Posted: 7/20/2007 8:16:47 AM EDT
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I'm asking for a little help here from the board. I thought it would be a good idea to take my wife on a vacation that would take her to one of her favorite places, the ocean. She's had a rough past year, her dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's our only son went and joined the military. To top it off he was diagnosed with Crohn's - Thank God he has it under control and things are looking good for him to stay in. My wife has been a bundle of nerves. She needs a little get away. We were talking last night and the Florida Keys came up. I've never been there, neither has she. As a matter of a fact we don't know anybody that's been there! We were looking around on line, of course with that even dives can look like 5 star hotels on the interweb! Any ARFCOMers have any experiences to relate or recommendations? We were talking about maybe trying to plan a trip for sometime in October. Me? I'd rather go to Wyoming, Montana or Colorado and be away from people, but like I said, this is for my wife. Thanks! |
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The Florida Keys is amazing. My family went to Islamorada(sp?), which is midway in between the Keys kind of, before Marathon, like the center of the Keys. It was real nice, stayed in a place called the Cheasapeake Bay Resort. If you took your wife there for a week, September, she would love you. |
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No reason we picked the Keys - we sure haven't settled on going there. We're open for any suggestions. Someplace where the water and sand is nice and it's kind of laid back. Doesn't sound like the keys are it from rcoers reply. Offspring - doesn't sound our speed. We were both in New Orleans for business, before the hurricane hit and we both said we'd never go back there again. What a hole! Altav - we were thinking about a week. Most likely during the week. Our plans revolve around relaxing, the water and well, relaxing. |
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So much to do.....so little time Visit Pennekamp, rent a canoe or kayak and paddle through the mangroves, take a diving or snorkeling trip to some of the world's best reefs like Molasses Reef or visit Christ of the Abyss. If you aren't into that take a glass bottom boat ride. Go with Capt. Slate to watch him feed barracuda. Out of his mouth!  Swim with the Dolphins DOLPHINS PLUS Phone: 305-451-1993 Mile Marker 99.5 Key Largo , FL 33037 ISLAND DOLPHIN CARE Phone: 305-451-5884 Mile Marker 100, Oceanside Key Largo , FL 33037 DOLPHIN COVE Phone: 305-451-4060 Mile Marker 103, Bayside Key Largo , FL 33037 Go Fishing: Flats/Backcountry Fishing Light Tackle Fishing Offshore Fishing Party Boats Eat, Eat and Eat. Rent a boat or jetski or parasailing Take a sunset in at Mallory Dock and watch the locals Visit Hemmingway House Visit Ft. Jefferson where Dr. Samuel Mudd was imprisoned Bar Hop to Sloppy Joes or stop by and see Big Dick and the Extenders (a local favorite) at Woodys in Islamorada |
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Well if that's the case, I'd suggest staying away from the Keys... It’s beautiful and all, but doesn’t sound like what you are looking for. If you want beautiful beaches and to be left alone, I'd say go to Marco Island. I love going there to just clear my mind - plus it's a nice change (for me) to watch the sunset on the ocean. But let me warn you, there isn't really much to do there and you might have to drive a few minutes north to Naples to find something you like. Now if you want to go somewhere with a little more history and things to do over a course of a week, I say go to St. Augustine. The history, people, atmosphere, etc. make for a wonderful experience... Especially if you stay in one of the B&B's in the old part of town - but that can get pricey. |
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Be forewarned: Key West is the San Francisco of the Gulf. My parents booked their timeshare there about two years ago, one of my coworkers warned me (he'd been stationed there) about what to expect. I told my parents, they said that there was nothing to be worried about and that I needed to stop listening to fairy tales. First night we were there, we saw a drag queen/bouncher yelling at two cross dressers to stop fighting on the sidewalk because it was so brutish. They were ~6' tall dudes in dresses that left nothing to the imagination rolling around on the ground slapping each other and pulling hair/ears/whatever. Even the cops didnt want to break that one up. During the day, everything's normal except a few dudes making out. But once the sun goes down, the crossdressers come out.  ETA: Its definitely a hilarious experience on Duval street at night, and the alternate lifestylers will leave you alone (just peak into the bars before you go in to make sure its the type you want; if a lady in a prom dress is working the door, thats no lady). Bikes & scooters are a good way to get around on the island, cars are a little difficult to park, etc. It is definitely expensive, even Subway will not be cheap since everything's trucked in. Kharn |
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Go to Islamorada. I would certainly advise visiting some of the other islands as well. The Keys are full of interesting places. A vacation is what you make of it, though... The thing about the Florida Keys is the very relaxed, laid back, "Jimmy Buffett like" attitude and lifestyle, but it can also get very "touristy". I believe you and your wife would really enjoy a visit to the keys. |
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I don't know if camping is your thing, but one of the best, most relaxing vacations we've ever had was a week we spent camping in the Florida Keys. We went with some friends, they had a popup camper and we had a regular tent, camped on the beach under a bunch of shady palm trees. We strung out some buckets to catch crabs to use for bait and fished for tarpon off the bridges. The water is so shallow you can walk out a long way and be only knee deep. Evenings sitting on the beach by a campfire sipping pina coladas or cold beers, listening to the sounds of the ocean and the occasional bzzzt of the electric bug zapper... man it doesn't get any better than that.  We stayed in tents but the campground we stayed at had RV hookups. Another time we rented an RV to camp up around the middle of the state. Renting an RV might be something to consider if you're not into roughing it in tents. |
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We mainly go to concentrate on the fishing and snorkeling, so Islamorada is best for us. The only turn off we came across is that Key West has such bad traffic, even in the off season. Try and fly directly into the Keys. The first time we went we flew into Miami and drove down and back, a waste of vacation time really. Key West Airport is very small and quick to get in and out of and the car rental is a breeze. Flying with a pistol in the luggage was not a hassle at all. The things we always do is visit the Dry Tortugas on the catamaran, take a jetski tour around Key West and snorkel the reefs. You are going to get REALLY tired of Conch. (I'll bet the stuff is even in baby food.) The best thing to do upon arrival is plot an Outback Steakhouse in your GPS. 
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Who do you dive with? On our first trip we stayed at a dive resort on Key Largo run by a retired German couple and their daughter. Really nice place. |
Ocean Divers All my dives in Key Largo have been off of their boats (well, the green one anyway) 
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| Key West is great. A few gays, but they dont bother. Mardi Gras type atmosphers with lots of bars and restaurants. Sunsets and freak shows nightly. Dry Tortugas offers first class snorkling/diving. Very clean,warm carribean water. REAL key lime pies, blue heaven and my favorite, babys coffee(m.m. 15).The hotels aren't cheap. Lots to see driving in or out, Pennecamp St park, key deer, every key has something unique. Just have patience (relax like the parrot heads) its a long drive from miami and one slow car can have you pulling out your hair. |
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I like the middle keys. My family used to keep a boat on Duck Key and I've spent a LOT of time down there. Duck Key is between Marathon and Islamorada. Hawk's Cay resort on Duck Key is a great place to stay, depending on what you're looking to spend. They have boat rentals there too. |
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I've been to Key West many times and always enjoyed it. I'm not upset by the gays and as mentioned above, they won't bother you. You've got a lot of good advice so you'll be able to figure out what's good for you. Key West does have a lot of history the lesser keys don't have. It is a place into itself and has to be accepted as such. If you do go I have a great place to stay. Quiet and far enough away from Duval Street so you can have peace and quiet. Go to oldtownsuites.com look at Suite Dreams on Von Phister Street. It is an old mansion, 7 suites, 2 pools, and the rates are as good as any hotel. It will be an experience you'll never forget. Also, you must eat at the Half Shell Raw Bar. The best Conch chowder and Key Lime pie in the world...guaranteed. Word of caution...none of the beaches in the Keys are noteworthy. Small surf and rough gravel. The diving and fishing, on the other hand, are great. |
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I worked in Key West off and on for about a year and a half. Key West isn't so bad, it's just a bit strange. You have to keep telling yourself that you DON'T LIVE there, and don't want to. Nice place to visit, and all that. There's all sorts of activities available if you're not into the weird bar scene. There's beaches to lay on, a fort to explore, all sorts of excursions: sail boat trips, trips to the Dry Tortugas, jet skis, dive trips, historical tours, etc. etc. Staying there is EXPENSIVE, though. If you end up going there's a few restaurants worth looking up: Monte's Restaurant Alice's Restaurant PT's Late Night Bar & Grill Caroline's Jack Flats Hickory House on Stock Island Have fun. |
Why not go somewhere that will satisfy both you, and the wife. I've spent time in the keys, and wasn't overly impressed, especially with the quality of the beaches. OTOH, if you go to the panhandle somewhere between Panama City, and Destin, you'll experience the best beaches in all of Florida IMO, pure white "sugar sand". You can also "get lost" so to speak, as there are areas that are not crowded at all. Start in the middle of this area, say Seagrove Beach, explore up and down the coast and find the degree of isolation you desire, as far as lodging goes. Beautiful dunes with lots of seagrass! Uncrowded beaches, just an excellent place to enjoy the beach without the hassle of hoardes of humanity! Lot's of EXCELLENT cajun food in this area too, usually off the beaten path. Plenty close to either Panama City, or Destin if you need to go there for supplies, or a night on the town, so to speak. You can charter a deep sea fishing trip out of Panama City, if that's your thing. Other than the outer banks of North Carolina, this is easily my favorite beach in the entire USA. To the poster that recommended St. Augustine, that's probably my favorite town in Florida. Lots of history, and extremely picturesque. In Florida's early days or tourism, this is where northern "old money" went to vacation, and they left a lot of architechture and history to enjoy, thanks to Henry Flagler. Grand old hotels, churches, the old Spanish Fort etc., etc. It's worth spending a couple of days there to take it all in. Those are the places I would spend my money, and time while in Florida. If you're hell bent on going to the Keys, one thing I can highly recommend is taking a float plane trip from Key West to Ft. Jefferson located on the Dry Tortugas islands. It's a National Monument, built before the civil war, and is in pristine condition. Only way to get there is either by boat, or floatplane. IIRC, it's about 70 miles WNW out of Key West. You can also camp there, however you must pack everything you need in, and also pack all of it out. Just some alternative suggestions for you to consider. Hope your trip is enjoyable, whatever destination you choose. |
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Here's an option. Fly into Tampa, get a rental car and drive south spending a couple nights at each one of these places: 1. Siesta Key 2. Sanibel/Captiva 3. Marco Island They are all within 3 hours from Tampa. If you are set on the keys drive another 5 1/2 hours from Marco Island. If you didn't like NOLA, you won't like Key West. Very similar to me. |
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If you like ocean, Largo is cool, but all the Keys are expensive. My favorite beach is Marco Island, nice and secluded and much cheaper than the Keys. Its about an hour west of MIA on the Trail. Marco Island |
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Stay in Marathon and drive to Key West to visit. We have a place and a boat in Marathon but we always recommend Limetree Bay Resort to out of towners: www.limetreebayresort.com/ Nice low key place with some good eating nearby. BTW - the "gay" thing in Key West isn't all that crazy unless its a big event weekend or something. It's more like New Orleans than anything else - tourist trap, noisy, crowded, gazillion bars, etc. You don't need to spend more than a day there; just go, hit a couple bars in the afternoon, watch the whackos at sunset and drive back to Marathon. Book a fishing trip with a good local Captain and tell him you want to snorkel too. Come home and grill the Mahi you catch. That's good stuff. |
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Here are two other "options"/"alternatives". DISCLAIMER: I know nothing about your finances and little about you "tastes". I live in SoFla. I have stayed at both places. I took my first fishing trip to the Keys in 1959 and I lived in the Bahama Out Islands for a year on my boat. I would love to go back to both places. Google : Little Palm Island Google : Small Hope Bay Resort LPI is $$$$+ but it defines relaxing. If you want to be high energy, take your cellphone and go someplace else. phones/kids are not allowed. Your wife will feel like a queen. Do NOT show her this option if you cannot afford a weekend there. (I hate to put it that way but, occasionally, us normal people need to treat ourselves if we possibly can.) FWIW, we did not do a meal plan and didn't miss it. SHB may not have AC but you may not need it and you will, quite possibly, have the most friendly bunch of genuinely nice Bahamians on the planet around you. ALL food and (24hr open bar) drinks are included, and the trip over will likely qualify as breath-taking. Stay safe |
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Wow! Thanks everyone for the replies! There is a lot of good information here for my wife and I to mull over. As far as being shocked and having my vacation ruined by transvestites and dudes kissing, let me put it this way, I've been a cop for a long time. Weirdness doesn't freak me out. My wife has been married to a cop for a long time. Weirdness doesn't freak her out too much either! Keep the good information coming! |