Going to Key West !

[bubba phan]

[quote="Brown Eyes"] Have I mentioned I have a phobia of bridges?

The bridges really feel alot more like a driving on a highway that just happens to be over water, if that makes any sense. They don't feel very high. Also, you will be so preoccupied by the spectalular view you won't even notice the bridges.

If you can possibly find the time time to take the day trip out to the Dry Tortugas, I highly recommend it. It's one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and is something your 7 year old would probably really enjoy. The snorkling is good there if you're into that and walking around the sea wall around the fort, you can see all kinds of sea life without even getting in the water.

Have a great time!!

[Desdamona]

you guys ROCK!

Ok, where is the best conch in Key West? Our taste buds are fired up... you just can't get good conch in Middle Tennessee!

They serve a nice conch salad at the grill at Geiger Key Marina.
It's not easy to find, but a cool place to eat. "Just turn at the Circle K."
The salad is very similar to Lulu's West Indies Salad that she makes
with crab meat. Conch is a bit chewier though. It's good if you like
celery, onion & vinegar.
http://www.clydeskeywest.com/Camp-Sub-0 ... 104sca.htm

Oh, and here's a link to the Dry Tortugas ferry info.
http://www.yankeefreedom.com
There's another one too, or a lot of people have recommended the flight
out. It'd be faster, and you'd get a different perspective. They land in the
water at the fort and you get to visit for a while, but the ride wouldn't take
up your entire day that way (just your entire budget, maybe?)

[Tarheel Tail-Gator]

Pepe's is a great old restaurant for Lunch

The Beach at Fort Zachary State Park may be one of the most peaceful in the US (as long as you miss the cruise ship crowd) Where else can you take in a book or a nap laying on top a picnic table under the pine trees with the beautiful blue waters of the Keys.

Mangoes is great for Dinner

Irish Kevin's has great music--Musician on a stool in flip flops or bare footed entertaining the crowd. If you're looking for a party find out when Jared Michael Hobgood is playing (not appropriate for the keets though)

While the Butterfly Pavilion is a little touristry (on Duval near the Southernmost Point) there is a artist who has an adjacent shop who makes incredible wall sculptures out of butterflies

Also, great galleries with local Art.

Mallory Square is great to see from a sunset sail

The wife and I have visited three times in the last four years. Never have made the drive, but it's a romantic flight in on a puddle jumper.

Have a great trip!!!

[chalksoperations]

It's kind of picking hairs in a bug way what is considered the keys and what isn't sometimes, but the Card Sound community is controlled by Monroe County, and the little chunk of tierra firma that they are on is considered Monroe County, therefore putting Alabama Jacks in the keys. Mike, the bartender, is a golfing buddy of mine and he'll even tell ya so.
Think of it this way...it's no different than all of the keys in Florida Bay really. It even looks like one from the air.

Craigs makes them like the kind you get in the West Indies, a bit spicey and not too big, but it's all up to your own personal taste. They're my favorite anywhere in the keys.

[finsup]

Best Places to Eat in the Keys

Marathon-
Quarterdeck- In Key Colony- Great fried and Blackend Grouper probally the best on the island.

The Island- Great Mahi and great location. It's in a Tiki restraunt facing the Atlantic.

Cabbots- Great sunset dinner or appetizers. They have pretty good fritters and conch chowder

Key West-
Gotta eat at Loui's. First class all the way!

[ordo]

Whatever you do...stop along the way. Don't just race thru the Keys to get to Key West. Don't get me wrong KW is great but there is so much to stop and see and do on the way.

The bridges are low bridges for the most part and are not too bad.

Don't try to just do a day trip. At least stay overnight. There are plenty of afordable B&B's down there that will make your experience much better. http://www.marreros.com/

You must see the Cat Man at Mallory Square (sunset) best show, hands down. http://www.catmankeywest.com/ [/img]

[john1520]

has anyone ever been down for that?

[Desdamona]

has anyone ever been down for that?

I don't think I understand the question...

Did the Conch Train today, and yes, it was still fun.

[john1520]

the rest of my question was in the subject line. i was wondering if anyone had ever been down to key west for the fantasyfest. my wife and i will be down at the beginning of that this year. first real vacation without our kids.

[ColdWaterConch]

the rest of my question was in the subject line. i was wondering if anyone had ever been down to key west for the fantasyfest. my wife and i will be down at the beginning of that this year. first real vacation without our kids.

Fantasyfest is AWEWSOME, as long as you are not a tight-ass. It is kind of like Mardi Gras, but with less clothes. Everyone just lets it all hang out...so to speak....

[john1520]

Nothing tight ass here. It ought to be a lot of fun!!!! I guess I better tighten up the abs a little then.

[tequilatom]

kelly's is a very good resturant , it's owned by kelly mcgillis ,she was actually there the last time i was down there. i'll be going down in dec.if anyone is headed down there in the first week of feb. there is a great band that plays on cape cod ,playing margaritaville called the baha bros.

[Brown Eyes]

They told us on the Conch Train Tour that Kelly had sold the restaurant, and bought another one down by the water. But they didn't tell us the name of the new one she owns.

The COOLEST thing on the trip down to the Keys was the stop at Robbies to feed the tarpon. Even my 7 year old, little Miss I Don't Touch Nothin' Yucky was grabbing the fish and flinging them out, it was AWESOME. And such a bargain!

I got a ton of great pictures (I'm a scrapbooker) stumbled onto Shrimp Boat Sound quite by accident, and in general, had a blast.

More to come when I get caught up. But definately there were a bunch of cool things to do on the trip down through the keys. AND I did just fine over all the bridges.