First and only 2 nights in KW... what would you do?

Aloha everyone,

My wife and I along with our 5-month old baby are headed to KW for the first time ever the end of March and will be staying at the Southernmost or the Reach on a Tuesday and Wednesday night. I have read all the forums and lots of articles and appreciate your wisdom so far.

My question is... with only 2 nights in KW, what restaurants are a can%26#39;t miss and what few things should we not miss? We are young 30%26#39;s who like local food and are looking forward to the seafood and unique dishes as well as getting some sun, walking/shopping Duval and hitting some fun restaurant/bars. I like local beers, fun/nice/scenic atmosphere with good food trumps a stuffy restaurant with great food. I am willing to spend money, but I don%26#39;t want to break the bank.

I am thinking that I want to get espresso at the Coffee Plantation at least one morning, hit Kelly%26#39;s Carribean Brewery for local beer, Hogfish for lunch the day we drive in or out, and possibly BO%26#39;s Fish Wagon for another lunch. I like Cuban food, but we will be seeing Littla Havana in Miami before our KW trip.

I%26#39;m having trouble with our 2 nights of dinner and if there are any activities/buildings we shouldn%26#39;t miss. What is the best dinner spot with a view of the water that isn%26#39;t stuffy, has a fun atmosphere and decent food?

For activities, we will lounge by our pool for a half-day for sure, possibly hit one of the beaches for some sun/walking/snorkeling, I%26#39;m interested in seeing Hemingway%26#39;s House but I%26#39;m allergic to cats!?! Is there anything else to do/see besides going on a boat for tours/snorkeling?

Sorry for the long message, but I really would appreciate any advice or sample itineraries for a Tuesday afternoon to Thursday morning!

Aloha!

First and only 2 nights in KW... what would you do?

Well first, congrats on the baby and on your first trip to KW. If we make it down in June this year for the wife%26#39;s 30th we%26#39;ll be bringing our 2 year old (who%26#39;s named after a part of KW) along for her first trip.

With a young baby, I would definitely recomend Conch Republic Seafood Company for dinner or at least lunch. Very good and fresh seafood (as well as a killer steak). Try the Royal Red Shrimp if they are in stock.... Also, the place is moderately priced and has food on level with some of the fancier options. IMO at least.

It also has a wide open floor with the walls being retractable ones... so you feel as if you%26#39;re outside and have a few of the boats coming in and out.... Very relaxed and casual place.

As for other places, Santiagos Bodega might be good... Rooftop Cafe is more upper scale, but a nice place to have a relaxing meal. Best advise i can give anyone is just explore.. walk around and find things that interest you

First and only 2 nights in KW... what would you do?

I would say given your criteria that you might enjoy restaurants like the Conch Seafood Republic and Alonzo%26#39;s Oyster Bar, both are overlooking the water, far from stuffy and have good food, not great. Conch has music, too, and the royal reds and mojitos are great. Alonzo%26#39;s has a half-price appetizer and drinks happy hour from 4-6:30 and you can make an early dinner from that menu. I also suggest trying the crispy lobster sandwich there which isn%26#39;t part of the half-price menu, but worth every pennny. If you want to upscale one meal and have a great view, you could try a meal on the balcony at A@B Lobster House in the same building as Alonzo%26#39;s upstairs. If you like steak, people seem to love the Commodore. It is right next to Alonzo%26#39;s and A@B overlooking the water, but has only one outside table.

Check out Pepe%26#39;s on Caroline for great Cuban food. www.pepescafe.net

Alonzo%26#39;s is great for dinner/views the HH specials are great..the left side of the menu is half price between 4 %26amp; 6:30..

My favorite spot for a view and a pina colada is the Pier House on the upper deck..also great to watch the sunset if you want to escape the crowds of Mallory Square..

If you like the beach..try Fort Zachary Taylor..the nicest in Key West..

Have a great time! You only have 2 days this visit, but trust me, you%26#39;ll be back!

I would also suggest Alonzo%26#39;s Oyster Bar. Another idea would be The Half Shell Raw Bar. For espresso I highly suggest Island Joes. They roast the beans on site and have won many awards for their espresso. Check out the Sunset Celebration at least one night. I also like Mel Fishers Museum.

http://www.islandjoescoffee.com/

http://www.sunsetcelebration.org/

http://www.halfshellrawbar.com/

http://www.alonzosoysterbar.com/

http://www.melfisher.org/

Hogfish is indeed wonderful! Keys Fisheries in Marathon is a great place to stop on the way down or back.

Great sunset view from rooftop of Hotel La Concha, there%26#39;s a bar inside and an amazing view outside.

We really love the cuban food at El Siboney. I agree on Conch Republic Seafood Co for a good meal and nice view. Schooner Wharf Bar is a good lunch spot with a great view. My favorite breakfast is La Creperie%26#39;s savory crepes, it%26#39;s on Duval.

Just walk around or bike around (I%26#39;m sure you can rent a kid-friendly bike accessory). The Tower at Turtle Kraals has a great view of the boats coming in and out. Sunset celebration at Mallory Sq is fun, get there about an hour before sunset to start watching the fun performances.

I like Ft Zach beach, it%26#39;s nicely shaded behind the beach with picnic tables. There are bathroom facilities and a snack bar and chair rentals as well.

BTW, El Meson de Pepe on Wall Street has Cuban food, not Pepe%26#39;s Cafe on Caroline.

And a live band for dancing. And mojitos.

Pjk

A hearty second to the tower at Turtle Kraals for view and fun. On the south end of Duval you will find Louie%26#39;s Backyard - good spot for lunch on the water and right next door to the Reach (great mohitos).

Personally wife and I found the Mel Fisher museum boring. Butterfly conservatory (also not far from the Reach) http://www.keywestbutterfly.com/ was greatly enjoyed and unique.

For restaurants I would hit,

Louie%26#39;s Backyard for dinner one day and

The A %26amp; B Lobster House for your other dinner.

Half Shell Raw Bar for lunch one day and

The Conch Republic Seafood Co. the other.

Blue Heaven for breakfast one day and

Harpoon Harrys the other.

For a few beers (or drinks) and good music try SWB and/or The Green Parrot.

You also have some of the famous bars to check out. You have Sloppy Joe%26#39;s, Hog%26#39;s Breath, Captian Tony%26#39;s, Irish Keven%26#39;s and the Bull and the whistle.

There are lots more so if you see a place you like go in and try it, that%26#39;s part of the fun of Key West.

Another vote for A %26amp; B Lobster House for a special dinner...insist on an outside table.

Keep your kid away from SWB...too smokey.

Great suggestions here...have fun.