rickardracing Posted February 15, 2013 #1 Posted February 15, 2013 My wife and I are starting to plan our summer vacation. We are going to go to Key West in mid June. Question.....has anyone here been there? Where did you stay, likes, dislikes, places to go and see, places to avoid. We are only going to spend two nights. I figure it will take us about 2 1/2 days to get there from Michigan.Leave on Saturday morning and arrive mid day Teusday, leave Thursday morning and head home going up the east coast then cut across around Virginia and be back home Sunday. It's 1550 miles from our house to downtown Key West. I figure between 4500-5000 miles round trip. Suggestions?
22lyons Posted February 15, 2013 #2 Posted February 15, 2013 The wife and I went down a few years ago but not on the cycle. We ended up staying in Key Largo and driving to Key West each day so I can't help you out with a place to stay. We won't try deep sea fishing again anytime soon since we both got sick. We enjoyed hanging out at the beach and at Mallory Square watching the sunset which is the thing to do. We would love to take the bike down the next time. We were down during the sailboat racing which was awesome.
leo3wheel Posted February 15, 2013 #3 Posted February 15, 2013 CaptainJoe organized a ride last March. Brakepad was a great Key West tour guide. We had a great time.
usedcyclesales Posted February 15, 2013 #4 Posted February 15, 2013 The one thing I can recommend is make sure you have an extra bottle of Gator aide or power aide on hand I live in Tampa area and that time of year the weather will be HOT and 100% humidity if you drink Gator aide you will feel much much more comfortable, Don't just drink water. It's been quite some time since I've been there, really nothing special being I live in Tampa area, and beaches here are rated much higher than there. But YOU SURE CAN PARTY THERE, Which way are you coming down?? you either go east coast or west coast of Florida. If I were you I would come down via St. Augustine take A1A it's right on the water to Daytona then to Miami Beach. Other than Miami Beach ALL hotels are gonna be cheap here that time of year.
jburrell Posted February 15, 2013 #5 Posted February 15, 2013 There are a number of great places to stay in Key West. Its such a small Island that all the hotel are centrally located and close to everything. Dont limit your self to just Key West though its easy to stay anywhere along the Keys and visit this other islands along the road down to Key West. I did stay in Key West but it was 12 years ag. Visit Mel Fishers treasure Museum to see the treasures his company has dug up from the ocean etc. Also there is a ride to Fort Jefferson that is a great Day trip. You go 60 miles west by boat from Key West to Ft Jefferson on a day trip and this is a Fort built on a Coral Reef around 1860 that was never used as a fort. It was used for a short time as a prison and Dr Mudd was a prisioner there ( you know the guy that set John Wilkes Booths leg). You can snorkel around the Ft or sit and enjoy the beach there. IF you dont do that look for a snorkeling trip while on the island. Beware though. You will need to keep hydrated the sun is very hot down there at that time of the year. Make sure you keep enough water/gatoraid with you when you are out during the day. Lastly, its going to be very crowded at that time of the year from tourist driving in and cruise lines docking. THE road down from Miami that goes to the islands gets very very congested so realise that the drive from Miami will take much longer that you anticipate. Get some good Suntan lotion and put it on. Have a geat trip. I am shooting for Rome/Venice this year but may have to settle for Paradise Island Bahamas. Tough choise huh? james
reddevilmedic Posted February 15, 2013 #6 Posted February 15, 2013 a close friend of mine manages a hotel in key largo...welll actually Tavernier. its called ocean pointe suites. nice accomodations, nice, hot, ride to key west. let me know if your interested. im going again in the spring...this time riding the Victory
CaptainJoe Posted February 15, 2013 #7 Posted February 15, 2013 (edited) We stayed in tavernier just outside of Key largo half the time then moved south to Key West. The closer to Key west the more expensive it is going to get... exmpl: your rooms going to be $200 per night (march rates) ... Being your going in june it may be cheaper? Steve and I stayed at truman annex at the Navy base. Leo and Brake Pad stayed in a beautiful Place , that i would highly recommend: http://www.papashideaway.com/ For more info Heres a link to the trip: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=64591&highlight=captainjoe If you have limited time A1A in places are stop and go red lights. We jumped on the turnpike. Edited February 15, 2013 by CaptainJoe
rickardracing Posted February 15, 2013 Author #8 Posted February 15, 2013 Key Largo is an option I was thinking of. Yeah, I know it's going to be hot, that's how I like it. I have gone to Vegas in July and walked the entire strip during the daytime! Glutten for punishment I guess. I will check out the places you guys have suggested. Keep em coming!
Brake Pad Posted February 15, 2013 #9 Posted February 15, 2013 this vacation on 2 or 4 wheels? key-west-hotels-guide.com
leo3wheel Posted February 15, 2013 #10 Posted February 15, 2013 Note of Caution: Rode our trike in the Keys with sandals on my feet. My feet were getting burnt, so I put my boots back on, but it was too late. When I arrived at our friends house in Tampa, I had grape size blisters between my toes. Don't make that mistake. The sun is extremely hot!
rickardracing Posted February 15, 2013 Author #11 Posted February 15, 2013 this vacation on 2 or 4 wheels? key-west-hotels-guide.com Two wheels baby!! Two wheels!
rickardracing Posted February 15, 2013 Author #12 Posted February 15, 2013 Note of Caution: Rode our trike in the Keys with sandals on my feet. My feet were getting burnt, so I put my boots back on, but it was too late. When I arrived at our friends house in Tampa, I had grape size blisters between my toes. Don't make that mistake. The sun is extremely hot! I always wear my boots or an absolute minimum of sneakers. Never barefoot, never with sandals.
hillrider Posted February 15, 2013 #13 Posted February 15, 2013 When we went down 2 years ago we camped at Long Key State Park. Distance from tent to Atlantic Ocean - - - 6 feet.
rickardracing Posted February 15, 2013 Author #14 Posted February 15, 2013 When we went down 2 years ago we camped at Long Key State Park. Distance from tent to Atlantic Ocean - - - 6 feet. My wifes idea of camping is Holiday Inn style. We will be moteling it.
rickardracing Posted February 15, 2013 Author #15 Posted February 15, 2013 The one thing I can recommend is make sure you have an extra bottle of Gator aide or power aide on hand I live in Tampa area and that time of year the weather will be HOT and 100% humidity if you drink Gator aide you will feel much much more comfortable, Don't just drink water. It's been quite some time since I've been there, really nothing special being I live in Tampa area, and beaches here are rated much higher than there. But YOU SURE CAN PARTY THERE, Which way are you coming down?? you either go east coast or west coast of Florida. If I were you I would come down via St. Augustine take A1A it's right on the water to Daytona then to Miami Beach. Other than Miami Beach ALL hotels are gonna be cheap here that time of year. Not sure. I-75 down then???? Getting a place reserved is first priority, then I will figure out a route. Prettty much straight there no side trips, then on the way home maybe do some other site seeing.
djh3 Posted February 15, 2013 #16 Posted February 15, 2013 As mentioned the US 1 south of Homestead is the only road down the Keys. It has alot of 2 lane sections and gets clogged with RV's and the sort so you might figure 35-40 mph if your lucky. There also allways seems to be construction going somewhere on that road. Check the Fla DOT site.
Brake Pad Posted February 15, 2013 #17 Posted February 15, 2013 Just an example, My house to Key West Is 5.5 hours, during all the posted speed limits 161 miles
Rick Haywood Posted February 15, 2013 #18 Posted February 15, 2013 My wife and I are starting to plan our summer vacation. We are going to go to Key West in mid June. Question.....has anyone here been there? Where did you stay, likes, dislikes, places to go and see, places to avoid. We are only going to spend two nights. I figure it will take us about 2 1/2 days to get there from Michigan.Leave on Saturday morning and arrive mid day Teusday, leave Thursday morning and head home going up the east coast then cut across around Virginia and be back home Sunday. It's 1550 miles from our house to downtown Key West. I figure between 4500-5000 miles round trip. Suggestions? Was just there in January, There is so much to do. We stayed in marathon at Seista Keys Motel Very nice place with kitchen and screened in porch. Some nice places in marathon to eat also. The only problem with staying in marathin was I couldn't drink in Key West due to riding back. Also be very careful where you park if there is no meter you must walk up to corner and pay in a machine then put tag on bike/car. Also stop at information booth and they will tell you where ther is free motorcycle parking. Plenty across street from hard Rock Cafe
rickardracing Posted February 15, 2013 Author #19 Posted February 15, 2013 As mentioned the US 1 south of Homestead is the only road down the Keys. It has alot of 2 lane sections and gets clogged with RV's and the sort so you might figure 35-40 mph if your lucky. There also allways seems to be construction going somewhere on that road. Check the Fla DOT site. I will check that out when it gets closer. Thanks.
rickardracing Posted February 15, 2013 Author #20 Posted February 15, 2013 Was just there in January, There is so much to do. We stayed in marathon at Seista Keys Motel Very nice place with kitchen and screened in porch. Some nice places in marathon to eat also. The only problem with staying in marathin was I couldn't drink in Key West due to riding back. Also be very careful where you park if there is no meter you must walk up to corner and pay in a machine then put tag on bike/car. Also stop at information booth and they will tell you where ther is free motorcycle parking. Plenty across street from hard Rock Cafe I see in some of the hotels they say free parking so I figured that parking on the street was paid. Not sure where we are staying, I just started to look yesterday. I did notice you have to read the reviews AND the hotel description. One sounded good until they said it was clothing optional......for men!! Not gonna stay there!!!!
steamer Posted February 15, 2013 #21 Posted February 15, 2013 We stayed at Islamorada for the first nite, drove down to Key West the next morning. We went down on Wed. very little traffic. Don't head down on Friday nothing but bumper to bumper heading south. Of course that was in February. Not sure what the summer months are like. Lots of places to stay in key west but you need to book early to get the best prices.
reddevilmedic Posted February 15, 2013 #22 Posted February 15, 2013 http://www.providentresorts.com/ocean-pointe-suites/ocean-point-offers.php?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=ocean+pointe+tavernier&utm_campaign=PVR02_Ocean_Pointe_2013_Brand&_vsrefdom=PVR02-OceanPointe20off&gclid=CPKt7-eoubUCFe4-MgodlRAAEQ.
rickardracing Posted February 15, 2013 Author #23 Posted February 15, 2013 http://www.providentresorts.com/ocean-pointe-suites/ocean-point-offers.php?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=ocean+pointe+tavernier&utm_campaign=PVR02_Ocean_Pointe_2013_Brand&_vsrefdom=PVR02-OceanPointe20off&gclid=CPKt7-eoubUCFe4-MgodlRAAEQ. That looks nice. Definately a consideration! Thanx!!
etcswjoe Posted February 15, 2013 #24 Posted February 15, 2013 Last time I checked If you are military active or retired you can stay in the Q for around 60 a night.
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