loisagogo

We loved everywhere we went in the Keys. My best advide for Key West is stay near Duval Street or near the water. It is very hot and humid and the closer to the water you stayed the better. We stayed at a B & B walkable to Duval but there was no breeze once you got away from the water. We changed our clothes 2-3 times a day.

Eef

Re scooter rental in Key West-- though Key West is warm and tropical, it is also very urban, very congested, and very much a party (inebriated) town. Scooter rental also gets (more) expensive when one person gets to pay for scooters for five. You might want to read this scooter-related exchange between some KW locals and their non-local friends. http://pub6.ezboard.com/fitsonlykeyw...icID=595.topic

fishinmom

Hi there. We just got back from Islamorada late Saturday night. We stayed at the Ragged Edge which was not only clean but scrubbed! The price was about 250 per night for 3 teens, a grampa and me( the mom)for 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. The apartment was worn but as I said very clean and very laid back.It is very quiet at Ragged Edge but my teens fish alot and are not looking for love during fishing excursions at least.

Ragged Edge was great for us but I think you might like Morada Bay which is right by the Islamorada Fishing Company Restaraunt, a harbor and the Fishing World Outdoor store. There seems to be alot going on there for your love seekers and the BEST sunsets for you. Lorelei restaraunt and Papa Joes are also right on the water and have awesome sunsets. The Fishing Company restaraunt probably has okay food but when we went it was way too crowded and not well prepared.

We spent an afternoon in Key West and that was enough for us because we were in fishing mode(close to obscession). Part of it is yucky touristy stuff but you can eat at Margaritaville and buy a cheeseburger in paradise T-shirt right next door. We went there and sat in the front window where my 15 and 13 year old boys did some serious scoping on the babes as they walked by. My 14 year old niece just got some new fashion ideas! Yikes. The burgers were pretty good but the Margarita was a-functional. I think they might have made it a Shirley Temple. Tell them to put in a little extra booze.
The sunset celebration was fun. Lots of street performers. Neat view.

We took 4 boating excursions. The best for us was called Easy Adventures. We got to fish for tarpon out by the "coffins",get an eco-tour enroute and finally snorkel. The captain is Ann Baxter who used to be an Everglades Ranger. She knows so much and is just great. However, it was just the 5 of us and might not be what your kids are after.
We went on a snorkel tour with about 30 other people and it was great. Everyone on board was friendly and the kids got to chat with other kids.

I hope you have a great time!

debbiesm

Thanks for all the great advise. Any ideas on Dolphin encounters - We are planing to spend 2 days in Middle keys or Key Largo also. Please keep sending any advise on places to eat and things to do. Thanks again, you are making this trip planning a lot easier. I have booke 3 nights at a town house in Center Court - got good reviews so hope it works - Seems to have the room we need and a decent location

CarolB

Staying at Center Court, the obvious place to eat dinner out (inexpensive, filling, interesting, friendly) is the Cuban restaurant, El Siboney. (You're also close to "Bahama Village", where I believe you can also get good food at good prices, but I haven't been there myself.)

SloPugs

We thought about doing the dolphin thing, but decided to charter a sailboat instead and didn't regret it! We used Mike's Sailing Charters http://sailing.qserve.net/ and they were great! We did two trips: a sunset/snorkel cruise and a sail out to snorkel the coral reef at Sombrero Light. Both times we saw dolphins out in the wild as nature intended! I'm not against the dolphin encounters, its just I figured we would get a lot more experience for our dollar. For instance at Hawk's Cay where we stayed it was about $100/person for a 30 minute program. We were able to charter a new trimaran for our whole family with 2 person crew for $100/hr. and they would go/do practically anything we wanted. My family had an incredible experience and it definitely made some magical memories. Just an idea......