🌴 Key West, Florida: A Whirlwind Adventure! 🌺
So, you're thinking about hitting Key West? Let's dive into the details! #keywest #florida #travel #thekeys #duvalstreet #sunset
1/ Getting Around: Road Trip Ready! 🚗
We opted for a convertible rental in Miami because we planned to spend more time there afterward. It was super convenient! Car rentals in Miami are pretty reasonable with lots of options. Think ~$150/day for a convertible and around $100/day for a standard car, plus gas and tolls.
The drive from Miami to Key West is under 4 hours if you don't stop. Heads up: there are a TON of cops patrolling the highway! 👮♀️ Be careful not to speed – a ticket could cost you nearly $400! 😂
2/ Pit Stops & Must-Sees 🛑
Along the way, you'll find Key Largo (a sizeable town with everything from gas stations and grocery stores to bars, restaurants, and resorts – it's even bigger than Key West!). Islamorada is another good option with spots for fishing, public beaches for swimming, and sunset views. There are also some smaller bars around. Keep an eye on the speed limit – it varies between 35-55 mph! 👀
3/ Food, Fun & Frolics: The Heart of Key West! 🦞 🦐 🦀 🍟 🐙 🍗 🍺 🍹 🥤
This is what you've been waiting for! Key West is famous for its nightlife. Don't be surprised to see some partiers still going strong from the night before! 🤣 Duval Street is jam-packed with seafood restaurants, bars, gift shops, and art galleries. Here are some top-rated restaurants we tried (thanks, Google reviews!):
- Two Friends: Ask about the fresh shrimp! Some dishes (like the coconut shrimp) might use frozen shrimp. Our waitress gave us the heads-up!
- El Siboney: Authentic Cuban cuisine.
- Conch Republic Seafood Company: Fresh seafood specialties!
Key West is known for its jumbo pink shrimp – delicious, fresh, and cheap! You can get a huge shrimp salad or fried/grilled/coconut shrimp for under $20. Beer and cocktails are also reasonably priced.
Must-see spots ("check it out!"):
- Southernmost Point: 90 miles to Cuba! 🇨🇺 Be prepared to wait 15-20 minutes for a photo.
- Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum: History and views!
- Martello Garden Club: A beautiful botanical escape.
- Mallory Square: THE place for sunset watching!
These spots are close together, so check a map to avoid driving around and dealing with pricey parking ($7/hour!). Driving can be slow due to pedestrians and cyclists. Just about everything is centered around Duval Street – the downtown area. Oh, and watch out for chickens! They're everywhere, even in restaurants! 😂
Another cool place to see is the Dry Tortugas – with crystal-clear water! You can only get there by seaplane or ferry. We didn't have time, but it's on the list for next time!
4/ Hotel Happenings 🏨
Hotels in Key West can be small and a bit dated. If you're not set on staying there, consider driving back to Miami for a wider (and often more modern) selection of hotels. Hotels on Duval Street can easily run close to $1,000/night. Staying further from Duval is cheaper. Airbnb options are available, but they're not super plentiful or particularly cheap.
5/ Budget Breakdown
A day trip to Key West for two people might cost $400-500 (including car rental, food, gas, parking, and entrance fees). An overnight stay would be at least $1,000 for two. An Airbnb might save you some money.
6/ Final Verdict
Key West? It's "so-so" for us. Not bad, but maybe overhyped. If you love partying, drinking, and watching sunsets (and then more drinking!), you'll probably love it. It's like a giant outdoor bar scene, with the added bonus of eye-catching American/Cuban fashion! 😁😅
We loved the drive from Miami, crossing all the bridges connecting the islands. The seafood is also delicious and cheaper than in Miami.
Hope this helps you plan your Key West adventure! Have a great trip!
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