Key west Fla.

[elidodge]

We are going to the Keys for my retirement trip. What are some of the places to make sure we don't miss? We are staying at Sugar Loaf Key K.O.A. I turn 65 in March ,we are going in mid March!
Bobby

[Puddles]

All I could afford wrote:
Does anyone know the name or which key has a real tourist trap type open market? I recall my wife looking at endless necklaces, coffee mugs, and other souvenirs

Big Pine..... also where No Name Pub is located.

[dcason]

How about the Turtle hospital in Marathon (need reservations I believe).

We stay at the Micosukee casino on the mainland the night before the keys and then leave EARLY to get onto the keys. Stop at Robert is Here just before going into keys
(look up robert is here fruit stand) and get a fruit milkshake of your choosing.

Breakfast somewhere down in the keys STOUTs is good if you can park your rig. or make it diy breakfast in time for turtle hospital reservation.

[All_I_could_aff]

30 days till we head down there! Counting the hours! I've only been down once about 4 years ago. There were so many places we stopped at along the way, they all blurred together. Only thing I recall is that most things seemed to be on the northbound side of route one that we wanted to stop at.(bars, souvenir shops, etc)

[GoPackGo]

How can there possibly be more then ONE Shell "World" ??????

I absolutely love the Keys !

[dieharder]

I believe there are a number of Shell Worlds all the way down to Key West.

[bobsinn]

Treasure Village Plantation Key ?

Treasure Village

[GoPackGo]

Shell World in Key Largo ?? MM 97.6

[All_I_could_aff]

Does anyone know the name or which key has a real tourist trap type open market? I recall my wife looking at endless necklaces, coffee mugs, and other souvenirs

[dakasa47]

Steeljag wrote:
Snorkeling trip out of Robbies !........we may be down there around that time period also, soooooooo don't miss out on buying me a couple of drinks....LOL.

Congradulations on the retirement and enjoy your Keys trip!

We have gone snorkeling out of Robbie's many times. They are pros and its always been a great trip.

[dakasa47]

We have been to the Keys many times. First time on a cruise ship. Then staying at hotels and inns. Now we take our travel trailer and stay in the state parks when possible. We have done many of the excellent suggestions listed here. Drinking up and down Duval St, sunset at Mallory Square, Sloppy Joes, Hog's Breath bar, shopping, kayaking at Long Key, swimming at Bahia Honda, ferry to the Dry Tortugas Truman's Little White House,tourist train around Key West and many a snorkeling party boat. But in my opinion the BEST part of the Keys is underwater. We have snorkeled many different reefs including Dry Tortugas which we took a looooong boat ride to. The best reef is the one suggested here by others...Looe Key. We also like Molasses Reef and many of the others but Looe Key to me is the best. I also like the trip out of John Pennycamp because its all about the snorkeling,although it doesn't go to Looe Key. No loud music, free rum punches and dancing etc on the way back. I just like boat to take me out, let me spend as much time as I can floating over the beautiful reefs and then transport me back as quick as possible. I prefer a nice glass of wine back at the campsite. My second favorite thing driving up and down the overseas highway as much as possible:)
What ever you choose ENJOY! We will be there in February at Bahia Honda for 5 nights.

[GoPackGo]

1. I second the trip to Mallory Square for the Sunset party - but go early. It gets crazy crowded.

2. Go snorkeling. IMHO the main attraction of the Keys is all that beautiful shallow water. So go get in it ! John Pennekamp State Park has trips and I also second going out to Looe Key too.

3. I liked the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum. You can actually touch one of the gold bars he brought up. Today's The Day !

4. My favorite restaurant in the Keys is 'Keys Fisheries' in Marathon. Eat at picnic tables on the dock next to where the fish boats come in. Just plain yummy food.

[bobwalter]

South of town in what used to be (I think)the military housing area
is a seldom visited museum. EXCELLENT!.

Also, get directions to the Hogfish Grill. Hard to find back among the working marinas but well worth the effort. Excellent, laid back atmosphere and the actual Hogfish is one of the best fish I have ever had.

Congrats on the upcoming retirement.

[Gjac]

I think one of the hidden gems in the keys is Loo Key sanctuary if you like to dive or snorkel. I have done both because the water is only about 30 ft on average. Pennycamp and Bahia Honda are OK but Loo Key has been managed well because it is a sanctuary. It all depends on what you like. My first trip was in 1955 and had fun fishing off the bridges, you can still do that in some areas.

[tinner12002]

Lazy Days restaurant, anything and everything on Duval street!