In Oct., my wife and I, along with another couple, will be heading south in our Vettes to spend a couple of days in the Keys. Plans are to drive across Florida to the coast then head south, visiting St. Augustine, Daytona, etc. on our way to the Keys. We're interested in recommendations on places to see and to avoid. Especially interested in getting some input on lodging in Key West. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Well, opinions are like something else everbody has, and my opinion is you're going to be disappointed with Key West. It's like Spring Break meets the Lower East Side of NYC. It's very commercial, very congested and as far as accomodations are concerned, very overpriced. It's worth a day trip, nothing more. Take a few pictures, buy a few obscene t-shirts, have a couple of Marguaritas and get out. I'd look to stay in the Middle Keys, that way your equidistant from anything you'd want to do or see. We've stayed at the Ramada on Marathon - it ain't fancy but the rates are reasonable and anyway, you'll be out all day. What's to do down there? Fishing, snorkeling, drinking and sunsets, not necesarily in that order. The Keys in general are a great place to unwind, the pace is about as slow as you can get in the USA and the locals are very friendly. As far as a good meal is concerned, don't leave the Keys without first stopping at Annette's Florida Keys Lobster House on Marathon and Lorelei's on Islamorada. There's also a Corvette club based down there (http://www.flkeyscorvetteclub.com) but I don't know anything about it or its members. If you don't have it already, here's the main site for the Keys:

http://www.fla-keys.com/

Again, just one man's opinion. Enjoy your trip....

 

Thanks for the info. I checked out the web pages you sent to me and we hope to hook up with some of the Fl Keys Corvette Club members while in the Keys. Hopfully the weather will coorporate and we'll be able to drive from New Orleans to the Keys with the tops down.

 

I haven't been to St Augustine for many years, but it's all about OLD stuff - the oldest jail, the oldest wooden school house, the fountain of youth, and an old Spanish fort. Daytona is most famous for driving on the beach, but it's eroded, so if you're there at high tide you're not allowed on. In the Keys, I think everyone hits Sloppy Joe's Cafe and the southernmost point in the continental US (Hawaii is farther south than the keys) and I would like to see the Mel Fisher Museum about shipwrecks and treasure.

 

marty95,

I spend alot of time in the FL Keys. It's one of my favorite places to go. I personally like Key West. When you go to Key West you get the feeling you're really on an island.

tobijohn is correct, to an extent. However this time of year it's not that congested. Accommodations and the like are also cheaper this time of year as well, but they still are pricey. I was there in April and we stayed at the Pier House at One Duval Street. Get a room with a harbor view and see the best sunset of your life. There is also lots to see and do on Duval Street.There are alot of great places to eat too. Too many to even list.

I also spend alot of time in Islamorada. Its much more of a relaxed atmosphere there. A playground for the serious fisherman, and the world famous tiki bar. If you have a boat you can hangout at the sandbar about a 100 yards off shore. You MUST have a rumrunner. And we always stay at Pelican Cove. You can walk to the tiki bar and restaurants. Plus Pelican Cove has a nice bar on their beach as well. AND, an added bonus, lots of covered parking for your Vette! This is my favorite places to go and just unwind and enjoy the beautiful ocean, and have a few rumrunners. Lorelei's is also a 'must do' in Islamorada.

If you want more info on anything in the Fl Keys, PM me. My wife is the travel coordinator for the company we work for, and we know the FL Keys pretty well.

 

Thanks for your reply, Redline. We're looking for lots of relaxation (and excitment), We are planning on spending some time in Islamorada - stopping at the Theater of the Sea. We also understand what tobijohn is saying. Being a life-long resident of New Orleans, I have the same opinion of the French Quarter!! I'd appreciate your wife's help. I need to meet with my friends to see exactly what they want to do. I'll be in touch. Thanks!

 

Well, whatever you decide to do, don't go diving for lobsters :

http://www.wftv.com/news/3601247/detail.html

 

Funny you should mention lobsters!! Recently, I was watching the Travel Channel and there was a segment on taking a charter boat out to dive for lobsters. It sounded like a lot of fun to me

 

No problem at all, just hit me up whenever.

 

Miami's zoo is one of the top 10 in the country.

Get points from your wife by stopping here:
www.butterflyworld.com

Stay at a B&B versus a hotel.

Take the JetSki tour that leaves from the cruiseship area. They let you go wide open, its long and you go in the ocean.