Shandy1977

I am so glad I found this message board! People have been so helpful with my weekend in Charleston, I am now wondering about my trip to the Florida Keys. We are staying at The Reach resort in Key West and I think it is the Holiday Inn in Key Largo.

My girlfriend and I are flying into Miami and staying there for one night. The next day we are driving to Key West and staying there Monday through Friday. Then we are going to do Friday night and Saturday night in Key Largo and fly home Sunday night. We are pretty excited. While the Charleston weekend is more of a family outing for my cousin, this is an actual vacation week for me and long overdue.

I already plan to do at least a couple snorkeling trips down there, and I am pretty sure she wants to do the sunset cruise. Our package in Key Largo includes tickets to a casino boat offshore which should be fun. I have been gathering other ideas from guide books and so forth but I think the advice from travelers in the know can be invaluable.

What do you recommend for our five nights in Key West and two in Key Largo.... even our one night in Miami. Is there a place for dinner in Miami that is too good to miss?

I am very eager to hear what people think about places to eat down there. Any favorite eateries or bars... I would love to hear the recommendations. My parents loved Louie's Backyard and told me to go there. I would also like to do Margaritaville. It may be a tourist trap, but I am a die-hard Buffett fan. I see other places in the guide books but I know some of the best places can excape those pages sometimes.

Aside from places to eat, any general tips for my trip are greatly appreciated. I am wide open to suggestions here, so let me have them! Thanks in advance for the ideas and I hope I can return the favor to you soon!

SAnParis

I topped a post for you as well. Key West eateries - My thoughts, Mangoes or Bo's Fish Wagon for Lunch. I also like to hang out at the Half Shell & a couple of other places over near the Marina. Make sure you meander over that way. A & B is good for upscale, Louie's is also good. Pepes for breakfast. Go to the Buffett store if you like, but there is little reason to eat there. There are a couple of bars I like, Tony's is one. Sloppy Joes is good for one if you don't mind the crowd & a decent band is playing. Have a drink @ Sunset, @ Mallory Sq. The Schooner Wharf is the other place near the Marina, also the Green Parrot (for bars).

Shandy1977

Thanks for the reply and topping the other thread...

I forgot to mention that this trip is the second week in August. I am not sure if that impacts the advice people give, but I thought I would add it.

Thanks again!

SAnParis

First-timer, or not ? There is a great little travel book called "the Hidden Keys" or some such thing which is really good since you are driving out. Take a look on Amazon.com, it is well worth the $$. Can't recall the exact title & I've lent it out.

Pappy

FYI, It's Capt. Tony's. It's as real as it gets in KW. Also, for good eats by the wharf try Turtle Crawls or the 1/2 Raw Oyster BAr.

No_name

Rumor has it that Mangoes was just sold. The last few visits we have really enjoyed a place called 915 Duval. There is also a new place called Sarabeths which is wonderful for breakfast.

keymom

For the Key Largo portion of your trip - - The Fish House (mm 104 or so) has fresh, fresh yellowtail snapper. Very delicate local fish - have it simply prepared. No reservations for the Fish HOuse so get there early. You'll want to snorkel from Pennekamp State Park. It has a neat and large aquarium you should try to check out in advance. It's nice to know what you're going to be looking at! Other upper Keys restaurants - Morada Bay (on the beach, mm 84 or so) and Pierre's (much nicer, very good, next door). If you just want fish sandwiches on the dock with a cold Key West Ale (and who wouldn't!), you could check out Snappers (walk all the way back to the dock - mm 94) or Lorelei. The oddest tourist activiy I know of in the Keys (and one I strongly recommend) is feeding the wild tarpon at Robbies (mm 77 bayside). Try to stop on your way to Key West. Best place to snorkel in the Keys is Looe Key off Big Pine Key mm 29. You can do as a day trip from Key West. Have a great time!

Peter_krynicki

Just some thoughts on Key West.

IMO the best margueritas are at Kelly's on the corner of Caroline and Whitehead. They are 2.50 during happy hour and Kelly's also serves good chicken wings and conch fritters, also $2.50, and they are a micro brewery.

Alonzo's Oyster Bar is one of the best deals for happy hour. *Everything* on the left side of the appitizer menu is 1/2 price. If you snag a free drink coupon for Alonzo's from the See Key West magazine you can really make out well here. Alonzo's is on the Key West bight and the magazine is everywhere.

The Conch Republic Seafood Co, also at the bight, has 2-4-1 drinks during happy hour and they have good peel-your-own shrimp, but I think the best shrimp are at the Half-Shell Raw Bar. There is also a coupon for a free 2nd drink at the HalfShell in the magazine.

For one elegent drink in the afternoon go up to the Rooftop Cafe on Front Street and order a "pepper" Bloody Mary and enjoy the view. ($4.25)

IMO the nicest sunset sail is on the Floridays, a smaller single-hulled ship that docks at the Hyatt. They serve chamapigne and if you go, sit on the small seats set into the rail at the stern for the best views. You can also ask to steer the boat once you've left the harbor.

The best deal for a snorkel is either the Caribbean Spirit or the Fury which does a combo snorkel / sunset sail. (More time on the water). There is a $2.00 coupon on the Sunny Days site (for the Caribbean Spirit) and 10 % off for the Fury in the Magazine.

But the bestest deals for a day on the water is either the Sebago Island T'ing or the Danger Charter. Each serves a small breakfast, does a snorkel stop, serves a great lunch, then a kayak trip around a mangrove island. *Then* they mix up the sangria. Highly recomended, but they do not go out every day and fill up fast.

If you do dinner (it's almost more fun to do drinks & snacks) try Blue Heaven on Petronia, Pepes on Carolinw, as mentioned B.O.'s Fishwagon also on Caroline, and, for Cuban, El Meson de Pepe on Wall Street, just off the Mallory Docks. You might want to end up here in the evening to listen to the band.

Phew! Not enough days.

Pjk