We have just visited The Florida Keys and stayed at the furthest point Key West. Fabulous. If you want a really laid back almost Continental atmosphere in the evenings then this is the place you need to visit. The trip to Key West from Davenport, Orlando was an easy run almost a straight drive over seven hours. We had an early start and stopped three times on the way down to either eat or just take a break and stretch our legs. The drive was not stressful at all (we always make sure we have plenty of change for toll booths) and the scenery very easy on the eye. Once you reach the Florida Keys it is at least a couple of hours to get down to the furthest point Key West but well worth the drive. Breathtaking does not describe the beauty of the place with its quaint houses and outlook over the sea and all the different types of boats. A cruise liner was docked when we arrived and just reminded us of how magnificent they are, so huge. We stayed in the Radisson which was clean and the staff very helpful with a computer and internet access in the foyer (great for our kids to check emails). There is a nice shaped pool with plenty of sun loungers and parasols if you wanted shade. A nice pool bar/snack bar was open until at least 12pm. Quite frankly there were lots of hotels and I think it is just a matter of taste and budget as to which you might want to select.
A must to visit is the most southern house in America, although when we took photos of this and walked a little further we came across the most southern, southern house in America, so took photo’s again! We visited in August and were very pleased to find the weather was very hot and the evenings very warm also. Apart from the usual array of tourist must visits which you can find on any of the maps of the area the most impressive part of our stay was the atmosphere and diversity you find on Duval Street. During the day the Duval Street is the place to walk along and buy souvenirs and look at the street paintings and various street artists along the way – at one end of Duval Street are all the various boat excursions and Jet Ski rides as well as various bars that overlook the sea. We opted for the Glass bottom excursion which took us over the beautiful coral reef for two hours.
Duval Street at night absolutely ‘rocks’. It is vibrant, interesting and has wonderful restaurants serving a variety of meals for quite reasonable prices and as usual in America, ample portions! Having walked a way up Duval Street and deciding on our eating place we sat outside soaking up the atmosphere, which I have to say is very much like being on the Continent in the evenings.
If you take a taxi on Key West they charge by the person - $4 each person. One tip is if you opt for, as we did a hotel at a reasonable price but situated quite away from Duval Street, it might be prudent to take into account taxi fares.
A must to visit is the most southern house in America, although when we took photos of this and walked a little further we came across the most southern, southern house in America, so took photo’s again! We visited in August and were very pleased to find the weather was very hot and the evenings very warm also. Apart from the usual array of tourist must visits which you can find on any of the maps of the area the most impressive part of our stay was the atmosphere and diversity you find on Duval Street. During the day the Duval Street is the place to walk along and buy souvenirs and look at the street paintings and various street artists along the way – at one end of Duval Street are all the various boat excursions and Jet Ski rides as well as various bars that overlook the sea. We opted for the Glass bottom excursion which took us over the beautiful coral reef for two hours.
Duval Street at night absolutely ‘rocks’. It is vibrant, interesting and has wonderful restaurants serving a variety of meals for quite reasonable prices and as usual in America, ample portions! Having walked a way up Duval Street and deciding on our eating place we sat outside soaking up the atmosphere, which I have to say is very much like being on the Continent in the evenings.
If you take a taxi on Key West they charge by the person - $4 each person. One tip is if you opt for, as we did a hotel at a reasonable price but situated quite away from Duval Street, it might be prudent to take into account taxi fares.