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I want to take my 3 teens for 5 days to Key West in early June. Any suggestions on places to stay? I don't want to break the bank on the trip. If hotel is alot cheaper we would stay there. If we can save some food money by getting a condo/cottage with kitchen we would do that.
Once there any tips. Inexpensive (as possible there) places to eat, seafood markets, activities without drinking. Boys are super active and live in the water so that's what they'll be looking for. Daughter is into history and will want to do some sort of tour things. Me, of course will be doing the Buffett tour.
Is there a place to listen to live music that I could take these older teens where it won't be too crazy if we are out by 11ish, or is that impossible. Thanks for any suggestions.

I was in Key West w/ teenagers a few years ago. The place we stayed would break the bank, so I won't suggest it (let me just say that I wasn't paying for it!). You can eat at Margaritaville and any number of little cafes around pretty cheap. Your daughter will love the Hemingway house. Not much good beach for the boys, though, I must warn you. Maybe they could go on a dive or snorkel trip. There's a grocery store just off Duval, where groceries are "normal" price. That came in very handy. We also took a lot of dry goods like cereal, mac-n-cheese, coffee, etc. You are a brave woman-first you take them to Hatteras, now Key West. When I meet (not meat) you one day, I shall bow down to you!

There is a Publix on the "new" side of KW. there are also basic fast food joints, BK, KFC, Wendys, PaPa Johns pizza. KW is kinda expensive, compaired to other vacation spots. But the experience is worth it.

KW bound in 169 days

Hatteras was cool. Had a good time. But this trip is for with my kids only. I guess I'm squeazing things in now because it seems like they are getting so grown and my time with them home is running short. I am trying to get them sold on family vacations so perhaps we'll still do this sometimes with their future families.
I figured hemingway house with daughter, snorkel trip for boys. Also figured we'd eat in at least 2 meals a day, find a local breakfast joint, maybe sandwich place for lunch. Of course one dinner at Margaritaville. The hardest thing to find reasonable is going to be shelter.

It's kind of short notice, but we used to find rental houses when we were
in the Keys with our kids. If you'd be willing to stay outside Key West, you
may be able to find a great place through a real estate agent or by
searching for yourself on-line. You may be able to find something with
better access to the water that way too. Otherwise, you'll be paying for
dive or sailing outings as well as food and lodging. There's a campground
or two in the area as well, if you might be interested in going that route.
We never tried it, but I'm sure at least one of them may have accomodations
to rent. The one on Geiger Key has a restaurant and marina. And Boyds
is actually in Key West on Stock Island.

You can rent bikes and ride around the town, down the beach side. Take them to Mallory Square about 5pm for all the "shows" as the sun sets.

They have actually "imported" some white sand for the beaches. You can rent volleyballs, and such.

Right by the Publix is a theather if they want to take in a movie at night while you venture downtown?

There is also a Food Lion for groceries right up from Publix. But I like Publix and their subs they make in the deli.

Have you looked for places on HOTELS.COM? They list serveral places under $100 a night.

Or how about camping? This place is two blocks from Duval and Mallory...http://www.kwcamp.com/ or http://www.gocampingamerica.com/boydskeywest/index.html

Yep, I found the hotels for under $100. but if I can get a house or condo for just a bit more and have a kitchen I want to do that. Not gonna camp unless they have a cabin. I'm just not a tent kind of person. I'm doing some internet surfing for house rentals. If anybody has any suggestions in this area I'd appreciate it.

Just a thought: there are several other "Key West" related threads in the "Changes in Latitudes" forum. It might be worth looking through them. A lot of hotels nowadays (as opposed to the olden days, when we walked ten miles to school in the snow uphill....but I digress ) that offer at least kitchenettes.

Send the boys to Smathers beach I'm sure just like any teenage boy they will love it. Volleyball watersports/jet skis and girls. Hemmingway House and Trails of Margaritaville are also a good take. Margararitaville Cafe for food and some entertainment, also Turtle Kralls is a neat place to eat great foor and a lunch menu that is verry reasonable.

Check this out Trails of Margaritavile
http://www.trailsofmargaritaville.net/trails_info.htm

Have a great time

We stayed at the youth hostel in KW for the millenium. It cost about $18 per night. No luxury, but clean and comfortable. There were 8 of us, oldest late 40's youngest 21. A fun place, and just off Duval.

For vacation rentals try www.VRBO.com They are private individuals with homes and condos to rent on the island. When you add up all the costs, taxes, and such, it ends up working out. There are a few Bed and Breakfasts that have efficiencies... Try www.keywestinns.com I've been to several including the Washington Street Inn...they have nice accomdations and bikes are available to get around the island.

Snorkle trips are cheap - $25 per person and take about 4 hours. Exploring the island, including the Fort and the beaches is pretty cheap. Bringing a cooler and packing lunches will save lots of money. There are several grocery stores on the north side of the island along with a Kmart.

Take the Conch Train tour once when you first get there...it will help you find the things you want to go explore later on.

The Beaches by the Fort are nice and usually not too crowed. The south beaches near the airport are nice too...restrooms and vendors, but parking can sometimes be a pain unless you bike it.

The sunset festival at Mallory Docks is a must see... go a couple of times, the performers are different, and the sunset is never the same twice.

The ghost walks are especially fun... tours through the cemetaries are cool...

Enjoy Key West... There's lots to do

Since it's specifically a kitchen you're looking for, look at
www.travelerspalm.com and see what you think. We have
reservations there on Catherine Street for MOTM,
but haven't stayed there yet. You could check it out for us!
(We're sharing the Conch House/Cottage.)

OceanCityGirl wrote:I want to take my 3 teens for 5 days to Key West in early June. Any suggestions on places to stay? I don't want to break the bank on the trip. If hotel is alot cheaper we would stay there. If we can save some food money by getting a condo/cottage with kitchen we would do that.
Once there any tips. Inexpensive (as possible there) places to eat, seafood markets, activities without drinking. Boys are super active and live in the water so that's what they'll be looking for. Daughter is into history and will want to do some sort of tour things. Me, of course will be doing the Buffett tour.
Is there a place to listen to live music that I could take these older teens where it won't be too crazy if we are out by 11ish, or is that impossible. Thanks for any suggestions.

IMHO, 5 days in KW is a lot. Also:

1. The beaches in KW are probably the absolute worst beaches in all of Florida (did you know that the sand at Smathers Beach comes from Central FL? They truck it in all year long....). The beaches are rocky and not what people expect.

2. All the tourist activities are tourist priced, i.e., overpriced. Yes, there are some cool things to see, but none of it is cheap.

3. Much, if not all, of KW is geared around its bars and drinking.

Sure, there are some cool activities (fishing, snorkelling, etc.) My favorite is to take a seaplane out to Fort Jefferson....very out of the way and not too many people do that...but it is not cheap.....

We live on one of the nicest beaches so the beach is not a big deal. We may do part of the time in key west and part of the time somewhere else on the way.
I know about tourist stuff and tourist prices, as I said we live on the beach. That's why I'm posting. Hoping to get somebody who lives close or is more familiar with the area to give me some tips on the worst touristy things to avoid.

ColdWaterConch wrote:
IMHO, 5 days in KW is a lot. Also:

1. The beaches in KW are probably the absolute worst beaches in all of Florida (did you know that the sand at Smathers Beach comes from Central FL? They truck it in all year long....). The beaches are rocky and not what people expect.

2. All the tourist activities are tourist priced, i.e., overpriced. Yes, there are some cool things to see, but none of it is cheap.

3. Much, if not all, of KW is geared around its bars and drinking.

Sure, there are some cool activities (fishing, snorkelling, etc.) My favorite is to take a seaplane out to Fort Jefferson....very out of the way and not too many people do that...but it is not cheap.....

All very true. That's why we never "did" Key West until our kids were grown and out.

The Fort Jefferson trip by ferry will take up a full day for you, and the
swimming/snorkeling is fun. It's historic and watersport related. I'm not
sure if it's cheaper than the seaplane trip, and you won't get the same
view of course, but we enjoyed it a lot.
http://www.yankeefreedom.com

O.C. Girl

KW is def. not a "cheap" place to stay, that being said, there are some good deals to be had, especially this late in the year. Stayed a a motel a few years back, it's not listed anymore, so maybe it's closed, if I come up with anything I will post.

History...... yeah they got that... Hemmingway house, Wreckers Museum, Truman's little White House, Mel Fisher's museum. lots of others I can't think of now.

Water..... the afore mentioned snorkel trips are great, so is the trip to Fort Jefferson. True Smathers & Higgs beach no great shakes (agree with you on your beach) but what the heck it's sand and water!!

Food... meals can be had for a decent price, go to the Krawls, M-Ville, ect for the experence, smaller places away from downtown for good food at good prices. There area few fish places "off shore" (off Key West) with good prices and food. If you get up that far No Name Pub on No Name Key is great, if you can find it!

Thats about all I can think of right now, good luck and have fun!

Per the Sauce Boss:
http://sauceboss.com/0310news.htm

COOKIE'S KITCHEN
5 GEIGER ROAD, GEIGER KEY MARINA
(305)293-6277
No menu, just good homemade food. Nothing over twelve dollars,
makes this a real find in the Keys. Daily specials include: Thursday-deep
fried turkey, Friday- prime rib, Saturday- roasted pig, Sunday- BBQ. This
is a great setting for a laid back meal. Watch the Cuban guys with hand
lines snagging dinner right there at the boat ramp. The chef, Christopher
Ross, is a master at the grill. Makes his own sausage for breakfast. Plus
lobster bisque, conch chowder, and burgers. Good stuff. Southernmost
Gophers will bring it to ya if you can't get up.
We took his word, and it was great. You can feed the fish from
your picnic table. If you're going, turn at the Circle K... We went
back for the Sunday BBQ.

In fact, if you're driving down, you might want to check out his other
recommendations. Some might just be along the way!
http://sauceboss.com/gazettearchives.htm

OceanCityGirl wrote:We live on one of the nicest beaches so the beach is not a big deal. We may do part of the time in key west and part of the time somewhere else on the way.
I know about tourist stuff and tourist prices, as I said we live on the beach. That's why I'm posting. Hoping to get somebody who lives close or is more familiar with the area to give me some tips on the worst touristy things to avoid.

Avoid Duval Street then....LOL.....gawd, I remember when there were more than just t-shirt shops on Duval......

The best deal in town is the Conch Train....we always took visitors on the ride...I must have ridden that thing 50 times, and it never gets old.

The fact of the matter is that EVERYTHING in KW is touristy anymore....it is just degrees of touristy. The Mel Fisher museum is touristy....the Shipwreckers museum is touristy...Duval is a big t-shirt shop / bar.

Quite honestly, if I had three teens, I would only make KW a stop on a trip to the Keys. Go to Key Largo (Pennekamp) for the best diving/snorkeling in the country. Travel further down to Islemorada for a fishing trip. Next stop is Big Pine Key....get lost out there, check out the Key deer....there are also some decent snorkeling outfits out there. Then head to KW and just tour the town....Hemingway's House is cool....Conch Train....I would highly recommend a trip to Fort Jefferson.

Places to eat....if it looks like a dive, go in....it is probably good. Mangrove Mamas is awesome, out on Sugarloaf Key. There is a good spanish restraunt, out by the ball fields....it is next to a laundromat....but I can remember its name right now.

While attending MOTM last year, I found out one really good thing. Stock up on water and food at Faustos. I saved a lot of $$ that I spent at Margaritaville Cafe and Louie's Back Yard.


Bob
Originally from Livingston Sat. Night Montana

When you get down here, if you're driving, take a stop at any gas station or the Chamber of Commerce next to the Subway in Key Largo. Look for a monthly publication called Time Out. There are the usual year round, money sucking things to do to say you followed the herd. Time Out is a local thing that will tell you what is going on in the way of festivals, events, and such in the upper, middle and lower keys. If you can't find one, the Chamber of Commerce can give you the location to go pick one up.

I do my reserve duty at NAS Key West with the helos at base ops. It might be a long shot, but is any of your family military? At the Truman Annex there is a great pool with a couple great water slides. It is inaccesible to the public, but if you can get on it is a great pool. Plus the rooms on base are guaranteed to be the cheapest anywhere in KW. I took my family there for the millenium, stayed for 4 nights and spent about $70 on lodging on base.