We were there this past week. On the downside, it s almost a 4 hour drive between Miami and Key West. And the roads will be extra busy that time of the year, so the trip may take even longer. I would think by now, all the inns/hotels/resorts in Key West are probably booked during the week between the holidays. If there s a place left, it ll cost a small fortune for one night. Unless your staying in Key West for a few days to truly soak in the care-free atmosphere, I might pass. Key West is not especially kid-friendly, but it depends upon what the boys find amusing. There s plenty of oddities in the heart of Key West. On the other hand, friends might be disappointed if you can t tell them that you visited The Conch Republic. So a one day trip is in order. A lot of people do that...8-9 hours driving just to be able to say, Yeah, I was there. Besides, the drive down is rather spectacular with the narrow flat keys, bridges. and colorful waters. The big tourist spots and popular photo opportunities in Key West are...the famous buoy monument located at South and Whitehead Streets marking the southernmost point in the continental USA. It s always good to have that photo of the family in your scrapbook. Choose a decent-looking person to take the photo for you and give him a buck for the effort. http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1145438-��(That s not us.)Parking should not be a problem there, so visit that first. Then in the heart of town, parking is difficult, highly restricted to the resorts or metered, and it s closely monitored. Ernest Hemingway s old hangout, Sloppy Joe s Bar, is a must visit. A pix of everybody standing outside Sloppy Joe s on Duval Street will get your husband s beer-drinking buddies cheering. http://www.trykeywest.com/wp-content/upl��Just around the corner from Sloppy Joe s is Mel Fishers Maritime Museum. The museum has an amazing collection of hands-on old Spanish treasures. Skip the intro movie and take the 1/2 hour tour immediately. Then across the street from Mel s and next to the docks are the shops with their unique Key West collection of odds and ends. The sun sets just before 6 pm, and since you ll probably be right there at Mallory Square and the docks, take in the Sunset Celebration between 4 and 6, with the mini-carnival atmosphere of street performers, crafts, and munchies. http://z.about.com/d/goflorida/1/0/M/d/K��Then I would high-tail it out of there for the drive back to Miami. Key West. Maybe the long drive is worth it, just to be able to nod your head with a smile and say, Yeah, I was there!
Miami Must See s = Vizcaya, Coral Castle, DownTown/Brickell area, South Beach, Holocaust memorial, Miami Art Museum.. All of the above are close to eachother except Vizcaya + Coral Castel. Really Miami can t be done in this short of time but yea...Key West Must See s = Southern Most Point, Hemigway Home/Museum, The Beaches! Duval Street, Key West Lighthouse and Keeper s Quarters Museum, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum...Hope you have fun in Miami !! =)
Key west has its charm but if you only have a day it may not make sense to drive all the way there and back. I would say check out some things in Miami /Fort Lauderdale and head to Key Largo for cheaper activities Key Largo Parasail has good dealsyou can also get better rates on jet skiing there is a glass bottom boat tour as well.i believe some snorkeling is available before key west too.Key largo is about a 2 hour drive.Enjoy!
Yeah, first find accommodations. Anywhere in the Keys, but get as close to Key West as you can. Expect for pay big bucks for a not-so-great place. Get into Key West early and park as close to Duval as possible. Take the convenient trolley tours. Hop off and on wherever you want and visit the places on the tour.http://www.trolleytours.com/Key-West/
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_qu��Here s some youtube videos of people driving around Key West.However, getting there isnt as scenic as you d imagine. You see water at Key Largo, but before that its mostly tall swamplike grass beside the road. I thought it would be just gorgeous and it really wasnt worth the time. I couldve just stayed in Fort Lauderdale and viewed the ocean there. Key West is pretty tho. Im not sure about activities, and lodging as we had to drive back. Our boat left in the morning from Ft Lauderdale. http://www.fla-keys.com/keywest/ Official Tourism Site See along the left hand column for attractions etc.