Update: I’ve made some revisions to this post, since some things have changed and have been back a few times.
Discoveries from our recent trips to Key West
We’ve stayed here twice and will probably be back. The hotel is right on Duval street and is considered a skyscraper with 6 floors. The La Concha is a Crowne Plaza, so if you are an IHG member you might be able to use your points.
If you’re looking for someplace to stay that is quiet I recommend checking out The Grand Guesthouse. It’s a great Bed & Breakfast with fantastic service. The rooms are pretty spacious, and I believe there are one or two with private patios. Free continental breakfast is available every day and they even have wine and beer in the afternoon for all the guest.
Where to Eat and Drink
I love Thai food and this place definitely delivers. Don’t forget to save room for Thai donuts! Great location too, you can watch the sunset from Mallory Square and walk right over afterward for dinner.
This is a very chill bar on Duval Street in a converted home offering craft beer, wine, cocktails, and cigars. It’s really nice to sit on the porch and enjoy a drink and enjoy the people watching on Duval Street.
The food is always good and there’s a good selection of beer. We always make a stop here at some point during our trip.
You have to have Key Lime Pie when you visit Key West and the place to go is Kermit’s. You really can’t miss it, it’s everywhere. If you go at the right time you might me Kermi and his dog, Pirate. I always grab a huge bag of the Key Lime cookies.
Better Than Sex
If you’re looking for dessert, check out Better Than Sex, which is an experience in itself. I’m not a big chocolate person (unless you are talking about white chocolate), but I still enjoy a good dessert. It was great and reasonably priced. For our party of six, we spent about $15/person.
Things to Do
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
Fact: I don’t care for Ernest Hemingway, but I love his home and that’s probably because of the Hemingway cats. Admission is $14 and includes a guided tour. The tour is optional, so if you’re like me you can just walk around and hang out with the cats for a while.
Bike Rentals
There are several places to rent a bike in Key West. The Grand Guesthouse has them available for rent if you’re a guest. It’s a great way to get around the island since there’s no parking and the streets can be busy.
Key West Tours
There are two tours you can take while in Key West; The Conch Train and the Old Town Trolley Tour. Both are pretty easy and great. The Old Town Trolley Tour will take you to the other side of the island where the big hotels and airport are located. You can hop on and off both of them throughout the day.
If you are looking to get on the water I highly recommend checking out Fury. They have a wide range of fun excursions that are affordable. It’s a great way to experience Key West. Below are some of the activities we’ve booked with Fury.
Key West Glass Bottom Boat Tour
Back in 2017 tt was $300 for an hour and up to six people. They provide a cooler, ice, water, soft drinks, and cups. You can bring your own alcohol. We brought champagne to add a little something to the evening.
The nighttime sail was perfect after suffering in the Florida sun all day. The water was calm and there was a nice cool breeze. Once we sailed further away from the coast and lights of Key West were able to really see the stars.
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