We are taking a week off for Thanksgiving and are thinking about the Keys. I know it won't be very warm but will anything be open that week? I'd hate to drive all the way down there from Charlotte, NC to find most of it closed.

It is a very busy time so everything is open and the weather is usually very nice.

What do you consider warm? The Keys in Nov are very enjoyable with temps in the 70's and 80's.

I mean warm enough to swim with no wet suit. I anticipate it will be too cold for that. My biggest concern is that most of the town will be shut down that week.

The stores will, indeed, be closed on Turkey Day, but that's about it. The restaurants and bars will be open, though. (It is a tourist town, afterall.)
Are you planning to scuba dive? Is that why you mentioned a wetsuit?
I have snorkeled in November and December without a wetsuit. Keep in mind that the weather is variable; some years it has been cooler than others.

I thought the water temps would be too cold to snorkel. Would love to dive but have never done it before. I'm gonna take swim gear just in case though.

We have never been there before and don't quite know what to expect due to the holiday. Some tourist towns get more people on holidays, others almost shut down. I would think that since its warmer there it would still be somewhat lively.

The weather is usually very nice and comfortable. The water is also usually fine w/o the need for a wet suit. All of the restaurants, bars, and shops will be open as it is their busiest time of the month. I would be very surprised if anything at all would be closed. Most businesses seem to take vacations in June and Sept while it is slow.

We stopped in Key West over Thanksgiving on a cruise we were on and found everything open and things very crowded. The weather was nice but a little windy. It is a very fun place. I hope to get back someday.

Thanks everyone for your help! We are looking forward to finally seeing what the Keys are like.

My family will be in Key West for Thanksgiving also. Never thought about water temp. Assumed swimming would be fine. Thanks for bringing it up.

Any recommendations on where to have Thanksgiving dinner? Doesn't have to be traditional but not too far the other way either.

The water should be fine unless it is an abnormal month. I have been diving many times in November without a wetsuit and a short suit in December. Try Pepe's on Caroline for a "Keysie" Thanksgiving dinner. Blue Heaven is also a good bet. Enjoy.