Surprise Trip to Key West!! I get to go somewhere!!!

[ParrotheadMinnie]

Today is our 16th Anniversary and my hubby surprised my at 6:00 am with a trip to Key West!!!!!!!!! We leave in 2 weeks!!!!!! Turned up JB way loud and the girls were jumping on the best (they knew but, amazingly, had not spilled the beans), tickets wrapped up in a box, etc....What a surprise!!!!!

Anyway, we leave Norfolk at 6:20 am Friday, get to Fort L by 10:30, rented convertible for drive down, Come back Monday night late. Saturday is my 40th b'day Jimmy and alot of yall will be in Vegas, I'll be in KW. The only thing I'm not sure of is the hotel included in the package he got. Its located on N Roosevelt, some ways from downtown, but we will have a car, (if we can park), or I guess there's other tranportation downtown. NOT that I'm complaining!! A trip to KW is so wonderful, who'd complain!!

Question: Aside from a lot of eating and drinking, (not necessarily in that order), what else should we do? Tours, historical stuff, diving (I don't even swim well) We'll have Friday evening, Sat, Sun and Monday morning. I don't want to miss the best stuff, but also want some time just to kick back and do nothing, except cruise around Duval, watch the sunset, drink, etc... Don't want to schedule every minute, but also don't want to miss anything truly memorable.....

Question: I found threads relating to KW here, but can't get them to print. Well, I get the name, avatar, etc (left side) fine, but only half the text. How do I get all the text? I tried page setup I'm technologically challenged..

Sorry for the length, but I had to share. I'm sitting here at work (didn't say I WAS working), about to grin my teeth out and nobody here understands. I knew y'all would get it!

[rdavis]

A good way to see the sunset is on the Schooner America. It is a sunset cruise and it is a good way to relax and meet new people. It might be a little costly, but it is worth it. Try their website:

http://www.schooneramerica.com/

Rob

[Tiki Bar]

I don't know much about Key West, but I would like to wish you a

Happy Anniversary!!

Sounds like a heck of a guy! Congrats to both of you!!!

[ZeroDuval]

Very Nice Present!!!!!!!

You will enjoy it!

What I do to print all of a page is just copy and past the entire page into Word / notepad / wordpad and print from there!

Not pretty but it works.

[Limes&Parrots]

Definitely plan on the sunset at Mallory Square. Get there early enough to see all of the "Carnival Acts" and to stake out a place to see the sunset. When I was there, we had an "obstructed view" because of the Cruise Ships.

You can also visits a lot of the places JB sings about. Captain Tony's Saloon, etc. Have a great time.

[KeyLimin]

Looks like you will be there for the finale of 'Conch Republic Days' which commemorate when Key West briefly seceded from the U.S. in 1982.

The bed race down Duval St. on Sat. sounds like fun as well as several street parties!

http://www.conchrepublic.com/schedule.htm

I you have never been to Key West, the Conch train tour is actually pretty good. Aside from all the info you pick up about the island, it also makes many stops where you can choose to get off for as long as you want to explore then just pick up the next 'train' that comes along to continue the tour.

Have a great time & happy anniversary!

[Floridaze]

Since you are driving stop by Robbie's and feed the Tarpons and grab a bite to eat at the Hungry Tarpon Cafe. Around MM70. Defintely go out on a snorkle trip and get a look underwater. The reefs are amazing. Best pizze in the Keys are at No Name Pub on No Name Key. Ice cold beer too.
7 Mile Grille is fun, located right before the 7 Mile Bridge.
Have Fun!!! Wish I was there....

[2fla]

You are sooooo lucky to be leaving this horrible Tidewater weather behind! Just found out tonight that my best friend is also going down there...leaving this Sunday! The best advice I can give you is to NOT make too many plans and just take it day to day, moment by moment. Once you get down there and you're on island time, you'll find that your plans will change like the winds thru the palm trees. Do make every attempt to have at least one breakfast at Blue Heaven. And if Michael McCloud is playing at the Schooner Wharf Bar, check him out.
Have a safe trip and Happy Anniversary!

[phjrsaunt]

How terrifically neato!!!!!! Don't worry about driving; you can park the car and forget about it. Just drink and walk. If you're into history, visit the Ernest Hemingway house. Have phun!

[CRC Parrothead]

Congrats and have phun!!!!

[cgallent]

Here are the things to do/places to eat:

1. Louie's Backyard - On the other side of the island (away from the tourists)

2. El Siboney - Cheap Cuban eats!

3. Rooftop Cafe - Don't miss the shrimp bisque - it's the BEST I've even had! Period!

3. Blue Heaven - Go for breakfast and watch out for the chickens. Don't go on Sunday.

Do take the Conch Train when you get there. It will give you a tast of the island and it's cheap (but Touristy)

Don't worry about where you're staying everything is within walking distance IF you're in old town. Better yet rent bikes - it is by far the best way to seen the island. If you're not in old town - UPGRADE! Stay at the Cypress House.

Hope that helps.

Have Fun!

CG in Nashville

[BuffettPhan]

http://members.aol.com/cafemojo/conch.html

check this link out for a mile-by mile guid eto the keys... deffinately take card sound road and stop at Alabama Jacks!!!

Have Phun

[Desdamona]

I agree with KeyLimin about the Conch Train Tour. It seems really tacky, but it's a lot of fun, and you'll get to see and hear about things you'd overlook otherwise. That way you'll see where you want to go first instead of having to guess. Each driver/guide gives a little different take on things, so I hope you get one that suits your needs.

If the kids are going with, they'd probably enjoy the Aquarium at Mallory Square.

The next visit we make when we have an extra day to spend, I plan on taking one of the 9 hour trips to Ft. Jefferson and Dry Tortugas National Park. It's not cheap at $100+ per person, but it includes breakfast and lunch and a day on the water... MY kind of activity!

[ParrotheadMinnie]

Thanks so much for all the great ideas!!!! I'm really looking forward to this trip!!! Can't wait until Friday the 25.

So far the list is:
Alabama Jacks
Robbie's and the Tarpon
Blue Heaven
Conch Train tour
Mallory Square
Margaritaville
Louie's Backyard
Capt Tony's
Hog's Breath
That should pretty much take care of Friday.
As for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday we'll just play that by ear!!

[phjrsaunt]

This may interest you, Minnie: http://www.hemingwayhome.com Have phun!

[Floridaze]

This may interest you, Minnie: http://www.hemingwayhome.com Have phun!

We just did the Hemingway Tour last fall and it was quite interesting. They are only open until 5PM so give yourself a couple of hours. Kind of neat hanging around the property...must have been some great parties back in the days!!!

[Clintster7]

The dry Totuga trip is definitely worth it. There are two boats that go and one cost 10 more than the other. The fort is beautiful. The meals arent much bagels and fruit for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. The snorkeling is awesome. If you at least average go snorkeling by the pilons. We spent a couple hours around the fort and went to the pilons last....wouldn't you know thats where all the big schools of fish were and by that time I was out of film for the underwater camera. Gotta at least have a cheeseburger in paradise. Definitely need to eat a few conch fritters, have a cuban sandwich. The sunset booze cruises are fun. Two hours on a catamaran all you can drink beer wine and champagne for like 30 a person. Hemminways house is there. Gotta hit Captain Tony's. I suggest a drink or two at Fat Tuesdays. Thay have like 30 slurpee machines full of tasty and strong drinks to keep you cool from the heat. Having gone three times during spring break...bicycle is the best transportation. If you are on Roosevelt there is a place called like the bicycle doctor where you can rent a bike for like @0 for a week. Well worth it rather than paying a cab. The island is only 5 miles by 2 miles. There are also plenty of fishing trips you could goon. They have party boat trips as well as offshore trips. Watch the beaches you go to. The beache aren't much but smathers is usually a safe bet. Also stay away from the bars above the 800 block of duval. You might get a few surprises. Irish Kevins was pretty cool last year. Hope you enjoy your trip it will be well worth it. Wouldn't have any leads to nissan tickets would ya?

[phillipg43]

well....happy ann.........when you get to the big isle of key west,,,stop in at margaritaville and get you a big CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE......they are everything your mind can imagine..........I had at least two so far and let me tell you......it will stick on your ribs and your mind forever..........do not forget to get your pix inside the cafe from the balcony.......the drive to Marathon and across the seven mile bridge is a blast.......take the top off....and don't forget to stop for a slice of key lime pie at the seven mile bridge cafe,,,on the north side of the bridge,,,,,have fun......

[Lupy]

The Green Parrot bar is a good place to stop too. We must of spent 3hrs in there talking to a couple of local shrimpers,they were very entertaining! On the drive down we stopped at the Caribbean club in Key Largo,where the movie Key Largo was filmed,nice place to stop for a cool one. Have fun,it is a great time!!

[TigerStripePHead]

My wife and I did the same thing (basically) last year for our anniversary. As if another endorsement is needed, do the Conch Train for sure. Points out a lot of neat stuff about Key West and helps to get your bearings straight.

In terms of night life, you can just bar hop along Duval - Irish Kevin's, Hog's Breath, M'ville are around there in addition to a ton of others that I cannot remember.

As for eating, someone had recommended Louie's Backyard as one of the best restaurants on the island and it did not disappoint in the least. It's away from Duval, but the island is small. If you have a car, you'll be fine.