What to do in the Florida Keys?

Old Oct 10th, 2007, 10:08 AM
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What to do in the Florida Keys?

DBF's family has a condo in Marathon, and he'd like me to go there with him in December. I am not super-excited about this idea.

I do not fish or snorkel. Neither of us are beach people. What on earth will we do there for a whole week?

We are in our mid 30s. I would much prefer to go to Croatia or anywhere in Eastern Europe and travel around on my own. I've traveled solo several times (before I met DBF), and I really like it. There are only so many vacation options every year, so I'd rather enjoy my vacation time doing something that I like.

Nevertheless, I am thinking I may be a bit too close minded on this whole Keys idea. So, if anyone has any suggestions to help me open my mind, that'd be great.

Thanks!
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 10:14 AM
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Not a better place to relax, + if you like to explore you can do plenty of that as well. I've been to the Keys probably a dozen times or so. I don't fish, snorkel & frankly there aren't much in the way of beaches either. But, if someone is offering up a freebie, I'd be there in a heartbeat. Seems like you have pre-conceived notions about someplace you've never been (?) How about just give it a try. (The eating is pretty good also).
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 10:17 AM
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 10:25 AM
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December isn't a big beach time in the Key's anyway.... From Marathon, you can go down to Key West for a day - see Hemingway's house, walk the streets (really fun), excellent restaurants, etc. I would get a map, and figure out potential day trips.... PLUS - total relax time (I'd take a ton of books....).
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 10:53 AM
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You could rent a car and drive to Miami Beach for a day or two. I'm with on the traveling Eastern Europe alone thing, but Miami Beach / Miami might be surprisingly interesting to you -- it was for me.
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 11:04 AM
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You are missing out on a lot if you don't give the water a chance. The Florida Keys are some of our country's most beautiful areas.

I highly suggest you read The Florida Keys by Joy Williams.
 
Old Oct 10th, 2007, 11:26 AM
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Also, the Everglades = not far.
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 12:00 PM
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The Keys are totallyy unique. Just seeing being there is what it's all about. Try to keep an open mind. Spend some time in Key West if you get bored.
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 01:01 PM
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We spent a few days in Key West and really enjoyed it - we didn't spend any time at the beach. We took the Conch Train for a tour of the island, went to Ernest Hemingway's house, went to the Mel Fischer Museum to see all the gold/treasure pulled up in the area, ate great food, and people watched. They also have glass-bottom boat tours you can take. Mangoes on Duval is a good place for dinner and people watching.
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 02:43 PM
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The old seven mile bridge west of Marathon is open to pedestrians. You can hike three miles over the flats to and beyond pigeon key where you can see sharks, rays, tarpon, baracuda and more from the bridge. The drive from Key Largo to Key West is one of the most scenic drives in the world. You can hire a small boat to take you on a tour of marine life. The Keys and Miami have superb and diverse cuisine. I recommend you take advantage one time of the lodging and experience the Keys. Catch Croatia next vacation.
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 03:21 PM
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I don't fish either, and the Keys aren't a great beach area to me, but they are fantastic for relaxation.

Here's some info on things to do http://www.fla-keys.com/marathon/thingstodo.cfm

I agree with GoTravel; get out on the water - take a boat or kayak tour.
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 03:28 PM
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Rent a row boat and paddle around in the shallow protected coves.
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 05:00 PM
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If you decide not to go, can I use the condo?

Do you eat fish? Try yellowtail snapper.

Could you learn to snorkel? Bet you'd like it.
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 08:33 PM
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Swim with the dolphins.

Buy a cheap hammock, string it between two trees, and relax and read a book.

Go to the spa at Cheeca Lodge and get a massage.

Go to the Everglades, the third largest national park in the lower 48, and check out the amazing wildlife.

Drive down to Key West and go to the Hemingway House and Museum, walk around the stores and art galleries on Duval, have lunch at Louie's Backyard, go on an orchid tour with the orchid lady, visit Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden, view the Atocha treasures at the Mel Fisher Museum, check out the stained glass windows at St. Paul's, see the Nutcracker Key West.

Watch one of the many holiday boat parades.

Take a day trip to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson.

Go the the Winterfest Art & Music festival.

Learn to sail, scuba dive, fish, anything.

Go for a hike at Crane's Point.

Learn about dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center.

Visit the 2,300-acre National Key Deer Refuge. Hike the Watson and Manillo nature trails.

Take a walk along the beach and watch the birds at Bahia Honda State Park, recently named the 2nd most beautiful beach in the US.

Go kayaking and just breathe in the fresh air.

Try bonefishing, you might enjoy it.

Rent a bike and check out the Key West architecture.

Visit Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, Indian Key Historic State Park or Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park and get a glimpse into the islands' history.

Cook the fish your family caught for dinner. Freshest fish you'll ever taste.

Go see Gore Vidal's "The Best Man" at the Waterfront Playhouse.

Shall I go on?
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Old Oct 11th, 2007, 05:31 AM
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Don't forget the Little White House (Harry Truman's home). It is a very interesting place to visit. You can also just walk along the streets in Key West and look at the Victorian style houses..There is a lot to see and do in Key West.
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Old Oct 11th, 2007, 08:49 AM
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I don't know about Linda, but you all have certainly convinced me to put the Keys on my list of places to visit
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Old Oct 11th, 2007, 09:10 AM
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Thank you everyone for your thorough replies!! I am now super excited to go.

Hemingway's house -- do they really have 60 cats there?? Can't wait to go.

Seriously, I didn't realize the proximity to the Everglades, didn't know about seven mile bridge, didn't think of taking boat tours, or kayaking, and didn't realize there were so many nature trails. I am a total outdoorsy nature girl, but have always spent vacations in the mountains or colder climates! I did not realize how much the Keys have to offer.

Thank you all for changing my point of view. That's why I asked!
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Old Oct 11th, 2007, 09:18 AM
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Yes, there really are 60 cats, and lots of them have a weird number of toes - 6 I think? They totally have the run of the place. The guided tour is interesting - get to hear about Hemingway and all his quirks; they even have the typewriter he used on display. You will have fun.
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Old Oct 11th, 2007, 10:36 AM
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Just one thing that someone mentioned that I disagree with - DON'T swim w/the dolphins. If you care to know why, there are a multitude of posts on here already.
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Old Oct 11th, 2007, 10:42 AM
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Bahia Honda state park is great (had a camping vacation there years ago).

Watch sunset at the tip of Key West (feels like the end of the world there).

7 mile bridge is amazing... the entire configuration of the Keys is amazing.
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