Feb couples trip to Key West
 

My husband & I are heading to Key West mid- Feb for a 4 night winter getaway with 4 other couples, a first visit for everyone. We are a group of 40-50s, enjoy good food & drink, live music & being active. We are planning on renting a house on Duval. We are arriving from Kansas City. Should we fly direct to Key West or take the time to drive from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale? When do the Springbreakers start arriving? Any must see, do, eat, drink suggestions? Any to be sure to skip? Suggestions for a fishing charter? Are golf carts a safe & easy way to get around?
Thanks in advance!

For a four night trip, I would fly into Key West. The drive from Miami and back will use up two of your days. I don't think that Key West is a spring break destination as it does not have any large beaches.

Did you do a site search? Here are my recent trip reports on the city:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-augustine.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...t-184065-2.cfm

There is a new store at 1102c Duval Street called Gone Fishin' Inside you will find Captain Robert Henkel who can help you find a charter, either a sinlge or a shared. If you just want to get ut on the water, there is the Tortuga IV which does 2 1/2 day fishing trips.

Must dos: Peel your own Key West pinks at, say, the Conch Republic Seafood Co. with a Key West Sunset ale. Oysters on the half shell at the Half Shell Raw Bar or Turtle Kraals. They are .50 @ during happy hour at the former and .50 @ all the time at the latter. One dinner at Columbian Grace on Petronia - sangria, one of the specials (shrimp or fish or a combo) glasses of wine. A mojito at El Meson de Pepe just off Front Street. One afternoon snorkeling trip on the Floridays noticing the 30% off deal on their web page. Frank the Magician at the Magic bar at the Schooner Wharf bar, starting at 9:00 pm. Watching the sunset atop the La Concha hotel on Duval. Sauce tasting at Peppers on Front Street (BYO and watch out for the hotter ones!) A fish sandwich at B.O.'s Fishwagon on Caroline. Breakfast at Pepe's, also on Caroline, across from B.O.'s. A crepe at La Creperie on Petronia. Key Lime pie and a Key Lime martini at the Whitre Tarpon.

Have we run out of 4 days yet?
Pjk

Another option would be to fly into Miami and out of Key West. It's a 4hr drive and very senic...one of the best drives we have ever taken...stop and walk the .8mile Ahinga Trail http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/anhinga-trail.htm then travel on maybe stopping at Bahia Honda http://www.bahiahondapark.com/ or JOhn Pennecamp for snorkeling http://www.pennekamppark.com/
Once in Key West we enjoyed sailing on the Appledore, walking the town (stay in Old Town and everything is walkable) and Mallory Square at night.