Key West Here We Come
Oct 6th, 2005, 07:38 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Key West Here We Come
Two weeks and we will be heading south...if it rains, it rains, although I am hoping for sun. Hubby and I are much in need of some down time. Staying at The Gardens Hotel and Marriott Key Largo...can't wait! Any last minute tips...with luck, we are touring the Everglads and snorkeling at Pennecamp State Park (I think thats it!)
NannyJan
NannyJan
Oct 7th, 2005, 05:01 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Buy Kino Sandals in Key West. They are handmade leather sandals by fourth and fifth generation Cubans and very cheap. $9 a pair.
Eat at Blue Heaven. Very funky eating outside with chickens wondering around.
Have a drink at Green Parrot and you'll meet locals.
Do the Fast Cat or Seaplane to the Dry Tortugas. You must get out over the water at least once while in the keys.
Eat at Blue Heaven. Very funky eating outside with chickens wondering around.
Have a drink at Green Parrot and you'll meet locals.
Do the Fast Cat or Seaplane to the Dry Tortugas. You must get out over the water at least once while in the keys.
Oct 7th, 2005, 09:31 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Oct 7th, 2005, 09:34 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You will like Marriott Key Largo. If you can, get one of the rooms overlooking the pool and bay. We were there in June and it looked like most of the renovation work was finished. It is a nice place.
For a really good snorkle trip use a company called Keys Divers. They are top notch, and run the best snorkle operation I have been on. VERY professional, and you will get three different spots within the waters of Pennecamp. Marriott dive shop also offers snorkel trips but if you can get with Keys do them. They are located south of the Marriott. Here is the link to them:
http://www.keysdiver.com/
You can also snorkel in the little swimming area in the bay at the hotel. The water is shallow but I saw lots of fish, including barracuda right there.
In Key Largo, just south of Marriott, is a really good small family owned Cuban cafe that is great for breakfast. I do not recall the name, but it is in a blue and white building on west side of highway. Does not look like much but oh so good. The hotel staff will know it I am sure. The Marriott has good food service as well and not too expensive. The open air bar (Breezers I think it is called) is fun and has good happy hour specials.
We really liked Key Largo and the Marriott. It actually is more laid back and more relaxing (we thought)than Key West. I think it is because everyone is out scuba diving and/or snorkeling all day and by night it is time for dinner, a few drinks, and off to bed.
Enjoy.
For a really good snorkle trip use a company called Keys Divers. They are top notch, and run the best snorkle operation I have been on. VERY professional, and you will get three different spots within the waters of Pennecamp. Marriott dive shop also offers snorkel trips but if you can get with Keys do them. They are located south of the Marriott. Here is the link to them:
http://www.keysdiver.com/
You can also snorkel in the little swimming area in the bay at the hotel. The water is shallow but I saw lots of fish, including barracuda right there.
In Key Largo, just south of Marriott, is a really good small family owned Cuban cafe that is great for breakfast. I do not recall the name, but it is in a blue and white building on west side of highway. Does not look like much but oh so good. The hotel staff will know it I am sure. The Marriott has good food service as well and not too expensive. The open air bar (Breezers I think it is called) is fun and has good happy hour specials.
We really liked Key Largo and the Marriott. It actually is more laid back and more relaxing (we thought)than Key West. I think it is because everyone is out scuba diving and/or snorkeling all day and by night it is time for dinner, a few drinks, and off to bed.
Enjoy.
Oct 7th, 2005, 09:36 AM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eat at the Islamorada Fish Co - great fresh fish and a wonderful store filled with fishing gear, etc. right there. I say skip paying to go to the State Park - there was a nice (free) beach in Marathon but I can't remember the name. When we were at the State Park, the beach was filled with dried up seaweed, lots of flies, and you had to wade through seaweed before getting out to the clear water. That was in May; hopefully by now they cleaned up the beach.
Oct 7th, 2005, 09:43 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BIG STRONG second for Blue Heaven in Key West....dine with the chickens under your feet. Great place.
If you are into Jimmy Buffett you have to visit the original Margaritaville just to say you have been there.
If you are into Jimmy Buffett you have to visit the original Margaritaville just to say you have been there.
Oct 8th, 2005, 09:08 AM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, we are staying the first night at the Hampton Inn in Islamorado, so that may be the perfect time to go to the Islamorada Fish Co. Quite a few of you have recommended that place!
I read on Tripadvisor that Blue Heaven was closed last week...hope it is opening again within the next couple of weeks. If not, we will find something just as wonderful, I am sure.
We do have a Bay View Room at the Marriott, so I am looking forward to that. As I said, we are so "worked and burnt out" that just hanging out looking at water will be a treat! We too think this will be the more relaxing end of the trip and that is why we booked it at the end...
Mimi...is Cafe Sole in Key West? How about Key Largo restaurants...any other ideas there? I will ask about the Cuban breakfast place...
Boy it is so humid in Boston today it feels like Florida...can't believe this in October...but no complaints here!
The Fast Cat looks good...we just may do that one day.
Bahia Honda State Park is on our list. Thanks!
We actually did visit Margeuritaville on a cruise stop years ago for about two hours...that was our only time spent in the Keys, so we are looking forward to seeing lots more this time!
Thanks everybody...NannyJan
I read on Tripadvisor that Blue Heaven was closed last week...hope it is opening again within the next couple of weeks. If not, we will find something just as wonderful, I am sure.
We do have a Bay View Room at the Marriott, so I am looking forward to that. As I said, we are so "worked and burnt out" that just hanging out looking at water will be a treat! We too think this will be the more relaxing end of the trip and that is why we booked it at the end...
Mimi...is Cafe Sole in Key West? How about Key Largo restaurants...any other ideas there? I will ask about the Cuban breakfast place...
Boy it is so humid in Boston today it feels like Florida...can't believe this in October...but no complaints here!
The Fast Cat looks good...we just may do that one day.
Bahia Honda State Park is on our list. Thanks!
We actually did visit Margeuritaville on a cruise stop years ago for about two hours...that was our only time spent in the Keys, so we are looking forward to seeing lots more this time!
Thanks everybody...NannyJan
Oct 11th, 2005, 08:44 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe the Cuban restaurant that Curt is refering to (south of the Marriott in KL is called the Marlin.....good authentic Cuban food.
As for the comment to skip the State Park, I guess if the only reason you went into Pennecamp was for the beach you would sure be disapointed. But Pennecamp is also a jumping off point for snorkeling, glass bottom boats, etc, and has a nice walkway through the mangroves. Yes if you want to set up the old beach chair for a day you will find the beach at the park small, rocky, and seaweedy. But if that's not why you are going, the park has other things to offer.
As for the comment to skip the State Park, I guess if the only reason you went into Pennecamp was for the beach you would sure be disapointed. But Pennecamp is also a jumping off point for snorkeling, glass bottom boats, etc, and has a nice walkway through the mangroves. Yes if you want to set up the old beach chair for a day you will find the beach at the park small, rocky, and seaweedy. But if that's not why you are going, the park has other things to offer.
Oct 11th, 2005, 02:40 PM
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fast Buck Freddies - sounds interesting!
So far I made notes on the Fish House,Cafe Sole, Hot Tin Roof, La Te Da, Bahia Honda, Island Grill, Islamorado Fish House, Mangoes, Everglades, John Pennecamp, Hemmingways House, the Lighthouse, Seven , Blue Heaven, Green Parrot, Kino Sandals, Keys Divers, and the Conch Train tour....
WOW! I'm exhausted and we haven't even left yet! DH will kill me if I don't give him some down time...Thanks everybody! NannyJan
So far I made notes on the Fish House,Cafe Sole, Hot Tin Roof, La Te Da, Bahia Honda, Island Grill, Islamorado Fish House, Mangoes, Everglades, John Pennecamp, Hemmingways House, the Lighthouse, Seven , Blue Heaven, Green Parrot, Kino Sandals, Keys Divers, and the Conch Train tour....
WOW! I'm exhausted and we haven't even left yet! DH will kill me if I don't give him some down time...Thanks everybody! NannyJan
Oct 16th, 2005, 11:52 AM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lorelei or Lazy Days in Islamorada for lunch for fantastic fish sandwiches. Also love Morada Bay for dinner on the beach in Islamorada and then wander next door to Green Flash for dessert and drinks.
