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My dad and stepmom are driving from upstate SC to Dallas right after Valentines Day. They have the time, so they are driving back via Key West. Dad asked me to help with planning the trip so I'm looking for ideas on the route, places to stay, and things to do. I think they want to drive 6 to 8 hours a day, so it's probably going to take at least 4 days of driving to get there.

Here is what I'm thinking so far. Let me know if you have any recommendations for these locations or alternatives that might be worthwhile.

Days 1-2
New Orleans is a given for them, and I think they can make it there on Day 1. Where should I have them stay that night? We stayed at the Sheraton on Canal several years ago, but I'd like to find something a little cozier than that. Any favorites there that I might not know about?

Day 3
Probably Lulu's for lunch, then east to somewhere around Talahassee. Any good beaches around there?

Day 4
I haven't been to Sanibel or Captiva Island. Any recommendations for that area?

Day 5 or 5-6
Islamorada has the Holiday Isle Resort and I'll probably have them spend the night there. If they want to rent a boat and go to the sandbar it might be 2 nights instead of 1.

Day 6 or 7
Key West. What are everybody's favorite places to stay in the moderate price range?

Thanks for the help! I want to make sure this is a trip to remember for them.

I could also use some help with the leg up the east coast to SC. I'm thinking Cocoa Beach, St Augustine, and Savannah might be good stops along the way.

We really liked the Ambassador in New Orleans. It's just down the street from Mother's and NOLA, but far enough away from Bourbon to be obnoxious drunk-free. We spent 2 nights for Jazz Fest at the Barone Plaza- it was a HoJo with a good location. We did feel safer at the Ambassador, and their weekday rates are really cheap.

We stayed at the Tarpon Tail Inn on Sanibel. The people were great, but it was nothing special. We liked the cats, Charlie/Nick (it alternated by the day) and Edgar. We really didn't think Sanibel was anything to write home about. Captiva was better, but I wouldn't go back to either for more than a meal at the Island Cow or the Lighthouse Cafe (great breakfast).

If there's anything left of it...The Florabama (mentioned at the end of "Ragtop Day" and the inspiration for "Bama Breeze") on Perdido Key appx 3-4hrs West of NOLA. The main building was demolished after one of the hurricanes. The deck bar, I think, is still open. You could hit Lulu's and The Florabama the same day.
If you hit NOLA, you gotta do The Rivershack "Home Of The Tacky Ashtray"out on River Road if Jefferson Parish. You can have a beer(s) at Cooter Browns, hit River Road at the Mississippi River levee there, and go West till you find the Rivershack. I believe i weathered Katrina well.
http://www.therivershacktavern.com/rivershack/index.htm

I'd recommend http://www.tarpontale.com/ for your Day 4 stay.

The drive from Tallahassee to Sanibel is a long one. Might want to break it up with a stop in Homassassa Springs. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a wonderful place to see the manatees and Florida wildlife. Its just off US 19... which is a straight shot from Tallahassee... about 2 hrs South. Nicer drive than I-75 along the Nature coast.

http://www.manateecam.com/admission.htm

Then they can pick up 98 SOUTH off US 19 for 26.5 miles then return to I-75 SOUTH


Another place to stop in St Armands Circle. Wonderful restaurants and shops in Sarasota. West of 75 to the beach in Sarasota. (About 2 hrs north of Sanibel.


And tell your Daddy... I was in Publix yesterday and saw Kalik right next to the Land Shark lager!

Great suggestions, exactly the kind of stuff I was hoping for. I'll use a road trip planning application to plot out the trip for them, but I don't want them eating lunch at Cracker Barrel every day.

They are in their early 60's and they'd rather do quiet beaches than crowded tourist traps. And don't feel locked in to the places I listed, those were just my first thoughts after scanning a map.

Keep em coming!

Homosassa is very Sr friendly.... as is the Sarasota and Sanibel area

In Key West: The El Patio Motel if they want some quiet (really nice mom and pop place)- If they just want a room with a bed in the middle of the craziness of Duval- go with the Southern Cross Hotel.

Three bars to hit: Capt. Tony's, Green Parrot, and "The Smallest Bar in Key West"-blink down Duval and you'll miss it.

CapnK wrote:I'd recommend http://www.tarpontale.com/ for your Day 4 stay.

That was my suggestion too, but I misspelled it.

The No Name Pub on Big Pine Key is one the coolest bars that I've been to in the Keys. The walls and ceilings are completely covered with one dollar bills. They claim to have "the best pizza in the Keys".
I did not have any pizza but their hot wings were pretty good.

Islamorada Fish Co. near either MM80 or 70 (don't remember) is great.

Also the Cuban place in KW (forgot the name )

I always hesitate to recommend places, because they change so much.

We like this old place in New Orleans.

http://www.travelguides.com/bb/cornstalk/

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A good stop for another night might be the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, but we stayed at the Imperial before the Beau Rivage reopened and it was nice since the remodel after Katrina.

Also, my favorite beach house in Orange Beach Gulf Shores area, is the Romar House, but I'm not sure if it has reopened since Ivan. We also liked the Sleep Inn there.

The Courtyard Marriott is located really close to Lulu's but not on the beach..just on 59 South.

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There is a lovely Best Western at Destin Beach and we enjoyed that area for another stop.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-335979- ... lace_inn-i

Also not on the beach, but a great view across from it.

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Another favorite stop was at the Best Western Crystal River Resort. It's a favorite stop for divers to see manatees.

http://www.crystalriverresort.com/

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Spent the night along the way also at Fort Myers, just to stop, but Sanibel and Captiva are certainly on my list of places I know I would love to stay sometime.

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Don't know how others feel, but we did stop and stay at Homestead, but that was a wrong choice for us. It is just as easy to go ahead and head down to Key Largo for the night. Did stop and stay at Double Tree in Coconut Grove and that was a nice area to shop, eat, and stay for a night.

http://www.doubletree.com/en/dt/hotels/ ... cn=MIASDDT

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http://www.keylargomarina.com/

We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Key Largo by the marina. Saw the African Queen boat and the boat from On golden Pond. But, I read this comment that the Thayer is no longer there. Good eats drinks at Coconut.

The worst drawback of the resort is that it is not directly on the bay/ocean, it is on one of the many canals cut into the keys to give open water access. This is likely the reason that it is a bit more reasonable in price compared to some other properties in the Key Largo area. Sandy beaches, however, are few and far between in the keys, so most don't go down expecting sugary sand. The maintenance folks cut up the old boat on display from the movie “On Golden Pond” while we were there. It was rotten anyway and probably a good move to put it out of its misery. I would do something with the African Queen too, because it is taking up good dock space and isn't much to see.

We also have stayed at a lovely resort condo in Key Largo area, but can't remember the name.??

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Must stop Lorelei
http://www.loreleifloridakeys.com/
Bass Pro Shop
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog. ... 21#gallery


Well, those are some of our stops along the way driving to Key West from Texas.

Another stop that I must do one day is Cedar Key. "Travis McGee's, still in Cedar Key , that's what ole John Mac Donald says."

Next stop: Tallahassee!!

sonofabeach wrote:The No Name Pub on Big Pine Key is one the coolest bars that I've been to in the Keys. The walls and ceilings are completely covered with one dollar bills. They claim to have "the best pizza in the Keys".
I did not have any pizza but their hot wings were pretty good.

WmichaelS ... definitely a must-stop and the pizza is excellent

And in the St. Augustine Beach area, the Hampton Inn is very nice and
right on the beach. A meal at the Conch House or the Outback Crab Shack
would be advised in that area.

In Key West we stay at: http://www.keywestharborinn.com/about.htm

Its small, quiet, and right next to the seaport. 2 blocks from Duval

Restaurants

Bubble Room on Captiva. And Tween Waters inn to stay.

And go shelling at night with a flashlight, you get more.

Key West -- restaurant -- Blue Heaven -- the most Caribbean place we have ever eaten outside the Caribbean... even has the necessary chickens underfoot.

Mrs Z used to live in New Orleans. The only place we stay when we visit New Orleans is the Monteleone. A gorgeous old hotel in the French Quarter on Royal (a block south of Bourbon St). We have recommended it to many people, and nobody has been disappointed.

www.hotelmonteleone.com

In Key West for food I would recommend The Deli (corner of Simonton and Truman) or Goldmans (next to Winn Dixie) for breakfast. Great food and local prices. Five Brothers Grocery (Southard and Grinell) is a store but has great cuban food to go! El Siboney (900 Catherine St) is the best cuban resturant on the rock-hands down. Upper Crust pizza is great (Duval) and Jack Flats (across from M-ville has the best burgers on the island. As for bars, I have to give them my favorite, Schooner Wharf Bar at the seaport. They have the best fish tacos!!! (had one yesterday!!!)The locals sit at the shade end of the bar and the tourists sit in the sun. Great live music from noon on. Don's Place on Truman is truly a locals bar. The owner is a great guy.
As for beaches, KW isn't know for good ones. Smathers is the tourist beach and Ft Zach is the locals beach. I like going to Bahia Honda at MM 37. One of the only natural sand beaches in the Keys.
Have them look me up at Schooners-I'll be there!!!

barefoot gecko wrote:El Siboney (900 Catherine St) is the best cuban resturant on the rock-hands down.

Absolutely. Their ropa vieja is to die for..... and the plantains.... (can you fedex me some? ) *sigh*..........

Mangrove Mama's at MileMarker 21.