How many nights to spend in Key West?
 

Please advise as to how many nights (or full days) to spend in Key West. I've never been but always wanted to visit, so I would like to leisurely explore and enjoy it and the surrounding area. Maybe Key Largo as well?

One tentative plan is to fly into Miami, pick up a rental car, and drive to Key West. Maybe from Thursday or Monday or Tuesday? Will that give us enough time, factoring in the r/t drive to/from the Miami airport? The problem is that one friend can go at most from Thursday to Monday, but another friend is willing to go from even Wednesday to Tuesday.

Thanks in advance for your help!

I would think anything around 5 days would be enough to explore Key West, Key Largo and the surrounding area. I think we spent 2-3 days on Key West and enjoyed it.

I agree with Nanabee. We did a trip to the Keys in June spending 2 nights in Key West and 2 nights in Key Largo. In this amount of time, we drove the entire length of the Keys (twice), did 2 snorkeling trips (Bahia Honda and John C. Pennecamp State Parks), spent an afternoon on Sombrero Beach and did 1.5 days sightseeing in Key West. The only thing I would have done differently is to add 1 day in Key West for more sightseeing. Thus, I think 5 nights would be just about right.

Note: Check out airfares for Ft. Lauderdale. We got a much cheaper fare flying there and the drive to Key West is not much longer from Ft. Lauderdale than it is from Miami.

I love Key West, and could happily stay for months. However, most of my trips have been 4-5 nights. Last year our total trip was eight nights. We spent the first night in Ft. Lauderdale, second on Islamorada, third on Marathon, the rest in Key West.

Next trip, we'll probably skip Islamorada and maybe add some time in Marathon.

I really enjoy the drive down the keys. And, I really detest the drive back up the keys to catch a flight. We've found it isn't much more expensive (if any) to fly home from Key West. Especially when you factor in that we get rid of the rental car once we arrive in Key West.

You'll be satisfied if you stay Thurs to Mon. I went so long ago to Key West, but I do remember how pretty it was there and we had a delicious dinner!

a weekend in Key West is plenty... Thu - Monday with additional stops along the Keys...

One of the reasons Key West is so much fun is that you could go for a short weekend or you could stay or a few months. Either way, you will have a great time.

It really depends on what you would like to do. If you are looking only for the night life and a few good restaurants, a weekend is plenty.

On the other hand if you would like to know more about the history of Key West or hang out at some local hot spots in addition to the night life and Duval Street, you might want to stay a little longer.

If you are going for a short trip, you might rent a bicycle or scooter for a couple of hours. You'll be able to see alot of the island in a short period of time. Duval Street is a must during the evenings and there are many restaurants and bars that are sure to put you on island time.

If you have time and are staying in Key West for a longer vacation, you could spend a day on a fishing charter or take the ferry to the Dry Tortugas.

For more ideas of things to do in Key West and places to stay, check out www.mykeywestvacation.com

Have a great trip!