Riding from north Alabama to Key West in a couple weeks. Thought I'd get the lowdown from Florida riders. Would you folks mind sharing can't miss sights; places to eat, drink, and be merry; things to do; maybe roads to take through FL; etc?

Going solo. I may try and fish a little while I'm down there. TIA.

 

Mallory Square at sunset is an interesting & fun time

 

When you head down there and return back leave early though you should be alright this time of year the traffic can be horrid especially going there on a Friday and coming back Sunday.

Watch your speed in the lower Keys. There are not too many gas stations so fill up when you need to and keep an eye on your gas gauge.

You can't really ride in KW except to get to your hotel, park up and walk. Expect high prices on Duval Street but it is what it is so enjoy for a night or two.

I like US 41, stop at Joanie's Blue Crab Cafe, also if you take Card Sound Rd you can stop at Alabama Jacks which is a biker hangout though the food is nothing special, but the road is pretty and it joins back up to US1. Of course go to Mile Marker 0 at the end of KW. If you have the time and the money take a look at a catamaran tour to Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas, it's a full day trip but very interesting.

 

Nothing special at all. Very disappointed.

 

Irish Kevins Pub 211 Duval. Really GOOD!

On the way down and/or back, Wahoo's Bar & Grill.

83413 Overseas Hwy Islamorada FL 33036. GREAT VIEW of the ocean and their food is FANTASTIC!! Their lobster sandwich is enough for 2 and is off the charts TOPs!!

BuzzCap7

 

I like to stop at Sam's Hideaway on the way down. Located at 750 S Krome Ave, Florida City, FL.

 

I will put in a 2nd vote for Wahoo's. It's fantastic

 

If you're like most visitors, you'll probably go the Southernmost Point. From there, head 2 blocks down South St to "Ana's Cuban Cafe" for the best Cuban sandwich north of Havana.

 

Big fire going on at Big Pine Key!

 

This is the cut and paste i give folks for Key West:
This is what I have done in the past and NEVER speed in the keys many , many drop downs in speed, again do not speed:
If starting from Miami Airport you can stay on the 836 west/Dolphin which becomes the turnpike as you head west and eventually turns south..two choices #1 (faster) continue going south on turnpike until it ends at US1 at the start of keys or #2 (slower & about 40 minutes more/ for daylight only) get off at Kendall Drive (88 street) and go west to (997) krome south (this is a farming area) to the end were it will merge with US1 at the very beginning of keys.
If by chance you came from US27 or from TAMIAMI TRAIL/41 then you will be on Krome (997)...Krome spits you out very close to the last chance saloon ”biker bar” and Card Sound road entrance. *Miami Dade County is toll by plate(bill you later) once on the turnpike. This is different from Broward is which is a mix of cash/sun pass and bill you later..
Consider using the Free Google Earth download on your computer to see a real satellite image of the route and to "virtually" drive the area/route.
Then :
Two more choices at the start of Keys near the Last Chance Saloon and both spit you out at the same spot: #1 Turn left onto Card Sound Road(much less traffic, more scenic and relaxing but about 20 minutes longer) or #2 Just stay on US1 (US1 has been greatly improved and now has divided barriers) but it is a high speed race and the passing lanes can get hairy at rush hours.
I would suggest Card Sound Road as it is much more relaxing and is rather nice during daylight.
If driving at night then just take the fast US1 and avoid Card Sound because at night you can not see anything when traveling the Keys.
Places:
Alabama Jack's, Card Sound Rd., On card sound road just before/right next to toll $1 ?(Toll is old school dude in a box )…Alabama Jacks is Place to snack and have a beer. This is the only place to eat/drink on card sound road. mangrove/water in back.
Key Largo : east side of road.. The African Queen ”bogart movie little boat ” - is on view sometimes at the Holiday Inn Key Largo Marina..”FREE” if it it is docked since it was redone for some kind of tour deal…on west side of road: A local bar “kinda dumpy”, the Caribbean Club-(i do not think it ever closes) good view from the back and was supposedly used for Bogart movie…Maybe get a beer in a bottle and enjoy view of the water in back.
World Wide Sportsman, Islamorada MM # 82 - ultimate tackle store (now part of the Bass Pro Shop chain) but store has some fake replica history that includes Zane Grey and Papa Hemingway. Good place to eat next door on water at isla morada fish company….use bathrooms at the Big World Wide Sports/bass pro shop store next door..(back right corner) by the aquarium…store is kinda cool and has nice free view of water...worth the stop for bathrooms and a break even if you do not eat next door.
Hurricane monument/memorial between Mile Marker 81 and MM 82-a quick stop..will not change your life but most people miss the landmark.. FREE 5 or 6 minutes rest to read signs. There are about 3 or 4 parking spaces FREE almost touching monument.
This is a link to a 360 degree view of the keys..works rather odd because you need to hit the (-) whenever you wish to click the top left corner (Florida keys tab) to select a different mile marker view..But rather cool...can even do a full screen
http://360floridakeys.com/things-to-...cane-monument/

Islamorada MM#79 :Cool place.. Hand feed tarpons at Robbies..really easy to miss...just past bridge..west side of road.. I think it is $3 for bucket of fish and $1 dollar per person? nice 15-20 minute stop and they have cold glass bottle cokes to cool down.http://www.robbies.com/tarpon.htm
Island Fish company MM #54 is a nice place on the water to eat,drink or snack.
Seven Mile Bridge MM# 47: used in several movies. Notice old bridge on west side.
Many people cross it and are in such a relaxed state that they miss "seeing it"
No Name Pub MM# 31---NOT on the water but you WILL see the famous and protected wild Key Deer. The bar is different with a ton of dollar bills stapled to walls, roof etc...pizza, wings, beer type of place...very hidden.
KEY DEER BLVD/CR-940 stay straight on WILDER RD./ AVENUE A to dead end (1.2 miles)Turn LEFT onto POINCIANA RD/POINCIANNA RD. (0.1miles) then Turn RIGHT onto AVENUE B. (0.2 miles)AVENUE B becomes FL-4A/WATSON BLVD. go over bridge (0.8 miles)…bar on left.
key west: Mallory Square,Hemingway House
Best fish sandwich : BO's fishwagon (not on the water), fresh everyday, on caroline and William..dump at corner of intersection..park bikes a few feet away(meter)..do internet search
http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/bos-fish-wagon.html.
Definitely get your picture taken at the Southernmost Point., Consider a sunset sail cruise and/or a Bi-plane ride(cool).
Schooner Wharf Bar Key West on William Street- on the water (food in a basket).
The parking meter maids do not play..make sure to pay for parking in Key West (meter/public/whatever).
It is 4 hours from Miami to Key West with little to no stopping...
Speeding tickets are easy to get and the troopers have nothing else to do plus the police in the smaller keys need the money.
Do not make the mistake of looking at mileage and thinking it is close.
Lots of 35mph to 45 mph zones.
It is best to overnight in Key West...
If you are doing stops, having lunch, feeding tarpons, taking pictures and having fun then it can take about 7-8 hours to reach Key West.
If you do zero stops then about 3.5 to 4 hours from mainland if it is not rush hour, not sunday, if there is no accident/fire.
Try to stay in Key West proper within walking distance (within 0.25 mile) to anyplace on Duval or the experience is totally different. Park you bike and forget moving it for your overnight(s).