Miami & Key West must sees
 

Hi,

We are in our early 30s & enjoy seeing what's unique to a city (including the nightlife). I have a rough itinerary (with help from Fodor's guides of course), but we'd love input from the experts out there on "must sees". Thanks!!

Day 1

Coral Gables:
Biltmore Hotel
Venetian Pool (is this worth it?) Miracle Mile
Fairchild Tropical Garden
Day 2
Little Havana
Coconut Grove:
Vizcaya
Cocowalk

Day 3
South Beach-
Farmer’s Mkt on Lincoln Road
Ocean Drive
Lincoln Road Mall
Delano Hotel
Fontainebleau Hotel
Miami Beach: Espanola Way between 14th and 15th Sts. from Washington to Jefferson Ave
OR Lummus Park Beach

Day 4:
Bayside Marketplace
Haulover Beach- Bal Harbour Or Key Biscayne- Bill Baggs Cape Florida- Crandon Park

Day 5:
Drive to Key West

Day 6: Snorkel at Looe Key
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden

Day 7:

Duval Street
City Cemetery
Mallory Square
Historic Seaport at Key West

Possible Eats: (Miami)
Steak at Capital Grille
Drink at the Living Room
Miss Saigon
Scotty’s Landing
Versailles or David’s (Which one??)
Nikki Beach – Nightclub (passes?)
Blue
Hy Vong
News Café
IceBox café
Wish
Rascal House

Eats (Key West:
Blonde Giraffe
Margaritaville
Banana Café
Brother’s Grocery
Green Parrot Bar
Mangia Mangia
Pepe’s Steak
Origami

Depending on how into plants you are, you could spend an entire day (or more) at Fairchild's.

I haven't been to Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden in several years, but found it somewhat disappointing when I was there. Nothing was marked and no one was around. I'm glad I went, but it's not something that takes very long unless you really are into those plants.

Find yourself a copy of Sharon Wells' Walking and Biking Guide to Historic Key West. Lots of self guided walking and biking tours, including one of the cemetery. Some of the hotels/B&B's have free copies available, although it isn't as common as some of the other Key West tourist info.

Personally, I avoid Margaritaville, I'm not sure why, I like Jimmy Buffett, but it just seems too contrived. And the one and only meal I ever had there was lousy. Lots of good restaurants in the historic seaport area, my favorite is Half Shell Raw Bar.

I'd add El Siboney to your restaurant list of possibilities too. We did have a very good meal at Mangia Mangia last November.

Have a great trip.

In Key West add Blue Heaven to your restaurant list.

i would suggest skipping the following: Venetian Pool, Fountainbleu, I find Bayside dreadful, I'd probably choose Key Biscayne or Bal Harbor not Haulover, I'd go to Miracle Mile for dinner and drinks. Skip Scotty's Landing it is mediocre food at best. For fresh fish try Garcia's on the river or if you go to Key Biscayne there is a restaurant right on the water there that has great seafood. The name escapes me now. For Miami food: go t Versailles it is an institution and I've never seen the appeal of David's cafe. I'm Cuban American and why everyone raves about it here I'm not entirely sure. Definitely try Wish, Miss Saigon is good but not sure I would classify it as one of Miami's best. Capital Grille is good but at Smith and Wollensky you get the same view plus you get a view of the water.... Hy Vong is good but it is a total dump in a run down mall. Have a wonderful time!!!!!!!

-Biltmore hotel,Venetian pool and Miracle Mile are in Coral Gables. If you are not planning to swim, 10 minutes is enougg at Venetian Pool. Not much to see on Miracle Mile, stores and restaurants, nothing special. About 1 hour at the Biltmore is more than enough.
Fairchild Graden is very nice and if you are into plants, easy to spend whole day there.

There is nothing in Little Havana to see, or do. It is called Little Havana because Cubans in the 60's settled in that area. Just drive down sw 8 street or flagler street and you saw it all.

Coconut Grove is very nice but not what it used to be. Mainly a commercial area with some nice restaurants.

Vizcaya is nice and worthed a visit.

Cocowalk is a shopping center in Coconut Grove, Banana Republic and GAP are the 2 biggest stores there, some restaurants.

Farmer's market is on Lincoln Road Mall.

Delano Hotel, very nice for drinks.

Ocean Drive is in South Beach, nice samll restauratns and lots of night life.

Espanola Way is also in South Beach

What are you planning to do at the Fountainebleau Hotel, it is a massive hotel.

Bayside Marketplace, is a water front shopping center, biggest rip off in the city.

Haulover is an optional clothing beach. Crandon Park is nice but not for swimming.

Hi Chele,

We are 30 somethings planning a trip to Key West first week in June. I just spent a few hours reading through all the related threads here.

Here's what I've found that sounds good for Activities & Eats for Key West:

Activities:
Conch Train Tour (for a good overview)
Dry Tortugas National Park (via sea plane or ferry)
Hemingway House
Butterfly Conservancy
Truman White House
Kayaking tour of the Mangroves
Key West Cemetery
Sunset Cruise

Eats:
Not to miss -
Blue Heaven
Half Shell Raw Bar

Alice's
Michael's
Louie's Backyard
Pier House
Two Friends Patio
Sloppy Joe's
Mangoes
Finnegan's Wake
Conch Republic
Sandy's Cafe
El Siboney
Bo's Fish Wagon

Buy: Kino Sandals handmade in KW. :)

Have a great trip! Trish

Key West is soo.. fun!
My favorite restaurant/ divey bar is Half Shell Raw Bar at happy hour. Reduced prices on shrimp and oysters and appetizers. It is a dive but funn too.
ENJOY!!!

Wow!! Thanks for the great input. I'm definitely putting your suggestions into my itinerary. There's nothing like getting "up-to date" info on travel advice. Thanks again. Feel free to keep the suggestions coming!

don't miss sunset celebration even it's a carnival atmosphere even if it's a little hokey. trained cats and the bagpiper!

Here's a silly question....

Any problem driving back from Key West to Key Largo after hanging around for the Sunset Festivities...I will make sure that either hubby or I will be the DD! I guess what I am really asking is if Route 1 is a road that is easily traveled at night...I know it is a two hour ride...Thanks, NannyJan

As long as you have a designated driver, it's an easy drive. There's only one road so you can't get lost.

It is an easy drive in that you can't stray off the route but there are many distractions so watch carefully especially through Deer Key!

I just got back from Florida & wanted to thank everyone for the great suggestions. I changed my itinerary based on the suggestions posted.... We loved Blue Heaven- something I would have missed if it wasn't for the suggestions here.

thanks so much!

Chele

Is Blue Heaven in Key West...we will be there for two days in October.

Thanks, NannyJan