AFTER YOU EXPERIENCE THE PIER HOUSE SUNSET...THE NEXT NIGHT GO TO THE LA CONCHA AND GO TO "THE TOP." THE VIEW IS FANTASTIC OF NOT ONLY THE SUNSET BUT THE WHOLE ISLAND...AS FOR A GREAT NO FRILLS BAR GO TO THE GREEN PARROTT IN BAHAMA VILLAGE. NOTE...MTV'S BEACH HOUSE IS IN KEY WEST THIS SUMMER...A LOT OF YOUNGSTERS... THAT COULD BE GOOD OR BAD DEPENDING ....HAVE FUN!!AINT NOTHING LIKE IT.

CHIMP????

Chimp, there are small letters on your keyboard, too.

Olive Oyl is correct about the historical temp range and it surprised me when I verified it. I was there three years ago for July 4 weekend and almost melted. I was sure it must have been in the high 90's but it appears that it wasn't close to that warm. I suspect it was the relative lack of breeze away from the water and the extremely high humidity that prompted the perception. My companion was a Miami resident who is accustomed to chronic heat/humidity and she shared my perceptions. Despite the heat we still had a great time - I suppose it's a matter of mindset and attitude.

Hi! All the talk about the heat. I live in KW, having moved here from St. Louis 5 years ago. The RECORD high temp was set over a hundred years ago is 95 degrees. We generally have a breeze, which does die down in the summer months. What most people don't realize is that this is an outdoor town. I seldom sit in an air conditioned restaurant, much preferring all my outdoor choices. People do spend the days walking up and down Duval, and exploring the wonderful "off the beaten path" experiences in town. They are not going from their air conditioned homes, to their air conditioned cars to their air conditioned offices. They are walking in the sun and the warmth, eating outdoors, sitting in open air bars, etc. We just tend to forget that if we were home we wouldn't be outdoors all day enjoying the scene. If you check, indeed it really is never that hot, we have just all gotten a little spoiled living with air conditioning.
Welcome to our tiny islands' nation and enjoy your stay!

Liz - My family & friends visited Key West last year. Our 4 kids ranged in age from 8 - 13. I would never expose my children to drunks or winos in the street. We never saw one!! We enjoyed Key West so much we are planning another trip there this year. Don't worry & have a wonderful time. Linda

Key West is the best! My whole family was just there in Feb. 2001 that included parents, grandparents and children from age 4 months to 11 years. Everyone loved it! We swam in the water, no problem. the food is great. You'll have a ball! I am jealous!

I went last year, hot and HUMID as HELL!
The best bar we found was Sloppy Joes (not an ocean view, but fun!) There is another bar (can't remember the name) but it is right at Mallory Square next to the shell shop. We never saw any drunks or vagrants. Rent scooters, it helps to keep cool.