We are back in the Keys after finishing off the Great Loop and waiting for the condo to be completed in St Pete. We did a couple of weeks in Marathon and ate at the Castaway again (twice) and were very happy. The vaca frita at La Niña is phenomenal, but the place itself looks so sketchy.
Sad news, Tiger bar is closed. However, the Champagne Room may reopen taking over the whole space. Stay tuned. We did discover “Poke In The Rear”… which is absolutely fantastic. Seriously, 300sf of kitchen and outdoor seating. Chef Grant is on top of his game and we plan on going back a bunch as we are here for at least a month before heading north.
Just back from a quick weekend visit – first time to KW. Had some fun/interesting food and wine experiences, but a few worth noting/adding to what’s been mentioned already:
Key West Fine Wines deserves a special shout-out. Solid smallish store, with a fantastic selection of really high-end stuff stashed away – DRC, 1st growths, Krug, and all sorts of interesting, collectible wines. Quite fairly priced, too. Definitely a place to stop if corkage is an option.
Cafe Marquesa was a lovely dinner. A touch expensive, but fantastic food and great service.
VIV Wine Bar was cute and had some interesting selections. Nothing amazing, but multiple drinkable and semi-interesting options. Far better than the 3-4 other “wine bars” we wandered into before looking at the selections, laughing, and departing immediately.
So we have a wedding in Miami in early November.
Planning on a trip to the Keys after. Looks for some general guidance .
Thinking about flying into Miami, driving to the Keys , and flying home to NY from Key West at the end. Thoughts ?
If we want to stop at one of the other Keys for a bit (not sure how many nights), which one do you suggest? Not diving, but do love to snorkel.
Any recommended lodging recommendations on Key West? Or areas in Key West that are recommended/not recommended? Do want a pool, ideally and want to be able to walk to restaurants, stores, etc.
Do not want a B&B (dont want to be locked into the breakfast “thing”. I’d love to be able to snorkel from shore without having to drive .
TIA
Snorkel from shore is not easy in The Keys. The water is shallow for a long distance from shore, and the floor is mostly sea grass. My snorkel pic is Ft Jefferson in Dry Tortugas.
Bahia Honda State Park is ok.
Ft Zach Taylor in KW is also ok, but usually mobbed.
I think you can snorkel from shore at Pennekamp, but Key Largo is just a place to drive through for us. That said, Island Bay Resort is a cute converted motel with some bayfront cottages.
We love Marathon. It is possible to see a few fish at Sombrero Beach. For lodging in the middle keys, what are you looking for? Faro Blanco (Hilton) is ok, but the next door Courtyard by Marriott is better. There is also a Fairfield and a Hampton Inn. We’re spending a few nights at the Fairfield in a few weeks, and are taking our paddleboards. More upscale options include Isla Bella and Hawk’s Cay.
I can give food options as well.
We love Oceans Edge Resort on Stock Island. It is away from KW noise, but has an hourly shuttle to Old Town (we’ll be there in late Oct). H2O Suites is great, but pricey.
Make sure you eat lunch at No Name Pub, on Big Pine. Drive very slowly and look for the Key Deer in yards (and sometimes pools).
Don’t speed on Overseas.
Feel free to DM
Btw the water in Nov can be chilly. Since the water surrounding The Keys is so shallow, it cools earlier than the water where we are.
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Scott , thanks for the info . Just in the beginning planning stages so don’t have a handle on much yet. Cheesy or not, I want to have a picture taken at the Southernmost point (I’m not sure if it even is)- that’s the only I need to do in Key West. Maybe I will take the plane to Dry Tortugas.
And I need to have real key lime pie.!!! I don’t think the ones I have had in the past elsewhere were made with real key limes-just not sure
Check out snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas. I seem to recall that Loggerhead Key is a good spot. It’s a nice place in general.
Here’s some info from NPS
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Re Dry Tortugas def do the plane rather than the ferry.
Nothing wrong with the Southernmost selfie!
And if driving, also do the selfie with Betsy the giant lobster at Rain Barrel Village in Islamorada. Mrs Mac’s in Key Largo has some of the best pie. The conch fritters at the stand by the shipwreck museum in Key West are surprisingly good.
Definitely spend a morning at Bahia Honda.
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