Destination: Key West, FL

My Trip:

Being in Key West is like being in a foreign country without having to use sign language to find out where the bathroom is. Sometimes, after a few of beers talking to one of the locals at The Green Parrot, you can even feel as if you’re on another planet. It’s a lot like many beach resort/party towns only there isn’t a hint of attitude anywhere on the island. “It’s Live and Let Live, Man! That’s The Key West Way!” (or so the local at The Green Parrot told me.) Couple of suggestions – try the Key Lime Pie, it’s as good as they say it is, and give a go to Conch Fritters – I bet you like them. Also, while some of the famous tourist spots are on Duval, walk one block south (or is it east?) to Whitehead Street for more of a local flavor. Some other great things to do here include heading over to Mallory Square with everyone else on the island to watch the sun set (don’t forget to applaud!), play with the six-toed cats at Hemingway’s house (there are dozens of them roaming around!) and get your picture taken at the Southernmost Point in the United States (everyone else does).

Erik Hastings

Ambassador Travelogue:

By Geoff Allen - What is an "Ambassador Travelogue?" - Find out here...

The obligitory picture at the
Southernmost Point of the
United States of America

My last trip to Key West was my favorite... well, I guess I've said that every time I've gone there. A trip to Key West for me is like living in a Jimmy Buffet record! Kick back and relax!

Personally, I could sit by the beach or the pool in Key West for seven days and be perfectly happy... but my wife wouldn't... and none of us want that. So, as much as I love the ocean view accommodations at the 1800 Atlantic Condominiums , I had to sacrifice and 'do the tourist thing.'

First things first... we flew into Ft. Lauderdale and drove to Key West . It is a pretty drive...but a long drive. If a direct flight to Key West is in your budget... I recommend that. If you yearn for a trip on the ' Overseas Highway '... take a day trip from Key West to one of the other Keys like Big Pine or Marathon.

Half Shell Raw Bar

Before we do anything else, it is a tradition for us to head to the Half Shell Raw Bar in the Historic Harbor District and get a bowl of conch chowder. We have been traveling to Key West for over 10 years and still have not found a better bowl of conch on the Island . Their lunch and dinner menu is great too!

Time for the pool? My wife says "NO..." Yes dear... its off to the Hemingway Museum, all those mutant 6 toed cats and the unique and often eccentric tour guides there that make the visit very interesting. Thus violating one of my vacation commandments... "Thou shalt not learn." I couldn't help but find myself lost in the story of Hemingway's full life and tragic death.

Ok... now that we're all happy... what do we do next? Relaxing by the pool right? WRONG... Today's the day we go snorkeling! I actually LOVE to snorkel... just not at 9 am. That breaks another one of my vacation commandments... "Thou shalt not wake up early..." so I put my foot down. So, we went snorkeling that morning. There are a bunch of different snorkel tours you can take but we found that Sunny Days Catamarans was the best. You can take half day, full day and sunset snorkel trips. The sunset trip features wine (so long as you're done snorkeling) and cheese.

And speaking of sunsets! It is a MUST to head to Mallory Square and watch the street performers while you take in the sunset. Often the sunset gets more applause than the sometimes odd street performers. It is truly a cultural experience.

We leave Mallory Square and stroll down Duval Street and window shop. If you're like me... your wife window shops and you play the part of bag holder and time keeper. Guys... I recommend you set your clock to 'shopping standard time'... that's about an hour ahead... just don't tell the misses.

When we go to Key West , we have a pretty set routine. We rent a condo so we can cook our evening meal at home...eat out for lunch, that's when the prices are cheapest... rent bicycles because it's a small island...and travel in June because the weather is guaranteed to be warm enough to enjoy the tropics and the crowds are pretty tame. All it takes is one good cold front in the winter time and you're sitting by the pool in sixty degree weather.

We spent about $1,700 on accommodations that we split with my brother and his family... about $800 in air fair for four from DFW to Ft. Lauderdale. And another $1,300 on dining, and fun.

Don't expect a fast pace in Key West . If you're looking for excitement or looking to be pampered... you'll be hard pressed to find that here. The charm of Key West is in its rich history and culture combined with a laid back atmosphere. So pack your favorite shorts and hop on a plane. Get ready to relax.

By the way... I actually did get to spend a lot of time by the pool with my cold adult beverage.

-Geoff Allen
ErikHastings.com Travel Ambassador

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