Vacationing in Key West next week? What should we do there?

Question

We are travelling to Key West next week for a vacation, and we are looking for ideas from people who have been there on what we should definetely see while there. It will be my husband, and my daughter who is 9. Please help?

Answer 1

First off- HAVE TONS OF FUN!!!!
We go as a family, and I have gone many times as a single as well, years ago.


Okay the organized tours are great, it is HOT and windy there.
Take the "tourista" tours the first day, then you know the lay of the land, and its all walking after that. So be prepared. Talk to your planner or hotel prior to arrival and get some good advice.

Take a sunset cruise with the kiddo! They have dinner ones, and it is just wonderful, a great family event and kinda romantic as well. Plan each day around "sunset" literally, its an amazingly beautiful thing EVERY, every time.

The "cabs" are outrageously expensive, so wear walking shoes! The sidewalks and streets are not even and are old, dirty at times, so be wise and save the flip flobs for the pool.

The Keys are VERY gay friendly, so you need to be very aware of the "rainbow" flag and watch which "clubs" you go into with the kiddo. Some have porn in plain site. Really watch out for that..... I literally walked into and out of , at least 8 shops my last trip. Not sure what the deal was, it was like New Orleans red light district or something.

I was not impressed by the restaurants-they catered to the "drinkers/smokers" and the seafood was not as good as it could be, yet there is a pizza place on the same street as "JOES Bar" and its across the street, and it IS wonderful and modestly priced. Get a local to give you directions to a good one. The "names" or popular ones, were not "earthy good" to me. Too Bennigans' per say.

ALSO- souvenirs at the CVS store (no joke) are just the same as the other vendors and cheaper.

If you love "art" this is the place to be, their are tons of shops with new and established artist with all times of orginal art, not "knock offs". Spend the cash and get a caricature of your family by the artist across from the "hardrock" older white guy, not very friendly, but great work! WE just love it.

Get your daughter the "pucca shell" necklace and some mother of pearl earrings...they are SO touristisa....and just wonderful.... I still have mine from 1980 the first trip, my last trip at Christmas....I got some more.

I will be there again in two weeks, I have friends that live there and I vist at least once or twice a year.

If you LOVE to fish, then GO....its amazing. Even if you only catch a sunburn, then go.

Be very careful that SUN is super intense, your literally surrounded by water and its like sitting on a mirror in the sun. Wear a hat, and solid clothes....You can buy {RIT DYE-sunscreen for your clothes} its a clear oderless dye, you soak your clothes in it beofre you get down there and it protects your clothes and the skin under it from the UV rays. No joke.

Answer 2

I have been there MANY times, I'd recommend the hotel called Hibiscus, great 4 stars. Very inexpensive .Do not go snorkeling, the beaches are horrible, they are filled with sea weed, the best would to go deep sea fishing and rent a miniature-no-door- car that you rent per hour, a total BLAST! walk around and you can visit many stores. The beaches there are usually for getting a tan but definitely not swimming it's very trashed. I hope this helps

Answer 3

Mallory Square, Key West
A ritual on Key West: everyday at dusk visitors gather at this seaside spot to watch the spectacular sunset and enjoy lively street performances.

Answer 4

go to the blonde girafee for key lime pie you can even watch them make some.. it was shown onthe food network. they have key lime pie dipped in a stick dipped in chocolate and it was to die for! definatly rent a scooter/electric car they are fun. and eat at sloppy joes" and search key west excurtions there are a few sites that offer snorkiling and such and there is even one for a scaverger hunt. you also have to do the tourist thing and look for the 0 mile mark and the southern most point mark. have fun it is gorgous and you dont feel like you are in the us any more!

Answer 5

Take a nice drive through all the Keys and look for Islamorada

http://www.fla-keys.com/islamorada/

http://www.keysdirectory.com/greenturtleinn/

This is my favorite Key!

Go to The Green Turtle for lunch or dinner!

Have Fun

Answer 6

We rented an electric scooter and it was a blast.
We hit up all the shops and Hard Rock Cafe, of course.
Go see the lighthouse.
There is alot to do there.
Have fun!!

Answer 7

DO NOT!!! I REPEAT DO NOT MISS... THE SUNSET GOING DOWN!!! (Mallory Square) There is a guy that plays the bongo as the sun sets and he always hits the last beat just as the sun disappears into (seemingly) the ocean. BEAUTIFUL SIGHT !

Answer 8

Go to the gay bars and see a drag show. That may sound like I am kidding, but I am not. Went there last year and it is hilarious!!!!! Go to Irish Kevins too.

Answer 9

i've been living in florida for over a year now and take it from me the whole place is boring except if you're going to orlando because that's the only place worth visiting with all of the amusement parks and things to see.

Answer 10

Google it! Look up all the activites they have to offer, or check at the hotel you are staying at. Most will have a pamphlet or be able to tell you what is around.