Any advice on doing the Keys (Miami to Key West)?

Places to stay? Places to drink?

I have been to Key West without the bike so I am entertaining the trip in the future.


OldStocks
http://www.mystockcertificate.com/transport.htm

 

I lived in Florida from 1948 through 2006. Key West police do not care for motorcycles,and will ticket you at any opportunity. Four of us went downtown,all four of us parked in one parking space and stuffed the meter.When we came back all four of us had tickets,and time left on the meter. We were told one car or bike per space. We came back the next day and did just that. There were alot of pissed off people at sunset,including cops. I have not been back since '05.

 

When I was down there in 1993 I don't even think I saw a cop...sounds like things have changed in that regard.

Well, since you've been there you most likely already know all the main drinking spots like Hogs Breath, Sloppy Joes, and Captain Tonys.

All I can say about lodging is you definitely want to be down where the action is near Duvall St. so that you can just walk back to you room after a night of partying. Just do a search on here - there have been lots of threads on this already.

 

Miami to Key West is about 3 hrs in a car, without stopping. Beautiful ride, mostly 2 lane road and alot of campers and RV's. Was some road construction at Key Largo, building a new bridge. Key Largo, is the first key, stop at Gilberts, to get some local flavor, Marathon is the biggest key, feels like a small city, stop lights ect, never stopped in Marathon except for gas or food. Islamorada, stop at the World Famous Tiki Bar, (thats really the name) their are lots of local places to stop at problem is they are open one ride and out of business the next time. Lower keys are all pretty small take your pick on that one, 7 mile bridge is a neat ride you will know that when you cross it, that is in the lower keys.
Key West is old and historic, streets pretty narrow and parking is at a premium as already stated. Best way to get around is on a motorcycle, scooters, or ride bicycles. Scooters and bicycles are rented everywere cheap. If you stay in Key West get as close to Duvall street as possible prefferably on the west end, thats where most of the bars and resturants are. I wont begin to list all the places, their all within walking or stumbleling, distance
You may want to give your liver a rest before you go down, its going to need it!!!

 

As others have said stay close to Duvall but if you are retired military , there is a Navy Lodge in Key West that has great rooms for a good price. Only thing is long sleeves, boots and vest on and off base. Motorcycles with HC plates park free ( was told that by a cop) We were there last November and hada great time, no problems from cops other than radar just past the "passing zone' and they were having a field day with folks who were frustrated riding behind the blue hairs and decided to let er rip. We were also told two bike per space but both had to have paid to park. I stuck my receipt in my gas cap cover and closed it so they could see I had one.

Just don't run over the damned chickens...and watch the homeless...and the blue hairs.... catch the conch train....Sunset at mallory Sq.

Have fun

 

Check out the Almond Tree Inn. Just off Duval St and Truman? Right smack in the middle of the strip. Not too expensive in the off season. Biggest plus was free beer and wine early evenings. Pool was open 24 hours a day.

 

Went there this last weekend, by car, stayed at the Southern Cross on Duvall street had a good time found a parking lot for $10.00 for 24hrs. You've got to catch the house cat show on pier B next to Mallory's liked tonys best.

 

Be careful with your timing, Key west is beautiful but can become very "colorful" during October for the Gay Pride event.

 

check out the Hog fish bar and grill on Stock island...good food..

 

Since you've been to The Keys before, this is either a reminder or confirmation of what you know.

It's been seven years since I was there on the bike. Rode from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale for the night, then off to the Keys. As posted, the ride over Seven Mile bridge (featured in True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious, et al.), is worth the trip.

When I rode down. I stayed on Truman, two blocks south of Duvall, in a small hotel and walked everywhere. So take comfortable footwear. That hotel closed/changed owners/re-invented itself into I don't know what.

You really don't want to bar hop on the Harley. Parking sucks. And everything is pretty much from the middle of Duvall west to Mallory SQ. Find a place and walk/stumble/crawl. It's called the Duvall Crawl for a reason.....

On a later trip (auto), I stayed in a B&B right on Duvall: http://www.duvalgardens.com/ No matter where you stay, I would highly recommend getting your reservations in well before you trip. There are limited rooms within stumbling distance to/from the bars, and they fill up fast during the seasons.

You should plan two full days (and nights) in Key West. Ride in on day 1, get situated, take your picture by the buoy and figure out what you want to do. And how much you want to party. If you're not a real party animal, consider taking a day cruise out to the mangroves or the Dry Tortugas. The Southernmost Hotel is a neat little place, and your admission get you use of the facilities for the day (and a free drink). If you want a good meal (tho pricey), check out the A&B Lobster house. There are a number of historic homes to tour, and Mel Fisher has a museum displaying some of the $500 Million 'treasure' he salvaged from the Atocha.

On your way back, take a side trip over to see the Coral Castle in Miami. That will kill a couple hours. Neat story about the builder, and was featured on a number of TV shows.