Hello,
This is my first post here.

My husband and I (40-something) are considering taking a 3-day trip to Key West in December. I don't drink and find the party scene unappealing, so the obvious answer seems to be not to go to Key West.

But here are the things I think I would like about Key West: the quaint architecture and gardens, taking the Conch Train, touring Hemingway's house and Truman's Little White House, walking to a variety of great restaurants, kayaking in the mangroves, or possibly renting a car to drive to the 7-mile bridge and seeing the Key deer.

Is the party scene overwhelming, or is it easy to ignore and focus on the other attractions. I'm fine with "funky" and "quirky", but I don't want to spend 3 days surrounded by "raunchy."

Thank you all.

The side of Key West that you are looking for is still there... Old Town is a walkers dream with all of the attractions you list as well as the neighborhoods of Bahama Village, unique restaurants such as Blue Heaven, BO Fish, el Siboney Cuban, Louie's Backyard... Consider adding a sunset sail, or the Sunset Celebration... I have done several Family trips with the kids, and avoided all Bars and had a great time...

Add the Museums, a trip to Fast Buck Freddie's, and the walk around the neighborhoods, and you will have plenty to do... have fun!

A lot of non-drinkers and families go to Key West. I've gone several times without stepping foot into a bar. Where have you gotten the impression it's all party and raunchy?

I've been to Key West with (and without) children and there wasn't anything "raunchy" about our visits. We all had a wonderful time. We did many of the things you are interested in experiencing and we have great memories of our trips.

But your "raunchy" may be different than mine.

We took in Las Vegas with our children (not teens) when we visited the National park (Utah, Arizona, & New Mexico). Since we flew in and out of Las Vegas we spent our last night roaming the strip and casinos. It was great fun; possibly a little over the top for children. But, not "raunchy" in our view.

Key West will be great! Enjoy!

I am so glad to read your concern. Key West was a delight thirty years ago but now it is overrun by visitors from cruise ships and fifty-year-olds who stayed too long at Spring Break. It's a shame. There are so many better things to do that spend three days being treated like a hayseed.

On my last visit I found Key West misguidedly self-congratulatory, but not raunchy. I would like to visit a place that combines the best of Charleston and New Orleans--Key West has become a nightmare version of that dream place.

HTTY

I love Key West. We've been traveling there at least once a year for 15 years or so.

We do have some drinks, but avoid the party end of Duval. It's only a few blocks long, easy enough to stay away from.

Away from there are wonderful restaurants, great areas for walking, lots of quirky shops.

Make sure and wander down by the Harbor. There are several bar/restaurants there, but, it certainly doesn't seem raunchy.

conch fritters. . . . mmmmmm

LB is not a drinker and she loved out vist in Key West.

We did the things you listed and watched the sunset from Mallory Square and ate key lime pie everywhere and enjoyed our stay. Three days would be my limit.

My husband and I are in our late 60s and have been going to Key West for 20 years. Both of us drink cocktails with dinner, but we seldom go to bars.

As others have said, there are LOTS of things to keep you entertained in Key West, and you've named several of them. The Hemingway House is wonderful (especially if you get a good tour guide), and so is the Truman Little White House, though our guide there wasn't so interesting.

We had been going to Key West for years before we took the road trip up to see the key deer, and it was well worth it. A really fabulous experience. We did snorkel, but haven't kayaked...I think you'd love both.

And silly as this may sound coming from an old person, I really think you'd enjoy the Butterfly Conservancy on Duval. I've been there several times with my family and love it every time.

Please try Key West!!! I think you'll love it.

Oh, c'mon. What a question. Silly.

Noticed you said "I don't drink and find the party scene unappealing, so the obvious answer seems to be not to go to Key West."... not WE don't drink and find the party scene unappealing. Yes, you can find plenty to do there, like eat brunch at very nice little cafes and walk all around town and ride the tour trains and explore quaint shops unlike most on the mainland. Party is as party does. If the sight of some people merrily walking down Duval Street after some drinks is too much for you, you may have been living in Mayberry for a little too long.

It is one of my kids' (8 & 5, btw) favorite places to go (& I don't let them stay in the bars after Midnight

Watching sunset at Mallory Square and people watching there is fun and the cruise ships will usually be gone by that time. The drive you describe is lovely! Go early and spend some time in Bahia Honda State Park...you can do the kayak thru the mangroves there.
DH and I enjoy cocktails but we do not do the bar scene and we enjoyed out 3days in Key West...one of the things we truly enjoyed was a sail on the Appledore anchored at the marina.

Opps wanted to add: http://www.bahiahondapark.com/

OK, here is a response to the rather ageist remark above...I am well over 50 (66 to be exact) and I have been to Key West numerous times both via cruise ship as well as direct plane fly-in and in my own car.

I drink alcohol but don't ever participate in the way LESS THAN 50 YEAR OLD wanna be a redneck or something else sleazy kind of scene that happens in SOME of the bars in KW.

Bottom line, you don't have to drink to have a wonderful time in the town, you can do lots of sightseeing and shopping, etc., as well as dining.

IMO nobody has "ruined" the place..it is what it is.

We went for a long weekend and did all the things you mentioned. We're not huge partiers and really enjoyed ourselves doing the Conch Train, going to Mallory Square, doing a snorkel tour, touring the Hemingway House, and visiting the Mel Fischer treasure museum. Lots of cool architecture and good food too.

Hello again,

Thank you so much for your replies. I forgot to say in my original post that although this is my first time posting, I have lurked here for about ten years and used these forums to help plan many other trips.

To answer a few questions:
In researching this trip I read many comments on other forums that Key West was all about drinking or not family-friendly (apparently wrong), so that's where I got the impression it had a frat party vibe.

My concern about the raunchy aspect stems from newspaper articles about the recent Fantasy Fest which seems to get a bit wild (public nudity, etc.), so I'm glad to know that's not a regular occurance.

Perhaps this was a silly question, but given the fact that Key West is a small island and most of the restaurants, shops, and attractions seem to be on Duval St. along with the bars, I wanted to ask it. This getaway would be to celebrate a milestone birthday, so I wanted to make sure it was a good fit.

Thanks again for your encouragement. I'm sure we'll have a good time.

LC

Dukey - Any idea what a hayseed is ?

"My concern about the raunchy aspect stems from newspaper articles about the recent Fantasy Fest which seems to get a bit wild (public nudity, etc.), so I'm glad to know that's not a regular occurance"

I wondered about that. Did you also read that Fantasy Fest occurs once a year?

"I'm sure we'll have a good time"
I'm sure you will too.