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Post by hikerjer on Mar 24, 2016 13:04:25 GMT -8
I posted this in the southern board, but thought I'd try here as well. I tentatively have a cross country bicycle tour scheduled for this summer. A few things have to fall in place for it to come to fruition, but at this point, it's looking good. I'd like to end the tour in Key West but I've heard some pretty negative things about hugely expensive motels/hotels, lack of camping facilities or just ones that cater to huge RVs at exorbitant costs and a generally negative attitude of local officials toward itinerant wanderers such as myself. Having never been there myself, I wonder if anyone with experience in Key West would care to comment and offer any suggestions.
As always, thanks much
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Mar 24, 2016 15:19:15 GMT -8
Man, I don't know squat, esp. anything that's recent - but you aren't getting a lot of hits here. I don't know much that you couldn't get from simply Googling. The wife and I went to Key West in 1994 (?) on a cruise of the Caribbean (Bahamas/Nassau and such). Key West is extremely "touristy", as you probably already know. I kind of liked it in spite of the crowds. Lots of bars, restaurants and the usual tourist fare. It's small, however, so you can walk (or bike) just about anywhere. We were staying on a boat, so we walked into town and visited a couple of museums (Hemingway House) and just took in the atmosphere. The 2nd day we were there, we went snorkeling all day on a trip to one of the nearby shallows.  Yeah, the hotels are pricey (the one up there on the map is typical: they range from ~$175 to ~$300 for most. You can get some "2 star" stuff that looks like a typical house in the "old district" for closer to $120 if you spend some time looking, I guess. Of course, just like any other tourist destination, prices are seasonal, and, it goes without saying, I guess, you have to book early. Lots of the places I looked are completely booked for next month already. None of this is anything you can't get by Googling "key west hotels" or "key west bed & breakfast" or even "key west cheap". There are a few camping spots on Key West, but I imagine spots go fast, and they're aimed at RVs and car camping. I saw somewhere that there is camping at Dry Tortuga Natl Park ($175 ferry ride, 70 miles), but, again, you gotta book early. Wish I could be more help. |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Mar 24, 2016 15:28:24 GMT -8
No help from me, unless you find yourself in the Tampa area.
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Post by hikerjer on Mar 24, 2016 16:16:06 GMT -8
Thaks Zeke, butI thnk I may be east of there. I've got a friend in Gainesville I'll be staying with.
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daveg
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Post by daveg on Mar 24, 2016 17:22:52 GMT -8
My most recent trip to Key West and the surrounding area was back in March, 2013. My wife and I went there primarily to go camping at Dry Tortugas National Park and the ferry to Dry Tortugas is out of Key West. (Spent three nights on Dry Tortugas. A very worthwhile trip, by the way).
Prior to and following our stay at Dry Tortugas we spent several nights at the KOA campground on Sugarloaf Key, which is about 14 miles from Key West. Mostly RVs but there were tent camping sites -- pick a spot on a grassy tenting area and pitch your tent for just $65 a night. Crowded and noisy (it was spring break time) but there was a pool and a laundry, and we didn't have too many options. IIRC, there are some "campgrounds" on Key West but I can't recall why we didn't stay at any of them.
The night before our departure for Dry Tortugas we had reserved a hotel room in Key West just a few blocks from the ferry. We had to have our camping gear to the ferry by 6:00 a.m., so we decided to pay for the convenience -- $272 for two people/one bed for one night. I'm sure there are less expensive places available. And March is peak season.
Many, many years ago I camped at Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key, which is a bit farther away from Key West than the KOA campground on Sugarloaf Key. I can't recall what I paid, but it was less than KOA. Nice place. We didn't stay there during our March, 2013 trip because it was already full when we tried to make reservations. |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Mar 26, 2016 18:15:03 GMT -8
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Post by absarokanaut on Mar 27, 2016 5:42:42 GMT -8
I remember how long and boring driving the length of Florida was I can't imagine bicycling it.
Listen to Jimmy Buffet's "A1A."
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Roger
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Post by Roger on Mar 27, 2016 8:12:57 GMT -8
The drive can be boring if you do not get out our your car and explore. There are some great springs and rivers to explore in central Florida and the West coast has some of the best beaches and secluded coast you will find. As far as Key West I would avoiding staying there and stay at one of the more northern keys. There you will find fewer people and more coast without houses and other man made structures.
You are invited to stop by Tampa for some R&R and see Florida from a different perspective.
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Post by hikerjer on Mar 27, 2016 14:24:56 GMT -8
Thanks, Roger and everyone else who has helped out here. I'll keep that in mind. Several folks have also suggested staying at other Keys and I may well do that. Still, if it's the culmination of a cross-country bike trip, it seems one would have to at least ride into Key West, if only to have a beer and turn around and head back.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Mar 27, 2016 15:09:54 GMT -8
Gotta take that photo at the end if U. S. 1!
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Post by hikerjer on Mar 27, 2016 15:48:30 GMT -8
Gotta take that photo at the end if U. S. 1! If I make it, I'll definitely post it. |
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Post by ecocentric on Apr 15, 2016 8:52:58 GMT -8
HikerJer, I know that you are a veteran cyclist, but thoughts of riding that road scare me. It is a great place to kayak, but I wouldn't pedal down that road for nothing. Key West is expensive, but very entertaining. Marathon Key or Islamorada are generally where I stay in the Keys. The road is narrow, carries a lot of traffic and there are few places to pass. I've seen people in a hurry take terrible risks passing long lines of vehicles. It's like Yellowstone during high season, when cyclists get knocked off the road by the extended side view mirrors of drivers that aren't paying attention to the cyclists.
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Post by ecocentric on Apr 15, 2016 8:53:39 GMT -8
HikerJer, I know that you are a veteran cyclist, but thoughts of riding that road scare me. It is a great place to kayak, but I wouldn't pedal down that road for nothing. Key West is expensive, but very entertaining. Marathon Key or Islamorada are generally where I stay in the Keys. The road is narrow, carries a lot of traffic and there are few places to pass. I've seen people in a hurry take terrible risks passing long lines of vehicles. It's like Yellowstone during high season, when cyclists get knocked off the road by the extended side view mirrors of drivers that aren't paying attention to the cyclists.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 15, 2016 10:16:21 GMT -8
Eco--I was wondering about that. Maybe Jer should meet Roger and Zeke and switch to a kayak for the final leg!
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Post by mtngrl on Apr 18, 2016 13:13:44 GMT -8
Cool! Glad to hear the X-country biking is back in the works!
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