3 day FIRST trip to Key West... need major help :)
 

Hi all - I am planning on a surprise 3 day (or so trip) for my hubby and I... looking around end of August early September - leaving the baby at home (our first trip since baby)!! We are flying out of Detroit, younger couple not big into the "party hard" scene looking for some sights, food and R&R ANY and ALL advice is more then welcome... please help me out :) thanks a bunch!!

There are literally tons of posts on here about Key West & peter is the resident expert (IMO). Based on your situation I would look at some of the many B & B's on Simonton. That way you are a block from the action, but not in the middle of it. For that amount of time, I wouldn't rent a car. You'll find plenty to do w/in walking distance. I'll try & top some posts for you. Budgets & likes/dislikes may also help elicit more specific responses. Enjoy ! www.fla-keys.com, www.keywest.com

I like the Marquesa, Heron House or The Gardens. Keep in mind that there are a couple of beaches on Key West but they are man made and small.

I highly suggest the seaplane trip to the Dry Tortugas. http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/se...-tortugas.html

I'm also a big fan of staying on Sunset Island. http://www.sunsetkeyisland.com/

GoT - You mean Tank Island, lol ? The Heron House & Marquesa would also be at the top of my list.

Breakfasts, we got breakfasts...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g3....Key.West.html

Next we got happy hours...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g3...ppy.Hours.html

And to kill time in between them, we got snorkeling trips...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g3...ing.Trips.html

Pjk

We've stayed several times at the Blue Parrot Inn. Its on the Atlantic side away from the action- I like the action but don't want to sleep listening to it. Its not the fanciest of places but its relatively cheap and has a bed, bathroom and minifridge. We're only in it to sleep so it does the trick. Key West is an extremely walkable town-and we're not huge walkers. We love Sloppy Joes-we try to get there for the Pete and Wayne show and the last time we were there (xmas) there was an awesome band after Pete and Wayne that played motown/dance songs. Loved Hemmingway House and Little White House tour, Pat Croce's Pirate Soul museum and the Rum Barrel restaurant next door (we had to try a flight of rums). Mallory Square for the sunset celebration has to be seen at least once. Enjoyed the Lighthouse exhibit and climbing to the top! Only beach we went to was Fort Zacharay taylor- very rocky but beautiful. Took a tour of the Fort too. We spent an enjoyable afternoon sitting at Kelly's Caribbean Bar and Grill (husband liked ceviche- rest meh)-but courtyard was relaxing. Can't recommend food because so far haven't eaten anywhere special or at least memorable-somehow we seem to drink our nutrients :) We are headed back mid-August and will check out several of the restaurants recommended on this site. Love Love Love Key West

Sorry but bad news,
the Seaplanes of Key West are not operating anymore. It seems that they are bankrupted.

My husband and I were in Key West 5 years ago for a long Memorial Day weekend. Don't miss the opportunity to go snorkeling, going to the pier at sunset and dancing the rumba afterwards while dining. Then on another day eating tapas for dinner while people watching.

As an earlier poster said, walk walk walk or rather stroll everywhere to enjoy Key West.

We drove north one day and went on a kayaking adventure. This was the only time we really needed the car except to get to and from the airport - Maybe we flew into Miami?. Poor planning on our part, should have flown into Key West.

We really enjoyed ourselves, I don't have notes to remind me of the snorkeling tour company but I remember it was worth the money spent.

Have a great post baby holiday!
Julie

My husband and I have been going to Key West every year for the past 4 years and always stay at the Gardens Hotel. It is in a great location. You can walk every where from here and don't need a car. We love this place! www.gardenshotel.com

And be sure to go one morning for breakfast at Blue Heaven!

We stayed at the Marquesa and loved it. It was beautiful and had a great swimming pool and nice restaurant on site. Close enough to walk to Duval, but still quiet. We enjoyed the conch train tour, Hemmingway House, the Mel Fisher Museum to see all the treasure, and a boat tour out to snorkel. Don't miss the sunset at Mallory Square - lots of street performers and characters there. We thought the aquarium was kind of a dud - old and outdated if you've been to some more modern ones. Lots of good restaurants around; we liked Mango's a lot. Be prepared for it to be very hot - a pool is great to cool off in. Have fun!