<p>I’ve booked tickets to Orlando in mid-January for me and spouse. We have about a week’s time to spend. We’ve been to Orlando a couple of times, and it is a kiddo place anyway, so we are thinking renting a car and heading to Key West this time, but would 7 nights a bit too long just for one destination? Anywhere else close by is fun to visit? Any tips on where to stay, where to eat & what to do while in Key West? Cautions, caveats, etc. etc.? Thank you!</p>
<p>Plan ahead. Orlando to Key West is a LONG drive. I think it will take you close to 8+ hours to get there from Orlando. You have to get back to Orlando too. So you are looking at wasting 2 or 3 days just driving back and forth to Key West.</p>
<p>Key West is nice, but 7 days down there is a bit too long. The island isn’t that big.</p>
<p>I am thinking maybe we can make some stops on the way. The return flight is on early morning, so I need to come back to Orlanda the night before. Any fun places along the route from Orlando to Key West?</p>
<p>Key West is H’s favorite place. There are so many different types of places to stay and to eat. Everything from bed and breakfasts to resort hotels. We stayed in a Best Western that was perfectly fine and very reasonable and last trip we stayed in the Westin resort right on Mallory Square where the sunset celebration is held every night. There is also a Westin resort with cottages on its own island just offshore. Check out Trip Advisor for reviews and options.</p>
<p>Key West is a very laid back place. Lots of interesting things to see and do. There is a very artistic vibe as well as a wild side. There is also a lot of history there. Check out the Hemingway House and the Truman Little White House. There are island tours available. You can rent bikes and mopeds to travel around. There are boat excursions and other water activities.</p>
<p>Our next vacation will be in Key West. Can’t wait!</p>
<p>Thanks kitty. I am checking out tripadvisor for ideas too. I need help on what detours to make on the way from Orlando to KW. 5 full days and 6 nights may be too long for KW only?</p>
<p>I would think 4 full days in KW would be good. Maybe even 3 depending on your interests. Can’t help you with detours between Orlando and KW because we have only either 1 - flown into Miami or Fort Lauderdale and driven down or 2 - flown directly into KW.</p>
<p>Definitely plan on the sunset celebration for at least a few of your evenings there.</p>
<p>In reality, the only thing between Key West and Orlando is Miami. Miami is an okay city, but not much to see there beyond South Beach.</p>
<p>The drive between Orlando and Miami is very barren. The drive between Miami and Key West is nice, only because you are “island hopping” along the Keys. While there isn’t much to see along the way, it’s just neat to drive along the ocean on long stretches of bridge.</p>
<p>If you like drinking and relaxing, Key West is very nice. If you like partying, Miami (South Beach) is very nice.</p>
<p>The only other “detour” between Orlando and Key West would be Everglades National Park, which might be worth the trip if you want to see alligators, birds and mangroves.</p>
<p>This is apparently tougher to plan than I thought. 
We have been to Everglades already and don’t think it’s worth a second visit. Miami too actually but didn’t “party” - that was a short stay with youngsters as well as seniors. I do like drinking and relaxing.</p>
<p>I might think about adding on air tix from MCO on to Key West or Miami. </p>
<p>Or … I might rethink the Key West thing and go to Clearwater Beach which is gorgeous … or even drive to Ft. Meyers - Naples - Marco Island which is not so far as KW. If you really want to hit Key West, there’s a high speed ferry from either Naples or Ft. Meyers that is either a day trip or an overnight.</p>
<p>You could also head to Sanibel/Captiva. That is a beautiful, relaxing place to spend a week. </p>
<p>If you like to snorkel, there is a nice state park in the upper keys. Another day/snorkel trip in the Key West area is the Dry Tortugas. </p>
<p>We did the one-way flight out of Key West to Orlando. It was a huge time saver.</p>
<p>My husband and I have traveled several times to Orlando/Disneyworld…w/o the Daughter. (Yes, I win Evil Mother of the Decade for it but it’s worth it!) We don’t find it to be a strictly ‘kiddie’ place…though the thought ‘control your young’ does sometimes pass through our heads. But we eat at restaurants that people with children tend to pass over (like Morocco, Coral Reef and the non-teppanaki tables at Japan in Epcot) and stay late when most of the little ones have gone. It can be as romantic, amusing, relaxing or crazy as you decide you want it to be. And D’World has some beautiful, world-class hotels. </p>
<p>If you haven’t been since your kids were young, it’s a whole different place when you can skip the kiddiest-kid rides, though I never miss a couple of those! There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular Honeymoon destination in the States! And it’s not because all those brides and grooms want to spend their time with children.</p>
<p>I-95 and okeechobee. Get off go east one mile. Cityplace. Keep going 10 more miles famous Breakers hotel. Very nice to see and walk the grounds</p>
<p>1-95 Sheridan street. Get off go east to beach. About 12 miles. To boardwalk that is filled with outdoor cafes , bikes or bike rentals. Walk boardwalk 5 miles long. </p>
<p>What else do you like to do and I will tell you where to go. It’s my town!!!</p>
<p>Also…
Google. Shark valley. Biking along side the gators. If it is not a cold day !</p>
<p>We went to St. Augustine one year from Orlando. It was a perfect get-away. Historical sites to see, good seafood to eat, beaches to stroll along, very relaxed.</p>
<p>If you decide to stick with Key West, we stayed at a wonderful inn called “La Mer and Dewey” house several years ago. It’s on the beach at the far end of Duvall street. You can find reviews on Trip Advisor under B & B’s I think.</p>
<p>Orland to Key West is a very long drive. You might want to consider Sarasota instead. It’s beautiful and relaxing, with great beaches, golf, restaurants and shopping. I like it much better than St. Pete’s Beach and Marco Island.</p>
<p>Key West is too touristy for me. If you are just trying to relax for a week, drive east from Orlando about 1 hour until you hit Atlantic Ocean, find a hotel near beach and plop out on the beach for a week. Don’t bring your cell phone!</p>
<p>I like the idea of going down the gulf coast instead of the Atlantic - options include Sarasota and Lido Key with St. Armand’s Circle, Sanibel, and Naples. Then if you really want to go to Key West you can either drive across 75 and down, or take the high speed day trip as noted above.</p>
<p>Remember that in January you really have to go pretty far south to get warmer weather; still could be quite chilly in the central part of the state. We spent a couple of weeks in Naples last February and it barely got into let alone out of the 60’s. I think it was freezing in the Gainesville area.</p>
<p>We once spent a few days at the Hilton on Key Largo which was nice - we wanted to snorkel off a boat but the seas were too rough. I do remember a really nice meal at Marker 88 in Islamorada.</p>
<p>I don’t think Disney and Orlando are solely “kiddie places”. There is plenty for adults to enjoy and even the “kiddie” things can be enjoyed on a different level. </p>
<p>The drive to Key West is VERY VERY long from Orlando. I would not suggest this if this is supposed to be a relaxing vacation.</p>
<p>What about heading west to the Naples/Tampa/Sarasota area?</p>
<p>Whether you go to Key West from the Gulf Side or the Atlantic side…GO!! And DRIVE. It is a favorite drive of my husband and I…not to be missed. Not much to do except enjoy the sunshine. And stop for some great seafood at a little “dive.” Very relaxing. (make sure to stop at the welcome center for a map and some coupons.)</p>
<p>We have done the “boat” trip from Fort Myers to Key West twice now. I don’t really recommend this. One boat allowed gambling, which meant it had to go out so many miles from shore, and the ride was rough and sickening, even for “boat people” like us. The second time we were smarter and took a catamaran-type boat, but even so the trip took almost 4 hours and you can drive it in around five from Naples. It is pricey…and if you decide to do it, make sure you stay overnight somewhere in Key West, otherwise you will not have enough time to do anything while you’re there.</p>
<p>I suggest “splurging” for a hotel in the “Sunset Pier/Mallory Square” area. We have stayed other places, but since the main recreation in Key West is bar-hopping, you won’t want to drive. And the areas more “downtown” are charming b & b’s , but I thought walking there late at night was a bit scary. We just stayed at Ocean Key House on our last trip (right at Sunset Pier)…WELL WORTH THE SPLURGE! Our balcony faced the amazing sunsets, and was just a short walk to all of our favorites…Sloppy Joes, Hogs Breath, Capt. Tony’s…live music, margaritas, sunsets…</p>
<p>As much as I love Key West, three days is plenty. Sightseeing: Hemingway House, Mel Fisher Shipwreck Museum, Key West Museum…all good for a couple of hours. Snorkeling pretty good. Or deep sea fishing. Mostly, you relax at the pool (no real beach to speak of) after a fun night, and then get ready for another fun night. Three is plenty. But do take the drive…!</p>
<p>Kennedy Space Center. Easy place to spend a day, or even parts of two because the tickets are valid for readmission within 7 days.</p>
<p>There is a lot to do in Miami if you aren’t visiting the family. We spend most of our time there eating Cuban and Venezuelan food, and discussing with great concern the lives of those who aren’t present (i.e. gossiping about other relatives in Spanish). Once you are in the area, all of the hotels and tourist info. offices have scads of handy maps and pamphlets. You really don’t have to plan that far ahead.</p>