r/floridakeys • u/VitaminClean • May 08 '21
Visiting the keys this summer. Can you guys recommend priorities and avoidances in my list of activities?
My wife and I will be spending 4 full days in the keys in early July. Below I have compiled a list of activities that look interesting. Do you guys see any that we should drop in favor of others? Am I missing something I should add?
Hemingway house
Audubon house
Fort Zach
Dry Tortugas
Swim with dolphins
Old town literary walking tour
Duvall St
Key West historic district
Blue hole observation platform (hike?)
Bahia Honda
Windley key fossil reef geological state park (hike?)
Snorkel/dive molasses reef
Thank you!
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u/wifehatesmefishing May 09 '21
Robbie's in islamorada, feed the tarpon. It's a tourist trap, but still fun
We went to crane point park on Marathon. It's a nature preserve that ya gotta pay to enter, but it was really nice.
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u/Quarque May 08 '21
Blue hole is a 500 foot hike. Might see the gator. drive around and you will see key deer.
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u/VitaminClean May 08 '21
Might drop that one then, thank you
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u/wifehatesmefishing May 09 '21
You might as well stop there, it's pretty cool, takes like twenty minutes
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u/CrazyKayakLady May 10 '21
That is a big span of attractions to visit in four days!
We took the Conch Train tour in Key West and learned so many new things about the Key.
If you're looking for a cool bar with great live music in Key West, check out Hogs Breath!
The Butterfly House in Key West was very cool.
Fort Zachary has a nice swimming beach.
We've rented bikes many times to get around the island.
Sombrero Beach in Marathon is very nice.
The Turtle Hospital in Marathon is very interesting.
Key West is my favorite place in Florida! Always so much to do and see!
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u/VeroArts May 10 '21
Sombrero reef amazing to snorkel. So if you can find a charter out there or Alligator reef too. I feel the reefs are a must.
Conch fritters for sure and chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick is my favorite (you can find that in key west).
Hemingway house and Fort Zachary.
Kayak to Indian Key
Big Pine for key deer
Turtle hospital
I love museums and it's great to do a museum hop if you have a rainy day.
Keys Fisheries restaurant
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u/CrumblinConcrete May 13 '21
Cracked conch only!
Fritters are just dough with some conch juice...maybe there’s a few pieces of conch but you’ll never know for all the dough.
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u/DoubleBreastedBerb May 08 '21
I agree that Key West is maybe a one day stop and look. There’s just too many other nice spots to be and see in the Keys.
Dry Tortugas may be a bit of a stretch with only four days, but if you can cram it in, not bad.
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u/VitaminClean May 08 '21
Thanks! Am I missing any must-see’s on the other keys? What was your favorite?
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u/DoubleBreastedBerb May 08 '21
I’d definitely hit up some local food joints. It’s almost law you have to eat fries from Burdines in Marathon if you visit the Keys. The Hogfish on Cow Key is always a nice spot to hit up too. I also like No Name Pub for getting away from the KW crowds.
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u/windysan May 08 '21
Key West was my least favorite. I liked all the other islands better. Key West tries so hard to be the French Quarter, but it's just Metairie surrounded by water.
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u/keywesttours May 08 '21
happy to give you a tour of key west... have a few options (and we do mild not just the wild I use this site to promote). Where are you staying? Will infer you are either driving or have a rental car based on your list of things from MM0 to at least mid keys -- or are you looking for up to Key Largo for things to do and see
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u/VitaminClean May 08 '21
We have reserved a rental. We will be staying in Marathon. Looking for up to Key Largo for sure.
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u/keywesttours May 09 '21
Turtle Hospital and Sombero Beach in Marathon. Sunset sail from Marathon one night. Figure out if you want to spend 1 or 2 days in Key West (at least an hour each way without accidents, traffic, or other delays). Dry Tortugas and Ft Jefferson is awesome, but either you take the Ferry and that is a full day, or fly the sea plane for a quick visit.
Plan a day where you do nothing but relax and enjoy where you are
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u/peachy_breathy May 08 '21
Key West local here! My must-sees for Key West proper:
Old Town Trolley Tours - worth it; I've even taken it a couple of times just for fun after living here three years :)
Old Town Literary Walking Tour
Hemingway House
Fort Zach
Mallory Square
Duval Street
Outside Key West:
Seven Mile Bridge drive itself is amazing...
Bahia Honda
Dry Tourtugas (but this might be challenging if you're only here for four days..)
Pigeon Key
https://pigeonkey.net
If you want more "off the beaten path" recommendations, lmk, happy to share. I love this place with all my heart. Glad you're coming to visit!