Cool places in the keys
 

My husband is retiring early (55yrs). We will be in Orlando NEXT WEEK to check on an investment purchase and want an ADVENTURE! Never been to the keys, but have done the Gulf Coast. We would love to stay in quaint but clean and nice places on or near the water. Love to snorkle, sail, kayak and see the sites. Please let us know about great places to see and stay that won't break the bank - less than $150/nite. We're hoping if we just stop in we can get some great rates.
Thanks for your imput.

Try Key Largo--from Orlando should be about a 4 hour car trip. Great snorkeling--home of John Pennekamp Coral State Park. Everything you need in Largo, no need to go the extra 3 hours South to Key West, just a party town in my opinion.

We stayed at a great roadside motel in Marathon that fits what you describe. I unfortunately have no idea the name, it was just a Mom & Pops kind of place we found.

Go to http://www.fla-keys.com/ . There, you can get the location of the various Keys' Welcome Centers. Then, when you get down there, stop in and find out what's where and who's offering deals.

The Mid- and Upper-Keys are loaded with nifty, reasonably-priced small motels. We've found the welcome centers quite helpful over the years.

Enjoy! I envy you being a first-timer down there--it was 15 years ago for us, and I still remember our first time....

Given your interests, stay away from Key West. Might be a fun side-trip for you, but of all the keys, it is the least "active". Focus there is on eating, drinking, and shopping.

By the way, congrats on the early retirement. I hope I can be in the same position someday.

Thanks for your replies and good wishes.
Sounds like the Ragged Edge is a must see unique and Very reasonable. Whwre else? Had a thought though - what is the water temp for snorkleing in January? Do we need to bring a spring suit? What are your best suggestions for snorkeling. Should we go on an excursion?

Key West is the least "active?" I simply don't understand that...Key West has all the available water sports that the other keys have, plus lots of other tourist attractions. It also has fabulous restaurants.

You absolutely cannot get to Key Largo from Orlando in four hours. That'll get you to South Miami, Figure five with no traffic to get to Key Largo, add on another hour for Marathon.

As for quaint and clean places, there are a few reasonable and nice B&B's on Big Pine Key, and Parmers Resort one key south is always good.