back, despite the fact we have an upcoming trip back to Hawaii!
love
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love
roxy
Apr 11th, 2004, 03:24 AM
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Well, Bookhall's wife frightened the pelicans at the Wild Bird Center (which is hard to do there, I must add) but my husband did something worse. We came and there was a beautiful, huge great white heron (only found in a few places, including so. florida) that had his wings outspread. I was awed and about to take out my camera when my husband kept walking and scared it off. Anyway, I agree that WBC is wonderful (give them a donation) but the best time to go is feeding times - somewhere in 4 - 6 timeframe, but I forget. Walk down to the water (past the caged section) while you're there.
If you make it all the way to Key West (and you SHOULD) consider staying in a B&B if you like them. There are plenty down there.
If you make it all the way to Key West (and you SHOULD) consider staying in a B&B if you like them. There are plenty down there.
Apr 11th, 2004, 12:59 PM
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Plan your drive to the Keys during daylight hours and make it a leisurely one. I'm not a fan of the Card Sound Road route to the Keys. It adds time, isnt' more scenic (to me) and is narrower. I would skip Pennekamp this trip. Bahia Honda is a better beach, Looe Key is better snorkelling and both are much closer to Key West. Together, they would be a nice day trip. Throw in fresh fish lunch at Monte's on Summerland Key or pizza at No Name Key (Big Pine).
The WBC is at MM 93. I suggest a stop at Robbie's MM 77 to feed to wild tarpon.
The WBC is at MM 93. I suggest a stop at Robbie's MM 77 to feed to wild tarpon.
Apr 17th, 2004, 11:19 AM
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One correction regarding Card Sound Road. On a beautiful Saturday morning, it is probably the better choice because you avoid the drawbridge. Having just sat in drawbridge traffic, I think my future Saturday morning trips will be on Card Sound. However, I still stick to the position that most of the time, the 18 mile stretch is the way to go!
Apr 17th, 2004, 01:02 PM
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get:
I'd suggest the bird sanctuary before going to Pennekamp. By the way, I didn't touch the pelicans just gave them mutual starring looks back. It is only a few miles past the park and you see the birds up close. Then go to Pennekamp and take the glass bottom boat ride that takes you several miles out to Molasses reef to see the marine life (I was surprised how good this trip was). Along the way, which is Largo Sound, on the Mangroves, you'll see the same birds on these trees that you saw up close at the sanctuary thus my suggestion to go there first. I'd also suggest that on your right as soon as you get to Key Largo there will be a Chamber of Commerce for the keys which has personnel and brochures readily available to help you out.
I'd suggest the bird sanctuary before going to Pennekamp. By the way, I didn't touch the pelicans just gave them mutual starring looks back. It is only a few miles past the park and you see the birds up close. Then go to Pennekamp and take the glass bottom boat ride that takes you several miles out to Molasses reef to see the marine life (I was surprised how good this trip was). Along the way, which is Largo Sound, on the Mangroves, you'll see the same birds on these trees that you saw up close at the sanctuary thus my suggestion to go there first. I'd also suggest that on your right as soon as you get to Key Largo there will be a Chamber of Commerce for the keys which has personnel and brochures readily available to help you out.
