Which island in Keys should we stay on?
 

My husband and I (both 35) are going to the Keys in late May. We fly into Ft.Lauderdale-and plan to spend the 1st 3 nts on Key Largo (Westin or Marriott?? or other??) and dont know whether to stay the next 3 nts on Marathon or Big Pine Key (we have already been to Key West-1 day excursion on a cruise) We like water sports- mostly snorkeling and jet ski, and shopping & beach/pool time as well. I would love to try the seaplane. We like the caribbean atmosphere and lots of choices for dining. Any help is appreciated!!
We have 8 nts total - we are considering the last 2 nights in South Beach, as I like the nightclubs and hubby likes cigar bars/havana theme.... or will we be disappointed there after the Keys?
Thanks!!

The rest of the Keys are nothing like Key West. Key West is the place where you will have lots to do and see, lots of walking in the hood, lots of opportunities. The rest of the keys don't have nearly the opportunities as Key West does. You won't find much in the way of shopping, for instance, on Big Pine Key, but that is the key where you will want to leave for Loou Key to go snorkeling.

I'd suggest you spend a day driving from FLL to Key West. Spend at least three or four days in Key West, and include a seaplane trip to the Dry Tortugas for a day. Then go to Big Pine and go snorkeling at Loou, spend the night, then head to Marathon, and find a place. Then go to Islamorada and find a place. Then head to South Beach for a night or two to check it out.

And no, I don't think you'll be disappointed in Miami but don't stay at South Beach the whole time. Miami has a lot to offer other than South Beach.

Thanks for the input --I like your idea of spending a day driving to the bottom,(to KWest) then making stops on our way back up. Only problem-our flight doesn't arrive Ft. Laud until 3:30pm, so we dont' want to make that drive as it hits night----how long would the drive from Lauderdale to Key West take? Or maybe we stay the first few nights in Miami/South Beach, then during the day drive to KWest? So maybe there isn't 3 days worth of things to do in either Marathon or Big Pine Key? Is 3 nts in Key Largo enough?
Thanks!!

I think 3 nights in Key Largo is too long. We were there two days, one in the Everglades, Anhinga Trail is great! (22 miles from Key Largo)and the other at Pennecamp State Park right in Key Largo. It is a great park and if the seas are not rough you can take a boat out and snorkel the live reef. They also have boats you can rent, a small aquarium with a good film that tells all about the reef. We enjoyed our time there but would have been bored with another day, there's just not that much to do. We stayed at the Best Western on the marina but if we went back we would stay at the Holiday Inn asking for a room overlooking the marina. They have in their marina the "Africian Queen" and they also have on the grounds the row boat that was in "On Golden Pond" with that big hole in her bow. They also have a hot tub and large pool that is fun at night with an outside bar. I agree that Key West is the best! We spent 3 days there and wish we had more. But you must go sailing while there! We had a blast!

The drive to Key West will take about 4 1/2 hours barring any accidents along the way. If I were you, I'd divide time in the keys between Key West and Islamorada. Key Largo really doesn't have much to offer.

I agree w/cd. Three nights in Key Largo is tooooo much. We went last year and did the same two nights as cd. One day for the Everglades (fab) and one day for Pennekamp (very nice). But after that there is just nothing to do if you don't dive.

Key west on the otherhand, we could have used three more weeks to do everything. We just loved it there and would go back again in a minute. The drive from Miami to Key WEst is about 4 1/2 hours in good traffic. Not sure from FL, maybe an hour more. So you could do it the same night that you land but might just want to spend the first night is islamorada (sp) or marathon.

Have fun.

Here's my suggestion
Night 1 - Ft. Lauderdale; have a nice dinner, relax
Nights 2 and 3 - Stop in the Everglades on your way to Islamorada. Stay at Holiday Isle or Cheeca Lodge depending your budget/tastes. Water sports, rent a boat, play
Nights 4, 5 and 6 - Key West; sea plane, shopping, nightlife You don't need to go to Looe Key if you do the Tortugas. If you don't go to the Tortugas then you must do Looe Key.
Nights 7 and 8 - South Beach.
All Nights - Have a great time!

Another vote for the Everglades!
And if have time, parasailing is great. We went for Hawks Key and loved it.
The Dry Tortugas was also wonderful.

Thanks so much everyone for the input, I think I will cut Key Largo to 2 nts, and spend the rest on Key West with 1 alternate night on Islamorada on the way back.