OT: Key West recs

[Stinger92860]

We stayed at the Southernmost, but we stayed in the Inn section across the street with an Ocean view. The room included a very nice breakfast on the small veranda. Our favorite activity was renting a bike and riding around Key West. I like to explore at my own pace and find off the beaten path gems, like El Sibonney.

 

[87Xfer]

These are good recommendations. We've stayed at the Casa Marina 3 times. It's a great property, with outstanding customer service. It's a Waldorf Astoria property now, so it's probably in better shape than it was a decade ago. Its one big thing is I'm pretty sure it's about the only place on Key West with a private sand beach. You can have them set up beach chairs and an umbrella for you in the am and they are yours for the day. (or at least you used to be able to do this.)

 

[HuskyHawk]

I have several friends (3 couples) who go every single December and rent a big condo. They love it. Due to past work obligations in December, and then some other situations I've never been able to join them, but I always wanted to. Things have changed somewhat now, so I need to put it on my short list.

As for Fantasy Fest, I have uh...observed portions of that on video. How does Mrs. @8893 feel about public nudity?

 

[Waquoit]

I very much would like to drive the causeways all the way to Key West. Across the ocean. I think that would be kinda unique.

Best in a convertible.

 

[8893]

I have several friends (3 couples) who go every single December and rent a big condo. They love it. Due to past work obligations in December, and then some other situations I've never been able to join them, but I always wanted to. Things have changed somewhat now, so I need to put it on my short list.

As for Fantasy Fest, I have uh...observed portions of that on video. How does Mrs. @8893 feel about public nudity?

We both spent a fair amount of time on the clothing-optional beaches on Martha's Vineyard...when we were in college. It wasn't really our thing then and I don't suspect it would be any more so now. Doesn't bother us, but not something we really want to be a central part of the theme.

IIRC our last experience with it was on Wreck Beach in Vancouver more than 25 years ago. That was not a pretty scene.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Best in a convertible.

I did that with an old girlfriend about 20 years ago. When we left Miami it was 75 and sunny. About twenty minutes into the trip it started pouring and it didn't stop until we were boarding our flight in Miami a week later. Some waiter at a restaurant in Key West said it was the coldest weather he had seen in 40 years living there. From what I can remember, it would have been a very pretty drive in the sun.

 

[8893]

It’s been closed for years because of piping plovers.

 

[SubbaBub]

I'm trying to picture what's "more casual" than shorts, sandals, and print-splashed or t-shirts at a place that's pretty much outdoors with ping long tables and chickens sharing the floor space.

@8893 — On my visit, 3 nights staying in a beautiful home in The Meadows neighborhood a 5 minute walk from the Historic District (and beater biking everywhere else) was ideal. If driving to & from the Keys, I'd suggest a 4th night closer to Miami, rather than stressing about possible traffic-delays, which was part of our last day. We did get conch fritters at divey Alabama Jacks in Key Largo.

As to Freedom Fest, I had a men's group cohort who - after his wife died and his youngest went off to college - decided to be who he'd come to know he was during his decades as a Flushing pharmacist who raised a family in a split level home and n the Five Towns. One of his first adventures was a trip to Key West. During the Halloween Parade, he stuck his face into the local TV news camera and mouthed, "HI, MOM" with great gusto. Back on the mainland, he stopped in to see his dear, aging mother in Pompano Beach. Within minutes of his arrival, she calmly said, "You know, I saw you on television the other night." All of his wondering about how he'd come out to her with his big & scary secret news disappeared in an instant.

I can't comprehend pretending to be something you're not for that long.

 

[Excalibur]

Also haven’t seen anyone suggest the Truman White House in Key West.

worth checking out if you’re a history nerd

This was the one must do from our trip two years ago (for my parents' 50th anniversary -- they wanted the whole family to go on a trip somewhere). Truman is my dad's favorite President, but everyone liked it. Even the kids.

We stayed in Islamorada and drove to KW twice during the stay. The first time we took our time and stopped in a bunch of spots along the way. Definitely worth it.

 

[Waquoit]

I did that with an old girlfriend about 20 years ago.

So did I except we are still together. And the weather was great. Our first stop was Pepe's, at the bar we had a draft Yuengling and an 8oz Coke for $3.75. I got another beer and that cost a $1. I said easy on Coke's sweetie, I'm not made of money. We love Pepe's and it's still there. Good place for breakfast when you can't get a table at Blue Heaven. Back then we had a great meal at Mo's. This last time we had another great meal at Mo's, except it's an entirely new place now. Went from a Canadian chef/owner to Haitian. It was a nice snapper filet with and incredible creole sauce. They even threw in a slice of house made Key Lime Pie.

I can't remember if it's been expressly said but I didn't find it to be very beachy, the exception being a beachside resort I guess. It's more a sightseeing, water activities and drinking place. Especially drinking. It's probably my favorite place to drink. My tolerance seems to increase there like in a casino.

Make sure you lodge close to Duval Street. We stayed in an old inn a few blocks up from there. You'll want to be where the fun is.

 

[Guapo]

This was the one must do from our trip two years ago (for my parents' 50th anniversary -- they wanted the whole family to go on a trip somewhere). Truman is my dad's favorite President, but everyone liked it. Even the kids.

We stayed in Islamorada and drove to KW twice during the stay. The first time we took our time and stopped in a bunch of spots along the way. Definitely worth it.

Thats the way to do it, imo. Although I imagine actually staying in Key West would be fun once

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I can't remember if it's been expressly said but I didn't find it to be very beachy, the exception being a beachside resort I guess. It's more a sightseeing, water activities and drinking place. Especially drinking. It's probably my favorite place to drink. My tolerance seems to increase there like in a casino.

This is spot on...you don't go to key West for beaches. And.... regarding drinking....that's why you want to be near Duval. Very walkable city...it's only a mile long.

Depending on when you go will change the crowd. Key West is a popular cruise stop....so during the day it can be filled with tourists which can impact wait times at restaurants. Cruises haven't started up yet...and probably will not until fall at the earliest.

When I visited I liked to rent a house in Truman Annex. It's where the Truman Whitehouse is and right near Duval. Very nice quiet neighborhood. Humidity is insane at times in KW...it was nice to have your own pool to cool off.

Blue Heaven is a must do. Worth the wait. Best for brunch or lunch. It is both KW quirky and great food. I think they have the best key lime pie in the city.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

If you stumble into the Garden of Eden and make it to the rooftop, keep your eyes and hands up.

 

[HCCForever]

always wanted to do the drive across the causeway.

The only way I would go is to drive. I have driven it a dozen times. Love the Seven mile bridge although my ex was scared to death of it. I've made the roundtrip drive a few times in the same day due to my schedule. Long days but worth it. But if you don't want to drive, you can always take the 3.5 hour ferry from Naples. I've never done that but it sounds interesting.

 

[HCCForever]

I agree with the opinion on the beaches. The water is beautiful but not great for swimming. Bahia Honda State Park is a nice beach near Marathon. We spent some time in Marathon a few years back and enjoyed it and then stayed in Key West for a few days.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I can't comprehend pretending to be something you're not for that long.

I know. But he did. And he was much happier for coming into his own. His children were accepting; his mother weathered the surprise, and probably got the news in the best way possible. I suppose his biggest 'loss' was hometown social circle stuff that wasn't large and certainly wasn't meaningful.

Fwiw, his transition was early 90s stuff. He may have already been living the conventional suburban life before Stonewall.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I can't remember if it's been expressly said but I didn't find it to be very beachy, the exception being a beachside resort I guess. It's more a sightseeing, water activities and drinking place. Especially drinking. It's probably my favorite place to drink.

Things definitely seemed oriented more around alcohol than anywhere else I've traveled. Across the span of time, I've been a relatively indifferent drinker, so I wasn't quite ready for that, but I've got pictures of me looking quite glazed and sharing a cigar with my sweetheart, while clearly being the lightweight in our two couple foursome. I got the impression that this was business as usual for our hosts, who were otherwise high-performing, high-achieving, and civicly-engaged.

A final note on the beach. If this is the year you move yourself into yoga, we found good beach yoga in KW. It was a woman who does summers in P-town, or somewhere on the outer Cape.

 

[Waquoit]

A final note on the beach. If this is the year you move yourself into yoga, we found good beach yoga in KW. It was a woman who does summers in P-town, or somewhere on the outer Cape.

Summers in P-Town and Key West the rest of the year is someone who figured it out.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

Things definitely seemed oriented more around alcohol than anywhere else I've traveled. Across the span of time, I've a relatively indifferent drinker, so I wasn't quite ready for that, but I've got pictures of my looking quite glazed and sharing a cigar with my sweetheart, while clearly being the lightweight in our two couple foursome. I got the impression that this was business as usual for our hosts, who were otherwise high-performing, high-achieving, and civicly-engaged.

A final note on the beach. If this is the year you move yourself into yoga, we found good beach yoga in KW. It was a woman who does summers in P-town, or somewhere on the outer Cape.

'Things definitely seemed oriented more around alcohol than anywhere else I've traveled.' yeppers.
hehe. 'kw beach yoga' be all like

that place is one of the drunkiest around. big fun, mostly.

 

[8893]

We stayed at the Southernmost, but we stayed in the Inn section across the street with an Ocean view. The room included a very nice breakfast on the small veranda. Our favorite activity was renting a bike and riding around Key West. I like to explore at my own pace and find off the beaten path gems, like El Sibonney.

I was originally looking at this place and am still interested but man the recent reviews are all over the place. I would like an ocean view with a balcony or patio; do you recall which building you stayed in?

 

[8893]

I'm actually there 9/30-10/4 and drinks are definitely on me if you're there the same time.

Thanks. We may have some flexibility on dates; it all depends on Mrs. 8893’s work, which she’s trying to sort out this week.

Will definitely let you know if we can push it another week and overlap. That would be hysterical. “How do you guys know each other again?”

Hehehe, Mrs. 8893 just got the word from her work and they pushed it to the next week, so now it looks like 9/30 to 10/4 are also our exact dates.

Stay tuned...

 

[CTMike]

When I was 22 it seemed like a good idea to drive from CT to Key West with a couple of buddies.
This was bad. I remember thinking what an idiot I was for thinking we were “almost there” when we got to Miami.
We stayed at El Patio Motel and played “Ignition Remix” on repeat all week.
We had a lot frozen drinks with extra shots of 151 and a lot of beer.
I fell in love with a dancer.
There was a tiny pizza joint near southernmost point that had very… interesting… videos playing on loop. Pizza was trash but it hit the spot late at night.
The drive back was pure torture.

Basically… if you want to have a good time in Key West… don’t do any of these things.