Florida Keys trip
 

Hi Husband and I are traveling from Illinois to Florida Keys. Looking to spend a day in Miami if any suggestions. Quick view of the city. Maybe Trolley trip? Driving to Key West next day and spend a total of week in the Keys. Any suggestions of place to say for few nights in Key West with ocean view possibly. Or places in general anyone would recommend would be appreciated. Also places to stay in other towns in the Keys for rest of the week. Also looking for Snorkeling in the Keys or any activities you all enjoyed. 60s but very active. Thank You

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...gem-hotels.cfm

Not sure when you are going so if soon book but stay in old town and then you can park your car and walk.
Islamorada would be the only other place I would stay the night besides KW.

Well, the Southernmost Resort has many facilities and types of accommodations. It is on the "quiet" end of Duval Street where would highly recommend staying. Do not know their prices. We stayed 3 nights at the Best Western Hibiscus which was adjacent to the Southernmost accommodations, and which beach we enjoyed. There are really no 'ocean beaches' on Key West at the tip, but Southernmost has a nice small sand beach with on-beach cafe (very good) and rentals of chairs & umbrellas that was very convenient. We rented golf cart to tour the island. Hibiscus motel was lovely and very quiet and one block off Duval Street where we walked from one end to the other frequently.

If you want a great Miami experience, head for the art deco strip at South Beach... tons of bistros, shopping, people watching, a full beach... if your staying overnight, you want an Ocean Drive or Collins Av hotel... we like Royal Palm, Surfcomber, and Loews... all on the beach...

Then in the AM, head south down Rt 1 to the keys...

In Key West,the Ocean Key Resort, Pier house, and Hyatt are larger hotels on the Sunset end of Duval... the Casa Marina, Reach and Southernmost are at the Quiet end of Duval... one rule is very important... make sure you stay in Old Town!!!
Many chains and hotels are in an area outside of Old town that is commercial, mall like, and requires transport to Duval...

Also, I agree with Islamorada as a second base...good location halfway down the keys, sport fishing, seafood, hotels and plenty to see...

Marathon has a new Courtyard that is also a good mid-Keys stop. Marathon has good restaurants, fishing, and Sombrero Beach.

If you want oceanview in Key West, these condos are really nice. They are away from the action, but a quick Uber would take care of that. :)
http://www.1800atlantic.com/twobedro...dosrentals.htm

This is also a great place right on the ocean in Marathon; it was fun watching dolphins go.
https://www.cocoplum.com/

We visited Key West last weekend and signed up for the Danger Charters day trip to sail, snorkel and kayak. It was a full day trip. I definitely recommend it-you'll find that they have very good reviews. I wrote a blog about our snorkel experience with Danger Charters. You are most welcome to read more details about our snorkeling day trip at: https://getyourtravelonblog.wordpres...kel-and-kayak/

The best way to experience Key West is to stay in one the Inns. You won't have an ocean view but will have a unique time. My favorite is the Island City House.

I second recommendation for Island City House. Our stay there was many years ago, but it was memorable. It's a charming spot.

We really liked Bahia Honda state park (but we were camping).