SusieCruises Posted July 8, 2013 #51 Share Posted July 8, 2013 I loved reading all these suggestions. We are going to be in Key West in January on the Freedom. Hoping for pleasant weather. I was there a few years ago in late May and Oh My Goodness! ....the heat and humidity was really something! Had to cut my walking trip short. I really hope that it will be better in January. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duchess748 Posted August 19, 2013 #52 Share Posted August 19, 2013 We will be driving down for a day from Islamorada. I understand this is more of a walking town, any recommendations on where to park for free perhaps? I think we will end the day with dinner at Latitude Westin Resort if that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plattwear Posted August 20, 2013 #53 Share Posted August 20, 2013 (edited) Thank you OP and the others for all of your suggestions for Key West. I did add one of them to our to-do list for Sept 3rd while we are in Key West on the Conquest. We are going to Fort Zachary Beach. Will we able to catch a cab fairly easy to get there? I am not interested in walking that far. ty vm :cool: Edited August 20, 2013 by plattwear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigi1313 Posted August 20, 2013 #54 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Where does DCL dock? Mallory or elsewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted August 20, 2013 #55 Share Posted August 20, 2013 (edited) Where does DCL dock? Mallory or elsewhere? Only very small ships can dock at Mallory. DCL does not dock there. According to the calendar, Magic will be on Pier B on Jan 4, 2014. That is the Westin Pier next to Mallory. Edited August 20, 2013 by Aquahound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgee Posted August 20, 2013 #56 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Hi, Thank you for all the wonderful information! Georgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keywester33 Posted August 24, 2013 #57 Share Posted August 24, 2013 This is meant to be WALKED not driven, not too many places to rent cars at the port, and im sure most cruise passengers wouldn't rent a car for the 4-5 hours that the ship is there... there are sidewalks on BOTH sides of Fleming, so its perfectly safe to walk the short block to whitehead. There is a big difference between a "Safe" area and an area that is "PERCEIVED" as not safe. I am sure most areas west of whitehead are "safe", but it is far from "Perceived" as safe for tourists. Im sure if you live there, your perspective is different, but for a visitor, Key west has ALOT of work to do to make their "PERCEIVED" image west of whitehead better. Please tell us what drives this "perception"? Bahama Village is one of the few residential areas in Old Town still full of locals and families, many who have been there for generations. I find your reference to it as a "slum" offensive. I also can't believe you recommend eating cheap hot dogs at a Circle K, rather then digging in your pocket for an extra couple dollars and having a Cuban Mix or some peel and eat Key West Pinks. You know, things you don't find at home or in every 7-11 and rest area in America. To each his own... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Luvs2cruise Posted August 25, 2013 #58 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Since we live in Florida, we drive to Key West a couple times a year. We will be on the Oasis on 5/4 which stops there, first time i'll be there by boat. So for everyone stopping there, here are a few *FREE* things to do, that will pretty much take up the whole time you are there, its all walkable, i've done them many times myself and with my family. First a few things about Key West. There are 2 main streets, Duval and Whitehead. you don't want to venture further east than Whitehead. Not that it isn't safe, but you want to avoid it, thats the border of the "slum" area, but Whitehead is ok, a lot of tourist stuff is there. Duval is the main tourist street. (they run parallel to each other). If you get tired of walking, you will see these "Pedi-cabs" all over, they will try to charge you by the minute.. rip off… but you can negotiate.. offer $10-$20 or so to take you to a fixed place (depending where you are on duval), they can negotiate and many will, otherwise walk it. I suggest walking, its only about a 20-30 min walk from one end of duval to the other. The boat will dock just outside of Mallory Square. Unfortunately, we won't be there at night which is too bad, mallory square at night is the main reason to go to Key West, the street performers are awesome. But here is some free stuff i suggest doing, and how to get there, I'm going in order of whats closest to the ship area, so you want to go in this order. Google search the places, and do a maps on them to see where they are. 1) Key West Sculpture Garden at Mallory Square - Free This is a little area with all statues of famous key west people, easy to blow an hour here, very interesting and historical. Same area as the ship. 2) Florida Keys Eco Center - Free This is an indoor museum near the ship of all the sea life and stuff.. Air Conditioned and they show a movie every 1/2 hour or so that is really interesting. Definately worth a stop. 3) The Start of US 1 - Free. This is another famous landmark for those of us that are from the east coast.. the start of Route 1. To get here, go down Duval St, and turn right on Fleming St to Whitehead. That Intersection is it.. one side is "The End" (south), and the other is "The Start", there is a pole there, take pics… This is hard to find if you don't know where it is. 4) Walk all the way to the end of Whitehead. you are at the "Southernmost Point of the US". Take Pictures. 5) Go west back to Duval, you are at "South Beach" Great restaurant on the beach, the beach faces south, so there are usually very few waves, and the water temperature is pretty high, and its really shallow.. great for kids.. you walk 200 yards out and you might be up to your waist. Water temp probably close to 90 degrees. Lots of seaweed.. (you don't go to key west for the beaches). 6) Walk all the way back to ship on Duval. There is a Circle K (a convenience store like 7-11) on the right, you can get soda for $1-2, hotdogs etc.. just like 7-11, cheap junk food, but load up there, every other place is overpriced. While coming back, you will find stores that sell shirts and stuff for like $5.. buy them there. 7) If you still have time, investigate around Mallory Square, lots of neat stuff there too. Follow these steps, and by the time you're done, the ship will be ready to leave. Thanks for all the great info! You touched on everyplace we wanted to go. How long does it take to walk to the Southern most point marker from the ship? This is our first time to go to KW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLG8RGRL Posted August 26, 2013 #59 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Since we live in Florida, we drive to Key West a couple times a year. We will be on the Imagination on 5/20 which stops there, first time i'll be there by boat. So for everyone stopping there, here are a few *FREE* things to do, that will pretty much take up the whole time you are there, its all walkable, i've done them many times myself and with my family. First a few things about Key West. There are 2 main streets, Duval and Whitehead. you don't want to venture further east than Whitehead. Not that it isn't safe, but you want to avoid it, thats the border of the "slum" area, but Whitehead is ok, a lot of tourist stuff is there. Duval is the main tourist street. (they run parallel to each other). If you get tired of walking, you will see these "Pedi-cabs" all over, they will try to charge you by the minute.. rip off… but you can negotiate.. offer $10-$20 or so to take you to a fixed place (depending where you are on duval), they can negotiate and many will, otherwise walk it. I suggest walking, its only about a 20-30 min walk from one end of duval to the other. The boat will dock just outside of Mallory Square. Unfortunately, we won't be there at night which is too bad, mallory square at night is the main reason to go to Key West, the street performers are awesome. But here is some free stuff i suggest doing, and how to get there, I'm going in order of whats closest to the ship area, so you want to go in this order. Google search the places, and do a maps on them to see where they are. Stuff to Do ======== 1) Key West Sculpture Garden at Mallory Square - Free This is a little area with all statues of famous key west people, easy to blow an hour here, very interesting and historical. Same area as the ship. 2) Florida Keys Eco Center - Free This is an indoor museum near the ship of all the sea life and stuff.. Air Conditioned and they show a movie every 1/2 hour or so that is really interesting. Definately worth a stop. 3) The Start of US 1 - Free. This is another famous landmark for those of us that are from the east coast.. the start of Route 1. To get here, go down Duval St, and turn right on Fleming St to Whitehead. That Intersection is it.. one side is "The End" (south), and the other is "The Start", there is a pole there, take pics… This is hard to find if you don't know where it is. 4) Walk all the way to the end of Whitehead. you are at the "Southernmost Point of the US". Take Pictures. 5) Go west back to Duval, you are at "South Beach" Great restaurant on the beach, the beach faces south, so there are usually very few waves, and the water temperature is pretty high, and its really shallow.. great for kids.. you walk 200 yards out and you might be up to your waist. Water temp probably close to 90 degrees. Lots of seaweed.. (you don't go to key west for the beaches). 6) Walk all the way back to ship on Duval. There is a Circle K (a convenience store like 7-11) on the right, you can get soda for $1-2, hotdogs etc.. just like 7-11, cheap junk food, but load up there, every other place is overpriced. While coming back, you will find stores that sell shirts and stuff for like $5.. buy them there. 7) If you still have time, investigate around Mallory Square, lots of neat stuff there too. Follow these steps, and by the time you're done, the ship will be ready to leave. Thanks for this information it was and will be very helpful for our cruise in Dec. I was wondering if you could actually walk all of Key West sounds like you can!!! Again Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deedle7544 Posted August 26, 2013 #60 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Has anyone heard of some sort of tourist booths or kiosks that have 2 4 1 coupons for some of the pubs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d4nigirl Posted August 27, 2013 #61 Share Posted August 27, 2013 There are booths all over the place, just ask them! There's a lovely webcam right outside Sloppy Joe's bar that you can have your loved ones view to see you and be jealous of while you're vacationing and they're not. Walking around Old Town is just lovely in itself since there's so much to see, it's great for people watching. We did this a lot on our visit down last week for our honeymoon. It was definitely a highlight of our trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted September 14, 2013 #62 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Beach ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelleum Posted September 21, 2013 #63 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Thanks, for the information on the free things to do in Key West. I'm going there for the first time in January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zelly2 Posted September 27, 2013 #64 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I will be there in December on the Serande of the Seas and look forward to exploring. Thanks for info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momis2 Posted September 27, 2013 #65 Share Posted September 27, 2013 hot sauce tasting at peppers :D Tell me more about this!! DH is a hot sauce fanatic and we will be in Key West this January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhopal21 Posted September 27, 2013 #66 Share Posted September 27, 2013 (edited) Tell me more about this!! DH is a hot sauce fanatic and we will be in Key West this January. Peppers of Key West is located on Green Street just down from Kermit's Key Lime Pie. They have free tastings of most all their sauces. http://www.peppersofkeywest.com Mike:) Edited September 27, 2013 by bhopal21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecs ado rojo Posted October 3, 2013 #67 Share Posted October 3, 2013 (edited) Southern most point in the continental U.S. you mean. Hawaii is much further south, but Floridians tend to forget that. :p:D Pretty sure Key West is an island too. :D Edited October 3, 2013 by Pecs ado rojo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabelgirls Posted April 20, 2014 #68 Share Posted April 20, 2014 What great info on here!! We will be here in August and are trying to figure out what to do with two teens!! I think a walking tour on our own would be good for our few hours that we are on in port! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caramelsunset Posted April 22, 2014 #69 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Great info. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minniegidget Posted April 24, 2014 #70 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Thanks this is great information for Key West Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_krynicki Posted April 25, 2014 #71 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Here, whet your whistle ---> http://www.keywestharborwebcam.com/ Pjk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishIwerethere Posted May 19, 2014 #72 Share Posted May 19, 2014 I think you forgot the number 1 free thing to do in Key West: People watch. Yup ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawgtuf Posted May 30, 2014 #73 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Is there anywhere to do a dolphin swim excursion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhopal21 Posted May 30, 2014 #74 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Is there anywhere to do a dolphin swim excursion? Not in Key West. Mike:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof3cruisers Posted June 16, 2014 #75 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Thanks to all who have posted. Lots of good ideas. I'm not able to walk a lot so we'll be using one of the trolleys for our main getting around, but I was happy to read the info and that many places near the stops are free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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