I'm planning a Key West vacation. I've been to Florida many times (Orlando and St. Pete's), but never been to any of the Key's. Also thinking of visiting Dry Tortugas/Fort Jefferson.

Deciding if I should fly to Key West, or drive from Miami. Slightly skittish about the long drive over the ocean. Also, had mixed success with long boat rides. Fort Jefferson is a 70 mile seaplane or boat ride to/from Key West.

I saw Robfilms post from March on Key West - helpful.

Comments welcome.

I found the drive from Miami to Key West not so scenic. I prefer to fly or cruise there.

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Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger...

While I'm not a fan of Key West, I do like the keys and the drive is fun. If you simply arrive by plane or boat, you could be anywhere while driving there gives you the "Keys" feeling.

I found staying outside Key West was far more relaxing, then drive in for a day of tourism. I usually rented a place on Big Pine Key. It's close enough to run in Key West and still quaint.

Anyway, make the drive. It isn't a hard one.

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Forrest
Slightly skittish about the long drive over the ocean.
Comments welcome.

This IMO is one of the highlights of going down there.

After my Bermuda plans were sidetracked... [forums.macresource.com]
... I've been on the fence between Sanibel Island and the Keys.

Am interested in everyone's thoughts as well!

Sanibel - quiet, peaceful beaches with a reasonable number of people around.
Key West - loud, non-existant beaches, kinda grubby (imo), and Cruise Ship crowds several days a week.

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.”
-- François de La Rochefoucauld

Ive done the Keys several times, the last time a day trip from South Beach. The drive is nice, although the bit from Florida City to Key LArgo is pretty much boring. After that is quite scenic and the bridges are nice compared to what was there in the 60ies and 70ies. Hopping from island to island or key to key isn't really over the ocean.

Fort Jefferson is still on my bucket list although camping overnite for the most part isn't any more.

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Ombligo
Sanibel - quiet, peaceful beaches with a reasonable number of people around.
Key West - loud, non-existant beaches, kinda grubby (imo), and Cruise Ship crowds several days a week.

You could get to Key West from nearby Ft Myers for a day.
[www.keywestexpress.net]

Slight change in plans. I will be staying in Miami, and visiting Key Largo, Key West and the Everglades.

We are thinking about a cruise from Miami to Key West, coco plum and bahamas -- which surprisingly for a 4 days and a family of 4 is only about $1500. Not super expensive.

Of course, flying from CA to FL isnt cheap. =(

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

It's a fun drive. I'm with Ombligo, stay on a key away from Key West and drive down for the day. Time your trip for Fantasy Fest in Key West in late October.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/2017 10:00PM by Speedy.

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Speedy
It's a fun drive. I'm with Ombligo, stay on a key away from Key West and drive down for the day. Time your trip for Fantasy Fest in Key West in late October.

unless body paint offends you, if it does then skip Fantasy Fest.

Ft. Jefferson is cool, but even the history buff that I am got my fill in about 90-minutes. my dive boat stopped there for some surface time, but having been I can safely say I wouldn't pay to fly/boat there - not worth it.

And Miami to Key West and back in a day is a VERY long day. About 4 hours each way. The six cabins at Bahia Honda State Park fill fast, but are worth checking on through Reserve America. I've also stayed at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge and La Siesta on Islamorada.

Be fully aware - the keys are not known for white sandy beaches. There are very few swim beaches, those mostly at high end resorts which built them. The keys are land tourism, sitting in a lounger with a drink, or boating. I've seen too many people expect different, and be disappointed.

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.”
-- François de La Rochefoucauld

....Go WEST, young man.....

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_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Fantasy Fest in Key West ... I like art... looks like fun

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Ombligo
Be fully aware - the keys are not known for white sandy beaches. There are very few swim beaches, those mostly at high end resorts which built them. The keys are land tourism, sitting in a lounger with a drink, or boating. I've seen too many people expect different, and be disappointed.

I have been to a decent public beach on Marathon- Sombrero beach. Most of the sand is on the south side of the keys.