Anyone been to Key West? Just spent a week there and

[Miigwech]

found another place on earth where everyone from everywhere gets along great. Folks from everywhere around the world in a small spot, respecting the variety of differences and thus enjoying the experience of the human experience.
No fucking trump for a week !!!!!!!!
Restorative, recommended for everyone. Find your place, go, enjoy and don't feel guilty taking some time off from the fight!

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Enjoy! I love Key West and have been there several times. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!

[Miigwech]

6. Lucky you! This was my first time, already planning to go back!

[cwydro]

24. Next time, take a ride up to No Name Key and visit the No Name Pub.

You’ll see the Key Deer along the way.

[denbot]

2. Great place

I like drinking Mojitos, and feeding the chickens at the Blue Heaven.

[Miigwech]

7. Sounds like a plan.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. The Conch Republic

I love it there.

[underpants]

8. 2003. Had breakfast there sitting next to a guy getting ready to sail to Cuba

He traded medicine for art. Biggest ass schooner ties up to the dock.

[Miigwech]

10. Yes, The Conch Republic, love it

Arriving at the Airport in Key West ... big sign ... "Welcome to the Conch Republic" instead of welcome to Key West

[cwydro]

23. "They seceded where others failed."

There’s a story behind that.

[Miigwech]

60. LOL

[DEbluedude]

4. Many times...

First time in 1974. Spring break in Lauderdale. Took a detour for 2 and 1/2 days. The place was alluring. Still is.

[Miigwech]

12. Lucky you

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Several Times

I concur with your assessment.
Wife's college roommate was a state social worker for the Lower Keys, since she got back from Peace Corps in early 80s.
We've been to visit her many times, and made another handful of pals from seeing them 3 out of each 5 years for 15 to 20 years.
I dig that place immensely.

[Sancho]

9. One of my favorite places..

[hauckeye]

11. Going there in 2 weeks, for the 2nd time

My niece is having a destination wedding there! Looking forward to it!

[Miigwech]

14. I know you will have the best time. Me, jealous

[dhill926]

13. many times....

it is a special place. In fact, we're moving there in a couple months from SoCal, even though we love it here. We're finally at a place in life where we can pull it off. Finding a place (rental) will be challenging, but what the hell...we know a few folks there that can help us out...

[Miigwech]

15. Go for it!

[dhill926]

17. oh we are....thanks!

Just the kind of craziness we need in our 60's. Leave a place we love, where life is pretty easy, for a place we love even more, where life will be more challenging. Why the hell not haha...

[SunSeeker]

16. Never been. On my bucket list. nt

[Miigwech]

18. We were supposed to go to Puerto Rico but then, earthquakes

So friends suggested Key West ... best travel advice. Still will visit P.R. .

[SunSeeker]

19. Where did you fly into? Miami then drove to Key West?

I live in CA, so I'll definitely need to fly.

[cwydro]

22. You can fly into Key West, but the drive from Miami is gorgeous.

And you’ll drive through every key.

As we used to say, “take the bridges!”

[SunSeeker]

25. What's the best time of year to visit the keys? nt

[MyOwnPeace]

28. January to December!

It's always great - only the costs change!

[SunSeeker]

31. LOL. Well, I can go any time, so when costs are lowest works for me.

Or I'll go during crawfish season in spring!

[Miigwech]

34. We took the flight to Key West to avoid driving from Miami

and glad we did.

[cwydro]

20. I lived there for over 20 years.

Fantastic place.

I still live there in my mind lol.

[lynintenn]

21. The drive from Miami to Key West is worth it.

We went in May and rented a Ford Mustang convertible. We felt like Thelma and Louise.

[MadLinguist]

26. Do people still gather on the pier to watch the sun go down?

Ages and ages ago I was there for 4 nights, and just loved that tradition, people toasting the sundown

[mitch96]

54. "Do people still gather on the pier to watch the sun go down?"

Yup! Big group on Mallory square at sunset.. Try to catch the "green flash" I only saw it once. As many old "conchs" say it's not the same any more. Too many tee shirt shops and the cruise ships ruined it.. Still a gas. Every time a new/old friend comes to visit they want to go to key west so I'm kinda burnt out. Still fun to watch the chickens running around...
m

[The Figment]

27. In 1986

Rode down there as part of a around the country motorcycle tour, spent the month of November, rented a second story porch for 40 bucks a week for a dry place to crash and a parking place for the bike.(a Kawasaki 1100 is one of the larger vehicles on the island)

Fantastic time!

[MyOwnPeace]

29. I'm impressed!

Great ride - great way to spend the time!

PS: That balcony had to be about the only "dry" place around!

[The Figment]

32. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity,

Bought the bike in Texas from a friend and spent the next 19 months riding everywhere, both coasts,Canada,Mexico, the Keys,from sea level to 12,400 ft in Colorado. Quite the adventure.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

[Miigwech]

36. Wow

[MyOwnPeace]

41. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat!"

Bet your butt wouldn't agree!

[The Figment]

50. Actually a Kawasaki 1100 Ltd is a pretty cushy ride,

Laid back Cruiser, add a small sissy bar,strap your backpack to it as a backrest and off ones goes!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. Just like NOLA but on the beach! Friendly!!!

[wendyb-NC]

33. I haven't been there in a while. It is a very special place.

For me, Key West is the only place in Florida.

[Farmer-Rick]

51. I know the feeling.

[tiredtoo]

35. one visit a few years ago

Great place. Many changes in my personal life since then prevent me from returning. Soon as i get the time machine running i will return.

[JohnnyLib2]

37. Is there room for all of us?

Until Nov. ?

[FloridaBlues]

38. If you ever get a chance go during fantasy fest over the Halloween!

So much fun and yes do dress in costume.
Key west is a small part of heaven in Florida

[yellowdogintexas]

39. I love Key West (and the Keys in general)

We stayed on Grassy Key in a 1950s style mom and pop motel, drove up and down the islands, snorkled every chance we had and of course visited the cats at Hemingway's home

The best part was something we didn't know about until we got there: The Dry Tortugas. It is a National Monument, and is a pre Civil War fort on the last island in the chain. You either sail or fly there - we went out on a huge catamaran and spent 4 hours on the island. Toured the fort, snorkled and had a blast. When we were there you could take a tent and supplies, camp overnight on the beach and go back the next day. The coral that is growing around the fort's foundations was some of the most beautiful I have seen.

I'd love to live there except for the hurricaines .

[BigmanPigman]

40. I saw Anthony Bourdain go there with No Reservations

and he made it look very cool. I want to try the food the most.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6tlkvq

[Miigwech]

47. You can see the shrimp boats right off shore catching your dinner

... and Spiny Lobster, Conch, fresh fish ... sooooo fresh, not to mention the crazy delicious Pina Coladias or Rum Runners ... not trying to promote drinking alcohol but it is a thing in Key West. Up to you. You can't go wrong at any Restaurant, the food is so great anywhere you decide to go. We went out to eat at many places and never were dissaponted. Not just the food but the folks serving us were above and beyond so wonderful. "One Love" to all ...

[ancianita]

42. Been there many times. Key West for everyone! Lotsa roosters, palms, sun, and laid backery.

Glad you recommend it.

[Bengus81]

43. Just there in mid Jan,daughter got married there at Smathers beach....

Got out of there just before it got pretty cold even into southern Florida around the 21st-22nd. Down to freezing in Gainesville,Fl where we had a hotel room on the 21st.

Anyone going I would recommend the Hampton Inn (former Best Western) on Roosevelt. Fairly new remodel job,we had a second floor room with a pool view and they have nice size decks. All the rooms are pretty expensive right now,maybe the same even in the summer.

[pazzyanne]

44. "No fucking trump for a week !!!!!!!!"

Sounds heavenly!

[Shaddox]

45. If the US as a whole took a leaf out of the Key West book things would be a lot better.

[Miigwech]

48. Agreed

[tavernier]

46. Glad you enjoyed my hometown!

Now I live in Tavernier, just up the road, but I go back often for my KW fix. Yes, we all get along and don’t even make too much fun of those tourists who call it Key Weird... because they’ll be going back to snow and ice and bigotry.

[appalachiablue]

49. Gem in America, been there so many times I can't

number them all. A totally charming, friendly and offbeat place with nature, arts, culture and partying galore.

Lots of people, tourists, beauty, energy and life as you discovered.

Ernest Hemmingway, Tennessee Williams ('The Rose Tatoo' filmed there), Pres. Harry Truman at the Little White House and many others have resided in the Conch Republic. A rare, tropical paradise in the US.

There's nothing else like zany Duvall Street in America. Ignore the naysayers and bashers.

Go for it!

https://www.mallorysquare.com/duval-street-key-west/



- Mallory Square at sunset, what a blast.

[Vinnie From Indy]

64. I remember watching the trained cats at a sundown celebration.

It was very cool. There was one cat that would be put in his cage for misbehaving and then he would stick a paw out and open the cage and return to the stage. Very funny!

[MaryMagdaline]

52. Several times

I live in South Florida.

It’s over built, over fished and unaffordable now but still a great getaway spot. Beautiful mornings and evenings

[Laffy Kat]

53. Yes, a long time ago during a freak cold spell.

My sister, BIL and I spent a week on a houseboat in the Keys during Xmas, starting out in Key Largo and ending up in Key West. I want to say it was in '85? Everyone was super laid-back. No one owned a coat, so the Key natives were walking around, shopping, eating, etc. wearing blankets.

We really enjoyed the Audubon House and Hemmingway's estate even though we were freezing our collective asses off, LOL.

Glad you got a break from the madness.

[Miigwech]

57. We all need a break from the madness of trump

So go to a place where you get a break, where ever that place may be ... live life and enjoy

[Ahpook]

55. I lived there for a year after highschool while tending bar

My parents moved to Tn. from Washington D.C. when my dad retired early from the Gov't. I fucking hated TN. and couldn't wait to graduate and get the hell out. It was a huge culture shock! But so was Key West

I loved it there! It didn't feel like planet earth by smell, sight or feeling.

[livetohike]

56. In 1976. Spent two weeks camping there. It was idyllic.

Everyone was so friendly. I remember watching the sunset every night and lots of partying. We met some guys in the Navy who showed us where these submarine pits were. No one else around. Just snorkeled and swam for hours. Good times 🙂.

[Joinfortmill]

58. Yes, I loved it

For me the best part was getting there, driving over the Seven Mile Bridge with nothing but water and sky all around you. Breathtaking.

[MerryBlooms]

59. Lived for a while just north in Big Coppitt Key. Loved every minute and miss it terribly.

[Pacifist Patriot]

61. Almost every January.

My in-laws have five weeks of a time share there from the Sunday after Christmas until the first weekend of February. We typically spend a few days to a week with them, but I couldn't make it this year. I concur, great place to relax and restore.

[Happy Hoosier]

62. Once.... not really me scene, but a nice place. NT

[coeur_de_lion]

63. Where did you stay?

[Miigwech]

69. Pier Hotel

[coeur_de_lion]

70. Thanks!

[Vinnie From Indy]

65. Spent the afternoon once with Mel Fisher in Key West

He showed me many of the treasures from the Senora De Atocha that were not on display and some still being worked on. I held an Emerald crystal that was the size of a large cigar.

[Demonaut]

66. Key West is so laid back, Taos is another town with that vibe

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

67. Glad you had a good vacation :)

[Rider3]

68. Really?

I thought it being Florida, that it was Trump Country, where you wouldn't be able to escape the clowns. This is not the case? I'm pleasantly surprised!