Key West trip thoughts?

[jr/shotglass]

You had better have pronounced that ˈkɒŋk.

 

[waterytart]

You had better have pronounced that ˈkɒŋk.

You grew up where?

Shee-yit, next thing, people are going to be explaining Bimini bread and Cuban sandwiches to me.

 

[jr/shotglass]

Hehe. I hear ya.

 

[MileHigh]

Went twice during my time living in SoFla. Worth the drive and the time spent there.

 

[SpeedTchr]

poi boy?

Even the Hawaiians don't like that ****.

 

[Batman]

Get yourself one of the hotels at the far end of Duval Street, down by the southernmost point. Take the walk up Duval Street when you're ready to start your day, or after lounging at the pool for a little while.

If you're directing him down thataway, I've got to recommend the Southernmost Hotel. Best rates on the island (which still means you're paying $200 a night on a good night), plus free parking. It is a ways from Old Town, though, so if you've gotten a decent rate at the hotel the conference is at you might be better off there.

http://www.southernmostresorts.com/southernmost-hotel/

The Southernmost Hotel is on the quiet end of Duval Street, a block from the Southernmost marker. Roll out of bed and you're on your way. You will have to hike to get to the good stuff at the other end of Duval (it's a mile or two from one end to the other), but most of the fun is people watching anyway.
If you want to chill out for a bit, there's a pool with a tiki bar.

A couple other quick thoughts:
1) The beaches are generally ****ty. They're all artificial, because the reefs keep sand from piling up. The beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is pretty nice, though. Kind of tucked away and quiet. I'd recommend it for a quiet afternoon on the beach.

2) Unless you're in a time crunch, definitely fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale and drive down. It's a 3-4 hour trip, but also one of the prettiest drives you'll ever go on. If you have an extra day or so, there's also a bunch of little side trips you can take in the Keys along the way.

3) It's touristy, but definitely go watch the sunset at Mallory Square. There's some amazing street performers. My favorite is this crazy sumbitch:

The angle of the picture is bad, but the guy in the green shirt is holding up a hula hoop. The guy in red is jumping through the hoop, OVER the woman on the bike, after getting a running start. Blows my mind every time I've seen it.

4) Prepare your "why did the chicken cross the road jokes" ahead of time. There are wild roosters everywhere. If you eat at some of the sidewalk cafes, they'll mill around under your feet and snap up any chunks of food that fall to the ground. It's so bizarre it's awesome.

5) If you're lucky enough to run into the Dirty Joke Man on Duval Street, give him a buck. You won't be sorry.

6) In getting back to the original question, hells yes a Key West trip is worth it. Expensive, yes, but worth every damn penny.

 

[Bubbler]

Key West itself left me cold, but I loved the Keys themselves. Bahia Honda State Park is one of the most wonderful places I've ever been to. Very nice beaches, interesting oddities, like the old railroad/highway bridge, etc.

And the drive down from Miami is a bucket list kind of thing.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

I'll add to the group that says drive from Miami. It's great. As mentioned, with each passing mile it makes the anticipation grow and the worries go. Now that I'm older, I want to do it on my motorcycle. Don't blast the drive. There are plenty of places to hit along the way. Take your time and enjoy.

 

[trifectarich]

Go and have a good time.

Rent a kayak and paddle around. Take a fishing trip to the Marquesas for tarpon or barracuda. See some of the sights in town.

One of my life's rules is: Nothing good ever comes from fishing. (But still, Key West is a great places for a couple of days.)

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

A drive down to KW would be doable. A drive back would be a push.
Is traffic pretty heavy?

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

A drive down to KW would be doable. A drive back would be a push.
Is traffic pretty heavy?

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions.

I only did it once, and it wasn't bad. I'm pretty sure it ebbs and flows with time of year and whether or not a storm is coming in.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Option B for this year's trip is NYC in December, for a long weekend.
I have been to NYC a handful of times and LOVE it. Not the touristy ****, like Times Square, just the city. I love to go.
Saw a Broadway Show (Wicked) and was blown away hooked.

I could totally go back. Wife too, as she loves to shop.

No. 1, who's 9, also wants to go - anywhere. He's been begging to go Jackson Hole (there is conference there but it is way, out of our price range). I don't think KW would be a kid-friendly.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

NYC at Christmastime is aces. Kids like Christmas decorations, and just looking at the store window displays is a pretty great free show if the weather's not miserable.
Hotels in NYC in December are not cheap, however.

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

Don't go to Key West!

How is the old lady going to get her freak on at the conference with you tagging along?

 

[Azrael]

Don't forget that every major motel chain in America has a presence in NYC. Not like staying at the Red Roof or the Motel 6 out by the overpass, but you can save hundreds of dollars a night. Also lots of places like this: http://www.acc-tutuconferencecenter.com

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

NYC at Christmastime is aces. Kids like Christmas decorations, and just looking at the store window displays is a pretty great free show if the weather's not miserable.
Hotels in NYC in December are not cheap, however.

Really? Why? Because of the shopping season?

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Don't go to Key West!

How is the old lady going to get her freak on at the conference with you tagging along?

Funny, that's what she said!

 

[jr/shotglass]

Get yourself one of the hotels at the far end of Duval Street, down by the southernmost point. Take the walk up Duval Street when you're ready to start your day, or after lounging at the pool for a little while.

If you're directing him down thataway, I've got to recommend the Southernmost Hotel. Best rates on the island (which still means you're paying $200 a night on a good night), plus free parking. It is a ways from Old Town, though, so if you've gotten a decent rate at the hotel the conference is at you might be better off there.

http://www.southernmostresorts.com/southernmost-hotel/

The Southernmost Hotel is on the quiet end of Duval Street, a block from the Southernmost marker. Roll out of bed and you're on your way. You will have to hike to get to the good stuff at the other end of Duval (it's a mile or two from one end to the other), but most of the fun is people watching anyway.
If you want to chill out for a bit, there's a pool with a tiki bar.

Exactly what we did, and I believe it's the best way to experience Key West.

 

[Iron_chet]

Option B for this year's trip is NYC in December, for a long weekend.
I have been to NYC a handful of times and LOVE it. Not the touristy ****, like Times Square, just the city. I love to go.
Saw a Broadway Show (Wicked) and was blown away hooked.

I could totally go back. Wife too, as she loves to shop.

No. 1, who's 9, also wants to go - anywhere. He's been begging to go Jackson Hole (there is conference there but it is way, out of our price range). I don't think KW would be a kid-friendly.

We took our then 10 year old daughter to KW on a day trip while gravy training at tremendous beach house somewhere areound Isladora. The freak show quotient was low so it was more boring than anything else (we were also only there during the day and obviously not bar hopping.)

It struck me as having that false note to it that others have noted. I wouldn't take kids but if I had the opportunity to go there again I would hit it up.

FWIW we greatly enjoyed our time in Jackson Hole.

 

[YGBFKM]

Key West is no place for kids or respectable adults.