Are the keys right for us, need opinions
 

Hi everyone, I am a native floridian who has never been to any of the keys...we usually vacation in St. John Usvi, but with airfares out of control, i am looking for a vacation dest we can drive to. My first thoughts were the keys. It will be my husband and I and our 10 month old son. We like good food, beautiful scenery, beaches (i know the keys are not known for beaches) but are there some where we can hang out and swim with a sandy bottom? I don't want to make a mistake by going somewhere we can't swim or if it is mostly a party atmosphere...those days are over for us, at least for now.<BR>Thanks for your feedback.

We stayed at the Wyndham Reach in Key West last summer and they had a nice little sandy beach that a 10 month old would enjoy, along with a beautiful pool area.

I used to live in Florida (now in California and can't wait to get back).<BR>I had never been to the keys until a few years ago. The keys are much different in terms of beaches. Where you're probably used to plopping down at a beach just about anywhere, you have to look a little harder for them in the keys. <BR><BR>My husband and I did not know this before we went, but after driving around a while we found a nice place to snorkel with a very large area of shallow water and a narrow beach. If you stay at a resort with a beach, great. But if not, they are out there, just don't expect to see them right away. I don't remember the name of the place where we went, but it was a state park so the marine life was protected. We were there over the 4th of July and even then it wasn't a crazy party atmosphere at all (not our scene either).<BR>

If you are looking for a beach vacation you will be sorely disappointed. The Keys beaches are tiny, trucked in sand with rocky bottoms. Have you checked out the out islands of the Bahamas? or Mexico? Try the Caribbean Board for ideas. You can always go to priceline and bid on airfare and hotels to St. John. Try either the bidding for travel website or betterbidding.com for hints on how to bid priceline. IMO, you will be disappointed with the Keys...

Key West is my favorite vacation destination, but I'm inclined to agree that if it's a true beach experience you're after, you'll be very disappointed with the keys. The great thing(s) about Key West is that it has spectacular restaurants, lots of tourist activities - including sunset celebrations that're fun for all ages - and it's a walking town. If you stay in Old Town, you can ditch your car and walk everywhere. It's funky and quirky...and if you'd settle for a hotel pool instead of a beach I think you'd love it.

I agree with the other posters that said you'd be disappointed - especially after St. John.<BR>Plus, everything in Key West is MORE expensive than the Caribbean.<BR>You could also check into Punta Cana or elsewhere in the Dominican Republic or Mexican Caribbean.<BR>Very low cost flights and accommodations can be found for both, and some of the most gorgeous beaches anywhere.

<BR><BR>It looks as though I'm in the minority (nothing new there.) I like the Keys. Like you, I spent several years living in Florida (near the beach). But I loved, and still love, taking trips to the Keys. The area is laid back, with a very bohemian atmosphere. I am not a &quot;partier&quot; so that's not what i'm referring to.<BR>As you know, the beachs in the Keys are not the beachs in the Caribbean. But the resorts have built some nice ones. And if you want a little adventure and you're 10 month old is up for it, take a day trip, either via boat or seaplane, to the Dry Tortugas. great relaxing spot.<BR>Also, there are plenty of great restaurants in the Keys.<BR>And I like just walking around Key West, looking at all the neat old houses with their gingerbread trim.<BR>The Keys are cool.

Jack-The Keys are cool and funky, but not a beach destination. Having been to St. John myself there is absolutely no comparison. When my kids were 10 months give them a pail, shovel, some sand and they would be happy campers....

<BR><BR>Buckeyemom, please re-read my post. I know that the Keys aren't known for their beaches; I've been going there for over 30 years. But the original poster ALSO acknowledged that he/she KNEW that the Keys weren't known for beaches. I was merely trying to point out that there are OTHER things in the Keys.<BR>However, having said that, the Dry Tortugas do have some nice beaches with nice swimming, if you're up for the trip and are ready for the sheer desolation. But if the ONLY thing you want is a beach, do not go to the Keys. If you're ready to try something other than the US Virgin Islands and aren't afraid of experimenting, then try the Keys.

I also remember the original post stating that they wanted to drive to their destination. I see several posters refering her to other island destinations in which she and her family would have to fly.<BR><BR>ezvalet, my husband and I are also planning a drivable vacation destination this year. We have booked a room on Grass Key, which several people tell me is a very small island in the Keys, for July 5th-10th. I did a lot of research before settling on my accomodations and chose the White Sands Inn. It is very small (8 units) and is off of the main hwy. and I have been told that you would be able to hear traffic from the hwy. only if you are listening for it, and it sits on the sand flats or Bonefish flats of Marathon. The owner of the inn says that it is a very nice place to swim at high tide because the water is only 2-3 ft. deep with a nice natural sandy bottom. At low tide you can walk out on the flats for miles. We are not looking to do very much, just relax and fish so I think this will be a good place to spend vacation. If this is what you are looking for it might be nice for you too!

<BR><BR>likewise, there are many a family that take their children to John Pennekamp, Long Key, and Bahia Honda, all state parks, and all possessing nice beach areas. (not anywhere like those in the Caribbean, but n-i-c-e.) Also, Hawk's Cay Resort has a nice beach suitable for walking in the water.

Jacks advice is right on. People who bash the Keys because they think the beaches suck should rethink their opinion. They may not be the nicest of beaches but they are BEACHES! The Keys offer so much. It is one of our favorie places to go.

Actually no-name compared to the beaches on St. Johns' the Keys beaches really do suck! As to Jack's comment about Bahia Honda, I was there a couple of weeks ago and it was full of sea weed and junk. <BR><BR>Ezvalet wanted people's opinions. I gave my opinion and you gave yours. I guess it's up to her to make up her mind.

I visited the keys for the first time last Feb and really didn't think it was worth the trip. This is just my opinion but most of the keys are pretty run down, lots of strip malls, early bird specials, etc. It wasn't the lack of beach that we weren't happy with as we expected that but it just wasn't that pretty of a place IMO, except key west which of course is very well kept.<BR><BR>You don't say where you'll be coming from, we came from the west coast so of course that had something to do with my decision too.<BR><BR>Wendy

<BR><BR>Myrna, you've missed the point. No one is saying that the beaches in the Keys are glorious. No one is saying that the Keys' beaches compare, at all, to those in the Caribbean.<BR>I think all we're saying is that there's a lot about the Keys that is charming and warrants a visit UNLESS a beach is absolutely critical to the vacation.<BR>What is it with Keys-bashing anyway? I can find plenty of bad things to say about certain Caribbean islands (and other destinations), but I usually try to focus on the positive.

Thanks Jack, well said. I have read these boards for a while and have always valued and found your info to be very imformative. I think people either &quot;get the keys&quot; or they just simply &quot;don't get the keys&quot;.

<BR><BR>Just so we're clear, Wendy I'm not accusing you of Keys-bashing. Actually, in all fairness, your observation of the Keys is, unfortunately, becoming, with each passing year, more accurate.<BR>Once more, &quot;civilization&quot; is despoiling what was once a wonderful tropical paradise. A paradise, I hasten to add, without great beaches.

Jack, thanks for the note. I don't think I was bashing, just giving my honest opinion so no harm, no foul.<BR><BR>I think that honest opinions are what this site is all about. If someone is spending their hard earned money on a trip and going by info on a site I think that everyone's opinions are warrented.<BR><BR>I understand that sometime things seem to be more negative but maybe that will kick a city into clean up gear. Look at my home (Seattle) and San Fran, both have tons of positives but also big homeless problems. Just something for visiters to be aware of.<BR><BR>Wendy

No Jack, I didn't miss the point. The original poster said they were used to beautiful scenery and beaches with sandy bottom to hang out in. The Keys beaches are rock or coral, not nice, sandy bottoms. And Wendy is right, the upper Keys are pretty much ho-hum because they primarily cater to fishermen and divers who don't care. Key West is funky, has some interesting restaurants, but Duval Street is tacky city IMO and the cruise ships are ruining Mallory Square. If EZ wants to hang out by the pool, walk around Key West and eat than by all means they should go. But, if they want a relaxing beach vacation go somewhere else. And with all the discounts on travel now I can not believe they can't find decent prices to a beach destination. JMHO.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

If you want sand beaches you can drive to and you are interested in Florida, how about Sanibel Island?