Fran

My husband and I are going to Key West in July. I hear the Flordia Keyes are beauitful. We are driving from Maimi to Key West. Hotel will be either Hyatt or the new Hilton...comments or other suggestions? What is there to do in Key West? Recommendations on restaurants?
Fran

JoAnn

Been going to Key West for 21 years--our daughter went there after college and never left!! Take plenty of sun screen! Both hotels are beautiful and are on the water. Don't expect much in beaches in the Keys--waves aren't hard enough, but the Ocean side has the best beaches. It will be hot and humid, but there is always a good breeze. Fishing is good, and so is the diving/snorkeling. Take the Conch (Conk)Train tour to learn the history and see the neat old houses. Rent a bike or moped to see the island, it's only about 4 X8 miles.Easy to get around--but not all that easy to drive in sometimes--shouldn't be too bad then.
Go to "Sunset" on Mallory Square. You will be close to the old part of town and downtown. Duval st. runs from the gulf to the ocean. Some very nice shops and some junky ones. Good art galleries. Some excellent and expensive restaurants-Louie's Back yard--it faces the ocean, so has lots of atmosphere & big prices, Manga Manga (pasta pasta)on Margaret St. not to far from the Turtle Krawls & the Oyster bar (so so), El Ciboney on Margaret street about a block from Truman
excellent Cuban style- lots of food, not too pricey. I took my daughter's to the Casa Marina once and had an excellent meal (hubby about died at the price--but we remember the dinner). The Casa Marina is Flaglers old hotel that the Marriot bought and redid. It is on the quiet side of the island. Visit Mel Fisher's Museum--he brought up all that Spanish gold! Hemingway's house, and any other museum they have there--they are all interesting. I like just riding my bike all over the island and seeing the houses, and little out of the way places-make sure you get a good map. The cemetery is fun too--really. There are little out of the way cuban places to eat that are inexpensive too. There is a Hard Rock Cafe, and Margarittaville, and by now a Planet Hollywood. If you have any other questions--email me. Enjoy it.

Dr. Michael Perpall

My family hails from Key West and even though I live in Atlanta, I go there any time I can.
You must go to Alice's Restaurant on Duval. It was written up in Bon Apetite Mag. Try the Chocolate Bread Pudding for dessert.
Walk from one end of Duval to the other and back to see everything. "Eat It Raw" on the docks for local seafood. Try bag of "Bollos" for a snack while walking.
Have fun,
Dr. Mike

Susie

In July, Key West has a week long celebration entitiled Hemingway Days. We saw dozens of Papa Hemingway look alikes (there is a contest for the best). Also, one year we visited the old fort (not Fort Martello), I think this fort is in the Truman Annex. It has a green moat surrounding it. No admission fee and there is a small museum. Definitely, do sunset at Mallory dock. Sunset is also nice at the Pier House sun deck where you can sip a rum runner and hear live music.

Melody

We just returned from our 3rd Key West visit This time we got married down at the Curry Mansion Inn. I would recommend staying there instead of the large resorts. It is beautiful, right in the center of things, yet quiet and secluded. The breakfast each morninig is incredible, and they have a happy hour each evening from 5-7pm with cocktails and food, poolside with a piano player (all included in your cost of staying). They also have access to the Pier beach and facilities and Flager's Marriott resort to use as another choice when you stay there.-We went to those beaches and pool areas several times.
You must go to Pepe's for a grilled Mahi-Mahi sandwich and to Schooner's Warf Bar for a sandwich, beer and some easy afternoon music as you sit outside on the water. Another favorite if the Half Shell Raw Bar- great for just ordering the seafood you want without having to have all of the sides that come with a huge meal.(Beer steamed shrimp is WONDERFUL there)
Hog's Breath Saloon is a must for a least one drink, and the Conch Train is the best way to get an overview and historical perspective of the island. We travel all over, and Key West is the only place that we repeat at this point in our lives. There's just something about it. Get ready to RELAX and SLOW DOWN. If you have any more specific questions or need the number for the Curry Mansion, please feel free to e-mail me. Have Fun!!

Melody

We just returned from our 3rd Key West visit This time we got married down at the Curry Mansion Inn. I would recommend staying there instead of the large resorts. It is beautiful, right in the center of things, yet quiet and secluded. The breakfast each morninig is incredible, and they have a happy hour each evening from 5-7pm with cocktails and food, poolside with a piano player (all included in your cost of staying). They also have access to the Pier beach and facilities and Flager's Marriott resort to use as another choice when you stay there.-We went to those beaches and pool areas several times.
You must go to Pepe's for a grilled Mahi-Mahi sandwich and to Schooner's Warf Bar for a sandwich, beer and some easy afternoon music as you sit outside on the water. Another favorite if the Half Shell Raw Bar- great for just ordering the seafood you want without having to have all of the sides that come with a huge meal.(Beer steamed shrimp is WONDERFUL there)
Hog's Breath Saloon is a must for a least one drink, and the Conch Train is the best way to get an overview and historical perspective of the island. We travel all over, and Key West is the only place that we repeat at this point in our lives. There's just something about it. Get ready to RELAX and SLOW DOWN. If you have any more specific questions or need the number for the Curry Mansion, please feel free to e-mail me. Have Fun!!