The Florida Keys - Key West or elsewhere?
 

We are ging to be in the Keys from Dec 30 to Jan 5. Not sure if we should stay in Key Largo (flying into Miami) or Key West or split our time. We have 2 teenagers so looking for some beach(or pool) time, perhaps visiting a state park, boating but would like to be close to restaurants etc, particularly for New Years Eve. So was thinking Key West thru New Years and then back up to Key Largo (or elsewhere in Keys). Thoughts? Suggestions? Including accomodations??

Depending on the ages of your teens & what you are comfortable exposing them to, I might opt for a quiet New Years in Key Largo. That being said, not much in the way of beaches in the Keys but one of my favorite spots is Bahai Honda State Park. If you don't already have a place to stay, you mind may get made up for you.

I would be really surprised if you could get reservations in Key West at this late date.

If you'd asked this question a month or so ago, I'd have suggested you stay the whole time in Key West because it has lots of great restaurants and water sports, but I don't know what (if anything) would be available now.

I would divide my time between Islamorada and Key West. SusanCS is right that rooms could be tough to find in KW. But, you should spend a night or two.

Islamorada has several acceptable hotels including a Hampton with a mini beach. Islamorada is mid keys and you can make short drives to Key Largo or Marathon. Bud n Mary's Marina has boat rental. Lazy Days is a nice restaurant nearby.

Many threads on this site discuss KW and middle Keys activities and restaurants.

When the Keys are busy, be patient and drive safe. Overseas Highway is dangerous with unpredictable drivers.

Have fun.

Hotwire's showing availability in several categories Jan 1-4. It's probably the chain lodgings out on Roosevelt, but there doesn't seem to be a shortage.

Last year, we took a shot at Key West, at the end of January, without a reservation. We checked with the Key West CofC down around Front St. To quote the lady behind the desk, "Availability has not been an issue." In other words, there was no problem.