Florida Keys in Feb. - your personal recommendations!
 

I am heading to Marathon key in feb. with family and friends to stay at a friends condo there for a week.<BR><BR>None of us have been to the Keys before and would appreciate your favorite restaurants,bars, beaches, fun things to see and do, etc.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance!!

Only two restaurants come to mind Wendy. 7 Mile Grill, just North of the the 7 Mile Bridge at MM 47.5 & is on the bay side & Shuckers Raw Bar & Grill on the bay side at MM50.5. Sombrero beach is the only nice beach around Marathon. All beaches in the keys are of coral rock & man-made with the sand imported in from other areas. The beaches in the keys don't compare to other beaches in the state of Florida. My suggestion is go to Bahia Honda State Park located in Big Pine Key. Its the top rated beach in the keys.

We like to stop at the Green Turtle (I forget the MM), but it shouldn't be too far from you. You could drive to Big Pine Key to see the Key deer (our Lab is bigger than they are). And the Big Pine Flea Market is on Sat. and lots of fun and cool things to see. Maybe take a day trip down to Key West and take the Conch Train tour to learn about the history and homes of Key West.

It might be too rough for you to go out, but I highly recommend a snorkeling trip to Looe Key, which is about eight miles offshore and all underwater. There are many companies on Big Pine Key to take you there and rent you the equipment you'll need (I highly recommend a wetsuit in Feb) and it'll be a great experience!

The primary draw to Marathon is R&R and water sports. For lots of tourist activities, restaurants, bars, and fun sunset celebrations, head on down to Key West for a while.

We will definately be driving around to the other keys for nightlife and restaurants! Is the drive far? We also plan on diving so if anyone has any operator recommendations I would love that too! Thanks you guys!

"is the drive far"<BR><BR>It really depends on which key you want to visit.

I have used several dive operators on Marathon and Big Pine Key and had good experiences with all of them. Hall's is probably the oldest and best known on Marathon. I went with a dive boat that is located behind what used to be a Holiday Inn (not sure what it is now) on the north end of Marathon and they were VERY good.<BR><BR>I have also gone out with the Looe Key Resort dive operation and been pleased. Also Underwater Inc. and one called Strike Zone that is located at the southern end of Big Pine.

Celeste thanks for your info, I will definately check them out!

I'd suggest stopping at Key Largo's John Pennekamp Park for a glass bottom boat ride or some snorkeling or scuba. Many, many reefs (like 1,200 of them) in the area.

Key West restaurant suggestions: Blue Heaven, Pepe's, Half Shell Oyster Bar. In Marathon-7 mile grille.<BR>

I really need some sunshine so I'm getting into "plan mode" haha! Looking a rental cars from Ft. Lauderdale for a convertable. Does anyone have a recommendations for places with the best rates? I found $430/week thru Thifty on Expedia, is that good?

I just book a rental car in Lauderdale on the drivebudget.com site and it was much lower than what orbitz was quoting me for various companies. I think the convertables were about half of what you were quoted.

Thanks Jim, I just checked and the convertibles were $547. Will keep checking back though.

Convertables are always at a premium.

For rental cars, check out travelzoo.com. I got an suv for 5 days for $155 which is about 1/2 of what I could find elsewhere. (I'm driving to Marathon from Tampa in March) You register with them by simply submitting your e-mail address and then they direct you to the rental company's site but automatically insert a discount code. I went through Alamo. There's plenty to do in Key West. Don't miss the Hemingway House and the Lighthouse, and, of course, the southernmost point. Parking is hard to find and expensive. It's not a bad idea to rent mopeds. They're fun to scoot around on, cheap, and you can park them almost anywhere. As far as the middle keys go, there's some cool parks and the diving is awesome.

Wendy:<BR><BR>I booked a convertable for one week in March at $199 with Dollar. Look for their ads in the travel section of your sunday paper. There is s special promotion code that you are supposed to give them. Expedia's full of crap. Their rates are more than most rental car companies. Hope this helps. <BR><BR>Author: Wendy ([email protected])<BR> Date: 01/23/2002, 04:20 pm<BR><BR> Message: I really need some sunshine so I'm getting into "plan mode" haha!<BR> Looking a rental cars from Ft. Lauderdale for a convertable. Does anyone<BR> have a recommendations for places with the best rates? I found $430/week<BR> thru Thifty on Expedia, is that good?

Wendy-We rented from Avis out of FLL and got a good rate. Might also want to check Dollar and Budget's websites...

topping for me!<BR><BR>The car is rented, the condo is paid for and I am getting very excited for the sun!<BR><BR>Any other recommendations on things/places to see or do are still welcome. We will be taking day trips off Marathon Key.

Don Pedro's restaurant has the best Cuban food we have ever had! It is across from the airport in Marathon. Small place, but great food! Hope you will go to Duck Key-it is pretty, and they have a couple of nice restarants at the resort there.

Take the trip (or walk) out to Pigeon Key. You can catch the tour, or information, at the old RR car on the left at the beginning of the 7-mile bridge (at the far end of Marathon.)<BR><BR>Highly recommend a stop at the Rain Barrel. It's a nice crafts co-op at MM 80-something (before you get to Islamorada.) It's on the right. They have a lovely little shaded garden inside, and a refreshment stand selling tasty drinks and such. One of those little hidden Keys jewels.

We are still trying to get a rental car for the Presidents Week for the key and everyplace is sold out(yes,even FLL).Any suggestions? Also,any place in Key Largo that someone could recommend for one night on the way to Key West?All the chains that I have called for next weekend are booked with the "Valentine " crowd. Thanks-

Just tried renting at FLL through Budget for Feb 17-24. They showed available cars. Not cheap (nor will it be at this late date,) but available.<BR><BR>Go to the web site for the Kay Largo Visitor's Center/CofC. Give them a call, or email, and tell them what you're looking for. They should be able to help you out.

We also got our car at the Budget at FLL. <BR><BR>Thanks for the info on Don Pedro's and Pigeon Key. I'm compiling a list of ideas since there will be a group of 12 of us, from 30 to 70 in age. Then everyone can find something to enjoy!

On our drive from FLL to Marathon is there anyplace you might suggest stopping for a bite. We get in around 9am so probably a place that serves good breakfast between FLL and Marathon that has easy highway access.

In Key Largo, on Rt 1, about MM99.5, on the right, there's a little hole-in-the-wall called Mrs. Mac's Kitchen.<BR><BR>I've never eaten breakfast there. I just noticed, this year, for the first time, that they served it. However, I always eat there Sat. night (we always get into Key Largo Sat. PM.) They're closed Sunday. And Monday, we hang around long enough for them to start serving lunch. And have it there before going on south.<BR><BR>Awesome fish sandwiches. And onion rings. Only thing I'd avoid are the conch fritters--sometimes great, sometimes not. <BR><BR>I'd assume the breakfast would be on a par with their other meals.<BR><BR>I'm drooling, er, salivating again....

In Islamaroda there is a small Cuban place called Manny & Isa's good food. The Islamaroda Fish Company has a great outdoor deck but lately the food has been kinda iffy....

A couple more questions- sorry!<BR><BR>Have any of you eaten at Marker 88 Restaurant. The menu looks really good but gives no indication of prices. Pricey or super pricey??<BR><BR>Also for those who have used all or some do you think It's a Dive, Looe Key Dive Center, Amoray Dive Center or Hall's Diving is best for beginner dives?<BR><BR>As always--- THANKS!

Go with Looe Key Dive Center. Maker 88 restaurant is great. Make reservations & enjoy the Florida Bay sunset with your romantic diner. It can be a bit expensive but you be glad you did. Its just about 10 miles on your right after leaving Key Largo city limits.

For a rental car in Ft. Lauderdale, I suggest looking into Royal Rent-a-Car. Their website is royalrentacar.com. I am going down to FLorida next week, and haven't experienced them first hand yet, but because they are local, they are cheaper. They also have a counter at the airport.

ttt

Julie-I fly into FLL regularily and have never heard of Royal Rent A Car. I would be very leery of renting from them. A lot of these el cheapo companies quote you a very attractive price and then they charge you for extra dollars, mileage, gas, insurance. Been there, done there. Now, I only rent from a reputable company. Last time I was there I rented from Avis. If you belong to AAA or check if you can get an employee disount.

Julie-That should be charge for extra drivers not dollars.

Thanks for everyone's recommendations! I'm leaving tonight! wahoo! sunshine here I come!<BR><BR>Wendy