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Key West Fl….educate me

BUDMAN

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been wanting to go to Key West. Who’s been and what should we see or do plus hit up the local nightlife bars.
What does the RDP brain trust suggest.
 

rivergames

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I haven't been, but was thinking about going in June and RDP'rs shed some light
 

rivermobster

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I've only been once. Stayed at a quaint little B&B right by the Cuba Marker thing.

It's a winter time destination. I absolutely Loved the drive down there! I'd love to do it again on my Harley, and take a few days to do it!!!

I'd also love to go again for Fantasy Fest and get out on the water more next time.
 

beerrun

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We just got home from KW we like pepe's for breakfast try and get reservations for latitudes if you can top 100 restaurants in the nation we like captain Tony's if you want to take a charter boat out let me know we had a great captain but its around 1k for the day. Robbies is a good stop up north and get on there snorkeling boat to alligator reef. If no kids there is a bar in KW garden of eden on Duval st that is a nude bar the patrons get naked not the staff. Lots of info on the keys on YouTube
 

HallettBill

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We’ve been twice. It’s a blast. I’ll give you the details at cat fest
 

Tank

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Alonzo’s half shell bar in bite marina for the best key lime martinis and buffalo shrimp.

Half shell raw bar in the bite marina for stone crab

Louie’s back yard bar on the south end of the island for amazing sunsets and good drinks.

If you’re into pho and down for a quick lunch the pho king awesome place on duval about midway up is bomb. As are the lobster rolls at the shack across the street.

Sushi isn’t fantastic there but if you’re craving it there’s a little place called miso happy right off of duval on southward that’s pretty good.

Can always opt for a sloppy Joe at sloppy joes (they invented the freakin thing).

As far as nightlife. We make sure to always see the Durt Bags at Durty Harry’s behind the tree bar. Probably the best cover band I’ve ever seen in my life and they do some fantastic stuff.

As you’re stumbling out of there make sure you grab a pizza out front at Angelina’s. If you remember, order it an hour before 😉

Irish Kevin’s is fun and they usually have some guy with a guitar singing to the crowd. Sloppy joes will have a band as well. They’re all within a few hundred feet of each other.

As far as things to do. Rent a scooter air golf cart for a day and explore the island.

There’s a cool rental place that does sea doo runs through the mangroves.

There’s also a rental place that will take you out on a pontoon to lady key. Full open bar party pontoon. Basically think havasu but in key west.

Good drag show at the 801 bar if you’re feeling adventurous. Naked bar (clothing optional at the garden of edan on top of “The Bull” bar. Don’t get excited. It’s usually never anything you want to see.

There’s more. A lot more. We’re usually hammered stumbling around. 😂

It’s a party!!! Some pics with random infamous RDP members for reference. 😁😁👍


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Warlock1

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Tank pretty much explained it all...lol
We've been there quite a few times when we lived in Florida. We always took the Key West Express which is a huge triple decker cat from Ft Meyer. Nice 3 hour cruise.
Lots of craziness to be had there. Keep an open mind...lol
We are going back after our cruise in October.
 

C-Ya

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FWIW………

Where I live, if you were to ask which island is the best island in the keys? The clear and overwhelming answer is Marathon.

It always leads every poll when this question is asked on East Coast boat forums.

Personally, I like Islamorada. It is always in 2nd place in the polls I see.

There is a LOT of negativity directed at Key West, where I live. Mainly because of the overwhelming amount of tourists, that have over taken the island. Cruise ships come everyday. The city passed an ordinance regulating the number of ships, but the state legislature over ruled their home rule arguments. So now it’s a free-for-all.

If you need transportation in KW, I highly recommend a scooter. Mainly because it’s hard to find a parking spot for anything else. Including golf carts.

Here in SoFlo, Key West does not have the same mystique that it does in the West. All the people I know go to the middle keys.

There is a YouTube channel dedicated to the drunk tourists of KW. It is actually pretty funny. Stuff like grandma and grandpa passed out on the sidewalk, type stuff.
 

HNL2LHC

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Watching as this is on my bucket list. Want to drive the whole thing….once and see the furthest point south I am going to miss my wife if she does not want to do the same thing. LOL
 

rivermobster

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Watching as this is on my bucket list. Want to drive the whole thing….once and see the furthest point south I am going to miss my wife if she does not want to do the same thing. LOL

You own a Harley by any chance? 😎
 

BUDMAN

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All of you guys should go on the cruise with us and then stay the extra week.......😘:eek:;)😁
Did the cruise last year out of Miami. Had a blast. Which cruise line you on. We did Norwegian. Nice ship and great staff
 

Tank

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@C-Ya is right. KW is a tourist town and non stop party. But then again, that’s why we go. For the party. I also love key largo and islamorada and if I was looking at chillin by the pool and just taking it easy to get away that’s where I’d look. But if you want to party. KW is the place.

@boatpi is somewhat correct. There is a large contingency / gay community on KW. It’s kindve an oximoron because you walk around and there’s Trump flags and all types of conservative stuff but also rainbow flags hanging. The consentration of gay bars is down on the south end of Duvall where’s the drag shows are. Other than that, it’s not like you walk into a non drag bar and are overcome with gayness. And frankly, the drag bars are pretty fun and mostly filled with straight tourists. The downstairs bar at 801 is fantastic. Plays great music pours them strong and it’s great people watching sitting at the bar looking out onto Duvall.

@rivermobster said, it’s a winter destination. While I agree with @clarence pointes out, less crowded in summer. But you have to deal with bugs and 100% humidity. Not great.
 

Orange Juice

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The 5 days after Christmas worked out for us. We slept every night with the balcony windows open, and a breeze from the southwest.

We left on the morning of the 31st back to Fort Lauderdale for our flight back home.

I suggest if it’s your first time, drive it early in the morning. The bridges are very interesting. A couple Bailey coffees, Jimmy Buffets greatest hits CD, and a designated driver😏

the sun is at its lowest point. Traffic is lite as well.
 

Warlock1

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Did the cruise last year out of Miami. Had a blast. Which cruise line you on. We did Norwegian. Nice ship and great staff
We prefer Royal, but we had to go with Carnival to keep costs down to try and entice my family to go. They would be a blast to have on the ship. Goes out of Miami for a 6 day Western Caribbean leaving Oct 6.
 

clarence

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If you can deal with the humidity and heat, more power to ya. It's just not My cup of tea.
@clarence pointes out, less crowded in summer. But you have to deal with bugs and 100% humidity. Not great.

Heat and humidity is pretty well moderated by the ocean breeze. It was always noticeably more comfortable returning from visiting Miami.

And don't remember bugs at all.

If you're just visiting, you'll be spending your time in the water or a cool, dark bar anyway.
 

beerrun

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We prefer Royal, but we had to go with Carnival to keep costs down to try and entice my family to go. They would be a blast to have on the ship. Goes out of Miami for a 6 day Western Caribbean leaving Oct 6.
So you are doing a carnival cruise out of Miami on October 6th this year that stops in KW? What ship?
 

clarence

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@C-Ya is right. KW is a tourist town and non stop party. But then again, that’s why we go. For the party.

I only suggest visiting in the summer to check it out.

It's a very different experience in-season. :)
 

beerrun

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One thing to think about is if you fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale you get there in the evening but west coast flight out are normally in the morning so its an early trip up and its a ballpark four hour drive from KW back to Miami
 

Melloyellovector

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All suggestions above good. I will add get bug spray. Even more so if your gonna be walking into any grass, bushes, trees etc.
‘just got back from Florida 2 weeks ago. Those mafukin bugs loved my socal blood. My kids call it Florida herpes. Lol
i shit you not I have at least 100 bites per leg, plus arms, and back. Ended up at dr to get steroid shot to calm the tweaker status I had going on itching
 

H20 Toie

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Ok I’ve traveled all over the country
And here is what i have to say about key west
You may think it’s a one time deal
Bucket list type of thing
That’s bullshit
Once you go it’s over
Got to go back
Way to much things to see for a small little area

Just say no
Save yourself a lot of money go somewhere
else

Don’t even think about going during the summer
Nov to April are best months

May to October go to loto
Same thing you never go once
 

Tank

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All suggestions above good. I will add get bug spray. Even more so if your gonna be walking into any grass, bushes, trees etc.
‘just got back from Florida 2 weeks ago. Those mafukin bugs loved my socal blood. My kids call it Florida herpes. Lol
i shit you not I have at least 100 bites per leg, plus arms, and back. Ended up at dr to get steroid shot to calm the tweaker status I had going on itching
Worse in the summer. But they’re around in the winter too. This was last July. Brutal.

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Melloyellovector

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Worse in the summer. But they’re around in the winter too. This was last July. Brutal.

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lmao!! Are those my legs or yours. exactly same. I literally wrote off ever going back.
Florida is pretty awesome, until the itching starts FUUUUQ ! 😆
Michelle told me to go F myself because she ain’t touching me until that funk gone! 😂
 

Tank

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lmao!! Are those my legs or yours. exactly same. I literally wrote off ever going back.
Florida is pretty awesome, until the itching starts FUUUUQ ! 😆
Michelle told me to go F myself because she ain’t touching me until that funk gone! 😂
It’s fuckin gnarly. The itch! Holy shit. Its brutal. I’ve been going to the keys for the world races in November for 25 years and never had any issues. Hit Bahamas and Jupiter in July and that happened. Then Back to the keys in November and first time ever got a couple bites. Nothing too bad but I never got bit in November before. Got a couple in Feb when we were down there too. Little fuckers suck!
 

Melloyellovector

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It’s fuckin gnarly. The itch! Holy shit. Its brutal. I’ve been going to the keys for the world races in November for 25 years and never had any issues. Hit Bahamas and Jupiter in July and that happened. Then Back to the keys in November and first time ever got a couple bites. Nothing too bad but I never got bit in November before. Got a couple in Feb when we were down there too. Little fuckers suck!
Me, my oldest son and his chick, all got destroyed.
Noah stayed an extra week comes back with maybe 2 bites.

makes no sense. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 

Backlash

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It’s fuckin gnarly. The itch! Holy shit. Its brutal. I’ve been going to the keys for the world races in November for 25 years and never had any issues. Hit Bahamas and Jupiter in July and that happened. Then Back to the keys in November and first time ever got a couple bites. Nothing too bad but I never got bit in November before. Got a couple in Feb when we were down there too. Little fuckers suck!
Mannnnny moons ago, my Aunt and Uncle had a beautiful little house over by the marina. As a kid, I remember them wiping the metal window screens down with kerosene at night to prevent the "No-see-ums" from sneaking through. 🤣

I won't go off on my usual tangent of how bitchin Key West is......but it IS! I love that place and it will always be one of my favorite places in the world. Like Dan said, you can't go "Just once." 👍
 

LuckyStrike

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been wanting to go to Key West. Who’s been and what should we see or do plus hit up the local nightlife bars.
What does the RDP brain trust suggest.
I go down about 8 times a year What would you like to know
 

CarolynandBob

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FWIW………

Where I live, if you were to ask which island is the best island in the keys? The clear and overwhelming answer is Marathon.

It always leads every poll when this question is asked on East Coast boat forums.

Personally, I like Islamorada. It is always in 2nd place in the polls I see.

There is a LOT of negativity directed at Key West, where I live. Mainly because of the overwhelming amount of tourists, that have over taken the island. Cruise ships come everyday. The city passed an ordinance regulating the number of ships, but the state legislature over ruled their home rule arguments. So now it’s a free-for-all.

If you need transportation in KW, I highly recommend a scooter. Mainly because it’s hard to find a parking spot for anything else. Including golf carts.

Here in SoFlo, Key West does not have the same mystique that it does in the West. All the people I know go to the middle keys.

There is a YouTube channel dedicated to the drunk tourists of KW. It is actually pretty funny. Stuff like grandma and grandpa passed out on the sidewalk, type stuff.
This. Have been to KW and enjoyed it, I love Marathon. KW just like New Orleans, look great AT NIGHT, but they look like shit holes during the day. JMO.
 

sonicss31

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Just me but I’ll never understand why most of you spend $$$$ to sit in a bar. When you visit try to get out on or under the water. Once you have, your memories will be everlasting. :cool: Marathon and Islamorada for the win after you’ve experienced the KW bar crawl. Word of caution, if driving down the speed limits are strictly enforced especially in the Big Pine Key stretch of the Key Deer habitat.
 
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sonicss31

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Take a trip to Fort Jefferson/Dry Tortugas, a must see IMO. Bagatelles on Duval for good dinner. Latitudes on Sunset Key as already mentioned is great eats. Square Grouper is my favorite dining spot. Hogfish Bar and Grill on Stock Island for a feel of locals kind of bar is good. Stop at Robbie’s to feed the Tarpon is fun on the drive down. Oh and the summer heat and humidity is tolerable in but the stories a the flesh eating “no seeumms“ are for real especially around dusk. o_O I bought a home here on Cudjoe Key 10 years ago and have been full time resident for 4 years. Plan on dying here and having ashes spread at Fort Jefferson.
 
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HNL2LHC

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Ok I’ve traveled all over the country
And here is what i have to say about key west
You may think it’s a one time deal
Bucket list type of thing
That’s bullshit
Once you go it’s over
Got to go back
Way to much things to see for a small little area

Just say no
Save yourself a lot of money go somewhere
else

Don’t even think about going during the summer
Nov to April are best months

May to October go to loto
Same thing you never go once

So Dan you saying it is closed like Parker? 😆 😆
 

rivermobster

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Just me but I’ll never understand why most of you spend $$$$ to sit in a bar. When you visit try to get out on or under the water. Once you have, your memories will be everlasting. :cool: Marathon and Islamorada for the win after you’ve experienced the KW bar crawl. Word of caution, if driving down the speed limits are strictly enforced especially in the Big Pine Key stretch of the Key Deer habitat.

Most? Naw, don't think so.

The Only bar I Ever hung out in was Sundance. And that was back in the 70/80's when the talent was off the hook!!!

The wet T-shirt contests were well worth hanging around for. 👍🏼
 

beerrun

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The alcohol is to relieve the itching
 

stephenkatsea

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Saw a weird deal in KW one winter. Water got so cold there was a substantial fish die off around the docks. Floating dead fish all over the place. Apparently, wind and current took them away. They were gone in a day or so.
 
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