Need some help fellow Noles

[SC WARHORSE]

Wife Is turning 50 and for her BDay wants to fly into Miami and drive through the Keys. We are flying into Miami on a Thursday morning 730 am and leaving Miami on the following Tuesday 4pm. We have only been to Miami for the Bowl Game against Michigan for a day. We have only been to Key West for a day and a half 23 years ago. I would like to know what you would do in that time frame. We are going to rent a car and go to all the keys, also how much time would you spend in Miami 1,2 days? What’s your favorite Key to vacation in? Would you get into Miami and drive straight to Key West,then make your way back up or vice versa ? Thanks in advance for you input

 

[Great2bANole]

Can’t go wrong in the Keys. I would spend as little time in Miami as possible. I say that as someone who was born and grew up down there. Not as much a slander on Miami as you have limited time so enjoy the Keys.

 

[phideltflg]

Definitely make time to eat at Joe’s Stone Crab.

 

[rion1]

As @Great2bANole pointed out, Drive right past Miami if you can, otherwise your vacation will be spent in traffic. Hard to go wrong anywhere in the keys.

 

[FtWaltonNole]

Spend as little time in The People’s Republic of Miami as possible!

 

[squiffynole]

I'd operate out of the Middle Keys and arrange waterside activities like a boat tour or sailboat cruise. Key West is good for a day visit for its unique ambiance and amazing history.

 

[Addicted2Noles]

It depends on what you like to do. Some people like to sit by the pool or ocean and relax. Others like to be on the go at all times.

Key West is fun but certainly has a "touristy" feel to it. Nothing wrong with that and it's fun, but it is that. Most of the rest of the keys are really laid back and slow paced. You need to decide what you want.

If I were you, i would go to Islamorada which is almost half way to Key West. It is pretty laid back yet has a number of restaurants and bars for nightlife. During the day you can drive to Key West (1.5 hour drive) or hang out by the pool, bike or whatever.

 

[c691027]

It depends on what you like to do. Some people like to sit by the pool or ocean and relax. Others like to be on the go at all times.

Key West is fun but certainly has a "touristy" feel to it. Nothing wrong with that and it's fun, but it is that. Most of the rest of the keys are really laid back and slow paced. You need to decide what you want.

If I were you, i would go to Islamorada which is almost half way to Key West. It is pretty laid back yet has a number of restaurants and bars for nightlife. During the day you can drive to Key West (1.5 hour drive) or hang out by the pool, bike or whatever.

I love the sunset on the catamarans in Key West. Also snorkeling is a good afternoon trip. The eating is good there. But, I like Paradise Key to relax. I like that Idea of picking a spot between and doing different things. And is less expensive as well!! As far as Miami, I like Sunset Beach the best. Is less crowded. I also like Ft Lauderdale Beach if that is where you're flying into. If ya do convertible ; which I love, make sure you wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen. I never knew a scalp could get sunburn under hair until we rode down there! If you do stay in Key West, Rent a boat which is half the price of a crappy hotel($200 a night) or Air BnB app!!! I got an rental apartment with pool cheaper than a nasty room. Rental fee for the week was cheaper than two nights in a hotel room.

 

[Timnole]

I would drive straight to Key West and spend two nights there and then work your way back spending a night at Hawks Cay in the middle Keys and a night at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada. Stay close to Duval Street in Key West. She will be very happy with the trip if you hit everything I said.

 

[montconole]

I would drive straight to Key West and spend two nights there and then work your way back spending a night at Hawks Cay in the middle Keys and a night at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada. Stay close to Duval Street in Key West. She will be very happy with the trip if you hit everything I said.

As a kid, we used to vacation at Hawks Cay when it was known as Indes Inn. Now that it’s Hawks Cay, it’s a lot more expensive but a ton nicer. Can’t go wrong spending a day or two as the home base.

 

[NutGraf]

If you haven't seen Miami, don't let these other folks talk you into missing it. Traffic notwithstanding, Miami is a great American city.

I'd go to lunch at the Versailles restaurant, which is the center of Cuban life in Miami. Grab a cup of Cuban coffee at the ventanita, when you leave. I'd walk along Calle Ocho, or Eighth Street. It still has a distinctly Cuban-diaspora feel to it, but it also is gentrifying. Watch the old men play dominos at Dominos Park, just as they've been doing since the 60s..

If you have time, driver over to Miami Beach. Walk along Ocean Drive and watch the models strut. Or drive around Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Go to the beach at Matheson Hammock, and rent a bike to get over there along the Rickenbacker Causeway.

Here's a nice website if you're there, and looking for things to do:

https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/

I agree that Key West has become really, really touristy. For my money, I prefer to say in one of the Middle Keys, such as Upper Matecumbe or Islamorada. John Pennekamp State Park, in Key Largo, is beautiful, and you can easily book a ride on a tour boat that stops over the coral reef for snorkeling. It's a very accessble reef. Not far from the surface, not far from land. Well worth a couple hours.

 

[Timnole]

As a kid, we used to vacation at Hawks Cay when it was known as Indes Inn. Now that it’s Hawks Cay, it’s a lot more expensive but a ton nicer. Can’t go wrong spending a day or two as the home base.

Grew up in Marathon. My wedding was at Hawks Cay.

 

[Timnole]

If you haven't seen Miami, don't let these other folks talk you into missing it. Traffic notwithstanding, Miami is a great American city.

I'd go to lunch at the Versailles restaurant, which is the center of Cuban life in Miami. Grab a cup of Cuban coffee at the ventanita, when you leave. I'd walk along Calle Ocho, or Eighth Street. It still has a distinctly Cuban-diaspora feel to it, but it also is gentrifying. Watch the old men play dominos at Dominos Park, just as they've been doing since the 60s..

If you have time, driver over to Miami Beach. Walk along Ocean Drive and watch the models strut. Or drive around Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Go to the beach at Matheson Hammock, and rent a bike to get over there along the Rickenbacker Causeway.

Here's a nice website if you're there, and looking for things to do:

https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/

I agree that Key West has become really, really touristy. For my money, I prefer to say in one of the Middle Keys, such as Upper Matecumbe or Islamorada. John Pennekamp State Park, in Key Largo, is beautiful, and you can easily book a ride on a tour boat that stops over the coral reef for snorkeling. It's a very accessble reef. Not far from the surface, not far from land. Well worth a couple hours.

Sorry but Islamorada is not the Middle Keys. You would drive locals crazy aging that.

 

[summit2001]

Just make sure you get a few pairs of kinos while you’re there. . .

 

[Vangeezy]

I'm turning 50 this year and now I know where I'm going for my birthday!!!

 

[Gatorgig]

It depends on what you like to do. Some people like to sit by the pool or ocean and relax. Others like to be on the go at all times.

Key West is fun but certainly has a "touristy" feel to it. Nothing wrong with that and it's fun, but it is that. Most of the rest of the keys are really laid back and slow paced. You need to decide what you want.

If I were you, i would go to Islamorada which is almost half way to Key West. It is pretty laid back yet has a number of restaurants and bars for nightlife. During the day you can drive to Key West (1.5 hour drive) or hang out by the pool, bike or whatever.

This would be my suggestion also.

 

[ChiefWB]

Tiki Bar at Islamorada (Gotta have at least one "Pain in the Ass" from my sig. pic. with a 151 floater!). Also if you can rent a jet shi or boat the sandbar just off the shore at the Tiki Bar is a good time. When you make it to Key West be sure to make it down to the harbor for the sunset and all the show's...renting scooters to tour is a good time as is Jet Ski's if you can afford it Sun Set key off of Key West it is worth it (you can only get there by boat, which is available)

 

[anon_vKoAeFUPShc82MGE]

Definitely make time to eat at Joe’s Stone Crab.

Great idea!

If flying into Miami one has to experience Joe's Stone Crabs, the restaurant is world renowned. Definitely one of the "must experience/see " of South Florida.

Being a native Miamian I grew up and had many wonderful family memories there. Joe's is in South Beach, on the tip of Miami Beach. If you want to see wild nightlife, South Beach is the place to see it as well.

They are opened for lunch as well so one can go early then head for the Keys after.

 

[fly4megalops]

Key West is really fantastic, one of the best cities in Florida. BUT you have to spend as little time on Duval as possible. Go have one drink in each of the famous bars so that you can say you did it, then spend the rest of your time focusing on the history and architecture of the island. Eat at the places a few blocks off of Duval.

 

[grumpiebk]

A lot of good suggestions here already. If you haven’t spent time in Miami, go walk on south beach and have lunch at a street side cafe on ocean drive. Then get out of there and head to the keys. Islamorada is a great casual key with a lot to do. Check out Lorelei restaurant for the best outdoor sunset dinner. Pennekamp is a cool little beach park (BYOS- snorkel). Rent a boat and go out to the sandbar for a day in/on the water. And don’t forget to feed the Tarpon at Robbies.

Cheeca lodge, while pricey, is a great place to stay. There is also a beautiful new resort in key largo called playa largo. But it’s pricey. If it’s in your budget, stay there it’ll be worth it.

If you make it to key west, you’ll figure out most of the tourist sights (Mallory square, hogs breath, Southernmost point, etc etc) but two places I always like to point out are:

- Dante’s pool: great place to hang for the morning with a afternoon grab a drink and have some lunch poolside

-Better Than Sex Desserts: self explanatory

 

[KillerZebra]

Sunset Key is a ferry boat away from Key West if you are looking at an amazing dinner on the beach. Very romantic and your wife will love it.

 

[Dadblom]

Wife Is turning 50 and for her BDay wants to fly into Miami and drive through the Keys. We are flying into Miami on a Thursday morning 730 am and leaving Miami on the following Tuesday 4pm. We have only been to Miami for the Bowl Game against Michigan for a day. We have only been to Key West for a day and a half 23 years ago. I would like to know what you would do in that time frame. We are going to rent a car and go to all the keys, also how much time would you spend in Miami 1,2 days? What’s your favorite Key to vacation in? Would you get into Miami and drive straight to Key West,then make your way back up or vice versa ? Thanks in advance for you input

Miami has some great cuban restaurants plus Joe's Stonecrab.. If you plan on going to Joe's call several days ahead for reservations and plan on spending some $$$. Out of Key West you can get a ferry to Fort Jefferson National Park in the Dry Tortugas It about a 2.5 hour boat ride each way. You'll get 4+ hours at the Fort to swim , snorkle and explore. They do have camp site if you wished to spend the night and are into to that. The cost is about $185 per person for the ferry and $15 to get into the park. Check it out online it's a different experience that my family really enjoyed

 

[c691027]

It's 5 O'Clock in Margaritaville. I actually met Jimmy there as he popped in to check on things. He was a normal guy. No celebrity that day...just himself as business owner. That's what I love about the keys. No big deal on anything. Island Time!!

 

[FSUDoles]

Great trip...and get outta Miami, quick, but let morning rush hour die down. We love Key West and Islamorada....stay within a short stroll of Duval in KW...and I saw the Cheeca discussed above....beautiful place but we prefer a neighboring property....you can walk to several restaurants and bars, including a very short walk to Cheeca. The bonus here is the pool is awesome and they allow you to bring all non glass containers to the pool....Cheeca is very expensive....at least food and beverage prices. Check the link....many options for the size of your party...from two to a bunch of peeps. This place is a hidden gem...

https://www.thecaribbeanresort.com/