It was NOT a silly question!

Do you have other ideas for celebrating your milestone that might present fewer questions about good fit for your vacation style?

Everyone has different expectations about appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, especially around issues of rowdiness, drunkedness, nudity, etc. Some people view it as "letting go" and others view it as a reprehensible lack of morals.

The responses here are in favor of Key West, but only you know how much of any of these behaviors, if present, you can accept before your vacation is in ruins.

There are so many places to choose from, perhaps you should consider alternatives?

portia, she read articles and looked at pictures from Fantasy Fest. She wanted to make sure that's not the "real" Key West.

I think she's excited about her trip now :-)

I found Key West quite peaceful in places: the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor, Higgs Beach, cycling along the bike path on the southern shore, all delightful. While Duval Street and Mallory Square are a hubbub of activity sometimes with massive throngs that had descended from cruise ships into the souvenir shops, bars and Key Lime Pie joints, I found that aside from those two...as one moved onto the side streets, it was easy to escape to a more tranquil charm (minus those rowdy roosters and free-wheeling ibises).

Do check out Key West. I'm glad I did! Best wishes, Daniel

starrs,

I understand.

I'm simply suggesting that everyone has a different tolerance for certain behaviors and rather than "risk" ruining a vacation because of your tolerance for certain behaviors it might be a good idea to consider other destinations.

If someone is going to become upset on a vacation, typically meant to be a time of pleasure, it's worth considering alternatives, in my opinion.

That's all.

I loved Key West and would absolutely recommend it.

Have a great day!

portia, if she planned to go during Fantasy Fest, she should consider other destinations.
She's not, so there's little chance she's going to become upset on her Key West vacation.

That's why my first question to her was "Where have you gotten the impression it's all party and raunchy?".
The answer was Fantasy Fest ;)

starrs,

Agreed!

conch fritters . . . . mmmmmmm

its only raunchy when I go down there wearing my leather chaps (no pants) and a Hog's Breath T-shirt...

...and you love every minute of it, don't ya, gary ;-)

It sounds like you should probably avoid KW during the last 10 days of October (Fantasy Fest) and possibly during the last 10 days of April (Conch Republic Days) and New Year's Eve -- the same way that I assume Mardi Gras would not be your first choice for the appopriate time to visit New Orleans and NYE would not be the best time for you to visit NYC. Otherwise, go! Rent bikes and pedal through the cemetery and picnic at Fort Zach. Take time to really explore the beautiful art galleries on upper Duval. If the weather is warm, spend a day snorkelling on the reef and kayaking through the mangroves. Hemingway House is a delight, and the Mel Fisher Museum is way more entertaining than it has a right to be. And yes, you should probably do sunset at Mallory one night, but then when you get that out of your system, watch the next sunset from the top of La Concha - the best view in town (you have to buy a drink, but they don't care if it is alcoholic or not). Have an incredible dinner at Seven Fish, Blue Heaven or Louie's Backyard.

Now, while I completely stand behind everything I just told you and have dearly loved doing every single one of them many times, I'm really looking forward to our next visit to KW for Conch Republic Days next April. The Harbor Battle ship-to-ship food fight on Friday night, and bed races down Duval on Saturday. Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!