H just found that he has a few days off around President’s day. Planning a short 5 day trip to Florida - the Fort Lauderdale/Miami/Key West area. Suggestions on things to do/see out there? Stay? I looked at Key West briefly and gosh, most places are already booked up and the ones that aren’t, are expensive!
We’d prefer to do things outside - hikes, walk along the beach etc. Suggestions on good vegetarian places to eat (especially sitting outside) also please.
KW is lovely, but yes…expensive! We’ve been a number of times and have probably done it all, at this point. We have done many of the tourist excursions (snorkeling, parasailing, jetskiing…) and while enjoyable enough, really our favorite things to do are to simply “be” in KW and take it all in. To that end, we enjoy:
Just strolling up and down Duval Street - so many places to pop in and out of. We enjoy taking a whole afternoon and stopping for snacks and drinks at a few places.
The nightly sunset gathering at Mallory Square (lots of street performers, artists…just fun to walk around and a great spot to catch the sunset).
Snorkeling/swimming at Fort Zachary Taylor State park - bring swim shoes, the approach to the ocean is super rocky.
Grabbing brunch at Blue Heaven - a beautiful outdoor seating area with art, music and lots of chickens milling about. This is a must for us each trip.
Paddleboarding at Lazy Dog Outfitters - they do a nice guided tour through the mangroves.
Swimming and sunbathing at Higgs Beach.
Grabbing an evening drink at Vinos on Duval. A great, very low-key place on the quieter side of Duval. We love sitting on the front porch there people-watching. This is our favorite watering hole on the island and we usually hit it a couple or three times each visit.
Edited to add: we always rent and air bnb rather than pay the exorbitant hotel rates. We have had great luck with this company: https://www.rentmyparadise.com/
Miami Beach is super expensive this time of the year. More so than Key West. I would stay beachfront if you can afford it, although the water might be too cold for you this time of the year. Miami is mostly about the beach and nightlife. If you were looking for tennis and golf instead of beach and nightlife, the Biltmore or Doral could be good options that might be less expensive. They are both quite far from the Beaches. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale might be a good choice if you are looking for something chill with nightlife.
We stayed in Marathon - partway down the keys - because it was less (but may not be now). We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.
We were “unimpressed” with Key West - it’s a cute town, etc. but it’s not known for beaches like you think of beaches It’s known for drinking and fishing - so we were told by the hotel, the locals, etc.
The gulf coast - Naples and North up to Sarasota would be much better…nicest beaches in the country. Not far from Miami. Two hour east drive. Or fly to fort Myers…best airport.
And we were underwhelmed at the Key West Key Lime Pie Bakery so google for best reviews and frankly, you can find great Key Lime Pie all over Florida…just gotta hit the right place. In fact, we had the best in an off the track place in Fort Myers Beach right over the bridge from the mainland.
Good luck.
Pre-Covid (2019), H and I spent a week with my cousin and her husband who have a place in Vero Beach. Our best airfare was flying to Miami and renting a car. We decided to stay in Miami Beach overnight before driving to Vero. We stayed at the Miami Beach EDITION primarily because H wanted to go to the Matador Room. It’s a great restaurant–eclecctic Spanish run by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The food was excellent.
Where are you flying in to. We just returned from 3 nights in Marathon and 3 nights in Islamorada. We rented a car from Fort Lauderdale. Mileage wise it’s not that far but it’s about a two hour drive as there is only the one road in and one road out. It’s quite a distance to Key west.
The keys are not known for their beaches, but they have some fair small beaches. I would suggest Islamorada. We stayed at Pelican cove. Nice resort with full access to all the amenities at Pelican Cove and Postcard inn. 3 pools, small beaches. Paddle boards and kayaks and bikes included in your stay.
Lots of out door dining places. We particularly liked Lazy Days (lower level)for their beach dining and open bar. The Florida keys brewery had a fabulous beer garden with a taco food truck for snacks. The resort area had a Tiki bar and the Raw Bar had great waterfront deck dining. You can also order food from the swim up bar at the heated pool at Post Card Inn. I think when I booked Pelican Cove was a little less expensive than Post card inn. Anything in the Keys is expensive but I felt that Islamorada was a little better than Key West. Just my opinion.
I’ve been to Key West twice and have no desire to go back. Crowded and lots of drunk people.
Key West is like Las Vegas to me. Can be entertaining for one or two nights but that is definitely enough for me.
Friends just got back from their 2nd trip to Islamorada, they love it. I have not been to KW but my brother had same reaction as others posting above - not impressed, too crowded (especially when the cruise ships dock.)
I have a friend who lives in Naples and she said this past week that the town is packed with snowbird tourists, more so than normal.
We might just decide to hang around Miami and make a day trip to the keys (not all the way to Key West!). Looking for some warm weather, a chance to go outside, take long walks and relax - definitely not into crowds or drunk people.
H and I had a nice stay at the Four Seasons in Surfside in 2020. I would love to go back but the prices appear to have gone through the roof. Right on the beach, nice walking/running path, 2 very good restaurants on site. Beautiful pool, wonderful people working there. Now I need to count my $$ to see if I can afford a few days there!
We stayed at the Confidante on Miami Beach last year. It’s a Hyatt. You can walk up and down the beach and get to various restaurants, etc.
Key West itself is not beachy. It’s more of a boat culture. Reminded me of New Orleans. Lots of outdoor bars. We stayed at the Hyatt Centric which was a great location. Loved the Hemingway House and all the seafood restaurants.
If you were planning to drive to the keys, drive to the west coast - it’s nicer beaches, it’s cheaper (especially if you stay off a bit) - and it’s more low key vs. so crowded like Miami. It’s less than 2 hours away.
I’ve been to Key West a dozen times. I have favorite inns and restaurants. For many relaxing weekends, with my son and mother, just stayed in Key Largo. Hotels have their own beach and food on beach, lots of equipment. Ate at Fish House every time. As a family, we like to snorkel, so often took boats out.
Key West I did as a couple. Favorite bars/pool/ dancing not on Main Street. I’ve gone at quiet times and also at Halloween. Hemingway’s house and The Secret Garden are nice to see.