Favorite Seafood Restaurants-Marathon to Key West??

[Cathyb]

Tuggers : We will be staying a week in Marathon and 5 nights in Key West. What are your favorite seafood places. We are not really fond of fried foods but love everything else!!!

Also, for oldsters, ages 76 and 71, what kinds of activities (besides doing crossword puzzles ) do you recommend if we want to see the sea life but not necessarily swim with them

Thank you in advance for any advice!!!

 

[lynne]

Louie's Backyard was one of our favorites when we went to Key West. Good food and great atmosphere although a bit expensive.

http://www.louiesbackyard.com/

 

[4BoxersGranny]

Marathon

Be sure and visit the Dolphin Research Center while you are on Marathon. It is a very interesting place and we became members a few years ago when we stayed on Marathon. We always visit at least once a year when we are in the Keys. It is actually on Grassy Key, and you will pass it on your way to Marathon. It is on the right side going south.

We like the Fish Market to eat on Marathon. It is outside and has a marina right there. I am not quite sure that is the correct name and we eat there every time we go to Marathon.

Enjoy!

 

[Cathyb]

lynne: Thank you -- when were you there?

 

[Cathyb]

4Boxers: Are you able to visit the Dolphin location without swimming with them? I really wanted to do the swimming but my DH dug his heels into our carpet causing indentations

 

[lynne]

lynne: Thank you -- when were you there?

Hi Cathy,

It's been awhile since we were there (about 5 years), but we have given gift certificates to friends who live in Florida and frequent Key West. They rave about their meals so I figured it is a safe bet for good food.

We don't do too much traveling for the sake of travel since we moved to Hawaii. We don't see too much reason to leave here with the exception of visiting family and friends. Australia, New Zealand and back to Italy would be a few of the places that may inspire us to get on a plane again.

Regards,

Lynn

 

[4BoxersGranny]

Dolphin Research Center

You do not have to swim with the dolphins. It is really a center where they teach the dolphins to do different things, like to count. It is really amazing. They put a paint brush into the mouth of some of them and they will paint a t-shirt that can be purchased. They are a lot of fun to watch and they have a short movie, a large pen where the moms and babies are kept and that is where you can watch other people who have paid to interact with the dolphins. It is more of a learning experience for you, and a teaching experience for the dolphins. It is well worth your time to see the dedication of these people who work at the center.

I looked at a "free ticket" that we got with our renewal in August and the location is at mile marker 59. The year we joined we just paid a little more than the admission ticket to become members. Have not regretted it as we get e-mails from them, news letters as to what is going on and an invitation for a members only party twice a year. Unfortunately we are never able to go as we are always away somewhere else.

4BoxersGranny

 

[Cathyb]

4Boxers: Thank you, I put your note in my travel folder

 

[theo]

An "active activity" option...

...what kinds of activities (besides doing crossword puzzles do you recommend if we want to see the sea life but not necessarily swim with them...

If you are game for paddling a kayak (it's not difficult or particularly strenuous --- getting in and out is the most difficult part and they will show you how to do so safely and easily, right from a dock), there is a small operation called "Blue Planet" which offers inexpensive guided kayak tours. A local "conch" will lead you through protected waters around Stock Island (just before Key West) and offer ongoing commentary. You'll cut through mangroves, maybe see dolphins, be shown a Queen Conch and assorted other critters. Unless you capsize (highly unlikely --- you'd have to work pretty hard at doing so) you won't actually have to swim with the sea life, but you certainly can't get much closer and still stay dry than being in a kayak just a few inches above the (quite shallow) water.

This outfit appears to be something of a "shoestring budget" operation and is based at a somewhat funky "waterfront" spot on Stock Island, but we really had a lot of fun and enjoyed ourselves. They have a van and will pick you up at your facility in Key West and return you there later. You can find their brochure (as we did) in any lobby with tourist brochures, or get info at the C of C office on Route 1 en route to Key West. Just an option to consider --- and a whole lot more interesting than crossword puzzles...

 

[Cathyb]

Lynn: You just have to add Fiji to your list of 'To Do's'. Being in Hawaii, you are almost halfway there!

 

[maddaug]

Great thread. We will be going to KW May 1st (first time) and are quite interested in activities. We already have the dough to take the seaplane to Fort Jefferson. Can't wait for that.
We have never kayaked but I will have to look into this. Sounds like fun.
Keep more ideas coming!!

I do have some concern about the economy and KW. Isn't quite a bit of KW dependent on tourists? I sure hope by the time May rolls around we won't be looking at empty buildings. We will do our best to inject some $$ into KW so hang in there.

 

[theo]

Fort Jefferson seaplane info...

....the seaplane to Fort Jefferson...

Can you provide contact or web site URL for this, to obtain more info?
I gave you some good kayak contact info --- your turn to reciprocate.

 

[beanie]

We like the Fish Market to eat on Marathon. It is outside and has a marina right there. I am not quite sure that is the correct name and we eat there every time we go to Marathon.

Enjoy!

keys fisherie is the name of the resturant , home of the world famous lobster ruben .http://www.keysfisheries.com/menu1.html

we love marathon . don't forget to stop at porkies and get a cheeseburger or the marlin for a great dinner (little pricey but good )

 

[Cathyb]

Another question or two -- you all have been so great on sharing. Re the Dry Tortugas:
1. Is it better to take the catamarran or Yankee Freedom? Thinking of which one has the best breakfast and lunch?

2. Are you actually able to see the turtles if you don't opt to snorkel?

3. We are beginning snorkelers -- any area there that is REAL easy? Actually we used to snorkel a bit more but had a near death experience and now are quite frightened unless it is easy.

Thanks again!

 

[The Conch Man]

The Seaplane to the Fort is no longer as of last month!

 

[theo]

The Seaplane to the Fort is no longer as of last month!

Thanks for that info. What was the reason for its' demise --- economy, liability issues, other? Any likelihood of its resurrection in your opinion?

 

[maddaug]

I didn't have time to post but when I checked their website...........there was none.
I had a bad feeling about it and now Conch Man has confirmed it.
Conch Man how are things in KW?
I am really bummed about the seaplanes. We were so looking forward to flying on one.

Ahhhhhh, I'm not getting a good feeling about this vacation. Breathe in, breath out move on!!!


The unbeliveable thing is our first time to Mexico is when Wilma came thru and wiped it out. So we were there and not a whole lot was opened at the time. We still had fun though.

 

[The Conch Man]

Yes to your question but more than that is they are trying to sale the business but not having to much luck, business has been real bad since summer & wasn't going to pick-up by season. I really don't see any future for them or who ever might purshase the business which I don't think is going to happen!

The seaplanes, sadly, are history as of November 6th, they have had a lot of bad luck (maybe bad management as well) as of that date.

For other transportation the best ferry is the Yankee Freedom. It's a nice big boat with a lot of room to move around, a upper sun deck and an air conditioned lower deck. Sunnydays has a decent boat too, and cheaper, but it can get crowded and a bit claustrophobic. Both operators have almost identical days out.

Thanks for that info. What was the reason for its' demise --- economy, liability issues, other? Any likelihood of its resurrection in your opinion?

 

[hibbeln]

The a nice dinner, The Square Grouper on Cudjoe Key. It looks kind of like an office building from the outside, but the food is FANTASTIC! Fantastic fish dishes.
On Little Torch Key the ParrotDise Waterfront Bar & Grille has an unbelievabley yummy lobster reuben sandwich (lunch or dinner, you can get it take-out, also). It's a deep-fried lobster tail with coleslaw etc. YUMMY!
And of course (imho) the only place to get a Cuban sandwich for lunch is at Five Brothers Grocery and Deli on either Ramrod Key or in Key West.
Now I've made myself hungry!

 

[Cathyb]

Debi -- yummy -- thank you! Hope you are staying warm!