Key West - New things, places, adventures ??
Sep 5th, 2006, 05:32 AM
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Key West - New things, places, adventures ??
We are frequent Key West visitors but have not been, since the birth of our 2nd child (so probably 2 years ago, give or take). Are there any new restaurants, things, places, etc. that have popped up while we've been away (too long !!). We are well aware of all the old favorites & stand-bys. Thanks, we'll be there over Thanksgiving, baby-sitter in tow.
Sep 6th, 2006, 04:53 AM
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I'm watching your thread, too, SAnParis. We love Key West, but haven't been in awhile. Thought it'd be interesting to see what's changed there. Like you, I guess good things don't have to change much! 
Sep 6th, 2006, 06:18 AM
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There is a new Pirate museum:
http://www.piratesoul.com/ and I believe the Pisces restaurant is new as well. Unfortuneately, we were evacuated last week before we could see either one.
http://www.piratesoul.com/ and I believe the Pisces restaurant is new as well. Unfortuneately, we were evacuated last week before we could see either one.
Sep 6th, 2006, 07:34 AM
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SAnParis_Well, I don't know anything new but I am planning a trip there after not being there for quite a while. We are hoping it hasn't changed to much. What are your favorite things there to do? This is to everybody else too. Thanks.
Sep 6th, 2006, 07:44 AM
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I grew up in South Florida and visited Key West in August (I know--hot!) for the first time in years. It's lost its charm IMHO and I blame the cruise ship industry for this. A lot of the neat and unique shops and bars are now t-shirt shops and chain restaurants. Sigh! One more "unique" place gone.
Sep 6th, 2006, 07:51 AM
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Associated with the Pirate Soul museum is the Rum Barrel which looks completely new. They are at 528 Front Street and have a 2nd floor and a good band.
There is also a new place across the street from the Rum Barrel called Big Dogs. They have a nice set of tables on a small porch out front facing the street and indoor dining.
Relatively new is Sarabeth's on Whitehead and Southard. Good for breakfast and lunch.
There is Big Daddy Conchs also on Front which used to be Crabby Bills (not Crabby Dicks which is still on Duval) Crabby Bills used to serve 1.99 / dozen oysters but Big Daddy Conchs doesn't, but it is still a good place to go.
Not new but you probably missed the Rooftop Cafe which is a little up-scale but has great food and is a great place for an afternoon drink. It's on the 2nd floor overlooking the Wrecker's Museum.
And Santiago's Bodega on Petronia just past Chapman Lane.
And there is a new sunset sail called Wind & wine on the (?) Fury catamaran.
Pjk
There is also a new place across the street from the Rum Barrel called Big Dogs. They have a nice set of tables on a small porch out front facing the street and indoor dining.
Relatively new is Sarabeth's on Whitehead and Southard. Good for breakfast and lunch.
There is Big Daddy Conchs also on Front which used to be Crabby Bills (not Crabby Dicks which is still on Duval) Crabby Bills used to serve 1.99 / dozen oysters but Big Daddy Conchs doesn't, but it is still a good place to go.
Not new but you probably missed the Rooftop Cafe which is a little up-scale but has great food and is a great place for an afternoon drink. It's on the 2nd floor overlooking the Wrecker's Museum.
And Santiago's Bodega on Petronia just past Chapman Lane.
And there is a new sunset sail called Wind & wine on the (?) Fury catamaran.
Pjk
Sep 6th, 2006, 12:19 PM
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We always avoid Duval when the cruise ships are in port. In fact, we check the schedule in the am to make sure we miss the hordes. We tend to hang out near the Marina & eat a lot at the Half-Shell, Pepes', BOs' & Mangoes. Also, there is a little bar over there, but the name escapes me. We do a little wandering & a lot of relaxing. W/the kids this time, we'll likely head out to Bahai Honda Park for a day also and get some pool time in. Of course you have to enjoy some good cigars if you are in Key West + we'll check out Mallory Square w/the kids as well.
Sep 6th, 2006, 01:14 PM
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Why SAnPARIS? I'm off to Paris (from NJ) tomorrow at 6:15 in the afternoon and won't be back until the 16th. I'm gonna hang out at the Half-Shell Raw Bar of Paris - La Taverna Saint Germain. They have dozens of beer on tap (no Key West Sunset Ale) and moules frites (mussels with chips). (Nah Nah)
BTW I will be in Key West 11/19 - 11/26 at the Pier House.
Pjk
BTW I will be in Key West 11/19 - 11/26 at the Pier House.
Pjk
Sep 6th, 2006, 03:11 PM
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http://www.keywestcity.com/depts/por...ruiseships.asp
http://www.gotothekeys.com/key_west_...p_schedule.htm
I think the Chamber of Commerce also has a schedule of when the ships are in.
http://www.gotothekeys.com/key_west_...p_schedule.htm
I think the Chamber of Commerce also has a schedule of when the ships are in.
Sep 6th, 2006, 03:48 PM
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Pisces is the old Cafe des Artiste next to Duffy's. Sadly, I think the food at Rum Barrel and Big Dogs is awful - we stay just steps from there at the Galleon and had high hopes for both places. If you're planning on Bahia Honda, I assume you'll have a car. One "new" thing my husband and I did during our last trip to Key West was to go look for key deer. It took lots of patience, but boy was it worth it when we finally found them! The road we turned off on was actually a sparcely populated residential neighborhood but after poking along for a while we ended up seeing 15 or 20 tiny key deer.
For food, this isn't new, but you may not have tried the Rusty Anchor and Hogfish on Stock Island. We'd been to the Rusty Anchor several times but just got around to Hogfish our last trip. Fabulous!
One more thing comes to mind...there's a big restaurant on the other side of the Half Shell Raw Bar called Monty's. It has a huge swimming pool and is apparently aimed toward people docking at the marina. I actually love hot dogs but they're a guilty pleasure I only partake on holidays - the ones at Monty's are very good! They have lots of other stuff, too, but with so much fabulous food in Key West, I don't think I'd necessarily recommend it unless you just want to eat cheap in the Key West Bight area. We do that a lot!
For food, this isn't new, but you may not have tried the Rusty Anchor and Hogfish on Stock Island. We'd been to the Rusty Anchor several times but just got around to Hogfish our last trip. Fabulous!
One more thing comes to mind...there's a big restaurant on the other side of the Half Shell Raw Bar called Monty's. It has a huge swimming pool and is apparently aimed toward people docking at the marina. I actually love hot dogs but they're a guilty pleasure I only partake on holidays - the ones at Monty's are very good! They have lots of other stuff, too, but with so much fabulous food in Key West, I don't think I'd necessarily recommend it unless you just want to eat cheap in the Key West Bight area. We do that a lot!
Sep 7th, 2006, 04:17 AM
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Schooner Wharf is the place that I couldn't recall the name of...yes, we spend some time there...We're staying at a cottage/villa that is part of Eaton Lodge. Usually there is a sign near the Conch Train Tours that posts the time of day that ships will be docking. If not there, right at the end of the street (Duval), I think there is another place that posts the times. SAnParis - as my heart is always there, even though (while very unfortunate) I am not (in Paris). My daughters career path & my retirement plan both have Paris included, we'll see what happens in a few years. Peter - perhaps we can meet for a drink over Thanksgiving if the time allows. Try to enjoy your stay in Paris. Was Crabby Bills the place where they used to have reasonably priced stone crab but you had to crack them yourself (I think) ? I'll miss that adventure if they have changed the menu.
Sep 11th, 2006, 05:40 AM
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When I went to the cruise schedules that No Name recommended I saw that there are very few if any cruise ships docking on a Sat(exception being Thanksgiving weekend in Nov) Why is this? We will be in the Keys in Marathon from 11/17 to 11/22. Would visiting Key West on Sat, 11/18 be the best day so as to avoid the cruise ships and have the best day in Key West?
