Jim2003

Have been to Key West a number of times with brother and dad (8 times maybe... losing track)..... LOVE IT. Going again in a month (December)... Always do all of the regular touristy things, but are looking for something new and different perhaps this time?? Something more conch (native) than touristy maybe,..... Give me a few "Hidden Jewels!!"

Thanks,

J

SusanCS

Hi, Jim - My husband and I have been going to Key West for years, but during our last trip we did something we've never tried...we went on a search for key deer! Dunno if you'll have a car, but seeing those little deer was great.

SAnParis

I posed a similar question a few months ago, I'll top it for you.

SAnParis

Check out the "Hidden Florida Keys" books also. They are awesome, particularly if you are driving out from Miami or FLL.

bagsarepacked

Find Nancy Fosters Secret Garden

http://www.seekeywest.com/guide.htm

GoTravel

Best way to meet locals is to get out on the water.

Rent a boat for your stay and on your first day out, hire an experienced captain to show you the area.

You'll never stay on land again in the keys. The keys on the water are an entirely different animal.

Make sure you are an experienced boater and know how to read channel markers well. The fine for destroying sea grass is $50 per square foot and you are in 10 feet before you realize what has happened.

The keys are patroled by about 8 different law enforcement agencies so be careful. Read your charts and go slow!

Jim2003

This is great... Thanks. We are looking to rent one of those small 3 person jet-ski boats. But, need more "guy" things (i.e. no gardens... ha ha ha)

Jim2003

Also - Whos been to Louie's Backyard?? Is it nice? Been wanting to go there for a while but haven't.... sorta outta the way..... remember, this is for 3 guys (me, my brother, my dad)... We love Blue Heaven... will we like Louie's??

GoTravel

Jim, skip the jetski. Locals HATE them.

Instead go for a 17 foot Boston Whaler or something similar.

SusanCS

Jim - I'm honestly not sure if you'd like Louie's Backyard. We go at lunch rather than dinner because it's cheaper, but we always end up eating the daily special because lots of the other menu choices look a little too "ladies luncheon" for us - salads and sandwiches, etc.

The fish special is nearly always fabulous and even though it's expensive, it's worth it. Their menu can be accessed online, if you're interested in taking a look at it before you go.

I assume that you won't have a car, which is too bad, because two of our favorite restaurants are on Stock Island: Hogfish and the Rusty Anchor. both have wonderful, real food without the tourist atmosphere. Very appropriate for a group of guys

Have you tried the Island t'ing? It's a combo catamaran, kayak and snorkeling trip that one of the frequent visitors to Key West swears by...hopefully he'll pop in and explain it to you. Sounds like something that would appeal to a group of guys.

LarryBee

Speaking as a local, we hate jetskis and waverunners, but looks as like Jim is renting a small boat that uses waterjet propulsion; this is a completely different thing and we locals don't hate them. Driving one of them you are no more or less likely to cause environmental damage or annoy locals than if you rent a 17 foot whaler.

bagsarepacked

The best time I have heard to go to Louis is for happy hour on the after deck and after sunset.

sorry...missed that you were guys with the garden suggestion.

mersingary

These may be a bit "touristy", but last year a friend and I took the seaplane to Ft. Jefferson. The views are great and the Fort is a neat place to visit. We also took a bi-plane flight in an open cockpit. It was really a great ride. The plane only flies about 500 feet, so you can see manta rays, turtles, sharks (yes sharks!) and shipwrecks.

mersingary

OOPS---I meant to say that the biplane flies about 500 feet in altitude!!!!

Peter_krynicki

I personally prefer the Sebago Island T'ing, but I suppose the Power Adventure is more a guy thing, and more expensive...under Watersports...

http://www.keywestsebago.com/

Then for a new dinner, try Santiago's Bodega on Petronia, just past CHapman Lane.

Pjk
Pjk

Jim2003

You guys are all awesome!! Thanks so much. Seaplane sounds like a blast!!! May look into that..... Keep posting please if you have other ideas.... Again thanks sooo much!!

joan

Go tuna fishing.
I did this, didn't even want to go really, and had the time of my life. Exhilarating, exhausting, and oh the fish, so incredibly delicious, what a prize! (helps to make the $600 pricetag a little easier to take too) Very good guy thing to do.

No_name

Santiagos is wonderful (just had dinner there last night) but I am not sure if its good for a guy thing.
What about taking an Ultralite plane flight? Very cool and the views are like nothing else.
Or if you are really adventurous go for the stunt plane. It is a bi-plane and Freddie will go as easy or hard as you want.

No_name

If you have a car, drive up to No Name Key and find the No Name Pub. Very cool and different with great pizza.

Jim2003

You are all awesome!! Thanks again.... Would still be super-interested in hearing more!

J