Key West

[CaptainP]

1 month until we head to KEY WEST!!!!!

I know there's a lot of threads around here about what to do there, but I want to make sure to hit only the best spots.

My question is:

If you had only 1 day to spend in Key West, what would your itinerary be??? Remember, 1 day...

[SchoolGirlHeart]

Gotta do the Duval Crawl

Hog's Breath. Do NOT miss....

Captain Tony's

Blue Heaven for breakfast

Sunset at Mallory Square

Hemenway's House, if you like Papa

[RinglingRingling]

1 month until we head to KEY WEST!!!!!

I know there's a lot of threads around here about what to do there, but I want to make sure to hit only the best spots.

My question is:

If you had only 1 day to spend in Key West, what would your itinerary be??? Remember, 1 day...

random drifting, remember, "Slow Down.. It ain't the Mainland"...

[sonofabeach]

I just booked 8 days on Cudjoe Key for March!!!!
Only 24 miles from Mecca!!!

[Bob Roberts]

Captain, I spent 5 hours there and did a bunch of stuff! What is your schedule for the day, and I'll fill you in on how to cram the most in.

[Mike B]

In the morning I'd do the touristy stuff. The Aquarium, Mel Fisher's Martime Museum. Lunch... I NEVER miss at B.O.'s Fish Shack (Ask a local for directions), Hemingway's House after lunch( it's a bit of a hike to walk off that fish sandwich), back down to the "Green Parrot" for a couple "barrels". Then I'd head on the first cross street back to Duval and do Margaritaville (it's down at that end). I'd work myself (shopping and people watching) back down to the "Sunset Pier" for a boat drink (they have something that comes in a coconut shell craved into a monkey- class act for when you get home! LOL) and the parade when the sun goes down. Then turn back up street and do the Duval Crawl! Sloppy Joe's, Fat Tuesdays, Rick's, Hard Rock Cafe, The Bull, and others until we always find ourselves back at "Irish Kevin's". It has got to be one of the best party bars I've ever been to in the world. I've seen some fun ones, not all, not all over, but enough to know a good one. Then it's a pedicab home for the night! Next trip, if you have more time, there are some cool things to see if you rent a car or bike. Some are up a Key or two.

[Sidew13]

Only 1 day? Then DON'T do a lot of drinking. I know this sounds stupid, but there is a lot to do on the little Island

[CaptainP]

I actually have 2 days, but want to make sure to get the best stuff in, which is why I'm asking about what to do if you have only 1.

[doxadive]

if you are there for one day, put on sneakers and walk around. there is so much to see and be a part of so spend your time walking

[Mike B]

Hey Capt,

There is a HUGE difference between "going out drinking" and "havin' a couple beers". As I'm sure any self-respecting Parrothead knows! HAHA

I wouldn't waste the only day I had sitting in a bar either. Now with two days you are better set to see some stuff. I've been there 6 times, once as a stop on a cruise. We served as cruise directors for our group of about ten or twelve during the short time allowed on shore. Fun. But rushed. Not our favortie trip down.

There are some local haunts that are must do's in the food and beverage dept. I mentioned the
Green Parrot" up a few blocks from Hemingway's House. The Blue Moon is great for a meal. Hog's Breath, Sloppy Joe's, and B.O.'s. are all great. The Blue Giraffe does have great Key Lime Pie, if you are into that.

I don't know if you ride, but there are two places to rent Harleys over by the Marina. That was a GREAT way to tour the keys. Scooters are great for popping around Old Town if you are not drinking. BTW, parking is free for scooters and a royal pain for autos. It's expensive and difficult at best. They really encourage scooter use. If you do have a car, one tip is to park behind the courthouse/post office complex on the weekends. Don't do it during the week as you will be cited and towed. Not a fun way to deal with the morning after a Duval Crawl. LOL

Up about 45 miles from KW is Big Pine Key. There is a local hang out worth going to see called the "No Name Pub". Built in 37, it's in the middle of nowhere, (very hard to find-ask a local for directions) just before the bridge to No Name Key. Best pizza in the keys.
The interior is covered in about 60k worth of dollar bills pinned on walls, booths and ceilings-all signed by customers. Amazing.

Walking around Truman Annex is great if you are into old homes and such. There is an old Civil War fort on the far side of KW tht has self guided tours. But all that stuff has to do with whatever you folks are into.

If I only had two days, I would probably spend it right in Old Town. Plenty to see and do within walking distance.

That was probably more than you EVER wanted to hear about KW HUH? LOL Sorry. Kinda got going there.....I love that place!

Have a fun trip!

[Bob Roberts]

Before I went back in June, I searched many threads on this site and compiled a "must see" list. I wasn't able to see all of these, but did see alot. Here's the list. I'm sure others can comment better on their experiences in these places.............

Margaritaville (of couse)
Hog's Breath
Captain Tony's Saloon (a sin not to check out)
Trails of Margaritaville (heard its the best way to see KW "Jimmy" style)
Crabby Dick's
Louie's Backyard
Blue Heaven (heard its a great breakfast)
Shrimp Boat Sound (get detailed info before you go from here to find it)
The Green Parrot
Mile Marker 0
Key West Fabric Shop
Kinos
Fast Buck Freddie's
Conch Train (best way to see most of the island in a short time period)
Sloppy Joe's (at least buy a shirt!)
Schooner Wharf Bar
Pier House Resort (Chart Room Bar)

[rum.man]

I just got back from KW, and I must suggest one place which I don't think has been listed yet. It's a local's restaurant, off the beaten path. As soon as you drive on to Key West proper, find the burger king on your left. Turn left, and drive a little ways. You'll see a large park on your left. Turn left right before the park and you'll find the Rusty Anchor. Two words: conch fritters. A nice local cuban man on West Sumerland key suggested it. It took a year and a half to visit (was closed the first time), but it was worth it! Enjoy!

[sonofabeach]

I just got back from KW, and I must suggest one place which I don't think has been listed yet. It's a local's restaurant, off the beaten path. As soon as you drive on to Key West proper, find the burger king on your left. Turn left, and drive a little ways. You'll see a large park on your left. Turn left right before the park and you'll find the Rusty Anchor. Two words: conch fritters. A nice local cuban man on West Sumerland key suggested it. It took a year and a half to visit (was closed the first time), but it was worth it! Enjoy!

I'll be there in March and will have to make it there.

[Captain Ryan]

I agree with alot of the above recommendations. There are many great bars and restraunts in the Conch Republic. I have reveiwed many of my farvorites on http://www.captainryan.com/keywest.html.

Pictures, live music, great food...you can't go wrong.

Have a great trip.

Captain Ryan

[doxadive]

when will you be in key west? i am heading to ft lauderdale and cant help but take a day trip down there on the 26th to hang in capt tonys for a while and have lunch at BO's.

[nycparrothead]

DO THIS DUDE: http://www.keywestsebago.com/poweradv.php

This was the best day I had when I was there last year! It rocks!

(And the kicker is FREE BEER, WINE AND SANGRIA!!!)

[CaptainP]

Thanks everyone for all the advice!!! The trip didn't go exactly as planned, but we still had a good time. I've written a synopsis of the trip:


This synopsis is a Semi-True Story of our trip:

Chapter one:
Our trip did not begin well. The night before we left, I received a phone call from the airline…our flight had been cancelled. They had booked us onto a later flight. Annoying, but we’d live. But when I got up the next morning, I checked for our flight times only to find out that this flight had been cancelled as well! I called the airline and jumped through the hoops. Just when it appeared that there would be No Plane On Sunday, I managed to get us a flight to Tampa that would arrive around 10pm. Of course, our ride to the airport was not available at that time, so we had to make more frantic phone calls. Finally arranged a ride, got there, and found out that we were delayed again! So we spent 3 hours at the Milwaukee airport, reading departure signs, and waiting, waiting, waiting. We finally got into a plane, and my parents met us in Tampa. The next day, we had to drive to Key West. From Tampa, it’s typically about an 8 hour drive. That is to say typically you don’t get held up on Highway 1 by a tanker truck that spills human waste onto the highway, closing it for 13 hours!!! They managed to find us an alternate route, but it was slow. We finally made it to Key West shortly before sunset on day 2 of constant travel. We checked into the hotel, but knew we’d never make it to Mallory Square on time for the celebration. There was still time for sunset pictures if we hurried. (Peggy, AKA Hula Dancer, is a professional photographer). I quickly drove the 2 of us over to Smathers Beach, where we got some wonderful pictures of the setting sun, with schooners off in the distance. Successful end to the trip, and the travel stress finally faded away.

[CaptainP]

Chapter two:
We returned to the hotel, and unpacked. I was disappointed that nobody had stowed away in my suitcase. Several of you had threatened to! We huddled with my parents, and decided we would just head for Duval and eat at the first place we found. By coincidence or luck, that turned out to be Margaritaville. Dinner was good, and we bought Souvenirs next door. It was nice to get that part out of the way early! We headed back tot he hotel, and down to the deck over the water. Thank God the Tiki Bar was Open! We spent a couple hours catching up on lost times with my parents. My mom got loaded on Mai Tais, so it was off to bed.

[CaptainP]

Chapter three:
Then next morning, we were up early for pictures of sunrise. We returned to Smathers. We accidentally woke up a guy who was sleeping under a katamaran on the beach! Sunrise, unfortunately was unspectacular, as there were no clouds in the sky, but Peggy’s talent still caught it and made it nice. The pelicans were also quite cooperative. After it rose, we went strolling down the avenue that’s known as A1A. After sunrise, we called and woke my parents…mom was hung over. We met them at breakfast for a Blue Heaven Rendezvous. Breakfast was wonderful; I had a shrimp and swiss cheese omelet. We then got our shuttle passes, and since we now had just 1 day on the island, began to have fun. Peggy wanted to hit the Pirate Soul museum. It was fun and interesting. We climbed to the top of the Key West lighthouse for a spectacular view. I impressed my dad by being able to identify the Fresnel Bullseye lens that they had on display, knowledge I had just picked up last month reading A Salty Piece of Land. We then had a stroll up and down lower Duval Street. When we passed Caroline Street, Peggy went crazy, but she got over it. My parents decided to head back tot he hotel to rest, and Peggy and I hit Duval. First we went down to Captain Tony’s to get out of the heat, grabbed a drink, then a little shopping. Finally we hit the Hog’s Breath for a late lunch, drinks and a band. We were sitting right in front of the web cam! Peggy, however didn’t have the cell phone, so I couldn’t call any BN’ers. (Cathy was the only number I had anyway). Oh well, it felt good to be Incommunicado.

[CaptainP]

Chapter four:
Sunset at Mallory Square was great. We watched the usual assortment of Houdini’s, jugglers, and showmen, then turned our attention to a spectacular sunset out over the water. Peggy, of course, preserved it all for us. After the fun had died down, we stumbled over to Louie’s Backyard for an amazing meal. I had a freshly caught black grouper. After dinner, we again split up. Parents back to the hotel, we did a minor Duval Crawl, not too many bars, but a few. Stopped at the Flying Monkey. Thought of Shane immediately. I took Peggy’s hand after we spotted a guy checking ME out! She escorted me safely back to lower Duval, for more drinks and entertainment at Sloppy Joe’s. Finally returned to the hotel for a trip down to the 24-hour pool & hottub. Never wanted to leave. We considered another try at sunrise pictures, but there were no more clouds than there had been the previous morning, so we went to bed.