Must do places in Florida Keys

[munmun]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

I love that! To me, this is what the Keys is all about. Some of the very best experiences cost nothing and no amount of commercialism or money grabbing can disguise this fact.
Back to my walking the disused 7 mile bridge!

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The first time we went to the Keys the 1980s we went because as a child my husband had read about the bridges in National Geographic when he was a child.

Sadly you can walk the whole old seven mile in one go anymore. There is a great bike hire shop Marathon end to bike some and you can get a boat trip, tickets from the old rail carriage to the island below the bridge and learn about the Flagler railroad.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by munmun

The first time we went to the Keys the 1980s we went because as a child my husband had read about the bridges in National Geographic when he was a child.

Sadly you can walk the whole old seven mile in one go anymore. There is a great bike hire shop Marathon end to bike some and you can get a boat trip, tickets from the old rail carriage to the island below the bridge and learn about the Flagler railroad.

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I think you mean ‘cannot’ walk the 7 miles. I went as far as the missing segment. A great experience.

[ChrisS]

I believe they intend [or did] to restructure the old bridge to fully open the Marathon to KW route to walkers/cyclists, if still on the cards it'll likely take a lot of work.

Driven over the 7 Mile Bridge in a convertible a few times, great bit of fun with the sun and wind on us whilst looking out where the Atlantic meets the Gulf of Mexico

[munmun]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

I think you mean ‘cannot’ walk the 7 miles. I went as far as the missing segment. A great experience.

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Yes CFB your right

[EatandPlay]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

I love that! To me, this is what the Keys is all about. Some of the very best experiences cost nothing and no amount of commercialism or money grabbing can disguise this fact.
Back to my walking the disused 7 mile bridge!

See more...

Agreed! Some of the least commercial things are amongst my favourite. For instance, in Miami, packing up a picnic and hanging out at the point in South Beach on a Sunday afternoon watching all the cruise ships depart. It's soothing and exciting at the same time, and something totally unique to Miami.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by EatandPlay

Agreed! Some of the least commercial things are amongst my favourite. For instance, in Miami, packing up a picnic and hanging out at the point in South Beach on a Sunday afternoon watching all the cruise ships depart. It's soothing and exciting at the same time, and something totally unique to Miami.

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Many people when researching an area and what to do in it, go to tripadvisor as it always comes top of the search.

What they forget is that Tripadvisor is an advertising and sales site with no interest in advising you of things that cost little or nothing.

[Kathrin71]

Pigeon Key is a great place to visit. The boat that takes you there is based in Marathon. We really enjoyed it, it's where the workers that built the original 7 mile bridge were based. Our guide was fantastic and we really enjoyed it.
pigeonkey/tour-schedule/

[porridge]

Originally Posted by flutterby

Thanks for all the suggestions, will have a look at them and see what suits. Was hoping to do a day in Key West, a day in Key Largo area and a day in the Marathon area.
Is there anything worthwhile doing in Miami while we wait for the rest of our group to land at Miami airport? Probably will have about 5/6 hours to fill by the time we’ve driven from Marathon.

Also is there a pickup area where we can wait at Miami airport, does anyone know?

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Key west: Ernest Hemingway’s house, little land train tour, maybe a boat trip, Kermit’s key lime pie shop.

Marathon area: paddle boarding trip, turtle hospital or dolphin research center.

[munmun]

Originally Posted by Kathrin71

Pigeon Key is a great place to visit. The boat that takes you there is based in Marathon. We really enjoyed it, it's where the workers that built the original 7 mile bridge were based. Our guide was fantastic and we really enjoyed it.
pigeonkey/tour-schedule/

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I agree, it's fascinating. The whole Flagler story is interesting

[ChrisS]

Not forgetting the nightly Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square showcasing local artists and performers... I believe shops reopened June 2020... see HERE for a video and sunset timings, and HERE. There is, paid for, parking close by Mallory Sq.

BE AWARE, parking in KW is fierce, parking meters are monitored 7 days a week and tow truck drivers drive around KW looking for illegally parked cars, do not park in any space if you are unsure, check to see if it's resident parking/other restrictions. Also be vigilant for the cockrels/hens that freely roam around KW, try not to run them down The main KW website is HERE where you can find info on the Southernmost Point [next stop Cuba!], parking used to be ok in that area, but remain aware.

Further to parking, should you want to walk around KW, Duval Street and see the Sunset Celebration we recommend parking in the Old Town Parking Garage on the corner of Grinnell and Caroline, HERE. The charge is $4 per hour to a maximum of $32 a day. I've prepared driving directions from just outside KW main traffic lights to the Old Town Parking Garage HERE, the garage is on your left as you take the short drive up Grinnell. After parking follow the sign to exit onto Caroline St, either cross the road, to the bus stop immediately on your right, or turn left and take the short walk to the Stop sign, turn right onto Margaret St and go into the small marina. Here you'll see huge Tarpon hanging around for fish off-cuts. At the end of this marina you'll see Kermits Key Lime shop. A great bonus to parking in the Old Town Garage:

Park for Free

Your Park n Ride Garage ticket entitles you, and everyone in your vehicle, to ride for free the City Routes and Duval Loop of public transportation in the City of Key West. Present your ticket stub to the bus driver when you enter the bus. Free City and Duval Loop bus service is only available until the expiration date printed on your ticket stub, and is not applicable to the Lower Keys Shuttle service.

The Bus stop is located across Caroline Street in front of West Marine. Numerous bus stops are located around town. Ride the bus all day! For more information on bus stops, routes, and schedule times, please visit Key West Transit.

SpotAngels have an app showing all free KW parking spots [and other places], HERE is the website.

KW is Billy and Pamela Connolly's home (paid $3.2M for 631 Caroline Street in 2016), Billy regularly walked around KW prior to his health deterioration, he may still be happily walking KW. They moved to KW as the weather is allegedly good for his Parkinsons. They also own 4 sites on Stock Island, once alleged to be the area to avoid. We drove around Stock Island, saw no reason for that reputation.