Vanity Post--Travel Ideas for Key West

[AppyPappy]

I would recommend Captain Tony’s but I heard it closed.

Rent a moped(liquorcycle) and cruise around.

Do the walking tour of Key West. Maps are available. That was my morning walk every morning.

[southern rock]

Beware old men in banana hammocks who frequent all beaches. The street performers that come out at night are fun. Of course go parasailing and jet-skiing.

[Scoutmaster]

1. Listen to John S Mosby. Definitely the Dry Tortugas; the wall of the moat around Fort Jefferson is excellent snorkeling, and the reefs and wharf areas are even better. It's a fascinating place and accessible by ferry. The fort itself has been named one of the ten best places in the U.S. to explore nooks and crannies.

2. Consider watching the sunset at Mallory Square. The street performers are entertaining; however, the sunset may be obscured by Stock Island. For a better sunset and less entertainment (no cats jumping through hoops of fire), watch the sunset somewhere else.

3. The beach on Bahia Honda Key at Bahia Honda State Park and Beach (mile markers 36-38) is perhaps the best in south Florida.

[Fast Moving Angel]

That sounds like a great idea for a road trip ... they do have a bike run every year, too.

The coral island issue is also why there are so many above-ground graves in the cemetery -- it's just too tough to dig very deep.

[Fast Moving Angel]

Funny you mention hogfish ... the other night on the Travel Channel, they visited the Hogfish Grill on Stock Island. Never been there but it looked like a very cool place to hang out -- very "old Florida" (and the food looked great!). Lots of history over there, too; one of Mel Fisher's boats is there, along with a yacht that had belonged to Aristotle Onassis. Maybe next time :-)

And the Cracked Conch appetizer at the Conch Republic is excellent ... many meals have been made out of that and a few mojitos!

[Fast Moving Angel]

Captain Tony’s is still open: http://capttonyssaloon.com/ Captain Tony passed away a couple of years ago, but he had sold the bar some time prior to his passing, and he still showed up there frequently. Ah, the Pirate’s Punches ... yum!

[cornfedcowboy]

I always wish FR had a travel section.

[klgator]

We just got back from there a couple of weeks ago. We rented a condo at the Truman Annex which was centrally located in Old Town. You could easily walk anywhere from there, but you can rent bikes or scooters as well. Best rates were at The Moped Hospital. We went to rentmyparadise.com to rent the condo.

It was one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. Prices are very reasonable everywhere. We went to Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum and enjoyed it. Didn’t go to The Hemingway House but both were reasonably priced to enter. You definitely need to go to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Buy a pair of sandals at Kino’s Sandals. Everything at the $5 Store is... $5.

The Green Parrot was two blocks away and was rocking every night. I enjoyed Sloppy Joe’s, Captain Tony’s (the original Sloppy Joe’s), and Margaritaville. We hit a lot of bars and enjoyed every one. Being a Floridian, I know a tourist trap when I’m in one, and I didn’t get that feeling anywhere. The closest thing to a tourist trap feel is Mallory Square at dusk. I think we went there once.

Be sure to log in with Foursquare. A lot of the places have special deals on Foursquare.

Best part about the whole experience was the accessibility to everything by foot or bike. At no time did I feel uncomfortable with my surroundings. There was no flaunting of the gay lifestyle. Heck, we even caught Chris Peterson, female impersonator, at The La Te Da. Excellent show.

It’s a completely different way of life down there, and you will find yourself getting into the rhythm of it quickly.

[Osage Orange]

I believe the Hog Fish grill was recommended to me...but I didn't make it there.

I'd go back to the Conch Republic anytime though!! Was fun!!