Florida Keys - mid stay or end of holiday?

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by 123

Well if you get to Vermont in the Summer, Stowe is amazing (and the nearby town Smuggler's Notch - note SN is not close to Stowe in the winter as the mountain road is closed creatign a 30 minute diversion)

Stowe is the town where the VonTrapp's settled (Sound of Music)

Stowe also has a really quintessential "old Americana" July 4th parade and party on the main street and playing fields - feels like the USA you see in 1950/60s movies

Similarly anywhere near a lake in Adirondacks is stunning and some lovely hotels (but far better to camp to really appreciate the lakes)

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Thankyou. I will be looking into these suggestions.

[smithlane]

Originally Posted by 123

I case you haven't found a home on the Keys yet I can recommend all the following

Key Largo
Courtyard by Marriott - lovely hotel (don't let the exterior put you off the place is lovely inside and at the pools etc)
Playa Largo Resort - just plain stunning, nothing else to describe it

Duck Key
Hawks Cay Resort - my favourite hotel in all the States (and I've stayed in hundreds) - it can be pricey but it is lovely

Also at Hawks Cay it is a licensed Dolphin Research Centre so you can swin and feed them here - much cheaper than the swim with Dolphin day at Discovery in Orlando

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Thank you for this. I've been looking at Keys accommodation tonight for our holiday next year, there are so many different choices it's good to get recommendations.

We'll be coming from AMI, stopping at Sanibel for 2 nights then onto the Keys. I'm trying to split our time there over 5 nights, would you say 2 nights Key Largo, 1 night Key West and 2 nights Marathon is a good idea? Although having just seen the photos of Hawks Cay I'm seriously tempted with staying there, it will be our 'Honeymoon' after all!

Sorry OP to piggyback your thread!

[smithlane]

Originally Posted by 123

When you are ready for inland incursions I can certainly recommend the following

Washington to do all of the Smithsonian museums

Then head north to rural NY and Vermont

Adirondacks
Lake Placid
Stowe

All of these are stunning

Loads of really good inland places in the states

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The Adirondacks is on the list for when the kids have fled! Will incorporate the Finger Lakes and the Catskills too.

[Tweety1]

We flew into Key west airport at the start of the holiday and used uber in KW and then picked a hire car for the rest of our trip by far the easiest way - however we got a good deal as we were supposed to be flying into Miami but the flight was cancelled and I could change my flights and I asked if I could fly into Key West and they agreed. It would be definitely something I would do again dependant on cost.
We definitely want to go back but there are just so many places to go

[lme30005]

Tranquility Bay is also lovely, and it's on the west side so you get amazing sunsets. We stayed in a 3 bed water view cottage, iguanas round by the pools and on our balcony having a look in!

[tspill]

Originally Posted by smithlane

Thank you for this. I've been looking at Keys accommodation tonight for our holiday next year, there are so many different choices it's good to get recommendations.

We'll be coming from AMI, stopping at Sanibel for 2 nights then onto the Keys. I'm trying to split our time there over 5 nights, would you say 2 nights Key Largo, 1 night Key West and 2 nights Marathon is a good idea? Although having just seen the photos of Hawks Cay I'm seriously tempted with staying there, it will be our 'Honeymoon' after all!

Sorry OP to piggyback your thread!

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If you are travelling from AMI, the it is well worth taking a bit longer and using US-41 the whole way (or Tamami Trail as it's called). MUCH nicer than I-75. But take your time at it.

[smithlane]

Originally Posted by tspill

If you are travelling from AMI, the it is well worth taking a bit longer and using US-41 the whole way (or Tamami Trail as it's called). MUCH nicer than I-75. But take your time at it.

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Thank you, I think that is the road we planned. Is it the one that goes through the Everglades? I’ll be happy if I see an alligator in the wild!

[sam7]

Originally Posted by smithlane

Thank you, I think that is the road we planned. Is it the one that goes through the Everglades? I’ll be happy if I see an alligator in the wild!

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If you do go this way I can fully recommend Shark Valley and especially the Tour (you almost certainly will see Gators then) 1-2 hours, also the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk (I think its part of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park), they often have Bald Eagle nests. This will take you 30-1hr

[smithlane]

Originally Posted by sam7

If you do go this way I can fully recommend Shark Valley and especially the Tour (you almost certainly will see Gators then) 1-2 hours, also the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk (I think its part of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park), they often have Bald Eagle nests. This will take you 30-1hr

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Perfect, thank you!

[Softy]

Originally Posted by tspill

If you are travelling from AMI, the it is well worth taking a bit longer and using US-41 the whole way (or Tamami Trail as it's called). MUCH nicer than I-75. But take your time at it.

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I’ve driven along Tamiami trail 3 times. The first time there were gators everywhere and it was amazing. The 2 times since we spotted a couple at most. Not sure if the time of year/day makes a difference.