Advice on florida keys

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Nov 3, 2018 | 07:07 PM

mark10

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Road Master

Joined: Jun 2007

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From: la grange, il (near chicago)

Advice on florida keys

planning a trip may of 2019 - florida keys. Gonna be a rode trip. Either rental car or camper. Thinking i want to see as much as possible. Small islands are fine too. Part of the reason for maybe a camper is to be able to stay at more remote locations.at this point we are planning on flying in on saturday and then flying out a week from sunday - so like 8 nites.

any suggestions would be great. Restaurants, parks, beaches, bars, etc.

thanks in advance.

Nov 3, 2018 | 10:27 PM

giacomo56

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Joined: Jul 2012

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From: Ft Myers FL

Remote locations???? Most of the islands are small and about 150 ft from each side of the two lane roads...have houses on each side....the larger islands have wall to wall houses and people...there are no remote locations....now the Everglades are another topic....but yes you can find camp grounds and RV sites.

Nov 4, 2018 | 02:45 AM

Kenney

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From:

Mark10, its only about 175 miles from Miami, if that is where you'er flying into, to Key West. Have you thought about renting a bike for the trip?

KenK

Last edited by Kenney; Nov 4, 2018 at 02:46 AM.

Nov 4, 2018 | 03:19 PM

mark10

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Road Master

Joined: Jun 2007

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From: la grange, il (near chicago)

My wife doesn't ride. That having been said, i am gone on motorcycle trips for anywhere from three to four weeks and she doesn't complain. So i do have to do some trips with her that do not include a bike.

Nov 4, 2018 | 08:10 PM

Grandslam

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Joined: Aug 2011

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From: Mississippi

You need to eat supper at The Fish House in Key Largo. Snapper Mecumbe and Key Lime pie.

I enjoyed taking the boat to Dry Tortugas and snorkeling.

Stop at Robbie's and feed the tarpon. It was a blast.

Nov 6, 2018 | 05:38 AM

guido4198

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Joined: Aug 2008

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From: Florida's gorgeous East coast

One more vote for this one

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandslam

Another vote for The Fish House, and the Yellowtail Snapper Matecumbe..AWESOME fish dish.
In Key West...3rd floor of The Bull bar on Duval street used to be a fun spot. Last time I was there, clothing was optional.
As already noted....there aren't any "remote areas" in the Keys. If you want "remote" head up to Chokoloskee on the extreme S.W. coast. That's what remote looks like in South Florida. There's also no "bargain spots" in the Keys. It's ALL expensive, and likely more so given what's left after the damage from last year's hurricane.
The house we were going to rent for a week...was totally destroyed....GONE. Had to cancel the trip, but we did get our deposit back..!!
all that said...the Keys are a very unique place and definitely worth a visit if you're not on too tight of a budget.
ENJOY..!!

Nov 6, 2018 | 07:12 AM

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From:

For hours of reading, consider search function with input of Key West.
That is a popular trip and there are numerous detailed posts.
Most reference points in the keys are given with mile marker.
You may also wish to review Google Earth for a better view/understanding, the furthest point from main land Florida would be Key West and that is about a 4+ hour trip without stopping to enjoy the sites.
Most first timers can easily take 6 to 8 hours from main land Florida to Key West since they will want to stop to see, eat and enjoy the trip.
Most of the trip will be at 35-45 mph and passing through the small communities.
Do not let the mileage from main land to Key west confuse you into thinking it will be a quick trip.
Google Earth will also allow you to see how skinny each "key" is from each side of the road.
Remote areas would require a boat....not really on road to Key West.
Word of warning, departing on a Sunday can be very congested...most everyone leaves Key West between 10am and 2 pm on a Sunday and there is only ONE road...someone with a simple flat tire can cause a traffic shut down due to everyone slowing down to "see"...a true accident could add hours to return trip....a holiday could easily turn it into an 8 hour trip.
You will not get to main land in 4 hours if you leave at those times.
If you plan to go to Key West then using a camper would require planning since Key West proper parking is difficult.
If you use a camper, it will probably be a park and stay at one location type of trip...moving about to "tour" could get difficult.
If you decide to stay over night in Key West, stay within walking distance of anywhere near Duval Street.
Duval street is tourist area of "Key West" ...places to eat/ drink and see stuff.