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Key Largo or Marathon

maddaug

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We will be spending a day and night at either Key Largo or Marathon after our week at Key West. Looking at both of the areas I was wondering which would you rather stay at?
Initially we thought Marathon, but the park at Key Largo looks like it may be great for snorkling. We could do a stop at Marathon for a couple hours on the way up to check out the area.
Any ideas of what to do or see?
 

lgreenspan

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I would make a stop at Bahia Honda state park near Marathon then spend the night in Key Largo if you are interested at John Penekamp in Key Largo.

Dave
 

maddaug

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lgreenspan, that was what we were thinking of doing. Is there anything that is off the beaten path that is not to be missed? It's our 1st trip to the Keys so I am totally relying on the internet.
 

Floridaski

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I would stick to your plan

There is only one main road in the Keys - US 1. So, there really is not a a lot of things "off the beaten" path. Much of the Keys is very rustic and you will more then likely feel like you are off the beaten path by just being down there. It is beautiful and I would stick to your current plan. There are a few hidden spots down further in the Keys. But these places consist of Pizza and Beer - does not really fill your current question. Key Largo has great snorkeling for all levels of swimmers and is a great choice.
 

maddaug

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Floridaski, we gotta eat and drink! :D
Where do you suggest as I am thinking you might have a place in mind to fill our bellies. Don't want to get dehydrated.
I frequent another forum that tells of some great classic places that are not to be missed. I have got to search for those posts.
I am up for any suggestions. We and want to take it ALL in.
 

Timesharemogul

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Eating

Maddaug,
In Key West there are about as many "must-do" eateries as there are people on this BBS. I could name a half-dozen right off the top of my head which I always return toin Key West.
In the middle of the Keys,there is one overlooked restaurant that I would recommend, particularly if you can get there on a Saturday evening. It is called "Captain's Table", located in Lower Matecumbe/Islamorada, adjacent to the west side of Caloosa Cove Resort. From the outside it appears like nothing more than an easily-missed roadside diner. What makes it great is that they have daily all-you can eat specials, and when they're freshly smoking the meats outside in the smoke barrels all day, the aroma is what originally brought me in on a Saturday to the all you can eat prime rib. The prices were relatively low- about the same or lower as most diners. That smoked prime rib in its all you can eat Saturday special version made it a memorable and purposeful repeatably visited restaurant.
Bon appetite!
Brian
 

MaryH

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Captain's table has coupon on restaurant.com but it is not valid for the all you can eat and only give 10$ coupon for 25$ minimal purchase.
 

maddaug

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We love prime rib so after a week of getting in all the fresh seafood we can get we will probably be ready for some beef. I will have to mark the Captain's Table as a place to check out.

Now how about somewhere to stay for 1 night. We are thinking Key Largo. My guess is we will play all day then just flop for the night and head up to Ft. Lauderdale for our flight home in the morning. Of course we are looking for somewhere clean but nothing fancy and pricey. Any suggestions?
 

Hophop4

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If you plan to snorkle at Penekamp, Key Largo, you really need to take the boat tour. We did it off the park beach one year and wasn't all that great.
 

maddaug

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Hophop yes we do want to go to Pennekamp state park. Thanks for the info. I'll look into this.
 
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Timesharemogul

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If Penekamp is a requisite, your stopover s/b KeyLargo

Maddaug,
If you're going to mafe John Penekamp a requisite stop on your trip thru the FL Keys, I would strongly recommend that Key Largo be the location you focus to for finding a room for your stopover....I believe that from Penekamp to the area around Marathon or Islamorada it is roughly a 1 to 2 hour drive, although Marathon was the epicenter of cheap roadside hotels the last time I passed through there two or three years ago.
Brian
P.S. I'd still stop in Lower Matecumbe/Islamorada for the all you can eat Prime Rib on Saturday nights at Captain's Table!!!
 

rapmarks

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I would love to hear the restaurant recommendations for Key West. going in mid Nov.
 

Timesharemogul

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Restaurants

I would love to hear the restaurant recommendations for Key West. going in mid Nov.

AS I previously stated,there are as many different favorite restaurants as there are posters on this BBS. That being said, I'll list a few of my repeated favorites. There are tons of faves out there, but if I could only select one apiece for breakfast-lunch-dinner, they would be the following three....
For elegant service serving continental/seafood, try PISCES on Simonton Street (formerly named "Cafe Des Artistes"). Pisces shares the kitchen with a more informal restaurant around the corner named "Duffy's"....the same food basics prepared slightly differently at much more casual pricing levels.
For an extraordinary breakfast experience, including a ride on a shuttleboat over to Hilton Sunset Island, eat at Latitudes Beach Cafe. The breakfasts are original, delicously different, and affordable xcompared to lunch or dinner there. Reservations for the shuttleboat and meals are taken at the Hilton gift shop.
I never go to Key West without bringing my group to lunch at Camille's,on Simonton Street a few blocks from the Atlantic. Get their fresh daily-made chicken salad on anything!!!
Brian
 

The Conch Man

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I agree with Brian on Pisces but bring your Credit Card, order the Lobster! Here are some of our favorites & we have more but this is just a start:


Favorite Restaurants:

Alonzo's Oyster Bar - Located under the A&B Restaurant which is fine dining as well - make reservations outside by the Gulf - Go for Happy Hour at Alonzo's around 4 o'clock tii 7 ish

Half Shell Raw Bar - Kinda says it all: http://www.halfshellrawbar.com/home.html - Happy Hour is the best time to go, trust me, $ 0.50 cent oysters to start with!

Conch Republic Seafood Company - Big place, great drinks at the Key West Marina, orger the Royal Reds, they taste like lobster or order the Pinks: http://www.conchrepublicseafood.com/

Harpoon Harry's for a great cheap breakfast & maybe try their special which isn't advertise

Pepe's Cafe on Caroline St. - Just up the street from Harpoon Harry's for breakfast, lunch or dinner - Pork Chops & Steak are good & reasonalbe as is the price

Hogfish Restaurant on Stock Island - Ya might need a car or a Taxi to get there but what a nice place for fish & locals!

Shrimp Shack on Stock Island - Just down the street from Hogfish, great seafood as its right-off the boat, large portions & very reasonable: www.keywestfresh.com/

El Siboney: Great Cuban & very reasonable - http://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/menu.htm

Damn Good Food To Go: http://www.damngoodfoodtogo.com/




There are as many different favorite restaurants as there are posters on this BBS. That being said, for elegant service serving continental/seafood, try PISCES on Simonton Street. Brian
 
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maddaug

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Conch man, thanks for the tips on where to eat. We love seafood and don't get it fresh so we will have to check out the Shrimp Shack. We aren't opposed to grilling our own food so let me know if this is the place to get some fresh seafood to take back to the condo.
 

The Conch Man

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The best place to get your fresh fish for grillin is at the Waterfront Market on William St. down by the Harbor or at the Shrimp Shack of course after the boats come-in after doing their fishing that day.
 
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