Tourist traps in Key West?
 

My husband and I are going to the Ocean Key Resort in Key West for our anniversary. Are there any tourist traps I should be warned about (tours, museums, recreation activities, etc.)? Also, has anyone taken a glass bottom boat tour recently? Thanks!

In my opinion, the biggest tourist traps in Key West are the t-shirt shops on Duval. I'd stay away from them.

It's been a couple of years since I took a glass bottom boat ride, but I'll pass on some information about them that I got on this board. The newer boats are configured so that you have to look over a railing and down at the bottom to see the glassed area. Apparently that's not a great position for anyone inclined to be seasick. The older boat that docks at Key West Bight has stairs you go down to get to the glassed area, which is on the sides, not the bottom of the boat. That's the tour we took and I enjoyed it.

I advise anyone going to Key West the first time to take the Conch Train Tour. It'll give you a good overview of the island and point you to other places you might want to investigate while you're there. Depending on your interests, there's a lot to do. Truman's Little White House, the Hemingway House and the Mel Fisher Museum are all interesting.

If you like snorkeling or are interested in a sunset cruise, I can highly recommend Floridays - it docks at the Hyatt.

I don't know if you've stayed at the Ocean Key before, but if not you'll be in for a pleasant surprise. The location is perfect and the accommodations are very nice. Have fun!

Susan, as always, is right on the money. The single best thing a Key West newcomer can do is take the Conch Train. It gives an overview of the island that you can't get any other way.

As an aside, we took the glass-bottom boat ride out of Key Largo several years ago. It was the look-down the center kind. At one point, I looked around for my wife, and she had bolted for the restroom. That was, in all likelihood, our last trip on a glass-bottom boat....

You're going to a great place, and staying in a fine resort, for your anniversary. You'll have a ball!

It has been a few years and the actual name is escaping me but there was some museum that I went to that turned out to be a religious group museum. They were really trying to convert people but we didn't find that out til the end of some nature movie we were watching. Yeah I'm rambling but maybe someone else knows the name.....

Hi - The Ocean Key is absolutely beautiful. You will be comfortable and are in the best location in Key West. You're right next to Mallory Square - need I say more? Anyway, yes, the T-shirt shops are a rip off. I've never done the glass bottom boat, but I can recommend the sunset cruise offered all along the Harbor Walk. You'll see what I mean when you get there. Have a great time!

Thanks for all of the info so far! It's really helpful! How do you guys feel about the moped rentals? Know of the most reliable place to rent one? Keep 'em coming:)

I'm not as keen on the conch train. Nothing, to me, screams tourist more than that. If you don't have a good guide book (Joy Williams, June Keith's, or the "Hidden Florida Keys") just grab the map at any of the shops or your hotel and walk.

Walking around Key West, seeing the sights is the way to do it. Key West is a great walking town.

I'm leery of the mopeds -- seen too many accidents.

Hi pups wife
We just returned from Key West and enjoyed everything about it. I too would be leary of the mopeds but would take the little two seated cars that rent by the hour. However, we had the most fun on the Appledore! a sailboat that rents for a 2hr sail for only $25.00pp including wine and beer. The day we sailed we had 22knot winds and it was a blast!! She is docked in the same marina as the America but everyone wants to sail on the America and she was crowded, we only had 8 on the Appledore and we were glad we choose her!

Hey cd, did you feel like you were on a power boat going that fast?

:-) LOL good one Bucheyemom! Maybe, except I've never known a power boat to heel!

We got caught in 10-12 footers on Lake Erie in our boat once and trust me it heeled! Good thing promises made at sea are not good on dry land or I would be wearing a french maid costume and bowing to my dh.

Ohhhhhh with no keel that's definately NOT good! I would have been singing "Nearer My God To Thee!"

Many people feel that mopeds in Key West are dangerous. Is that because people don't really know how to use mopeds or because people using vehicles don't pay close attention to the mopeds? We will be going to Key West in June and I thought about renting bicycles for 2 adults/2 preteens. What are your thoughts on this?

Renting bikes is a great idea! I would NOT advise anyone who's not familiar with mopeds to try one in Key West. The car vs. moped accidents are generally caused by novice moped riders.

Thanks, Susan. That's what I need to know!

Sunbabe, we rented bikes last time we were in Key West. There's a very wide bike path/sidewalk that goes along the Atlantic side of the island. Good ocean views, and it was nice to finally figure out where some of the bigger hotels are that we never stay at. If you stay off the very busy streets, bicycle travel is fun and easy. There sure aren't any hills....

Jean

Thanks, Jean. I think we're going to stay at the Southernmost Hotel because it fits our budget, so the bike path should be real close. That will be great for seeing the southern part of KW. We'll want to go to Mallory Square and restaurants and shops around Duval, too. (we will have a vehicle, but sounds like it's best to park it and leave it) I would love to take a seaplane to Dry Tortugas, but DH nearly choked when I told him the price. I really don't want to spend more than 4 hours at Dry Tortugas, so the boat trip is not feasible. Floridays has been mentioned several times and I thought of doing a snorkeling trip with them. I also plan on snorkeling at Looe Key, Bahia Honda, or John Pennekamp. This will be my first time snorkeling (well, except for lifesaving class in a pool, but we know that really doesn't count!)Any opinions on Floridays or will snorkeling at one of the other places be sufficient.

Sunbabe: If you go to Pennekamp be sure to view the movie offered at the Aquarium. It is very informative about the living reefs and all you will see. We could not snorkel anytime we were there because the sea's were too rough. Key West will be hot and humid in June, and walking from your hotel might be uncomfortable. Once you park your car you do not want to drive it again until you leave. Finding a parking space is hard. Which means you will be walking from the Southernmost Hotel to Duval Street, Mallory Square, the Marina, etc each day. We were so glad we were just a few blocks from all that and could easily go back to our room anytime during the day to change, swim, etc. and come right back. Just something to think about. Have fun!

cd--thanks for the advice about the movie at Pennekamp. Since I know so little about the reefs, this will be a good intro.

We're thinking of renting bicycles so travel between Southernmost and Mallory Square won't be so bad. I've checked many accommodations in what I would consider to be the prime area of KW, but I can't justify the price in comparison to Southernmost. I don't anticipate walking or riding bikes several times a day because we're true beach bums at heart (yes, I know the beaches aren't fantastic), but we'd probably venture out in the late afternoon. We love the hot/humid weather! (call us crazy) Thanks again!

I've been to Key West in June, and yes, it was hot. But, we love heat and humidity too, so we were happy. The places where we have stayed have all been closer to Mallory Square than the Atlantic, but the walk between the two isn't much more than a mile and really pretty interesting. As long as you take your time, it is certainly bearable.

I don't know why, but we've never snorkeled while in Key West. So, can't help with advice there.

I stayed at the Best Western Hibiscus last may. It in the same area as the southermost hotel. We loved that area and didn't mind the walking at all. We walked off a lot of the great food we ate. At night we walked down to Mallory square but took a taxi home after seeing sunset and bar hopping till midnight etc. The cabs were not really expensive for that short of distance.

Have a great time we loved it.

Thanks, Karen, for the taxi idea.

Karen, About how long a walk from Hibiscus to Mallory? We are staying there at the end of April, and although it tells me how many blocks away the motel is , I am wondering the time it actually takes to walk. Thanks.

It is aboout a thirty-thirty-five minute walk at a moderate pace. I know, I stayed at the Hibiscus and walked into Old Town frequently. You are actually on the fringe of Old Town.
I even walked back after a night on Duval. Just remember, the streets are crazy in Key West. Sometimes you think that you are headed north while you are actually headed west etc. Look for landmarks and other buildings around your hotel. There is somewhat of a grid, but it is an old city and the streets bend to the countour of the island shape. It is not as cut and dry as some of the coastal cities in Florida even though it is small. That was my experience anyway.

In March of last year, we snorkeled Looe Key on a boat trip out of Bahia Honda Park. We had a great time, the captain was very funny and helpful, and Bahia Honda is soo beautiful! Rent a kayak and see how far out you can go and STILL be only knee deep in the water! I have details in my trip report at http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34410787

Let me know if you have any questions.

love
roxy

Hi Roxy. Thanks for the great trip report. I remember reading it within the last few weeks (cracked up at the part about Jean Paul). I've ready so many things about the Keys that I'm going crazy not being there! Especially since our forcast is for 4-6 inches of snow today. Yuck!!! I will definitely go snorkeling at Looe Key and I think my DH and kids would enjoy kayaking.

My husband I just spent 1 week in Key West (our first time) and I thought the same about the t-shirt shops. We also thought Sloppy Joes was a "rip-off", expensive drinks and not worth it. Plenty of other excellent pubs/bars to see. The Conch Train was $20. per pers and it was just so-so. Difficult to hear the driver. Rent bicycles-excellent way to get around. Have fun!

I don't think there are any actual "tourist traps" just a lot of cheesy shops. But there are a lot of nice ones too. We just returned this week and took the Conch train tour, did the Hemingway house, butterfly conservatory and enjoyed all of them. You'll have a blast in Key West. They have some great restaurants -- try Mangia Mangia for wonderful pasta and be sure to try to roasted asparagus (appetizer). It's to die for! Have fun.

T-shirt shops are a rip-off if you don't pay attention. Other great places to eat... Blue Heaven, Pepe's on Caroline, B.O.'s Fish Wagon for lunch, Rusty Anchor on Stock Island and The Deli on Simonton. All of these are a good value. June Keith's guide has a great literary walking tour. Saw a guy on Duval turn around to talk to his wife on another moped and slammed into the curb. Compound fracture of his leg and they had only been there for three hours of a week long vacation. As someone said if you are real familiar with them... stay off. Most ride them like they are on a beach instead of concrete and asphalt. Enjoy!