anyone familiar with key west..need help

15 years ago

Looking for a quick get away with just DH sister will keep the 4 kids Im looking at July 30-31 to Aug 3rd short notice but we have never been to the Keys but always here raves,we are big jimmy Buffett fans.... so i need some recommendations...especially hotels...We like to relax but we mostly like to sitesee, coctail and talk to people at the bar we like Spas and the beach but not big on sport (other than a yankee game LOL) We love to sit have a drink listen to an outdoor band...not fans of B&B kinda like the better accomodations. I looked into The Pier Hotel but its booked. I like everything at my fingertips dont want to take a rental car either

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Comments (11)

obxgina
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Eileen, my DH and I go to Key West as much as possible! We stay in Old Town. The best place we have stayed is the Curry Mansion. Staying in Old Town you don't need a car, everything is within walking distance. I have tons of info for you ,if you would like. Just beware it is HOT HOT HOT that time of year. We went in August 2 years ago and found that out! Let me know if I can be of more help! Gina
gardengrl
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Stay tuned Eileen...my DH and is from Key West and we go down there a couple of times a year to visit family.

I'll forward this post to him! We'll give you some "locals" info on where to go and what to eat!

Kathy
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ggrls_dh23
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Eileen,

If you cant tell by my online name, IÂm gardengrlÂs DH and yes, I am a former resident of Key West (KW) (born and raised there, so IÂm a Conch). Gardengrl called me and said you needed some info on where to stay, where to eat, what to see, etc.

Hotels
First a heads up, the dates youÂre going down there is the same weekend as Sport (mini) Lobster season. This means you will be competing for hotel rooms, restaurant seats, parking spaces, etc., with every person coming down for the lobsters. Given this, I would start working on securing hotel reservations now. Sorry you couldnÂt get into the Pier House; I have family working there and it is very nice. Suggestions on hotels/B&Bs depends on whether you going to have access to a car while in KW.

If youÂre not planning to take/rent a car and are looking to stay in downtown KW, and since you were looking at Pier House, IÂm going to suggest taking a look at the Crowne Plaza La Concha. It is on Duval St very close to the downtown scene. Just checked the website and they are running summer specials, which may or may not be in effect given the Mini Lobster season.

http://www.laconchakeywest.com/

There is a Hyatt in old town; however, I have never stayed or been inside the hotel and wonÂt recommend something simply based on the name. If you want to try a B&B, the Curry Mansion mentioned earlier is nice. Another place to try is the Pilot House, which is on the corner of Eaton and Simonton, which is one block off Duval St.

Outside of Old Town, I can recommend two hotels. The first is the Courtyard Marriott on the corner of North Roosevelt and Kennedy Dr. Gardengrl and I stayed at this hotel last year and it is a good value. The other hotel, which IÂve been to before (and where Gardengrl and I will be staying in September) is the Doubletree Grand Key Resort on South Roosevelt (by the airport).

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/EYWDTDT-Doubletree-Grand-Key-Resort-Florida/index.do

Getting around
If you are planning to visit KW in August sans automobile, I do not recommend staying anywhere outside Old Town because as Gina alluded to earlier, it is the hottest month of the year. The ocean breezes that keep KW moderately bearable during the summer months die down during August and you will die trying to ride a bike to downtown KW. Even if youÂre coming from a strong sun area, do not underestimate the sun in KW. Definitely recommend strong, waterproof sunscreen, hats, and light clothing.

If you will have access to a car, and plan to stay at a hotel outside of Old Town KW, be forewarned that parking in Old Town can be a challenge during a special event like Mini Lobster. In any case, if you have a car, bring a good supply of quarters with you to feed meters (we do when we go).

Unless you and DH are used to riding motorized bikes, I recommend renting or taking bicycles vice renting mopeds to get around the island. The parking is far easier, you will just as much of the island, and you will be less likely to wreck a bicycle.

Places to Eat. Again, all of these are local places.

Breakfast:
SandyÂs CafÃ© 1026 White St-- If there is one place that I recommend to EVERYONE who visits KW, SandyÂs is that place. This is THE locals place to gather in the mornings; most tourists drive by SandyÂs and donÂt give it a second look. SandyÂs is located inside M&MÂs Laundry on the corner of White and Virginia Streets and is a morning ritual for Gardengrl and I whenever we visit KW. There is no seating per se, since it is inside a Laundromat, so anything ordered there is takeout. I believe I san safely say that SandyÂs serves the strongest, best tasting coffee on the island. I recommend the colada (unless you like your coffee really strong and black, get a milk chug to dilute the colata), Cuban Espresso (AKA bucce or Cuban Speed) and Cuban toast for breakfast. They also serve the best Cuban sandwich (Cuban Mix) on the island.

PepeÂs CafÃ©, 806 Caroline St Â If you want something more sitdown, PepeÂs CafÃ© serves a very good breakfast at reasonable prices. It is located on Caroline St, near the Turtle Kraals area and is one of the oldest restaurants on the island (opened 1909). They also serve lunch and dinner.

Lunch/Dinner:
Turtle Kraals Restaurant & Bar 231 Margaret St Â Given the last couple of experiences Gardengrl and I had here (slow service), I almost did not include this long-time local hangout. Turtle Kraals is on the water and serves good seafood.

DanteÂs Restaurant and Raw Bar, 951 Caroline St Â DanteÂs is a newer place, but has become a favorite of locals. It is located across the parking lot from Turtle Kraals restaurant. DanteÂs is noteworthy because they have a pool in the middle of the restaurant. They serve more sports bar type foods, but have a full bar and pretty good drinks.

Rusty Anchor, 5510 3rd Avenue (on Stock Island) Â If you donÂt have a car and want seafood, you can try this local favorite. Stock Island is just outside the KW city limits. Usually during Mini Lobster season, Rusty Anchor runs a special on whole lobster.

The next two are places I have promised to take Gardengrl, but havenÂt gotten around to. When we go down in September, I will have to take her to one of these two eateries.

El Siboney Restaurant, 900 Catherine St Â Most people who come to KW want to try Cuban food at least once during their visit. El Siboney is the localÂs choice. This restaurant has been family owned forever (number of different families) and when you walk in, you feel like youÂre walking into someoneÂs living room. However, the restaurant has excellent food at very reasonable prices.

Blue Heaven, 729 Thomas St Â Dine with the kitties and chickens. Blue Heaven is located within Bahama Village and serves chicken and seafood with a Caribbean flair. They have a blog that I found while looking up the street address.

http://blueheavenbacktalk.blogspot.com/

Bars and places for cocktails
Its difficult for me to recommend bars to someone I donÂt know. Bars that I think are quite acceptable may be out of the question for others and vice versa. Since youÂre into Buffett, will recommend a few in Old Town

Green Parrott, Whitehead St (great to go during the day)
Bull and Whistle, Duval St
Fat TuesdayÂs, Duval St (yes, I know this is a chain, but its going to be hotter than hell down there and you may want something cold, frosty, and alcohol-laden).
HogÂs Breath Saloon, Duval St

And since it will be your first time, do recommend Sloppy JoeÂs on Duval and the Original Sloppy JoeÂs (the one Hemingway went to), which is now Capt TonyÂs, and is on Greene St, just around the corner from Sloppy JoeÂs.

Just as a heads up (since I donÂt know you). Key West does have a good sized gay and lesbian community, most of who reside in Old Town. I mention this because many who visit KW and are not aware of this sometimes come away with a poor view of the city, simply based on their own beliefs or something they witnessed while on vacation there. What I advise people who have never been down there before is keep an open mind and enjoy yourself.
maggie2094
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh, Wow! Thanks gardengrl and hubs! Great info! I am copying and pasting and emailing to my Dad who spends 3 months a year now in South Florida and is making lots of trips to the Keys.

Saving for myself for future reference next time we visit BIL and family in Plantation.
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
wow, lots of info, thanks to gardengrl and hubby :) Also saving for future reference, we eventually have to visit the MIL in Florida, and a side trip would be nice!
eileenlaunonen
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dedtired
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Gee whiz -- I am saving that info, too.

One more piece of advice. Take bug repellant. I was eaten alive by no-see-ums during the sunset celebration. I'm not sure there is any way to deter them, but at least take something along to help with the itching.
User
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What terrific information! I really want to go the Florida Keys and now I'm determined more than ever to get there soon!

If you are checking in on this thread could you please suggest, what you consider, to be the perfect month to visit? Perhaps a combination of great weather and not too busy....if such a month exists! LOL
obxgina
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Chase, we have been there pretty much every season. We love Oct/Nov. it's perfect weather. Hurricane season is ending and the tourist are just starting to come. We also like Jan/Feb, a respite from our cold winter weather, but it is much more poplar and crowded! It's paradise whenever you go! Gina
ggrls_dh23
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Gardengrl mentioned someone asked about fine dining in Key West and I can recommend the following. I will first caveat that ordinarily, Gardengrl and I usually dont frequent high end restaurants for the most part, as weve come away disappointed most times. Both she and I feel that high price does not necessarily equal good. Remember, when it comes to KW, there is very little "stuffy" there.

Louies Backyard, 700 Waddell Ave I havent been to this restaurant in some time (last time I was there was long before I met Gardengrl). However the food at this restaurant has always been very good and the setting on the ocean is superb (suggest going there early evening (before dusk), and stay for an after-dinner drink).

http://www.louiesbackyard.com/

Mangia Mangia, 900 Southard St Gardengrl and I have not been to this Italian restaurant yet; however, the menu looks interesting (also reasonably priced) and they have an outstanding wine list (they have moderately priced selections, as well as those in the $$$$ range). If you like wine, this restaurant should be a good choice. Will caution that it is located in a residential area so parking may be a challenge.

http://www.mangia-mangia.com/

Abbondanza, 1208 Simonton Went to this restaurant a number of years ago with my family and was very pleased. Italian fare and huge portion sizes make this a good choice if youre hungry.

Kelly Carribean Bar, Grill, and Brewery, 301 Whitehead St This one is in downtown KW. Located in the same building that housed the Pan American Airways office, this restaurant was opened by Kelly McGillis (Top Gun, she no longer owns the restaurant) in the mid 1980s. I do know locals frequently dine here, so its probably OK (the last time I dined here, Reagan was president). Have a drink on the aircraft wing bar.

There are others, but Ive never been to them and since many locals dont go to them, Im not including them here.
eileenlaunonen
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Your great for being so kind and helping us Thanks very much I made reservation for outdoor dinig at Louies Backyard for 7 oclock!

anyone familiar with key west..need help

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