So, in lieu of those HUGE jamaica air line tickets . . .I have found another option.
Staying in the country this vacation. ....

Key West - here i come!!

I would welcome any suggestions for good coffee locations while there !! LOL

If anyone has been to Key West, I would invite you to post here. Photos are welcome as well.

Thanks

Wanda be in a KeyWest mindset!

Had a good friend who lived/worked there-but its been quite a few years-so info may not be relevant/out-dated..I, myself, have never been-but it's another place on "my travel list"...
So I will be anxiously awaiting a trip report with pics when you get back..

When are going???

You know, I was in Key West once. I made the mistake of going in the winter. We rented a convertible and drove from Miami...the weather was in the low '50's and drizzling the entire time. I would imagine the Keys in general would be AWESOME in nice weather. It wasn't so much fun in bad weather. BUT - I did enjoy the chicken experiences (the chicken is their city's bird), sitting in a bar where Ernest Hemingway sat and visiting his home with all those cats. Its a cool little town. I have a friend that is in the process of opening a restaurant there but not for another year I don't think (maybe sooner). Have a great time. It looks to really be a charmer.

There is a lot of this going around. A friend and I had just discussed this same thing just a few days ago. I've never been to Key West -- just seems like the right time now that air to JA has gone from $324 in January to $800+.

I was there for day. Did the drive from Miami which is further than I thought, should have spent the night. Was a different kind of place, alot of freaky people around. I remember a very happening outdoor bar but would never remember the name. Beach was nice but I think it was muddy and/or weedy in the water where we were. This was 10-11 years ago so a little vague about details. I also remember there being street performers in the evening.
Somewhere I have a picture (like millions more) of me standing next to a marker proclaiming it the southermost spot of the United States.

Key West is awesome!!!! It's my favorite place in FL & I've lived here 30+ years. Because of the distance I haven't been there often, enough to know it's my #1 FL destination. It's no longer the place I first visited when I was in the Keys (Key Largo to be exact) for my scuba certification open water dive test 30 years ago this month. After the dive my mom & I drove the rest of the way to Key West. This was after already driving to Key Largo from Lakeland, where I lived at the time. Long drive. I love visiting the historical sites. There are many more than the Hemingway House. I always take the tour on the Conch Train. There's loads of shopping, even into the night, as there is so much activity. Mallory Square at sunset is a must do. Many outdoor cafes & restaurants. Last trip 7-8 years ago I stayed w/ my then boyfriend & his teenage son at a great little bed & breakfast. Ditto on my last trip prior to that one in '94. Each had a pool tucked into the gardens. If I were to take a vacation in FL, that's the spot. If I want to just do a veg on the beach vacation, I'd go closer to home. Can't help you w/ the coffee question since I don't drink it, never have.

Well, Pineapple beat me to it. Yes- we were just talking about this. Cause there AIN'T no way in hell Smokey and I are gonna pay that kind of airfare to get to a place we have already been to 20 times. We have never been to Florida. Might be fun to fly in, rent a car and hit all the keys. I'm sure we could manage to do really stupid stuff right here in the states and write about it-lol.

Suzengrace

Going in a couple of months!!! Can’t wait!! And hey, I’ll take outdated information!! LOL

RastaGrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlllllllllllll

Have heard about the chickens sharing space near tables in outdoor restaurants!
Some countries get geckos – I’ll now be getting chickens!! Hahahaha

Pineapple

I will be in Key West for 7 glorious days!!!!

Tim

Thanks for the information. I love street performing and any type of theatre/arts!
Have heard there are some incredible art galleries there!!! I plan to do a lot of walking and checking those out!

Yvonne

I DO plan to take the Conch train and familiarize myself with the town on the second day there!!
Will plan for Mallory Square and adore a sunset!!

Sophie

Quoting Sophie, “I'm sure we could manage to do really stupid stuff right here in the states and write about it-lol.”
Okay that comment gave me a REALLY good chuckle for the day! (makes me think of me) lol

Thanks to everyone for posting!! I am so excited about this trip!
AND I got it with frequent flyer miles so am only paying $10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wanda be in Key West w/ a beverage

I am so excited about this trip!!!

I have been running mapquest from my B&B to all the spots I want to see!! LOL

Two of them are coffee shops!

I think I am going to HAVE to do a lot of walking for all the EATING I want to do!

Deb,

I will be back to tell stories abou the reach once it has happened!!

Don't know about a coffee place, as I've never been there, Wanda, however......if you're a snorkeler, it's on my bucket list to go to the John Pennekamp State Park & go snorkeling there. Apparently a wonderful reef still at this point. As you may know, we're losing a lot of the reefs in our world for various reasons (of which we people are most of the cause!) & I plan to see it before it goes away!