My husband & I are headed down to Ft Lauderdale area to visit my Dad in early Feb. While there we want to spend 3 nights checking out the Keys. We've never been and my Dad has only been to Key West via boat and has stayed in Key Largo a few times but has never driven the whole way.

Any advice on a good 4 day trip would be greatly appreciated. I've been doing a bunch of research but would love some help.

We did a four day Keys trip last February ( great time ofthe year there by the way)

We spent one nite at Key Largo at the Holiday Inn that has the real "African Queen" boat . . drove to Key West the next morning in arund three hours with stops in Islamorada and one other Key. Had two full days in Key West, which seemed enough for us . . Drove back to Orlando the fourth day.

Rich

Key West:

* www.pierhouse.com

* lunch at Jose’s Cantina, 800 White Street

* Conch train tour

As noted, February is a great time to travel the Keys. I strongly urge you to travel mid-week.

First stop is on the way to the Keys. It is the Anhenga Trail in the Everglades, near Homestead. Arrive at the Trail just before dusk. A unique experience. Be sure to have your camera. If Dad has a Golden Age Passport, it is free.

Continue on to Marathon. Stay in Key Colony Beach, just to the north. Eat dinner at Herbies (for seafood - yellowtail, if they have it.) Walk the Seven Mile Bridge at Sunset. Visit the park at Sombrero Beach. If you are there for two nights, watch the sunset from the little park at the northwestern end of Key Colony Beach.

Continue slowly on to Key West. Consider staying at the Pier House. Visit Truman's White House, eat lunch at Louie's Backyard. Visit Hemmingway's House in the late PM after the tours leave.

Return to Fort Lauderdale.

Thamk you for the info. So I'm considering staying our first night in Islamorada, then 2 nights either in Key West or nearby. We're thinking of stopping in Homestead area on the way back to Fort Lauderdale to see a few sights. Any more suggestions on lodging and sightseeing are appreciated.

sharondi,

Ragged Edge Resort is a great place to stay in Islamorada (google them for the web site). You might want to check out Holiday Isle while there. . .it's getting torn in April to be replaced by upscale condos.

The place getting rave reviews in Key West these days is the Gardens Hotel. It doesn't have a water view, but everyone seems to love it. We prefer being on the water, and with that in mind, I'd suggest the Ocean Key Resort or the Hyatt Resort and Marina on Front Street. The Hyatt is next to the Pier House, which also gets good reviews.

Thanks so much for all your helpful replies.

If you can possibly arrange a visit to the Ocean Reef Club, I urge you to do so. It is simply wonderful.

Stop at the No Name Pub on Big Pine Key for a meal on the way up or back. It is a fun packed dive. Every inch of wall, posts and ceiling in the bar is covered with signed dollar bills. Many thousands. I hope it never catches on fire.

The pizza is particularly good. But the grouper is also good and the dollar fried potatoes are stand out.

Keith

If you're thinking of staying in Islamorada, I suggest Pelican Cove Resort. My husband & I have stayed there numerous times & were never disappointed. We live in South Florida (about an hour north of Islamorada) & go down there for R&R. There are some great restaurants there also.