Jump to content

Must-do's in Key West! - What's not to be missed?


AnastasiaBeaverhousen
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi! We'll be coming off a cruise out of POM on a Sunday and planning to drive down to Key West as soon as we disembark. We'll stay one night and then we have to get back to Miami for about 6:00 PM on Monday (unfortunately this is non-negotiable as we'll be taking in a Dolphins game that night). So we will have about... 30ish hours in Key West. We realize it's not a lot of time but we're good with the drive.

 

With our limited time, what are some absolute must-do's in your opinion? We've never been before and will be coming in December if that makes a difference. We're up for anything, looking forward to anything local (especially seafood) and of course, PIE!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many would say take in the unique sunset celebration at the Mallory Square right by the water. It is rather circus-like and so popular that it regularly draws large crowds to the festive nightly event.

For myself, I am not given to such entertainment and much prefer the sunset cruises. We especially like the red-sailed ship Jolly II Rover, but there are others.

 

Another place we like to enjoy Key West's fabulous sunsets is at the quieter Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.

 

Definitely take a walk along the Historic Schooner Wharf docks. This is a very picturesque area, good for nice photo ops.

 

Walk up and down Duval, Key West's main drag. This is a real experience, being home to a wide variety of shops, saloons, and eateries catering to every taste. The iconic Sloppy Joe's is here.

 

For other sites to tour, many enjoy the Hemingway House where Ernest Hemingway lived for awhile, the Treasure Museum, the Truman Winter White House and the Butterfly Conservatory.

 

In your limited time you probably won't be able to do all of these things. I do hope you like Key West as much as we do and I hope you can return sometime again when you have more time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many would say take in the unique sunset celebration at the Mallory Square right by the water. It is rather circus-like and so popular that it regularly draws large crowds to the festive nightly event.

For myself, I am not given to such entertainment and much prefer the sunset cruises. We especially like the red-sailed ship Jolly II Rover, but there are others.

 

Another place we like to enjoy Key West's fabulous sunsets is at the quieter Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.

 

Definitely take a walk along the Historic Schooner Wharf docks. This is a very picturesque area, good for nice photo ops.

 

Walk up and down Duval, Key West's main drag. This is a real experience, being home to a wide variety of shops, saloons, and eateries catering to every taste. The iconic Sloppy Joe's is here.

 

For other sites to tour, many enjoy the Hemingway House where Ernest Hemingway lived for awhile, the Treasure Museum, the Truman Winter White House and the Butterfly Conservatory.

 

In your limited time you probably won't be able to do all of these things. I do hope you like Key West as much as we do and I hope you can return sometime again when you have more time.

 

Thank you very, very much! Your detailed post inspired me to rearrange some travel plans so we'll come down to Key West later in the week and stay for a few days. Thanks again!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Other ideas:

 

On the way to/from Key West, spend some time exploring the Homestead/Redlands area. Check out the Redland Riot Tour (self-guided) and stop along the way at a number of places that interest you.

 

http://www.redlandriot.com/Rallye.html

 

Our favorite stops are:

 

Robert is Here (milkshakes and fruit stand)

RF Orchids (orchid farm)

Fruit & Spice Park (take the tram tour)

Knaus Berry Farm (bakery - open seasonally)

Schnebly's Winery (wines made of tropical fruit and brewery)

 

In Marathon, stop at the Turtle Hospital. They have a 90-minute tour of the hospital and the sanctuary where turtles are rehabilitated and released back into the water or see the "resident" turtles.

 

http://www.turtlehospital.org/

 

In Key West:

 

Nancy's Secret Garden (a parrot sanctuary):

http://nancyforrester.com/

 

Sherrif's Office Animal Farm

http://www.keysso.net/miscellaneous/animal_park.htm

 

Then after dinner, wherever you choose to go, save room for dessert and visit Better than Sex:

http://www.betterthansexkeywest.com/

Edited by brunello22
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

We enjoy walking around the town early in the morning when it is quiet.

 

So many places to walk around including the residential area and the area near the water.

 

I recommend the Hemingway House and a tour of The Little White House which Truman used.

 

dsc00295_orig.jpg

 

 

Inside Hemingway House.

 

DSC_4833.jpg

 

 

Residential Area.

 

DSC_4829.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are driving from Miami to Key West I would suggest downloading Gypsy tours guide on your phone, I have been researching it and have used their guides in Hawaii and loved them ...like having your own personal tourguide in your car, uses no data, and points out history and stories that make the drive fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...