Key West
 

The best restaurant in the state of Florida is at Little Palm Island, 28 miles up the highway from Key West. Little Palm Island is a resort about a mile offshore; their launch picks up dinner guests from the registration office on Torch Key (MM28). Reserve well in advance, but if you appreciate stunningly good food, this is the place to go.
There are two white-sand beaches on Key West, though neither is anything to get excited about (the rest of the coast is rocky and quite unsuitable for sunbathing. Also, seaweed is a problem). They're on the southern and eastern end of the island. Both are public, neither is walking distance from anywhere. Don't leave anything of value in your car.
I'm probably in the minority, but smelling stale beer wafting out of the open-air bars along Duval Street (Key West's main tourist street) is not why I want to go to small subtropical islands. The shops that intersperse the open-air bars sell mainly kitsch (junk).
There is another Key West, however. Charles Kuralt described it very well in his recent "American Journey" book. Find the book, read the chapter, go to the places he went to for his month in Key West. Enjoy.

Try Mangia Mangia for dinner - we return every trip!

Forget going to the beaches. They STINK from
rotting seaweed which is trapped in a trench
dug during WWII. It is just plain horrible smelling
and bugs run around the beach. GROSS!!!
You must go to the shops just to experience the
variety (putting nicely) of people who go there.
You must be there for the sunset to see all the
carnie acts, peddlers, and of course the sun
falling off the edge of the earth.
Back to beaches, The water there is suited for
two activites: going out on a boat and fishing or
going out on a boat and snorkeling or scuba diving. Want a suntan? Stay at your resort's
poolside and away from the beaches.
Oh yal....take the island tour !

My fiance and I enjoyed the Sailfish Bar and Grille which is located near one of the docks. The food was good and reasonably priced also it was quiet since it is somewhat out of the way.

Enough Key West bashing. Yes, the tourist areas
are somewhat seedy, but there are many great
places to go. If you like to swim, go to the
beach at Fort Zachary Taylor. There's no seaweed,
the water's deep, and there's decent snorkling
only a few yards off the beach. It is a coral
beach, though. Bring beach shoes. It isn't as
crowded as the public beaches (it's in a state
park), and there is little or no crime on it.
If you want to treat yourself to a fabulous meal,
go to Louie's Backyard. It's right on the ocean,
much of the seating is outdoors, and the food is
to die for. Louie's also has the best bar on the
island (The Afterdeck), if you like sitting in
the moonlight listening to the water lap at your
feet.
Stay away from Duval St. Rent a bicycle and explore
the out of the way neighborhoods.
Get out on the water whenever you can. You'll love it.

My husband and I stayed in Key West for nine days last May. I had done a lot of researching before we left to find the best restaurants. The quality of food and the ambience was great at all these place. We love to eat outside and all these restaurants have quaint outdoor patios. Try Mangia,Mangia, Cafe D'Artistes, cafe du Solei, Bagatelles, Blue Heaven and Louie's backyard. Have fun.

Is there a fag free place to stay in the keys?My real name is Chad and Im from the midwest.I hate the mere sight of homos.I'd hate to find myself in a situation were I'd have to explain to my family members why two boys are holding hands and one is dressed like a woman. Should I just avoid the Keys altogether?

Yes, please do. We don't want "your" kind here.

Yes, SB, you should avoid the keys.<BR>Perhaps Branson,Missouri is more your style or some back woods holler in west virginny.

you done made a wrong turn buddy boy.

Yes, please stay away. It's truly a shame that you and your narrow-minded family can't accept people for what they are - even if it's not what YOU are! (Thank God!)