Thanks for all the opinions, advice and comments. DH went years ago and always wanted to take me. I am sure I would have loved it some years back, now would have to work up the energy for even a short road trip.

Also, I always just thought Key West, but other places look like better places to stay. Thanks Starrs for mentioning that.

Continental_Drifter is enjoying a two week vacation right now on one of the keys. They go every year. When she returns, I'm sure she can offer more suggestions. I love Islamorada. :-)

I had zero issues with the drive to Key West (and I do have problems with many scary bridges).

It is not a boring drive. It is sort of a retro looking road with cool stops along the way IF you know what you are looking for. Great Cuban food along the way, fresh bread out of the ovens at Sunshine grocery. French bakery in the same parking lot. http://www.seefloridaonline.com/rainbarrel/ Love stopping here and looking at the art. Seven mile bridge is lovely and look for the remains of the Flagler railroad as you cross. True lies was filmed on parts of the old bridge. People love to stop and feed the tarpon at www.robbies.com. You can look for key deer and stop at Bahia Honda State Park. Yikes, I must live a dull life. Headed to the Keys for the food and wine fest end of January. I dread the ride till I hit Homestead. Speaking of the coral castle, good stop.

There is a beach a few blocks off an unpromising part of the highway. You drive through a modest residential area to get there on a road that goes off to your left if you are bound toward Key West.

It is a sugar sand beach with trees, clean toilets, picnic tables. Nothing lacking on a weekday but people. Free.

The trip won't be boring if your copilot studies the map and tries to find it. You will no doubt take a wrong turn or two, but you may find places that are even better.

Key West: if you are not surrounded by cottages or looking at water, you are in the wrong place. I spent three days taking pictures of cottages, gardens,and art cars. It was t enough. The Truman White House is absolutely worth it.

DH and I love Key West and the drive down. A week in Key West was not enough. The day trip to The Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson we took this year was so much fun. In Key Largo, we did a glass bottom boat tour in John Pennenkamp SP. We also loved the little beach at the Hampton Inn there. The three days we just vegged at the pool at The Garden Hotel were fabulous.

Watch out for speed traps along the way.

HTtY

There is a very interesting weekend market, known as Redlands, in Homestead. Music, food, general ambience may remind you of Mexico if you have visited that country.

I wrote a bit about the drive to the Keys from the SE coast in this post from 2013; I will do the same drive next week, when I will return to Islamorada:



ekscrunchy on Sep 24, 13 at 7:36am


<I did this drive last January and will do it again (to Islamorada) this coming January. AGree with much of what has been written above.

For those planning a similar trip, a popular stop, especially for those stocking up for food supplies, is Robert Is Here, a petting zoo/fruit stand on steroids, a few blocks off the main route from Miami to the Keys, in Florida City. They offer some unusual (for non locals) exotic fruits not often found in Florida markets. Prepare for crowds, and for prices that are not in the "bargain" realm.

http://www.robertishere.com/xcart/home.php





My second recommendation, far more exciting and unusual, is for people making this drive on a weekend. If you are longing to discover an antidote to the Publix and Winn Dixies that smear the South Florida food shopping map, head to this weekend market for a different kind of experience, and a bright light among the adult book stores and seedy strip malls lining the route around Homestead.


This sprawling "farmer's" market, comprised of various hangar-like pre-fab sheds, is just to the right of the main drag, Dixie Highway, on the right side for those heading south to The Keys.

From the ranchera music and to the stands selling dried jamaica (Hibiscus flowers), Western/cowboy boots and fresh Salvadoran cheese, this is the closest I've come to the feeling of being "south of the border" while in Florida.

Many patrons are agricultural workers and their families, along with many families who make the drive south from the Miami area to shop and socialize. While it may help to speak Spanish, people were warm and welcoming on the day of my visit last winter. Go more for the atmosphere than the bargain pricing. Well worth an hour or two. Free parking in (crowded) lots. Lots of stands selling everything from pinatas to tacos de carne asada to licuados de tamarindo, along with bags of dried chilies, Cds of ranchera music, and packs of Mexican Coke (made with sugar!) Separate sheds house furniture vendors, but we did not need a new mattress at that time, so skipped that area.


Not much information online; often referred to as Redlands Market, you will spot it on the right as you head south near 24420 South Dixie Highway in the Homestead area, vicinity of Princeton, Fla.

24420 South Dixie Highway, Princeton, Florida>

Dukey, "Is it" is not the same as "It is".