Ever been to Key West, Florida?
Ever been to Key West, Florida?
My boyfriend and I are planning a holiday to Florida. We are looking to spend 2 weeks in the Disney area, going to all the parks and the last week in Key West to just relax. I was wondering if anyone has ever been to Key West and can give us a bit of an insight as to what its actually like there, as well as any recommendations??
Would like to hear from you.....(also in General!).
Thanks in advance.
S xx
Answers:
Oh yes, indeed I have - we got married there in May 2004. :D
I thought it was really nice. I guess in some ways, it's a bit like Penzance - all sorts of strange people there. There are a lot of gay couples around, as well as cruise parties coming in on almost a daily basis.
We stayed at Eden House http://www.edenhouse.com in the downstairs of the conch house with its own jacuzzi - and we had our own front door onto the street. I really liked staying there, laid back and all. Some of the standard rooms are a bit basic. It used to get some really good reviews on Tripadvisor although occasionally I've seen a duff one on there. They don't do food but they do have free cocktails daily. From memory, they used to have a webcam so you can check out the pool area. My friend has stayed at Heron House and that was supposed to be very nice too.
On the Eden House site, they give lots of recommendations on where to eat which we used and were never disappointed (there are allsorts of recommendations on there so it's a useful site in general). Our favourites were breakfast (think brunch!) at Blue Heaven with the chickens in the garden (!) - tho it does get really busy, Louie's Backyard where we had dinner the evening we got married, Five Brothers for sandwiches in the day (it's like a corner store), Mo's restaurant - (you have to like garlic!) and Cafe Med at Eden House.
We were a little out of the main part of the town but it was no more than about a 15 min walk from Duval Street. Tbh, didn't really rate Duval - lots of drinking establishments and a bit tacky in places but it's nice to wander up and down, and maybe have a drink in Sloppy Joes as everyone does.
As for things to do, we visited Hemingway's home, which was good. The boats run trips at sunset - sunset is a big thing there and there are also catamaran trips to the dry tortosas (a group of islands) - but be warned, if it is windy and the swell is up, it's likely to be a really rough trip one way. I felt really rough coming back from there.
I would suggest you fly down rather than drive as it's a good 3 hour trip through the Keys to Miami airport and you kind of lose the will to live on the way, particularly if you've got to make a flight! There are short flights from Miami which are definitely worth considering and I'm sure there are flights from other airports.
When are you planning to go?
kateab
Answers:
Hi Kateab,
Thanks for your post.
We are looking to go in June 2008. Can you tell me what it is like in general and what there is to actually do there?....is it a place that you can just chill on the beach and go for nice lunches and dinners? Is it a romantic place to go to? Sorry for all the questions, it's just that we are going to have such a hectic 2 weeks in Disney before hand, we just want to spend the last week chilling and having a nice time.
Thanks in advance.
S x
Answers:
In addition to Kate's marvellous post . . .
You can take a boat to the Dry Tortugas.
You can go snorkeling or diving
You can take a booze cruise or a romantic sail
There is Duval Street famous for it's bars, resturants, and shopping.
There are nature reserves and miles of beautiful and romantic beaches
You can tour the Hemingway House
Not to mention all the art galleries.
It is very romantic. There is some fabulous dining and I would recommend staying in a B and B rather than a hotel.
There's a lot of history in Key West and I honestly don't think you'll be at a loss for things to do.
Have fun! :D
Answers:
Yes, it is a relaxing place to stay - apart from the wedding, we did a bit of slobbing around by our jacuzzi as well as hanging out by the pool as neither of us are really beach people but the beaches looked nice although we got married on one! We wandered around a lot too.
The temp is starting to rise in June and 1st is actually the start of the hurricane season but don't fret as it's more likely to be July and August that it hits - but you might have windy days or a few showers and it will probably be humid. We had 2 showers the whole of the 2 weeks we were there - one lasted about 15 mins and the other about half an hour.
Really, really don't miss breakfast at Blue Heaven. The food is divine and it's an experience not to miss.
kateab
My boyfriend and I are planning a holiday to Florida. We are looking to spend 2 weeks in the Disney area, going to all the parks and the last week in Key West to just relax. I was wondering if anyone has ever been to Key West and can give us a bit of an insight as to what its actually like there, as well as any recommendations??
Would like to hear from you.....(also in General!).
Thanks in advance.
S xx
Answers:
Oh yes, indeed I have - we got married there in May 2004. :D
I thought it was really nice. I guess in some ways, it's a bit like Penzance - all sorts of strange people there. There are a lot of gay couples around, as well as cruise parties coming in on almost a daily basis.
We stayed at Eden House http://www.edenhouse.com in the downstairs of the conch house with its own jacuzzi - and we had our own front door onto the street. I really liked staying there, laid back and all. Some of the standard rooms are a bit basic. It used to get some really good reviews on Tripadvisor although occasionally I've seen a duff one on there. They don't do food but they do have free cocktails daily. From memory, they used to have a webcam so you can check out the pool area. My friend has stayed at Heron House and that was supposed to be very nice too.
On the Eden House site, they give lots of recommendations on where to eat which we used and were never disappointed (there are allsorts of recommendations on there so it's a useful site in general). Our favourites were breakfast (think brunch!) at Blue Heaven with the chickens in the garden (!) - tho it does get really busy, Louie's Backyard where we had dinner the evening we got married, Five Brothers for sandwiches in the day (it's like a corner store), Mo's restaurant - (you have to like garlic!) and Cafe Med at Eden House.
We were a little out of the main part of the town but it was no more than about a 15 min walk from Duval Street. Tbh, didn't really rate Duval - lots of drinking establishments and a bit tacky in places but it's nice to wander up and down, and maybe have a drink in Sloppy Joes as everyone does.
As for things to do, we visited Hemingway's home, which was good. The boats run trips at sunset - sunset is a big thing there and there are also catamaran trips to the dry tortosas (a group of islands) - but be warned, if it is windy and the swell is up, it's likely to be a really rough trip one way. I felt really rough coming back from there.
I would suggest you fly down rather than drive as it's a good 3 hour trip through the Keys to Miami airport and you kind of lose the will to live on the way, particularly if you've got to make a flight! There are short flights from Miami which are definitely worth considering and I'm sure there are flights from other airports.
When are you planning to go?
kateab
Answers:
Hi Kateab,
Thanks for your post.
We are looking to go in June 2008. Can you tell me what it is like in general and what there is to actually do there?....is it a place that you can just chill on the beach and go for nice lunches and dinners? Is it a romantic place to go to? Sorry for all the questions, it's just that we are going to have such a hectic 2 weeks in Disney before hand, we just want to spend the last week chilling and having a nice time.
Thanks in advance.
S x
Answers:
In addition to Kate's marvellous post . . .
You can take a boat to the Dry Tortugas.
You can go snorkeling or diving
You can take a booze cruise or a romantic sail
There is Duval Street famous for it's bars, resturants, and shopping.
There are nature reserves and miles of beautiful and romantic beaches
You can tour the Hemingway House
Not to mention all the art galleries.
It is very romantic. There is some fabulous dining and I would recommend staying in a B and B rather than a hotel.
There's a lot of history in Key West and I honestly don't think you'll be at a loss for things to do.
Have fun! :D
Answers:
Yes, it is a relaxing place to stay - apart from the wedding, we did a bit of slobbing around by our jacuzzi as well as hanging out by the pool as neither of us are really beach people but the beaches looked nice although we got married on one! We wandered around a lot too.
The temp is starting to rise in June and 1st is actually the start of the hurricane season but don't fret as it's more likely to be July and August that it hits - but you might have windy days or a few showers and it will probably be humid. We had 2 showers the whole of the 2 weeks we were there - one lasted about 15 mins and the other about half an hour.
Really, really don't miss breakfast at Blue Heaven. The food is divine and it's an experience not to miss.
kateab