Discussion
We have booked to go to the Keys early October for just over a week and I have started looking at things to do there. We will be staying on Key Largo, the idea being the Keys and Everglades are both accessible from there.
So far the list is:
Drive the Overseas Highway.
-John Pennekamp Park, Snorkeling and Kayaking (or canoe).
-Theatre of Seas - Mrs T wants to swim with dolphins.
-Visit Ernest Hemmingway's House.
-Dry Tortugas National Park, plan is seaplane rather than ferry.
-Everglades
Any other 'must do' places to see things to do would be appreciated.
Have booked a Toyota Versa which will be upgraded at the airport, what to is undecided.
Ta
CT
So far the list is:
Drive the Overseas Highway.
-John Pennekamp Park, Snorkeling and Kayaking (or canoe).
-Theatre of Seas - Mrs T wants to swim with dolphins.
-Visit Ernest Hemmingway's House.
-Dry Tortugas National Park, plan is seaplane rather than ferry.
-Everglades
Any other 'must do' places to see things to do would be appreciated.
Have booked a Toyota Versa which will be upgraded at the airport, what to is undecided.
Ta
CT
Aye, hence the first thing on the list is drive the overseas highway 
The flight to The Dry Tortugas also goes from Key West, plan is to drive down leaving early morning, estimated 2-1/2hrs driving but will be more with stops, check in to a hotel, do the Hemingway house and look around other stuff, and fly to Dry Tortugas next morning and drive back up the Keys late afternoon back to Key Largo.
The flight to The Dry Tortugas also goes from Key West, plan is to drive down leaving early morning, estimated 2-1/2hrs driving but will be more with stops, check in to a hotel, do the Hemingway house and look around other stuff, and fly to Dry Tortugas next morning and drive back up the Keys late afternoon back to Key Largo.
h0b0 said:
I did Key West as a day trip from Miami a couple if years ago. We made plenty of stops on the way and were lucky with traffic. Point being, you can go the other way and spend a day in the city or Miami beach if you want
Hadn't really thought about that, going north I had planned a day in the everglades, but Miami beach might be good, and from Key Largo it is probably less than an hour drive.Cheers
CT
I am not going until early Oct, but will come back to this thread and give an update on what was good and not so good.
We did Orlando many years ago when the kids were kids, and our plan was two weeks there, ended up having enough of theme parks and had just over a week in Orlando then over to the gulf coast to relax and do watersport stuff.
We did Orlando many years ago when the kids were kids, and our plan was two weeks there, ended up having enough of theme parks and had just over a week in Orlando then over to the gulf coast to relax and do watersport stuff.
Corpulent Tosser said:
I am not going until early Oct, but will come back to this thread and give an update on what was good and not so good.
Keep an eye on the weather. We did it in October and were lucky.Took a fast catamaran to the dry tortugas and it was great. You can camp overnight there which might be a cool idea....
Mr E said:
Keep an eye on the weather. We did it in October and were lucky.
Took a fast catamaran to the dry tortugas and it was great. You can camp overnight there which might be a cool idea....
Yeah, it can get a bit blowing at that time of the year Took a fast catamaran to the dry tortugas and it was great. You can camp overnight there which might be a cool idea....
Haven't booked to go to Dry Tortugas yet but plan is to go by seaplane and just stay overnight in Keywest.
Any other tips, cool things to do/see ?
If you're heading via Homestead to the entrance to the ' Glades national park, stop at Robert Is Here for a milkshake, to soak up the local flavour, and to buy weird fruit that you've never seen before in your life.
And as you head north off Key Largo take the 905 to Card Sound Road. Over the bridge, through the toll, then stop at Alabama Jacks for snacks and drinks by the water. Plenty of local flavour there too!
If you head as far up as the Tamiami Trail on your visit of the Everglades, take the Loop Road and stop at the bridges to see the wildlife and to "hear" the silence. Big Cypress is a nice little walk, and consider a kayaking trip on the Brass River - kayaking through the tunnels in the mangrove is fun. Shark Valley with rented bikes is a pleasant way to see the Everglades.
Skip the airboat rides in my opinion - noisy abominations.
And as you head north off Key Largo take the 905 to Card Sound Road. Over the bridge, through the toll, then stop at Alabama Jacks for snacks and drinks by the water. Plenty of local flavour there too!
If you head as far up as the Tamiami Trail on your visit of the Everglades, take the Loop Road and stop at the bridges to see the wildlife and to "hear" the silence. Big Cypress is a nice little walk, and consider a kayaking trip on the Brass River - kayaking through the tunnels in the mangrove is fun. Shark Valley with rented bikes is a pleasant way to see the Everglades.
Skip the airboat rides in my opinion - noisy abominations.
Thanks YP
Plans for Everglades so far is Anhinga Trail, would you suggest skipping that and going to Shark Valley instead or is it viable to do both on a day trip ?
Alabama Jacks is now on the list of places to eat/drink
Thanks for the suggestions
[edit] Just been on the website and Robert Is Here, could be renamed Robert Is Here November To August, they are closed Sept/Oct which is a pity as it looks really good.
Plans for Everglades so far is Anhinga Trail, would you suggest skipping that and going to Shark Valley instead or is it viable to do both on a day trip ?
Alabama Jacks is now on the list of places to eat/drink
Thanks for the suggestions
[edit] Just been on the website and Robert Is Here, could be renamed Robert Is Here November To August, they are closed Sept/Oct which is a pity as it looks really good.
Edited by Corpulent Tosser on Wednesday 31st July 12:09
Viper said:
im looking at a doing a 40 mile dirt track road through the Everglades in december, recommended by a friend. He said theres lots of wildlife to see and fun drive to, if at 20-30mph. Doesnt sound like you want to get out of the car though
Hi ViperThat's the Loop Road that I referred to. Friends went on it in a Hummer and said that you needed a 4x4, but I then went on it couple of months later (last December) in the 2wd family lugger Honda and it had been resurfaced with gravel. We had to back track the full length of it as they were doing a controlled burn of the undergrowth where it rejoins the Tamiami Trail, and at times I was doing 70 mph, so provided it hasn't been washed out by rain it isn't exactly a challenge for any car. Great place to get close and personal with the alligators, though when there's lots of rain they spread out and can be less visible.
There is an alligator farm near Homestead (just down the road from Robert Isn't Here
) where you are at least guaranteed to see all the gators, crocs and snakes. Have some good photos of my kids with snakes draped on their shoulders, so though touristy, it's good if you have young'uns with you.Take good strong Deet based mosquito repellant with you into the 'Glades.......
Corpulent Tosser said:
Plans for Everglades so far is Anhinga Trail, would you suggest skipping that and going to Shark Valley instead or is it viable to do both
Royal Palm is a pleasant 45 minute stroll on raised walkways, normally lots of birds, fish and gators. Don't bother with the Gumbo Limbo trail next to it - the mozzies under the trees'll eat you alive.A bit further on is the Pa-hay-okee overlook that I loved. Only a 15 minute stop but the scenery is great.
Shark valley at least makes you feel like you've done a bit of exercise, 14 miles round trip on bikes with an observatory half way round. Take plenty of water, though the tourists trams will sell you cold bottles if you run out.
I reckon you could do all 3 easily enough, then head back to Key Largo for moquitos to recover!
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