My wife and I are traveling to Key West the in mid June. We are staying in an ocean front room at the Hilton Marina Resort. We have never been before and are looking for some advice on things to do and resturants to eat at. Plus any "dont miss" things we should do. Thanks

Just to warn you that the oceanfront rooms at the Hilton almost always had a huge cruiseship docked right in front of the hotel, so you may not have much of an oceanview. We were staying next door at the Ocean Key resort and noticed this everyday we walked by the Hilton. We took a bus tour here which allowed you to get off at different sites, and reboard later on to continue the tour. Also enjoyed the beach at Zachary Taylor state park. Don't miss eating lunch at Ricks Blue Heaven, and dinner at Louies Backyard.

I agree with JD about eating at Louie's Backyard. We had both lunch and dinner there. Be sure to make reservations. Have drinks on the deck (and very literally on the water) before dinner, and we had a marvelous table outside on the side veranda. Very romantic.

Any thoughs on things to do with Kids ages 14,11,and 9. Is swimming with the dolphins worth the price?

We visited Key West last month and found a new restaurant in Cudjoe Key that my husband and I really enjoyed. It's called The Square Grouper Bar & Grill. We stopped there for lunch one day on our way up to Bahia Honda State Park. It's on the right as you travel away from Key West. It's hard to describe the place, but it's more than a bar and grill. The tables are covered with white tablecloths and the bar has a large selection of wines by the glass. The fish was wonderful. They will close for a couple of months this summer, so you might want to email them to find out those dates at [email protected]. I picked up one of their cards, which has the email address is on it. It also says Mile Marker 22.5 Cudjoe Key.
I have no connection with the restaurant other than we enjoyed their food very much and want to share this information with all of you who helped us decide what to do and where to eat when we were down there.

We just got back from there yesterday... Please be forwarned that it is REALLY hot. Just take lots of sunscreen and pack a cooler for your room w/ lots of ice.
*First, I'd advise renting bikes. Conch Republic Bike Express (305-294-4318) rents bikes for $18 each for two days. Loads cheaper than scooters and less dangerous. (We saw a very bad scooter accident when we were down). Everything's within easy riding distance. They will bring the bikes to you and drop them off. Very quick service.
*Danger Charters (www.dangercharters.com)- we went on the Roamer afternoon snorkel/kayak trip. The trips are small, the staff is great (nice and VERY knowledgable about the area/history/ecosystem, etc.)
*Boondocks Bar& Grill on Ramrod Key is great.
*Caroline's on Duval is great. We had them deliver dinner and it was the best meal we had on the island.
*Half Shell Raw Bar is AWFUL!!! We LOVE seafood and it was THE worst seafood we have ever had... and I mean EVER! Red Lobster would have been better.
*Camille's has an awesome breakfast.

some of the locals told us that the only beach clean enough to venture onto was Ft. Zach.

hope this helps!

Nanafischer:
We just got back from spending a month in a rental home on Cudjoe Key. (We sold a home on that key 3 years ago). We too discovered the Square Grouper and it was included in my Friday Rants and Raves here a few weeks back. In fact Tandori-Girl laughed at the name! Isn't that an awesome restaurant. It is both laid back, and fancy all wrapped in one restaurant. Doesn't seem to matter if you wear blue jean shorts or a dressy outfit, you seem to fit in. The food was fabulous and the wine selection was superb. We spend a month down in the keys every year, and I am already looking forward to next year.

Sorry Tandoori_Girl...spelled your name wrong!

We also ate at the Half Shell Raw Bar. I wouldn't recommend it either.