What do & see in Florida Keys

[Flame]

Headin out to Florida Keys from East Texas next Saturday for a week. Any advise on things to do or places to see while traveling Hwy 1 oversea hiway all the way to Key West??? Will homebase in Homestead for a couple of days. May want to check out the Florida Everglades National Park also. Any suggestions??

[pdemarest]

Hi Flame - we visited the Keys a few years ago and one thing I wanted to point out is that it CAN be cold during the winter. We visited in late January and had to bundle-up on a couple of days. Obviously not "Polar vortex" cold but still chilly. If you visit Key West here's some things we enjoyed:

* Duvall Street at night - lots of open-air bars and "interesting" people

* Key Lime pie - for sale everywhere, including "key lime pie on a stick"

* Feeding carp at the marina - several places sell food you can feed to the carp - they hang out at one particular areas and will take food out of your hands

* Southern-most point in the US - people come here to watch the sunrise and the sunset

* AJ's Oyster Bar - located at the marina with great fresh oysters and conch fritters

*Everglades - if you've never done one do an airboat ride. Look for a place that has smaller airboats (maybe 4-6 passengers) and huge engines. We've done the airboat thing several times just outside of New Orleans and it is quite a thrill.

* If you're heading from East Texas to Florida you'll be passing through New Orleans, where I was born and raised until age 21. Don't know if you'll be spending any time there but if so you can PM me if you need tips on what to do there.

* Dry Tortugas National Park - we didn't have time to do this but there are several companies that offer boat trips to the historic fort and the snorkeling there is supposed to be really great. There are also companies that will rent you a boat that is capable of making the trip there. If you're more inclined to stay close to shore renting a boat to circle the island would be great.

I have to admit we did not really spend much time on the other Keys so I would say go to Trip Advisor and look at the "Things to Do" section on the Keys - lots of ideas and personal reviews to guide you.

Have a great trip!

Paul

[Blue~Go]

To extrapolate on what Paul said (I agree. I used to go to the middle keys every winter and one year it was in the 30's and did the place have heat? NoooooOOOOoo - didn't have my Chinook then though).

What you want to watch for is "northers" -- that is wind events from the north that sweep cold air down upon the state. They occur regularly in winter. Not like you'll be shoveling snow, but can be a bit disconcerting if you were expecting shorts weather.

[68camaro]

Sunset Pier for cocktails.....

[chin_k]

The original owner of my Chinook brought it to Hawaii, so I think it was at further south than the Key West. But yeah, Key West is the southern most town in the continental US. I would love to visit the east coast some time. Anyone have any suggestion for food while at the Key? Don't tell me to get some Maine lobster while over there!

[Flame]

Paul, I sent you a PM about New Orleans

[pdemarest]

Hey Chin_k - For great seafood go to AJ's Raw Bar. Its a casual place right at the marina downtown and has great fresh shrimp, crabs, oysters and conch. Make sure you try the conch fritters. It has both indoor and outdoor seating and a large bar area. Reasonable prices and great food. When you're finished with your meal you can go right outside to the docks where people feed the tarpon that gather to get handouts. (Note: I mistakenly identified these fish as carp in a previous post - apologies to the tarpons.)

For dessert try Key Lime Pie on a Stick - if you're there when its warm its a great treat.

For more upscale dining try the Tavern n Town - also near the marina. Some places do serve lobster but its the spiney lobster that's found throughout the Caribbean. No claws so there's less meat and its not as sweet as Maine lobster. Many places will serve it broiled or baked with some sort of seafood stuffing on top.
I'm sure there are other types of restaurants but the seafood is so fresh almost any place in Key West I'd recommend trying as much of it as possible, especially conch fritters, as well as grouper.

Paul

[Kirah]

I'd love to hear reviews from this trip when you're done. It's been on my wish list for a while, but hasn't bubbled to the top yet.

[Blue~Go]

I see Paul mentioned the Dry Tortugas and snorkeling. I've done that trip a couple times (via ferry) and although you are there with a group (by necessity) it's still possible to not feel crowded and it's a neat place to visit. Lots of history. Fun photo ops with all the symmetrical arches going off into the distance and a feeling of exploring.

The snorkeling is good, especially around the old coal dock pilings. But a note: You'll likely want a wetsuit. The water is not too cold for a quick dip, but if you are anything like me you'll freeze for the length of time you'd typically take snorkeling and that takes the fun out of it. I'd be in a 3mm wetsuit at least. That was the highlight of the trip for me.

[chin_k]

Paul, I never have fresh conch before, so that would be the first thing I try when I have a chance to go there.

I was confused when you mention feeding carp by the marina, since carp is not a saltwater fish. Now it make sense. Both carps and tarpons are borderline inedible fish anyway, so I don't think your apology to tarpons is needed