I put this together for a friend. Pick and choose as you like!
OK . . .
First I'd recommend you read this and, if you like the sound of the guys, print it out. It points out a lot of funky, Keys places - Pirate John’s Florida Keys Adventure Guide 2004 Edition
This is also a good reference site:
http://itsonlykeywest.yuku.com/forums/16. I’m a member of this message board. The people are a mix of locals, regular visitors and those who want to be there. It’s a wealth of info and the people are helpful.
Get a map of Key West and familiarize yourself with the island. It’s small, so pretty much everything is walkable, and you can plan your days by which way you want to walk.
Here’s are my quick hits, must see’s, more details below:
Schooner Wharf Bar
Blue Heaven
Hemingway House
Butterfly Conservatory
sunset celebration on Mallory Square
Café Sole
Captain Tony's
Margaritaville Cafe
The big thing everyone talks about in Key West is the "Duval Crawl", hitting all the bars on the main drag, Duval Street. I guess everyone should visit them once, just to do it, but I prefer locals places and those off the beaten path things to do. Picture McSorley's vs. a bar on 42nd Street in Times Square. Visit Times Square to see it, but then find the REAL places.
My favorite bar in Key West is the Schooner Wharf Bar, the last bit of old Key West. It's a dive bar, and it's great. It's a locals hangout and where "people in the know" go. We stayed at the Eden House, which is in Old Town and closer to the bight where you can get a day, or sunset cruise, than Duval.
On Duval -
- Captain Tony's is a must stop. He's the 92 year old wonder with an oxygen tank on his back who will still hit on your date. He's the subject of Jimmy Buffett's song "Last Mango in Paris" and has been many things, including a gun runner and mayor of Key West, before bar owner! He's like an uncle to Jimmy and maybe you'll see him (I didn't). He's been in and out of the hospital lately with heart trouble, so let's hope he rebounds. To give you an idea about him, his slogan is - All you need in life is a tremendous ego and a great sex drive, brains don't mean s***!!
- You have to stop by Buffett's original Margaritaville Cafe just to say you've been there. It's kinda cool, especially the Havana Daydreaming mural on the wall.
- Sloppy Joe's is another Key West institution and the Chart Room is where Tom Corcoran served Jimmy Buffett his first beer and welcomed him to Key West.
- I’ve heard good things about the White Tarpon and that the Green Parrot has good music
- I’ve heard you should stay away from Irish Kevin’s, the bartenders have a tendency to “play with your change” hoping you’re not paying attention, if you know what I mean.
Now that the Duval crawl is out of the way, here are other things I feel are must do’s. These are all located on the east side of Duval, away from the sunset celebration and the “crawl” side.
Blue Heaven - Jackie and I had breakfast here the first day and went back for breakfast the rest of the trip. It’s in Bahama Village, and it’s just great. It’s the first place I had Baby’s Coffee (which I now order from the Keys every other month) and . . . just go, you’ll see. From here, it’s a short walk to . . .
Hemingway House - Stop by, take a tour and visit the cats. He had a nice spread.
The Butterfly Conservatory is a few short blocks away from Hemingway’s and was amazing.
Now you’re close by the Southernmost House and Louie’s Backyard. Choose one for a tour, the other for people watching and a nice meal. The Southernmost Point is around the corner.
Since you’ll be visiting for a week, I’d highly recommend a day trip to the Dry Tortugas. I have yet to get there, but it’s high on my list of things to do. There are seaplane flights and ferry rides.
Talk a walk through the cemetery – I told you I was sick!
I didn’t even got to the sunset celebration on Mallory Square yet! A secret is, after enjoying the atmosphere on the ground, go the top of the La Concha another evening for a different feel.
There are many good restaurants in Key West. You should stop by the Conch Republic Seafood Company for the atmosphere, food isn’t bad. A place we really liked was Café Sole. Their pistachio crusted tuna is excellent.
A place I heard about but couldn’t find while there last year is this place, Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden. A guy Jackie and I met at Eden House was telling us about it and how cool it was, we just couldn’t track it down.
There are many good tours as well, from Trails of Margaritaville to Ghost tours. The Key West Garden Club is a free walk through an old civil war fort.
The above had imbedded links as well. I'll PM you to see if they come through that way.
Have a blast!
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