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Hazy Arc

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[Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

Hi All,

My wife and I along with another couple will be going to Key West in June for a week's vacation. We are staying at the Parrot Key Resort (»www.parrotkeyresort.com/). I've been to Key West once before, but I'm still a newbie when it comes to places to visit.

What are the best bars/restaurants/shops? What places should we avoid?

We plan on doing some snorkeling as well, and heard that Fort Jefferson was a great place for this...that being said, which charter is the best to take to get out there?

In addition, we are flying into Miami and staying one night there, so what are some must-sees in the Miami/South Beach area?

Thanks in advance!

lilhurricane
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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

Key West! Make sure you hit this restaurant..it's amazin'

»Southeast Forum FAQ »Great value in Key West

Take the time to drift up & down Duval Street, see the Butterfly Museum..and catch Dominique's and his Flying Cats along with the sunset at the pier.

»www.catmankeywest.com/
»www.keywestbutterfly.com/

It's an eclectic, fun wonderful place. You be sure & snap some pics for us here

Hayward See Profile could probably add more, he lives there
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Hazy Arc

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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions.

boognish
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That cat thing is freaking me out.
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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

Dominique..is unique

The show rocks!

Hayward
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4 edits

Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

said by lilhurricane See Profile :

Dominique..is unique

The show rocks!
Couldn't get the camera out fast enough to get a pic... but saw him. headed home after sunset the other night....

Leaves all the gear at the Westin I imagine.... but him on scooter.... one cage under his feet... and two or three other cat carriers piled up on the rear rack of the scooter, quite the sight.

But yes of the Mallory Sq performers to see Will Sotto the tightrope peformer (has been there like going on 30 years), and Catman are THE TWO for sure to catch.

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Hayward
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3 edits
said by lilhurricane See Profile :

Hayward See Profile could probably add more, he lives there
I am out here and watching but as this is a June trip (4 mo off) and they seem to have the Hotel satisfactorally nailed down.... just seeing what others suggest before I put my yeah or neah 2 cents in on, having lived here 15 years.... and visiting on and off for 35 (20 before).
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said by lilhurricane See Profile :

It's an eclectic, fun wonderful place. You be sure & snap some pics for us here

Most definitely! I recently bought a waterproof camera...so I plan on taking some videos while we are out snorkeling.

Hayward
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said by lilhurricane See Profile :

Key West! Make sure you hit this restaurant..it's amazin'

»Southeast Forum FAQ »Great value in Key West

Take the time to drift up & down Duval Street, see the Butterfly Museum..and catch Dominique's and his Flying Cats along with the sunset at the pier.

»www.catmankeywest.com/
»www.keywestbutterfly.com/
As a residident I will second that vote
Very good and moderate cost... also nice asthetic location... .not on the water or anything but for where it is a VERY pleasant space.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

MrsFixitSC
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Sunday afternoon...Schooner Wharf Bar....listening to Michael McCloud...

Irish Kevin's
Top of the La Concha for sunset
Mallory Square for sunset celebration (Look for Dominique-the Catman of Key West... "Hurry up, Take your time...")
Hog's Breath Saloon
Green Parrot Bar
El Meson de Pepe for some wonderful Cuban Cuisine
Louie's Backyard
The Bull/The Whistle and The Garden of Eden (all 3 are same building...Garden is on the roof-but is clothing optional)
Sloppy Joes
Capt Tony's Saloon

And, only because I'm a parrothead...Margaritaville...


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Hayward
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4 edits

Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

said by MrsFixitSC See Profile :

Irish Kevin's
You HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!! I have yet to hear Irish Music coming out of there!!! Just LOUD, obnoxious macho testosterone crap, if not just plain misogynist or homophobic BS. Essentially in a sexual sense is racist crap, but they seek it seemingly, and get enough rednecks and biker (did she fall off?) babes to supported it.

I suppose it a good place to go if you have no desire to talk with the person you are with.... because even walking by on the sidewalk it is deafiningly loud always.

You want Irish environment other than a sign on the wall, try Finnegan's Wake or Bogart's... infinately better... Bogarts mostly the staff, Finnegans actually get in TRUE Irish bands, and more truly Irish/UK beers than you can shake a stick at.

If it says anything.... I do wander into Sloppy's now and then... I have NEVER set foot in NOT Irish Kevin's EVER... and BTW way between the two (Slop and Kev) is a really cool bar (you will actually even find locals in) called Lazy Ghecko.

And I know Lil (our mod) would also agree a few blocks up Willie T's is a worthwile stop for happy hour or night they have entertainment going on... where you can both enjoy AND hear yourself think
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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

said by Hayward See Profile :

And I know Lil (our mod) would also agree a few blocks up Willie T's is a worthwile stop for happy hour or night they have entertainment going on... where you can both enjoy AND hear yourself think
Aye.
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boognish
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I also enjoyed the Schooner Wharf Bar. I will be back in Key West in exactly two weeks. I am looking forward to getting away from here for a while. I have some friends in Marathon that will hopefully keep my busy fishing.
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boognish
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I believe we have decided to do a day fishing trip with »www.keywestfishtales.com/ and a day snorkeling with someone else and I can't recall the name right now. I will let you know how that goes. Less than a week until I am relaxing with beer in hand.
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Hayward
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Key West, FL


4 edits
said by Hazy Arc See Profile :

What are the best bars/restaurants/shops? What places should we avoid?
This of course depends on tastes and expectations... you need to be more specific... there is everything from over comersialized never there Buffet to Strip Bars... and a LOT of good stuff in between.
quote:
We plan on doing some snorkeling as well, and heard that Fort Jefferson was a great place for this...that being said, which charter is the best to take to get out there?
There are only two... Yankee Freedom and Fast Cat. I would suggest YF, and if you are AT ALL prone to sea sickness, they say it may be a bit ruough... reschedule. The seas between Ft Jeff and KW can be quite something.

My last outing there coming back (with that might be a bit rough warning) was 8-12ft seas in places... many non boat people with barf bags... I was fine on that count I just couldn't physically (risking slammed to the deck) get from seat 20 ft to the bar for a beer.
quote:
In addition, we are flying into Miami and staying one night there, so what are some must-sees in the Miami/South Beach area?

Thanks in advance!

good time choice... yeah go "see" So Beach at late afternoon and night...then LEAVE.

People say KW is EXPENSIVE... don't spend more than one night on SOBE...and be sure you are dressed properly... and carrying lots of green (esp at night)... vs KW neat/clean T and shorts are fine Anywhere/Anytime, and no lines or cover nonsense anywhere but the 3 strip places... lots of great local and touring music too. You could likely party all week in KW for what a night in MIA So. Beach could easily cost ya.

And actually since that might mean, you will be driving to Key West ...

A TAKE YOUR TIME DOING IT and enjoy taking you time winding down vs racing to a laid back place. (Sadly many local fatalities on US 1 are and the hands of tourists in such a hurry to get to nowhere to do nothing )

Also I'd suggets skipping MIA all together and maybe make a stop in the upper Keys.. Islamorada area is very nice area... and actually in some ways an even better sport fishing area than KW, depending on what you are after...KW is more deep sea... the bay/flats stuff is better up there.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Hazy Arc

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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

I'm just curious...why did you suggest YF over FastCat? I'm looking at both and was wondering if there were any major differences. Thanks!

Hayward
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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

said by Hazy Arc See Profile :

I'm just curious...why did you suggest YF over FastCat? I'm looking at both and was wondering if there were any major differences. Thanks!
For one thing YF is a much larger boat... this is a 2.5+ hour trip... more moving around space. Also the much older company.

Honestly have never been on the Fast Cat... but everyone I know that has done both say Yankee Freedom. Also it is not much faster... maybe 15 min...and they leave back earlier, so your on Ft Jeff, is at least the same or longer on the YF..
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

boognish
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If you are doing strip clubs stick to the Miami/South Beach ones. As for bars I enjoyed the Schooner Warf and Green Parrot the best in Key West this time. We spent a lot of time in Sloppy's and Capt Tony's also. We chartered a boat for a day. It was fun except for 2 of the 5 of us spent the whole time puking. It was pretty rough out there compared to other times I have been fishing. It was still pretty entertaining to make fun of them and I felt a little bad for them to have to be out there all day like that. We caught some Mahi and a bunch of bonitas. The Mahi made for some good eatin for a few day. I really wanted a Tuna and Sailfish. I went to Mel Fishers museum because I wanted to check out last time I was there and never got a chance. It was pretty interesting. I did go to Mallory Square, but I never saw the tightrope or Catman. It was a fun trip all in all. I met up with a couple of guys I haven't seen since college that live in Miami now and then a couple of friends from here. The layover from Miami to New Orleans sucked and I didn't get in until about 3 AM last night and had to be at work at 7 AM so I am not thinking straight. I may think of some other stuff in a day or two when the head clears.
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Hayward
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3 edits

Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

said by boognish See Profile :

If you are doing strip clubs stick to the Miami/South Beach ones. As for bars I enjoyed the Schooner Warf and Green Parrot the best in Key West this time.
Guess you just never got out enough or couldn't wander more than a block from Duval or beyong the 500 block.

How about...

Hogs Breath
Island Dogs
Lazy Geekco (especially for Red Sox Fans) but good music too at a tolerable level... unlike next door (NOT Irish) Kevins
You want True IRISH go to Finnegans Wake (Grinnell and James St)... around the corner from the parking Garage. Real IRISH entertainment, food and beers (Though many UK too)

The Bull can be very entertaining depending on whats there.
Whistle bar on the second floor is a great place to sit on the balcony and street watch the world go by.

I will agree on the Parrot (still local oriented and often GREAT music).... but Schooner has become extremly touristy and oriented.

I'll mention Willie T's again.... and you want to voyage to the other end the Southernmost Beach Cafe is great in late afternoon... beautiful ocen view literally on the beach... and good happy hour 4-7pm Also now great dinner menu.
Also Up that way is the Bottle Cap bar... very laid back place often with entertainment, and now a great little Cafe/Deli. Catherine and Simonton St... and right across the street for a bigger meal is one of Key West's longtime and local favorite restaurant Camile's.

Another really little place is at Margaret & Caroline.... called the Art Bar.... combo of Art Gallery and Beer/Wine bar... now even has a pool table... they show movies on Thursdays and Wine Tastings on Fridays amounst other things.

And while in that area, Turtle Krawls and Half Shell Raw Bar are worth checking out.

The Sothernmost Hotels little Tiki bar inside by the pool (not the one by the Beach Cafe) is a cool little place too, and oddly enough many locals go there late in the day/evening.

Also down that end is Louie's Back Yard... Pricy for dinner, but the Afterdeck Bard right on the water is again a beautiful end of the day spot. Especially in the winter when sunset can be seen on that side of the island. (hitting the water wise)

If on muct got see Sloppy's, and all that nonsense... but my suggestion to anyone visiting Key West is EXPLORE.

There is just SO MUCH besides Mallory Sq and the first two blocks of Duval St.

Heck even just bars and restaurants... there are over 300 on a 1.5x 4 mile island!!!
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

said by Hayward See Profile :

I'll mention Willie T's again.... and you want to voyage to the other end the Southernmost Beach Cafe is great in late afternoon... beautiful ocen view literally on the beach... and good happy hour 4-7pm Also now great dinner menu.
Ok, Hayward..time to do some reviews for our FAQ

Southeast Forum Recommended Restaurants

Just click here:

»Southeast Forum FAQ

(use the "drop down" menu to section 2.6)

Preview & submit.. I'll review it and edit as necessary
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Hayward
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4 edits

Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

said by lilhurricane See Profile :

Ok, Hayward..time to do some reviews for our FAQ
Sorry no I don't want it etched in stone... things change here too much. (And often perturbing, BUT also one of the most fun things about it...YOU ARE NEVER BORED!!!)

In this case waited when it was 5 months out until a month or so... and looking at what others said.

KW is a place in constant FLUX... what many of us love aboutt it, and why my comment on the retirement thread... you WANT to NEVER see someone under 60... would drive me BONKERS...some find God's waiting room comfort in tha,t or you just want to be a place like KW in constant flux, and a lot of fun if not determined to be a fuddy duddly..or the LAST thing on earth you want.

Hey I am a near 60 year old still college student...(In a college town always visit campuses... maybe they thing I am a Prf... whatever... just like the vitality... though coming for sping break here the inexperienced throwing up passing out on the beach and ending up as a passed out burnt red lobster is no longer my idea of fun. THAT IS for the YOUNGSTERS

PS... Always amazes me repeat visitors that come here and its not what they remember... well again why did you come here and love it in the first place...UNEXCPECTED.... maybe not long enough to see the FLUX.

`Why would anyone vacationing want to see KW the same way twice...hey that's all you want go to Disney World.... NEVER changes.

And at the same time have met many repeat visitors here, that DO love that,,, and don't want to see EXACTLY what they saw the last time.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

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Well...it's getting closer and closer to our departure date. I'm excited...will definitely check out the places you mentioned above.

Oh, and will also be sure to take lots and lots of pictures with my underwater camera.

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We got in to KW last night... late arrival, construction on US-1 diverted us to Card Sound Road and took us a little out of our way. Stopped for an ice cream @ Blue Cow Creamery in Largo, them made it the rest of the way without incident. You REALLY have to watch your speed through the keys; Monroe County Sheriff's deputies tag team to stop speeding drivers in many places along the way, so TAKE IT SLOW.

KW still has its charms, and a lot of friendly folks too. Did the customary margarita breakfast @ Hogs Breath, then made out way to Willie T's for another quick one. Last stop was upstairs to Crabby Dick's for one more round. We're outta here tomorrow. Lots of cruise ship visitors again, thankfully they don't stay in any one place too long. Lost a spare key to our car @ the Westin parking garage; not a great loss BUT its an original valet key so I'm hoping someone turned it in to lost & found there.
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Hayward
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3 edits

Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

Yes with MX being off bounds we have had many unschedueled cruise ship dockings. (unexpected city income in a recession)

And still haven't seen one leave here headed for MX, vs to east Carribean or back to MIA/FTL... even if they go there, don't care, just don't want to see one coming in from there still for a few months.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

Hayward, do you have any experience with Danger Charters? They seem to be the highest rated excursion company in Key West. Thinking about doing that one day as well.

»www.dangercharters.com/

»www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-···ida.html

Hayward
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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

People amazingly get sea sick on near FLAT CATS.... you have any apreciation of a SAILING ship yes go on a Schooner... and the two Dangers are a good deal.

I would also recommend the Jolly Rover but for the summer they are doing Boy Scout tours.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Hazy Arc

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Sadly, my trip to Key West is coming to an end...we leave Saturday. We've had a spectacular time, enjoyed every minute of it. I took several videos as promised (including a few underwater ones), and rather than post them here, just check my YouTube page: »www.youtube.com/hazyarcs.

Feel free to ask me anything about the trip...I'm ready to go back and I haven't even left yet!

lilhurricane
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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

said by Hazy Arc See Profile :

I'm ready to go back and I haven't even left yet!
Know that feeling well

Thanks for the links to your videos! I'm so glad you had a great time.

If there's anything you'd like to see added to our forum FAQ, let me know
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Hayward
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said by Hazy Arc See Profile :

Sadly, my trip to Key West is coming to an end...we leave Saturday. We've had a spectacular time, enjoyed every minute of it. I took several videos as promised (including a few underwater ones), and rather than post them here, just check my YouTube page: »www.youtube.com/hazyarcs.

Feel free to ask me anything about the trip...I'm ready to go back and I haven't even left yet!
Considering how much day time rain we had this week glad you had a good time.

Wish you had posted sooner or IM'd, and and maybe hooked up for a drink or two. Some really good music last week hope you found some of it.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Hazy Arc

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Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

We ran into a few passing showers, but it was never a complete washout...the rain only seemed to last 30 minutes at most (plus, the clouds were a welcome sight...that Florida Key sun is incredibly intense). I particularly enjoyed those lightning shows that seemed to hit during the overnight hours at least 2 separate nights...I'm not sure how frequently storms hit at night in Key West, but that was some amazing lightning and thunder.

Hayward
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1 edit

Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

Night time is most often just "heat" lightning (lit clouds not bolts) no thunder. But yess summer time lots of that.

The sun is intense. At one time I had some very dark sunglasses which were fine here, but going just as far north as the Carlinas it was like who turned the lights out

We are just 24 deg from the equator, and at height of summer (now... June 21 was longest day summer soltice) we are probably equal to the equator in winter. ( forget how many degrees the earth tilt is)
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Hazy Arc

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Greenwood, SC
Where at in Key West do you live, Hayward?

Hayward
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2 edits

Re: [Travel] Key West/Miami Trip--Things To Do?

quote:
Where at in Key West do you live, Hayward?
Pretty much dead center of the island (Putting just Key West into mapquaet starts directions at my next corner on United St)

The area is Called Midtown, past White St, but before 2n St.
Mostly built in the early 50's. Beyond that is 60 & 70's+. and "NEW" town.
--
»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
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