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OT: Key West

newell138

newell138

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Ocean City NJ via South Brunswick and Denville
Looking to go down in February for 4-5 days w/ my wife. Trying to decide if I should fly all the way in or just fly to Miami and drive down. I love driving and think the drive itself would be pretty nice and probably not much longer if you add in airport transfers and waiting time, etc. Thinking of staying at the Doubletree Hilton, prices and reviews seem reasonable.

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.
 
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I have made the drive from Miami a couple of times. It is well worth it. The beauty of the ride is really stunning. Plus there are a number of great places to stop for a drink and a bite on the way. Well worth the extra effort.
 
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Key West is one of my favorite places on earth. My advice would be make the drive down and fly back. Rent a car from Miami airport and drop it off at the Key West airport. I've done that in the past and it works out pretty good.

If on the fence and not taking my advice, I'd say drive both ways instead of flying both ways. The drive is really cool in spots and there are some cool things to stop and see along the way.
 
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The drive from Miami great, but you have to go at an off peak time, if possible. the most frustrating thing is getting stuck behind an rv, having to go slower, as much of the way is only one lane each way. I'd suggest getting a place as close to Duval Street as possible, as that's where much of the activity is. Lots of bed and breakfasts. Pier House Resort and Spa and Ocean Key Resort and Spa are in prime locations but pricey. I would say try to get something in that vicinity.
 
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rutgersal said:
The drive from Miami great, but you have to go at an off peak time, if possible. the most frustrating thing is getting stuck behind an rv, having to go slower, as much of the way is only one lane each way. I'd suggest getting a place as close to Duval Street as possible, as that's where much of the activity is. Lots of bed and breakfasts. Pier House Resort and Spa and Ocean Key Resort and Spa are in prime locations but pricey. I would say try to get something in that vicinity.
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Al is correct. Parking can be a challenge.
 
Drive, but don't do it during the time that everyone is heading to the keys. Traffic and back-ups can be bad.
 
newell138 said:
Looking to go down in February for 4-5 days w/ my wife. Trying to decide if I should fly all the way in or just fly to Miami and drive down. I love driving and think the drive itself would be pretty nice and probably not much longer if you add in airport transfers and waiting time, etc. Thinking of staying at the Doubletree Hilton, prices and reviews seem reasonable.

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.
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you should do the drive at least once, but stay away from weekends or busy times if possible as mentioned above. After you have driven once or twice, I'd fly. Rent bikes when you get there and don't need your car at all unless you wanted to go off key.
 
Was also thinking of taking a trip to Key West. Is it a good destination for kids around 10? Or more geared towards adult activities?
 
We had a great stay at the Bayon Resort on Whitehead st. Had the top floor suite, attic, that had barn doors on either end that created a great breeze at night for sleeping.

While there stop by the Lobster Shack and say hello to Kelly. She owns Boondocks in Red Bank nj also and both have great lobster rolls.
 
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gunboat said:
We had a great stay at the Bayon Resort on Whitehead st. Had the top floor suite, attic, that had barn doors on either end that created a great breeze at night for sleeping.

While there stop by the Lobster Shack and say hello to Kelly. She owns Boondocks in Red Bank nj also and both have great lobster rolls.
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Kelly is an amazing person. Let her know you are from Jersey.
 
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Drive, but only if you're willing to make the drive an enjoyable, integral part of your trip and not just a means to get to your destination.
 
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cicero grimes said:
Kelly is an amazing person. Let her know you are from Jersey.
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I met Kelly at a tailgate in the Scarlet lot about 3 years ago. She told me about her place in Red Bank, she described it as very modest but with great food. I meant to visit but never got around to it. She even did shots with us, lol. Got some pics too.
Glad to hear she's doing well.
 
I would fly. From Miami, it's a 3 plus hour drive. Add in the car and the likelihood of traffic and you will loose the better part of a day driving. While it's nice a nice trip, I don't think do it.

The other reason is there is absolutely no reason to have a car in Key West. Plenty to do there without leaving the island. Now, if you are the type that has a strong desire to see the beach 2 miles up the road because in the back of your mind you think its different than the one you are standing on, then rent a car and have at it.
 
rcube1994 said:
Was also thinking of taking a trip to Key West. Is it a good destination for kids around 10? Or more geared towards adult activities?
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If you're OK with your kids seeing some public drunkenness and some folks that celebrate an alternative lifestyle I suppose it's fine. Sort of like being in the Blue Lot with kiddies.
 
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Some good advice here, this is a little repetitive but..

Try to stay someplace walk-able to Duval St.'s toward the west side of the island.

If you like to drive this is one you really have to take.

If you plan on having a car in Key West, 1) you don't really need it once there. 2)Make sure where you're staying has parking. It is not a given.

If you don't like flying on small planes check the aircraft before you fly.

I drove down then turned in the car and flew back.

Great trip. Want to get back.
 
You really don't need a car, but everybody should do the car ride down once....it is really something....we stay at The Casa Marina usually but they are having a rough go with customer service lately...do not stay at the Doubletree it's right by the airport and not that great a location...nothing walkable late at night. Stay at the Ocean Key Resort you should have a great stay. Visit the Casa Marina if you like architecture...I wish I could recommend staying there but I just can't right now.
 
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Miami Airport appears to be one of the cornerstones of Hertz's "Dream Cars" collection.
 
gunboat said:
We had a great stay at the Bayon Resort on Whitehead st. Had the top floor suite, attic, that had barn doors on either end that created a great breeze at night for sleeping.

While there stop by the Lobster Shack and say hello to Kelly. She owns Boondocks in Red Bank nj also and both have great lobster rolls.
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Do you mean Banyan, as in the guy from seinfeld? Looks pretty nice. Looks like the drive is the way to go for me, i really do love driving and seeing different parts of the country.
 
rcube1994 said:
Was also thinking of taking a trip to Key West. Is it a good destination for kids around 10? Or more geared towards adult activities?
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Also not much in the way of beaches if the kids are looking for that.
 
newell138 said:
Do you mean Banyan, as in the guy from seinfeld?
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tumblr_n61jfekipZ1qbvaudo4_250.gif


newell138 said:
Do you mean.. Banyan... Looks pretty nice.
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It is nice.
the-banyan-resort.jpg

home-slide-1.jpg
 
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Make sure you have an early flight into Miami if you want to drive down as you will run out of sunlight and the best parts to see from the car are at the end of the drive.

Depending on budget and whether you have a car down there, there is a really cool place called Little Palm Island about 15 miles outside of Key West. Great place to go for dinner...they take you out there in this old speed boat, you dine right on the water, under the stars and the food is unbelievably good.

Overall, the food in Key West was the biggest surprise. Even the greasy spoons were great. What a fun place...New Orleans in the tropics without the fear of getting mugged.
 
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@newell138 this thread is perfect. MrScrew and I are planning a long weekend in Key West in the early part of February. Our plan is to fly into Miami and drive...didn't think about flying home from KW. new things to ponder.
 
One of my kids is headed there for a bit of vacation soon. He's not 21, so renting a car wasn't an option. I got him a nonstop round trip out of Newark. Figured it was the simplest way and no risks of missing a connecting flight due to delays.

If long portions of the drive are single-lane, I think I'd avoid that personally. If I was hell-bent on sight-seeing on the trip there, I'd get a limo or taxi or uber or something so I can look around rather than driving.
 
Spent a New Years Eve weekend in Key West when Peoples Express was still running round trips there from Newark a few years back. Met a girl at a party in December, hit it off nicely, and she came up with this idea. Terrific idea.

The person who mentioned New Orleans in the tropics had it right. Man, was that a fun weekend. Just looked up the weather, mid 80s during day , low 70s at night.
Pub crawl anyone , lol.

Hopefully Uber runs there, been using Uber a lot now on vacations instead of renting cars and it takes a lot of stress out of vacationing, especially if you like beer, wine and bourbon . :sunglasses:

PS- Negril, Jamaica still my favorite hedonistic place in the sun , but a different vibe for sure.
 
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If you do drive, and you fly home out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, schedule your flight home later in the afternoon/evening. Or better yet, drive back a day before your flight and spend a night in South Beach or something. You don't want to cut it too close and run the risk of a bad accident shutting down that one lane.
 
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Sunset at Mallory Square is a kid-friendly place, with jugglers and buskers. Try the Islemarada
Fish House on the way down, for a grouper sandwich.
 
rcube1994 said:
Was also thinking of taking a trip to Key West. Is it a good destination for kids around 10? Or more geared towards adult activities?
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Been there. I think it is fine for kids. Only problem would be late night on Duval Street(I think that is the main street) it turns into an alt lifestyle community.
 
Abro1975 said:
Spent a New Years Eve weekend in Key West when Peoples Express was still running round trips there from Newark a few years back. Met a girl at a party in December, hit it off nicely, and she came up with this idea. Terrific idea.

The person who mentioned New Orleans in the tropics had it right. Man, was that a fun weekend. Just looked up the weather, mid 80s during day , low 70s at night.
Pub crawl anyone , lol.

Hopefully Uber runs there, been using Uber a lot now on vacations instead of renting cars and it takes a lot of stress out of vacationing, especially if you like beer, wine and bourbon . :sunglasses:

PS- Negril, Jamaica still my favorite hedonistic place in the sun , but a different vibe for sure.
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If you get a place next to Duval Street, you don't even need to uber. Key West is one of my favorite vacation spots, with Aruba being number 1.
 
You need to drive that route at least once in your life. Unbelievable beauty.
Agreed that sunset at Mallory Square is a kid friendly environment and a lot of fun. On the way down stop at the Hurricane Bar in Marathon. Great Mahi Mahi there.
Try to dodge the bachelorette parties alll along Duval Street. Recommend the Bull & Whistle Bar. Good music. Make sure to visit their rooftop bar, The Garden of Eden. Clothing optional. The DJ can actually turn up the volume without using his hands. AAAAGGGHHHH!!!!
 
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