Key West - where to eat, what to do?
 

DH and I are going to key West at the end of the month - I can hardly wait! Now - thanks to Fodorites - that we've settled on where to stay (Marquesa), I would like to get where to eat/what to do recommendations. I'm doing chemo, so I don't have tons of energy - plus my diet (due to other things) is somewhat limited (mainly I need to stay away from high fiber foods). The good news is that, although lots of things don't taste the way they ought, seafood tastes just fine. So - food - seafood, but someplace where it is fairly plainly prepared or where i can request a simpler preparation. Also, my appetite is limited, so I will probably have an appetizer for dinner while DH will want appetizer through dessert - so either a good selection of appetizers or a place that will let me get an appetizer sized portion of an entree. Next - things to do. We're planning on very low key - lots of reading and people watching, with some sight seeing/window shopping thrown in. DH is very interested in Mel Fisher's museum and I'm thinking the Hemingway House (heard it has good tours). Comments? Also, what about the conch train tour vs the (I think) trolley?

The restaurant at the Marquesa is very accomodating, especially to the guests at their property... plan at least one dinner there... and explain your situation...

Peter K has recommended the Trolley on another post with the link (see Key West - 1 day Activities post) it looks way better than the Conch Train for your situation... you could ride to each stop and spend as much time as you could manage)

There are several seafood choices at the Bight, which is also one of the trolley stops...

Good luck on your rest vacation...

This might help a little. Not all menus are listed, but a lot are, and I think you'll find most restaurants are very accommodating. My husband and I went to Key West several days after his feeding tube was removed and though his diet was limited, everyplace we went was very helpful.

http://www.keywestmenu.com/

You need to try Blue Heaven..the best breakfast, lunch and dinner on Key West. It's set in an old house with chickens and cats everywhere. They have the best Key Lime Pie I've ever had anywhere. Blue Heaven!!!!! Love It!!

We like Louie's Backyard. It's on the Atlantic side and has great views from the terrace deck. You might want to try them for lunch for the view.

http://www.louiesbackyard.com/

Gary22 - DH talked to Marquesa and they were very nice and accomodating - we are going to have one meal there. What would the dress code be? We're going down in a commuter-type plane from Clearwater/St. Pete, so have a 20-lb luggage limit. We're not heavy packers - but would DH need jacket/tie at anyplace? We'd rather use the weight for books than clothes! Looking at the menus - from the menus website and the Blue Heaven and Louie's sites - actually made me hungry. It's nice to know that places are helpful about menus and ingredients. I like (or rather, liked) to cook so much that we seldom eat out - and really haven't at all since my appetite/taste problems - so I've never had to ask for off-the-menu type things.

Also, it looks like there might be two trolley tours, apart from the conch tour (which I would probably freeze on - I tend to wear fleece when DH and the boys are in shorts - they are greatly amused). They are both called Old Town Trolley Tours, but there are two different webistes: trolleytours.com and historictours.com. If these are two different companies, would you recommend one over another?

One more question, while I'm here. I know about Mallory Square at sunset, but during the day - are there benches and is it a good place to take a book and read/people watch? Are there always lots of people? Are there quieter squares or city parks or public places with benches? What about areas with outdoor restaurant seating for just a cup of coffee? I sure do hope it's warm - we had a cold December and January/February last year were awful! I checked weather.com, and the historic day time temps are a couple of degrees higher in Key West than here, but night time is almost 10 degrees warmer - so that's good.

There hasn't been a jacket and tie in Key west in at least 40 years.... casual bahama shirts are as formal as it gets... you can wear shorts anywhere but I usually wear khakis and a button down for dinner, shorts for breakfast and lunch... also don't forget Marquesa has breakfast service at your room... when I was there we set up on the deck...

the trolly recommended by PeterK in his post was www.cityviewtrolleys.com . I have never been on it but it looks like it stops at all the sites and allows you to get on and off at your convenience... PeterK may have better comparisons...

Just a note about Louies... it's at the far end of the Old Town so walking may be difficult if you are tired... you could do lunch there by jumping off the trolley ... its near Southernmost point marker...

There are lots of places to people watch... Duval Street is the main hotspot, some places to sit along steps and a few benches, loads of outdoor cafe choices with shade... the Bight is near the water and docks, the pier at the end of Duval, and the museum area near Clinton Square... all are great choices...

we found both the mel fisher tour and the hemmingway house fascinating. would recommend both

I found plenty of places to sit in Mallory Square. Most of the restaurants had outdoor seating; in fact it was hard to find a place in the Keys that had indoor seating.

One attraction in Key West that I had not read about was the Eco-Discovery Center that has just been open a couple of years. Interesting exhibits, some aquarium tanks including a coral reef, and a good movie on the nature of the Keys.

I just got back from the Keys last week and am finishing up my trip report. If you are interested it is at http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm.

I was going to suggest touring the Hemingway House. We did it years ago and really enjoyed it. The house is not that big but it is two stories. We had an excellent guide who gave us a lot of history of the house and Hemingway. I don't think it would be too tiring for you. We didn't have time for the Audubon House, but it was open for tours too. Don't know if it still is or not, but looked interesting.

Mallory Square is pretty much deserted during the day. There are benches there, but many are used by vagrants.

There are benches beside Mallory Square, sort of in front of the Westin. Nice place to sit. We sometimes sit there and watch the people come off the cruise ships.

We toured the Truman Little White House and found it very interesting. Things have certainly changed for the president in the past 60 years.

Thanks so much everyone! Nikki - really enjoyed your trip post - almost (note - ALMOST) made me wish we were driving down, but it would just take too long.

I read about a place with tapas. Sanitagos Bodega, I think. Has anyone eaten there?

Santiagos Bodega is wonderful! Please don't be put off by the sketchy neighborhood in Bahama Village. The food is really, really great, and although a little off the beaten path, it's well worth the trip.

Santiago's Bodega was a real highlight of my recent trip. Loved the tapas and had a great, large salad.

I love the Lighthouse Court Inn near the base of the light house and across the street from Hemingways House...a block off Duval Street.

Food - Mangoes on Duval is my ult favorite. And, have a chocolate covered key lime pie..YUM

A hidden gem is the Butterfly Museum...very cool...down toward the southernmost end.

Beaches- Go pay to get into the base beach - Ft Zachary Taylor..clean, no bums, chairs and good snorkeling.

Go to the Sunset Deck for drinks at sunset and then walk the board walk over to Mallory Square....just as good as the touristy junk at Mallory Square. Sunset cruises are very nice too. have a jolly time, mon

Chocolate covered key lime pie! Sounds wonderful!