Thinking of taking my wife to Key West next year. Recommendations from those who've been there?

[CobraBob]

So I'd prefer to find a vacation destination for late Spring, 2023 in the U.S. vs. flying outside the U.S. We've never been to Key West and we'd love a nice beach destination. Thought about Destin, FL but some friends of ours highly recommend the Keys. So I'm doing some prelim research to nail down a few hotel possibilities, as well as nail down the most preferred area to stay in. We'd prefer a quieter area, with a great beach with white/soft sand, good food, and a great hotel on the beach (not a house rental).

For those who have been to the Keys, how did you enjoy your stay, and what hotel and area recommendations do you have? Since we'll spend most of our time at the beach, the beach pick/location is important.

 

[Outlaw99]

We went in January, man it was crowded. No need to rent a car. Every hotel has a transport to town. We took our rental back after 1 day

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[13COBRA]

I'd prefer Pensacola Beach over the Keys.

We rent the same condo every year, it's wonderful.

 

[BOOGIE MAN]

Don't go to the keys unless you have your own (or access to a) boat

 

[tistan]

Watch out for monkey pox

 

[specracer]

We have been to Big Pine key (29 miles north of KW) well over 10 times (friends house). The keys are not known for their beaches. Its fantastic, but if sprawling beaches are what your looking for, it might not be "right". BUT if your looking for some great food, and a vibe that is unique, KW has a lot going on. Only hotel we stayed at was Southernmost Point (just once).

 

[Ghost11]

We have been there a couple times......Fun place really more geared for the
real partiers......We stayed at the Cabana Inn...Right in the heart of town cool place
nice pool and amenities and free happy hour beer and wine every evening....

If you go you should really do the Hemingway house tour...Very cool

 

[Uncle Meat]

I recommend skipping a trip to the Keys. Wife and I drove the Vette down there about 3 or 4 years ago. Expensive & crowded are how I would describe it. I guess if you rented a nice place on the water and you were just going to hang out there for a few days it would be okay. We tried to get out and about and it was always a big hassle getting anywhere.

Sure was pretty though....

U.M.

 

[03 Cobra DSG]

I’d skip the keys, Destin and Pensacola are way better. Key west is the twilight zone. Only place where you can see a family pushing a stroller and two 60 year old women walking butt naked in a airbrushed bikini at the same time. Not a whole lot of white beaches there either if that’s your thing than Destin is hard to beat


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[BrunotheBoxer]

As someone that lives in Florida and travels to the keys once or twice a year I’m telling you that you are making the same mistake as most tourists. The keys do not have beaches. You don’t go to the keys to lay out on the sand. You’ll end up at a pool like everyone else there. This is the only real beach in the keys.

Bahia Honda State Park

Though it seems like the edge of the world, Bahia Honda State Park gives you a genuinely singular experience and the opportunity to enjoy the real wonder and beauty of Florida’s majestic Keys.

www.floridastateparks.org

Yes it’s beautiful but there is no hotel here and it’s pretty far from the action.

Now if you have your heart set on the keys then key west is my favorite one. It’s fun lots to do and see and lots of great restaurants. The best in the keys. But. The hotels are extremely expensive. Like $600 a night plus for a decent place.

I also love Marathon. But again. No beaches and it’s very quiet there.

If you want to visit the best beach in the state of Florida and just hang out at the beach all day then siesta key beach is number one and it is not in the Florida keys.

Good luck.

 

[HEMIHUNTER]

You can rent scooters to get around.
Keys are crazy expensive, the last time we went was in July 2002 when you could find a deal online, now not so much. Not many beaches to go to.
It was touristy back then.
Good vibes though I’d look online for stuff to do since it’s changed a lot since I’ve been there.


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[VegasMichael]

Like others have said, the beaches there are not the greatest. They are actually all man-made on account of the reefs offshore which prevent a steady flow of sand. To me, the greatest thing about Key West was the drive there from Miami. Pretty cool. If a Florida beach vacation is what you want I would stick with what others said about the Florida Panhandle. I used to live in Pensacola and it was great.

 

[BrunotheBoxer]

Like others have said, the beaches there are not the greatest. They are actually all man-made on account of the reefs offshore which prevent a steady flow of sand. To me, the greatest thing about Key West was the drive there from Miami. Pretty cool. If a Florida beach vacation is what you want I would stick with what others said about the Florida Panhandle. I used to live in Pensacola and it was great.

You want to place a wager on all the beaches in the Florida keys are man made?

Bahia Honda State park is a 100% natural beach. And. The best beach in all of the Florida keys.
Beaches is something I know a thing or two about.

 

[VegasMichael]

You want to place a wager on all the beaches in the Florida keys are man made?

Bahia Honda State park is a 100% natural beach. And. The best beach in all of the Florida keys.
Beaches is something I know a thing or two about.

He said Key West in his post. That's what I'm referring to.

 

[mysticsvt]

Everytime I went to the Keys it was in the Navy. It's a hub for refueling and resupplying. We just do to the touristy street and get drunk and go back to the ship and pass out. Not alot of help....lol

 

[mysticsvt]

I'd prefer Pensacola Beach over the Keys.

We rent the same condo every year, it's wonderful.

Since you have done that, move up the beach a bit. Destin and San Destin are just as good if not better. I'm from Ft. Walton so I know the area pretty well. But if you head back to Pensacola there is a small town near there called Milton and the Milton Bakery is a little treasure of the area. Earlier the better

 

[13COBRA]

Since you have done that, move up the beach a bit. Destin and San Destin are just as good if not better. I'm from Ft. Walton so I know the area pretty well. But if you head back to Pensacola there is a small town near there called Milton and the Milton Bakery is a little treasure of the area. Earlier the better

I've been to Destin and San Destin. Super nice areas! We really like the condo and the amenities at Pensacola Beach. It's always kinda busy but we're use to it.

 

[mysticsvt]

I've been to Destin and San Destin. Super nice areas! We really like the condo and the amenities at Pensacola Beach. It's always kinda busy but we're use to it.

Did you get to visit McGuires in Desting? Kiss the moose? Get an Irish Wake drinky drink? Play Golf? Tiger Point is just down the road from Pensacola. Wife and I got married there.

 

[Russo]

when it comes to vacationing in Florida, going from west to east, the beaches get prettier until you get to Panama. At that point it becomes more of the city life when you hit Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, etc.. i have a relative who has a place in Destin, behind a gate, private beach, balcony, literally on the beach.. i can take it for about 2-3 days.. too many tourist, everything's stupid expensive, traffic, etc..

it's no different than local Louisianians, we do not go to the French Quarter of New Orleans.. tourists and people who work in the French Quarter go there.. it's not worth getting your car broken into, mugged, or murdered for a tropical drink and some souvenirs by some kid who thinks GTA is IRL

 

[BrunotheBoxer]

My goal is to visit most of my state of Florida so when we drive back to Florida instead of going down on 95 from cape cod we will be traveling through Tennessee for the first times in our lives and checking out the Smokey’s etc. Spending a few days there. Then it’s on to the Florida panhandle for the first times in our lives. Never been up there but very much looking forward to it. We will take our time up there and make our way down to Naples along the coastal roads and staying off 75.
If anyone has any must see places for this area I would appreciate it. Sorry to hijack your thread Bob but maybe you get info too on those beaches.