Key West

I recently enjoyed a weekend in Key West which I go to as a weekend getaway. It is an easy 2-4 hour drive from Miami. This is considered one of the world's most beautiful drives. When leaving Miami, there are two choices: one is to go to Card Sound Road, which is considered a more old Miami route and will take you past some old fishing areas. The other is to go directly into Key Largo via US 1, which will save you a $1 toll. This road has been under construction for a few years, to assist with the evacuation routes out of Key West when there is a hurricane. This is not really an inconvenience since the work is almost done. There are many beautiful stops along the way and I usually bring a picnic lunch to eat at one of the roadside beaches, before getting to Key West. A word of caution, there are a lot of speed traps along the route so be careful not to speed and take care to check posted speed limits. Upon arrival there are a number of options for accommodations. Of course, most of the large hotel chains have accommodations on the island. To really get a feel for the island, it is better to stay in one of the guest houses on the island. These are located, for the most part, in the old town section of Key West. The nicest of these are in the old, renovated conch houses that were built around the turn of the century, or even before. Some of my favorites are The Mermaid and the Alligator, The Heron House, Alexander's Guest House and the Curry House. A good way to get a feel for the island is to just walk the island. The whole island is only about 3x5 miles and the old town section is very easy on the eye. A lot of people enjoy hopping on the Conch Train, which takes the visitor around the island on a 1-1 1/2 hour tour of the island and points out the most interesting points of the island. This is a great way to pick out points that you would like to go back and visit. One of my favorite places to visit is the Hemingway House, http://www.hemingwayhome.com/in which the author Ernest Hemingway lived for years. This is where you will find the 6 toed cats, that populate the house. Tours are about $10 and well worth the historical interest. There are a number of other interesting tours that can be done, such as the Audubon house, the Key West Aquarium, which has a hands on section. The Little White House http://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com/is a wonderful tour that takes you through the Little White House that was used by Presidents of the United States for vacation many years ago. My favorite overall, is the original site of the very first Pan Am flight, which was from Key West to Havana Cuba. The office is now a restaurant, www.kellyskeywest.com , and you can find some Pan Am memorabilia there also. You will find a fantastic assortment of dining options on the island. The best, in my opinion, is Blue Heaven. http://blueheavenkw.homestead.com/Blue_Heaven_Restaurant_Key_West.html. If you go early enough in the evening and sit outside, you will be able to enjoy a wonderful, freshly cooked meal, while the chickens run around your feet. The restaurant is in a lovely outdoor setting and in the evenings you will often find a singer or small band playing live music. I highly recommend the snapper, and the banana heaven, which are always on the menu. This is a do not miss restaurant. Another fine restaurant, but requiring reservations, is Seven Fish, http://www.7fish.com/, a very small but somewhat upscale (for the island), restaurant specializing in...fish. Evening entertainment on the island begins with a sunset at Mallory Square, where street performers put on a show, while the sun sets behind the islands in the background. An evening walk down Duvall Street will bring you to a lot of different bars and dance clubs for different tastes. If you in the mood for something a little different, take in the drag show at Bourbon Pub http://www.801bourbon.com/ on Duvall. Bring your dollar bills to tip the drag queens as they lip sinc some crazy songs with even crazier acts. If that is not your taste, there are pleanty of other bars and clubs along Duval Street to enjoy. A trip to Key West is also enhanced by a snorkle trip to view the many fish and coral around the island. Many different options are available from sailing ships to booze cruises. Ask your guest house for the best deals on the island. There are few beach choices on the island due to the rocky make up of the island itself, and shade is a premium on the few beaches that there are. It is important to find yourself good accomidations with a great pool area in case the beaches that are on the island are not quite up to your standards. A small airport serves the island and flights from Miami, Tampa and other nearby cities are available, however, the drive from Miami is something that should be taken in at least once in your life. Key West...One Human Family.