Key West

stuce

Looking to take an anniversary trip to Key West. Have never been there and really only have 4 days to go and limited funds. Anyone have any suggestions of where to stay that is nice, close to fun and inexpensive. This will be our first trip in a long time sans the 3 kids:)

Sillygirl45

I haven't stayed in Key West but I have gone on quite a few day trips from Marathon. 

Key West is pretty small, so it shouldn't be hard to see on a map where things are in relation to wherever you stay. 

I don't know where you are flying in to, but the best prices I've found (if you're not going to fly directly to Key West) are flying into Ft. Lauderdale. It's ten minutes from Miami, a much nicer airport and easier to get in and out of.

If I had 4 days I would probably spend a day driving down the keys and stopping wherever. It's about a 4 hour drive. Marathon is the halfway point. The drive is beautiful! If you have to drive at night, beware there is a long stretch of the upper keys with no lights in US 1. It can be a little creepy, but kinda cool too. Also, the speed limit is no joke. There's are cops with nothing to do but pull you over. 

The turtle hospital in Marathon is a nice short little thing to stop and do. I love seeing the turtles and hearing their stories. In Big Pine Key they have Key Deer (they have an interesting story you can google). I've seen them every time I visited so far. They hang out in the neighborhoods. Also on Big Pine Key is the No Name Pub. It's in the middle of nowhere and has great pizza. Fun little place. 

In Key West, take the trolley first thing. I'm totally serious. It sounds silly, but it's really fun and gives you a good overview and history. You may find things you want to explore further. There's a little fish shack (it looks like a shack), and I don't remember the name of it, but according to my sources it has the freshest fish. It's a great little place with crooked floors and great lunch food.There's the Hemingway house (complete with six toed cats), the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum (they are real life treasure hunters), you must have your picture take at the southern most point buoy, and there's the haunted Key West tour. The butterfly conservatory is nice too. 

There is a ton to do in the Keys and the history is so interesting. I'm sure you will find plenty to do. My husband is in to scuba, so we went on some trips in Marathon where he dove and I snorkeled. There are trips from Key West also. 

Sorry to write a novel! I'm jealous! Now I want to go back!

ETA- yes, it's a 4 hour drive through the keys, not 8. Sorry.

monkeygirl18

We've been to Key West 3 times and love it!

I have reviews and pics in the link above my siggy pic (Our Website) if you would like to check it out.

 

As for where to stay that is on the cheaper side.  I honestly don't know.  We always stay at the Hyatt Resort and Spa at 601 Front St.  in the most expensive and second most expensive rooms.  We always do 4 nights and our total for everything (room,airfare,food,drinks,tours,car*we drive from MIA to KW as it's only a 3 1/2 hr drive*,room at airport night before,food at airport,misc, spending money,tips and pretty, much anything else you can think of) and it's $4500. 

HTH and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. 

hutchsl

One thing to do while there is the sunset celebration at Mallory square.

amandatim1021

We flew into Fort Lauderdale, stayed there a few days and then drove a convertible rental to the keys. We stayed at he Southernmost Hotel (least expensive of the Southernmost collection but still have all the amenities of the others- across the street). We walked everywhere from here