how-to block ads
|
|
Share Topic
 |
 |
|
|
|
3 edits | reply to Hayward
Re: [Travel] Recommend a South Florida vacation spot! Well, gee, where do I start?
First off lilhurricane, Hayward, thanks for taking the time, much appreciated!
Like I said in the OP, I did go to KW a few times, back when I was single, with my friends and all. Trust me, a great time was had by all every single time and to this day, we sometimes remember all the sh*t we've done.
But nowadays the dynamics are different, what with the wife and an active 3yr old.  One thing I remember is the KW is not really kid-friendly (trust me, I say this in a good way; there are spots for families there, but KW is known for its nightlife), and one thing my family loves is spending the day at the beach (hence, the love for Sanibel, their beaches and sand are amazing). Bonus points for easy parking (or walking distance from hotel) and Mega Bonus Extreme points for grills. 
If you can point me to those in the KW (or any other key, or city really), I'm there!
said by lilhurricane:A lil more affordable than Sanibel might be Lovers Key on Fort Myers Beach July is a good time for striking deals..it's not "season". And the beaches there are accommodating for all those things you listed above. We've been to Lovers Key once a few years ago, but just before the sunset, to watch it on one of their sandless, shell-covered beaches. Hands down, the single best sunset (and early night ) we've ever spent together. Sadly, I didn't check them in the daytime, but since I only saw that single beach, I'm not sure if their other beaches are nice and sandy.
said by Hayward: PS this time of year especialy on short notice((you are only 200 mi away) can most likely meet or beat that $100/night point, an run right back if you really miss the rat race . Care to name any hotels you know? Again, 10 years ago I wouldn't care for anything other than clean bedsheets and bathroom; nowadays I have to be a little more discerning.
said by Hayward: And again BAFFLES me you are so close to the Keys and visiting up ther amazed how many have never even been to nearly Miami Key Largo. (Then again just as glad many of them haven't) I don;t need to tell yu about the Keys.... get off you butt and just explore you are local. Then again if you think (certainly pretty) uppity Sanibel is the cats meow... maybe you really shouldn't bother. Do you love South Beach too? I'm right there with you brother, I guess all the times we went down to KW, I (thankfully) was doing the driving.
I do like Sanibel for its great beaches, easy access (by car or foot/bike) and the fact that there are TONS of different beaches to go to, each one different. And did I tell you I like to grill??
While my memories of KW are very hazy, I don't remember any great beaches there. Again, I can't speak for the upper keys.
By the way, don't hate on Sanibel or other "cats meow" places (whatever that is); folks from KW are usually very easy going, don't be like some of "those" guys.
said by Hayward: You don't have to worry about everything booked and likely to even find walking deals.... just get in you car and ACTUALLY explore the Keys. Have you ever seen something beside Sanibel hat isn't concrete? Yeah, I don't have a problem going without booking first (done most times when travelling locally, actually. We find great deals for FL hotels in those red travel booklets on McDs), but I do at least want to know where to hotels are, I don't want to cruise around looking for hotels.
And again, what's with the Sanibel hate? Their bridge is concrete, I guess. In fact, I'd say KW itself is extremely built out, you'd probably have more concrete in KW than in all of Sanibel and Captiva.
said by Hayward: A few Hints.... ISlamorada has some cool places and music.... great fishing too.... middle Keys You can't beat Bahia Honda St Park.... (and again Johmn Loyd a favorite of mine up there) Skydive in Sugarloaf..... that plane on the highway is a prop from one of the James Bond Movies. There is a bat towere there too never in habited.... they painted it BLACK in the KEYS??? Try and find the No Name Pub on Big Pine.... great Pizza and other food. We plan on spending 3 days, so a fishing spot for an afternoon or two is a good tip, thanks!
I've already read about Bahia Honda Park, but I couldn't find any mention of its beaches, parking (or nearby hotels), so if you can confirm that or just tell me what you think, it'd be great!
said by Hayward: Forgeyt destination just go explore. Just take your time and actually explore your home state and the Conch Republic  And again I don't care if you come to they Keys or not but you are FL local.... FORGET DESTINATION... just get in the car and GO til something catches your eye.... EXPLORE.... don't just move point to point destination. Truer words couldn't have been spoken.
said by Hayward: ANd you do think about the Keys take a real round bout way go out 41 (Tamiami) to the loop road.... likely to misss your end but it is a loop... But old Monroes station is well marked.... Run that by me again? I've only heard of the usual route, I-95 South to US1. Is this other way any faster/prettier/more interesting?
said by Hayward: take a slow dirt road cruise through the southern Everglades (ever done that and your native?).... take your time.... suggest you stop in Islamorada the first night.... then wherever else down the Keys after... DESTINAION is WORK and PLANNING.... vacation when local is just the FUN of who cares!!!! Dirt road? lol Not for this one trip at least, don't want to ruin this birthday trip with a flat on a mosquito-infested dirt road, at dawn. (c'mon, Murphy's Law and all!)
I do like your suggestion of stopping along the way, different hotels each night, but we'd have to pack light (we probably are, we just plan to spend the day at the beach, eat out at night still on sandals & sand.
Thanks again for all the tips! Keep'em coming! | | |
|
 lilhurricaneCrunchin' For CuresPremium,Mod
join:2003-01-11
Purple Zone
kudos:51
 ·Comcast
Host:
TV over IP
Software
RCN
Inside Insight
Team Discovery
| Carioca_FL  - you definitely can't go wrong with Sanibel Island..it's a lovely place, truly.
There are other sandy beaches nearby Lovers Key..but if you've found a place you love, and know it to be a special place for the family.. then without hesitation make that trip!
That's what puts the "magic" in "vacation"
--
~Safe Hex~ Team Discovery ~ Project Hope ~ Like A Hurricane~ | |
 SentinelPremium
join:2001-02-07
Florida
kudos:1 | I love Sanibel. Just there last week with the whole family. Great time had by all. Lovers Key was great too. Went kayackin and had some dolphins right next to us. Captiva also nice. As a matter of fact anywhere around lil seems to be really really nice. You picked a pretty great area there lil. Short drives to some of the best places in FL really. Shrewd real estate move | |
 Hayward K A R - 1 2 0 CPremium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
kudos:1
3 edits | reply to Carioca_FL
said by Carioca_FL:But nowadays the dynamics are different, what with the wife and an active 3yr old. One thing I remember is the KW is not really kid-friendly (trust me, I say this in a good way; there are spots for families there, but KW is known for its nightlife), and one thing my family loves is spending the day at the beach (hence, the love for Sanibel, their beaches and sand are amazing). Well you never really stated the toddler factor.... and in fact. really disturbs me that year round people wheeling PASSED OUT kid in stoller into Sloppy's ect and they are served..... can't take my DOG there but you can take your kid to a totally inappropriate place.... go figure that one 
No Key West is NOT DINSENY WORLD, with real trafaffic lights most pedestrian torist pay NO ATTTENTION to but you pushing your kid out in front of you forget what color the light is \\
PS I DO NOT mean you personally but scary how many DO
--
»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
| |
|
