keys road trip - where to eat, sleep, sightsee
 

First time in keys and need advice on where to stop, eat and stay on a road trip through the keys. Husband and I are in our 30s and looking for relaxation and fun. love to snorkle, lay on beaches, read, eat good food... flying to Miami April 4 and staying in Key Biscayne that night, then heading south. I'm getting a convertible for the trip. We have to be back in Miami for our flight home by Tuesday April 8 at 1pm.

There are many threads on the Keys on Travel Talk. Click on Florida, enter Key West and you can spend a day reading answers to your questions. Have fun on your trip.

This will give you some ideas even if you don't have a motorbike:

Captain Ron & Pirate John's Adventure Guide...

http://www.buccaneerpublishing.com/AdventureGuide.htm

Pjk

The wife and I were there about a month ago, and we took an outing with Danger Charters, an outfitter out of Key West. It was a full day, snorkeling/sailing/kayaking. Fewer people than a lot of the snorkeling charters, and really a great time.
Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo was probably the best snorkeling trip, in terms of the quality of snorkeling, but the boat was a little more crowded.
Bentley's in Islamorada was probably the best meal we had; The Wreck, in Marathon, had the best Key Lime Pie.
If you like eating, it might be worth eating dinner in South Beach the first night you're there . . . plenty of great places to choose from.

If you have any interest in dolphins, stop at the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. I could have spent the entire day there watching the dolphins.

Great info! Thanks a lot! Any suggestions on where to stay in Islamorada, I'm thinking we'll stay one night there on our way down to Key West and everything is either very expensive, requires 2 night min. or looks dirty? We just need a place to spend the night before heading back on the road in the morning. It doesn't even need to be by the water.

hi jacq,

here a some places in Islamorada we have stayed in the past. no matter where you stay, you will be near water.

http://www.ragged-edge.com/

http://www.kontiki-resort.com/

http://www.dropanchorresort.com/

hi again jacq,

i just realized from the original post, your time frame is only 4 days (leaving from key biscayne). 1 night in Islamorada leaves about 1 1/2 days in key west. do you have to be at the airport by 1 or do you depart at 1? If departing at 1, it would be wise to get back up to Islamorada or Largo very early in the am.

maybe head right down to Islamorada after you land. It's about a 1.5 hour drive from airport. at that point you are only about 80 miles from Key West. It also gives you the extra day to take your time and enjoy the ride. . .Anne's Beach, The Dive Museum, Bahia Honda, to name a few. part of the experience is the ride down US1. best not to be in a hurry.
have a wonderful time!