Key West, Florida: I'll be taking a trip to the Florida Keys in May and was wondering if any of you could give suggestions on how to see and photo the Keys I? will have two, maybe...

cspear42 Loc: New Mexico

I'll be taking a trip to the Florida Keys in May and was wondering if any of you could give suggestions on how to see and photo the Keys I? will have two, maybe three days for this visit. I could take a boat from Ft. Myers to Key West or we could drive. Is taking the drive worth the time so we can see each of the islands? Where would you recommend staying, eating, etc. Thanks for the help.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

The drive in itself is very interesting. We spent around a week in Key West but decided on the least expensive accommodation. Many, Many choices of places to eat.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

cspear42 wrote:

I'll be taking a trip to the Florida Keys in May and was wondering if any of you could give suggestions on how to see and photo the Keys I? will have two, maybe three days for this visit. I could take a boat from Ft. Myers to Key West or we could drive. Is taking the drive worth the time so we can see each of the islands? Where would you recommend staying, eating, etc. Thanks for the help.

Tripadvisor.com

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

It's a long, often slow drive with heavy traffic. Don't get in a rush. Lots to see on the way. It's just a narrow strip with countless bridges. As to KW I'd just walk around and see what appeals to you. Many old intriguing homes & buildings, tropical plants & what not. Finding a parking spot can be a challenge sometimes. We stay at the Sheraton not far from the KW airport or in Islamorada, about half way from Largo to KW. There we stay at Coral Bay resort. It's and older place with charming grounds and good photo ops right there. You are traveling at the peak of tarpon season so the waters will be littered with flats boats & flycasters. If shooting flycasters the area around Long Key and the nearby bridges should prove fruitful. The sun can be intense in May, get a good brimmed hat. Dinner at Ziggy & Maddog's in that area is quite good dining. Hope you like the Keys. We do.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Mallory Square at sunset.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

As previously mentioned the drive is long and slow, especially in winter/Spring, lots of snowbirds, but also lots to see. However there are numerous places to stop, eat, visit along the way. May I suggest Bahia Hondo State park, a beautiful small key with a great state park, take a swim. Stop and see some of the historical fishing businesses along the way (Marathon, Islamorada), walk their docks to see tarpon and other fish lingering around. Good time of year to go, not the brutally hot summer. Key West....the architecture, the homes, the cats, the chickens, the bars.....ENJOY!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

cspear42 wrote:

I'll be taking a trip to the Florida Keys in May and was wondering if any of you could give suggestions on how to see and photo the Keys I? will have two, maybe three days for this visit. I could take a boat from Ft. Myers to Key West or we could drive. Is taking the drive worth the time so we can see each of the islands? Where would you recommend staying, eating, etc. Thanks for the help.

The drive is long. I've never taken a boat. Since you are on short time have you considered flying?
Mallory Square at sunset is almost mandatory.
My favorite bar/restaurant is Schooner Wharf Bar on William St.

p.s. Don't get stuck on Duval St. There is more to see and do other than Duval St.

polonois Loc: Lancaster County,PA.

I have been there over 20 times. If your looking for photo oops. I would visit, Fort Zachery Taylor, The Key West cemetery, of course Mallory square at sunset, Earnest Hemingway's home. You may even like Sloppy Joes bar or Captain Tony's. The aquarium and the Mel Fisher museum are OK but not many photo oops there. Just walking downtown is very good. If you need to see all the high points. You may want to take the Conch train or the Old Town trolley. The old Town Trolley is a bit better if like to get off to explore and then get back on. You can get off as many times as you like as long as you continue forward on the tour when you get back on. I would take one whole day and get the seaplane trip on stock island to Fort Jefferson ( the dry tortugas). The photo oops there are amazing also the history. As for a place to stay. I have stayed just about everywhere on the island but for me it would have to be The Casa Marina Resort (Flagler's Grand Hotel) It is so rich in heritage and beautiful.It's also a stop on the conch train. Have a great trip I wish I could go.

JPL

cspear42 wrote:

I'll be taking a trip to the Florida Keys in May and was wondering if any of you could give suggestions on how to see and photo the Keys I? will have two, maybe three days for this visit. I could take a boat from Ft. Myers to Key West or we could drive. Is taking the drive worth the time so we can see each of the islands? Where would you recommend staying, eating, etc. Thanks for the help.

Been there done that. I would recommend you driving and stopping on the way. Some of the bridges will make good photos. Hemingway's house is excellent place to visit. Lots of cats and big garden a plus. There is plenty of photo ops everywhere. Enjoy!

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

I was just there a month ago. Be sure to take your polarizer for water shots. The water is very shallow and has many interesting shades of blue to turquoise. All of the above suggestions are good. You'll find photo ops everywhere, from roosters to tropical scenes to old mansions, there's everything you'd want. Great opportunities for macro shots, with tropical vegetation in bloom.

As far as getting there, the previous post about driving has been confirmed by many with whom I've spoken. Most native Floridians take the boat from Fort Myers, or wherever else they're from, to avoid the traffic problems, although many say to do the drive at least once, due to beauty. I drove it once, many years ago. More recently, I've flown directly into Key West.

kenneil Loc: Jupiter, Fl, Ochlocknee, Ga, Iron Range, Mn

The drive to Key West is like being able to drive your car through the Abaco out islands in the Bahamas.... breath taking! Enjoy the experience and take your time. Photo ops everywhere you look. ;-)

Bumtree Loc: South Florida

I have been there many times, the drive is amazing, I would take card sound road,stop at Alabama jacks for conch fritters, then Gilbert's, definitely stop at Robbie to feed the tarpon,just past Bahia Honda SP. On the west side of A1A. Is a small parking lot,you can walk to a great spot for sunset, at the same spot you can walk under A1A for sunrise of the old train bridge. So many photo op everywhere. Enjoy

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

cspear42 wrote:

I'll be taking a trip to the Florida Keys in May and was wondering if any of you could give suggestions on how to see and photo the Keys I? will have two, maybe three days for this visit. I could take a boat from Ft. Myers to Key West or we could drive. Is taking the drive worth the time so we can see each of the islands? Where would you recommend staying, eating, etc. Thanks for the help.

We've been there a lot and have stayed in Marathon for the ability to (fairly) easily travel either way on Route 1 (toward Miami or toward Key West) as Marathon is almost exactly half way down the Keys. I haven't been down there since Irma and understand that they are still in recovery mode. Much of the area from Marathon to Key West was devastated and many of the sights and spots are either gone or under repair. As a film buff, be sure to stop at the hotel/motel at Key Largo (I think... shortly after you get started in the Keys) and see the original African Queen old steamer boat. It was disappointing in size but interesting in history.
NOTE: the Key Lime Pie is okay but so commercialized that the "famous Key Lime Pie) places are over priced and the pie not nearly as good as many of the other places in the keys. Having said that, be sure to catch a sunrise or sunset at the rest area on the south end of 7mile bridge (just past Marathon).

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

Coming from New Mexico you probably used to heat, but be prepared for the humidity. It may be like nothing you have ever experienced. At least you are not in hurricane season. You would not want to driving during an evacuation. I have driven and taken a boat from Miami and the boat ride can take 6 hours without stopping. It felt longer, but at least we had a place to stay once we arrived. The ride home seemed even longer. Use golden hours for photography and use mid-day for beer. The (hopefully) bright mid-day sun will not produce great photos anyway

Dan Mc Loc: NM

Hemingway House and the Butterfly House for great shots of those things of every variety!! Duval Street for the local nutcases (like Bourbon Street in New Orleans). Mallory Square in the afternoon/evening for street performers and a great sunset!