Any must see's for the Keys?

[prism68]

Hey, y'all, we are going down to camp in Big Pine Key this weekend and I have never been there. We will be there about a week so I am looking for things to do with the kids?

I have my daughter and her friend (11 and 13 yr. old), my son and his girlfriend (18 and 16 yr. old), plus me and hubby (older than that ).

If we drive to Key West one of the days, what is worth it and what isn't? Is there a particularly good restaurant there? Also, we want to go swim at Bahia Honda but I have heard it is really crowded; any other swimming type beaches around?

Like I said I have never been there so am completely clueless. I sure would appreciate ANY ideas from those who have been there. Seemed like I read a thread on this a few months back, but didn't know I was going then and can't find it.

Thanks

[Brenda2000]

I was there last year, and went to Bahia Honda. I didn't think it was all that crowded. The snorkeling was pretty good....we found some HUGE queen conch.
If you have the money, I would highly recommend going to The Dry Tortugas, or known as Fort Jackson.
They take you out on a catamaran, to an island. It is an old fort...the snorkeling is fantastic by the steel moorings, the water is so clear....everywhere else not too impressive. We saw huge tarpin, barracuda, and millions of fish by the moorings. Have a great time!

[AndersonGal]

I'll never understand people that love to camp but ........


Sounds like fun, have a good time!

[PiercedGecko]

We are heading there in September. We are spending two nights in Orlando, then heading to Key West for 5 nights. I REALLY wanna do the Dry Tortugas trip, DH thinks it's a little pricey, but I think it's worth it. Of course I want to go to Duval Street, we're actually staying on that street, and to Mallory Square for the sunset and entertainers. I have already been reading into the area a lot, and have made a list of restaurants I want to go to. Can you tell I love food? The Conch Republic Seafood Company, Margaritaville, Crabby Dicks, and Turtle Kraals are at the top of my list. Every Monday and Friday at 6 pm Turtle Kraals has a turtle race where you can bet on a turtle and win prizes if the turtle wins the race. I'll keep you posted if I find out more.

[Brenda2000]

[quote=PiercedGecko]We are heading there in September. We are spending two nights in Orlando, then heading to Key West for 5 nights. I REALLY wanna do the Dry Tortugas trip, DH thinks it's a little pricey, but I think it's worth it.

It is a little pricey, and they hit you up for tips at the end of the trip. (You don't have to give any tho...)
The ride there and back was pretty smooth. Our trip had a continental breakfast aboard the catamaran, fruit, pastries, ect. They fed us a sandwich lunch at the fort, (ours was a build your own type, with chips, pasta salad, drinks) and snacks on the catamaran on the way back. The fort has a moat around it,(there are lots of little jelly fish and conch in the moat water) and you get to walk the grounds. Try to snatch a picnic table under a shade tree as fast as you can, as there are very few spots to get shade. I wish we would have had more time there, as we loved the snorkeling. The catamaran people we went on with provided snorkeling vests, goggles and snorkels. (We brought our own, tho.)
If you do plan on doing any snorkeling, and your time is limited, immediately head for the steel moorings. It was excellent there....the other areas around the fort weren't that great. I have been to Hawaii, Cancun, Florida, Virgin Islands, and other places...but I thought this was one of the most beautiful. But of course, everyone has their own tastes...
The fort was the place that held Samuel Mudd, who was known as one of the "Lincoln Conspirators". You can visit his cell on the bottom level of the fort.

[prism68]

Originally Posted by PiercedGecko

Can you tell I love food? The Conch Republic Seafood Company, Margaritaville, Crabby Dicks, and Turtle Kraals are at the top of my list.

LOL, of course this is the first thing I was jotting down today
Thanks for the replies, y'all!

I definitely want to try Margaritaville (hubby is actually a Jimmy Buffet fan)
As for the camping; it was an emergency substitute for the ORIGINAL plan which fell apart at the last minute. Luckily we have come up with a NEW plan and won't have to camp now (Thank you, God!) I do love to camp, but only for like 2 days in the mountains with no other people.

Thanks again for the replies; I am really getting excited now that it is so close

You know what I just thought of? The last road into the Keys (1 or whatever it is), is that a slow-going road or do you move along pretty good?

[PiercedGecko]

The girl that does my hair was telling me last night that the road is a little slow. She said that it's one lane and the speed limit is like 35, so it takes a little longer to get there, but the ride is beautiful.

[prism68]

Originally Posted by PiercedGecko

The girl that does my hair was telling me last night that the road is a little slow. She said that it's one lane and the speed limit is like 35, so it takes a little longer to get there, but the ride is beautiful.

Aaauuuuggghhh! That is what I was afraid of, lol. Guess I will need to take a sleeping pill to make myself stand it. I get so anxious the closer I get to a place that I'll be wanting to run everyone off the road.
Thanks!