Key West 5-year Wedding Anniversary Vacation

What a week in the Florida Keys and Key West.  The weather was 85-92 degrees and sunny everyday and 75-80 at night.  It was a perfect time to be in Key West!

We flew from Detroit, Michigan after staying the night at the Marriot and doing the park and fly package.  Most of the local hotels have the same deal.  We had my inlaws with us so we decided to book a nice place with comfortable beds.  It worked out perfect for all of us.  The park and fly was smooth and easy to navigate to the areas we needed.

Miami Airport is nothing less than gross.  It really needs some rebuilding and it smells like mildew.  I have always found it difficult to fly through Miami.  I personally prefer Fort Lauderdale but for the price difference it was not worth it.

We flew Northwest and I am not really sure why.  I guess that they had a great deal on non stop flights.  Other lines we had to make a stop.  I personally suggest staying away Northwest.  In my numerous trips that I have taken Northwest it always seems like something is messed up.  Our flight was not on time going down and on the way back they seated me and my wife in different rows???  And they wanted to charge us for sitting together???  We booked like a year ago!  I was not happy, if you can’t tell.  We ended up sitting together but the nerve they have…  We also had to pay $15/bag check in.

The rental car through Hertz went fine.  We had a Ford Focus which was comfortable.  Our in laws flew and road with us to and back from Key West.

We planned on taking our time through the Florida Keys stopping along the way for key lime pie.

Here are my best of selections for the Keys, this is taking into account the 10+ times I have been to Key West.

Key Lime Pie ~ Mrs. Macs Kitchen in the south end of Key Largo is the winner.  Try the Key Lime Shake too.  Shortly behind is the Blond Giraffe with their key lime pie on the stick.

Seared Tuna ~ The Southernmost Cafe had Sesame seed encrusted seared Tuna that was awesome the first time I tried it and just OK the second time.

Yellowtail Snapper ~ Blue Heaven rains supreme with their delicious sauce and perfectly cooked tail.

Grouper ~ Louie’s Backyard is great for grouper and Blue Heaven is awesome too.

Oysters and Clams ~ Jack’s Seafood under or hotel the Crown Plaza La Concha is fantastic.

Conch fritters ~ Lorelei in Islamorada keeps the crown on this.  I tried to find better but still the combination of their sauce and the fritters is awesome.  Hog Heaven is a close second too.

Mojito ~ Louie’s Backyard and Blue Heaven get a tie for this.

Coolest bar in Key West ~ tie between Schooner Wharf and Green Parrot ~ Schooner has the water and Parrot has the attitude

Best place to watch sunset in Key West ~ hands down the top of the Crown Plaza La Concha

Must have drinks in Key West ~ Pirate’s Punch at Capt Tony’s and Hogarita at Hogs Heaven

Best Lunch in Key West ~ Hogfish Bar and Grill on Stock Island for their Killer Hogfish Sandwich.  I hear dinner is fabulous too.

Best breakfast in Key West ~ croissants de France and Camille’s are awesome

Best Snorkeling ~ Looe Key Dive Resort at Mile Marker 27.5 is by far the best snorkeling reef and boat.

Best Beach ~ Fort Zachary State Park is, no contest.

Cuban Sandwich in Key West ~ there is a little store on South Street bad a grocery store that is fantastic, can’t remember the name.

Great Art ~ Check out the Kennedy Gallery along the Key West Bight near Turle Kraals.  By the way, Turtle Kraals smoked beef is fantastic!

Places to stay clear of in Key West ~

Conch Republic Seafood Company has great food but the prices are ridiculous and the atmosphere is terrible, stuffy, and just not the Key West relaxing. The t-shirt shops on Duval can go, bring them back for spring break.

Try to venture off of Duval and see the shops and galleries off of Duval.  Usually you will find better prices and more unique items too.

We stayed at the Crown Plaza La Concha.  This was our first resort place in Key West that we tried and it was because of the location at 420 Duval.  We loved the location but missed the bed and breakfast atmosphere.  The pool was OK and the rooftop view was the best.  Our room was small and old.  The room looked like it should be in New Orleans.  Duval was VERY noisy too in the morning with street cleaning, blowing garbage, empting garbage, and a few drunk yells.  I would suggest a room in the rear if staying there.  The staff kindly brought a free refrigerator to our room for our stay.  They normally charge $25/night.  Overall I would give the Crown Plaza a 7 out of 10.   When we come back we will be in a bed and breakfast or a house.

We did a lot of walking and relaxing during the trip.  Plans were to do more trips but, in the end, just chilling was what we decided.  It was a perfect and relaxing trip.  We plan on returning sometime down the road.  Hopefully Key West doesn’t change too much.  They could afford closing a few dozen t-shirt shops though.:-)

Review of Key West and the Florida Keys