The wife and I are going to florida in a couple of weeks,taking the bike and planning a ride to Key West. Planning on going to the Hog's Breath saloon. Was wondering if anyone else has been there and what we should go see while there. Been to Bike week three times and got burnt out on it. Time to see some new scenery and cheaper beer.

 

Not sure you will find cheaper beer in KW. Pretty touristy town this time of year.

Great riding weather now and plenty to see in the Keys and elsewhere. South Central part of FL has some really nice back road riding. And, lots of "road house" bars that have plenty of cheap beer. SR 70 and SR 64 are nice rides East and West.

 

I've definitely been to the Hog's Breath before. Alot of fun at night. You can do the "Duval Crawl" while you are there. The night you do it take a cab down town and leave the bike at the motel. If you survive the crawl, you'll need the ride home. Have fun!!

Lynn

 

are you going down during bike week?? Wife and I will be riding in Key West first week of April need to get out of the Michigan weather for a while

 

Picked up a bike in Miami and rode down in the first week of January. There are many places to stop along the way and the ride itself is great. Once you get to Key West, the best thing to do is find a place to stay within walking distance of Duval Street and park the bike. Once I arrived, I didn't touch the bike until I left (spent 2 nights there).
When you get to Key Largo on the way down, stop at a restaurant and pick up one of the Florida Keys booklets. It has alot of information, maps, suggestions etc and since Key Largo is the start of the Keys, you can plan your stops both going and coming.
Also, check out www.see-floridakeys.com
Have fun (you will)!!

 

Take the sunset sail boat cruise. All the beer you can drink and entertainment, not to mention the views. You'll love it.

 

rode from Sarasota to the Keys down through the Everglades on route 41 or 14 ( one of them numbers). Best ride of my life!!!! The Keys are great. Does anyone know of a bar on one of the Keys that serves graet pizza with dollar bills taped to all the walls and the ceiling with the peoples names written on them ? I did have a good time there.

 

I rented a car in Miami and drove down to spend one day in Key West recently. My girlfriend & I had a great time on Duval St. hitting as many of the saloons awe could in the time allowed. Hogs Breath, Sloppy Joes and the one on the far west end on a pier were my favorites. Parking is very expensive& hard to even find so park the bike early. If youdon't like to walk you can rent a bicycle andfind places to lock them upeasily.
There are many otherKey Islands that have interesting things to see & do to but Key West is the best IMO.

 

Avoid US1 on the mainland, it goes through Miami. Take 997 or the toll road as far south as you can. I went to the keys in December and the stop and go traffic on US1 drove me nuts.

 

Been to Key West twice....First time on the bike during Bikeweek in 2003, then again that September. But in a rental car.

Take the toll road as far as you can, then jump onto the 'two lane' for 3-5 hours worth of riding. Traffic can be a real issue so keep alert. The ride across Seven Mile Bridge is awesome....

If your plan is to party...I'd stay either on or within walking distance of Duval. Last time I was there we stayed at: http://www.duvalgardens.com/. Nice place, right on Duval. Plus it has off street parking. Best to get cracking and make some reservations pronto....Most of the hotels and B&B's are small and are booked way ahead.

Plan on walking a whole lot. It's difficult to find parking that's not gonna cost...Unless you rent a scooter (it's a hoot). Otherwise....Take your comfortable shoes with you. And sunblock. That sun can be brutal down there.

Hit the 'name' bars up and down Duval (The Duval Crawl), there is also the Hemmingway and Fisher musems. Everything is gonna cost ya. One of the better bargains (at least it was in 2003) is the Southernmost Hotel, which has a reasonable tour for IIRC $8 per. Get's you a comp drink and use of the grounds (pool, etc)for the day.

For a really good dinner(although pricey-even by KW standards) go to the A&B Lobster House. I've eaten there twice and the food is outstanding. Also try the Conch Fritters...So you can say ya did.

They have a Sunset Celebration every evening in Mallory Square...Go just to say you did. (Begining to see a trend?) It's touristy. More so when a cruise ship is in port. Also crowded.

Don't be homophobic......You're outnumbered.

We took a half-day sunset sailing cruise which included kayaking and snorkling. Plus free beer on the return trip. Something to do. Take Dramamine or buy some before you go.

On the ride back, swing by the Coral Castle. It's inHomestead. Another...Just so ya can say ya did thing. Spend the night back in Fort Lauderdale. There is a Holiday Inn right across from the beach. And they'll let you park your bike under the overhang.

Any other questions...Just ask. I've done a fair amount of traveling in Florida.