Due to other family commitments, we do not have enough vacation days to make the trip to SXM - so we are going to use our vacation days to drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West & then back to Ft. Lauderdale in July - we would like to stay one or two nights on the way down and are looking for advice as to what keys/islands/cities to stop on, places to stay, places to eat, things we must see, etc. We are not looking for fancy - but we are looking for good seafood & good local bars. Also, we have been to Key West a few times on a cruise ship, so we know what we want to see there, but need advice on places to eat & places to stay. We are not interested in doing anything in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area, as we lived there for 12 years & have seen & done all we want in that area - we are looking for things between Marathon & Key West. Thank you in advance for your help.

We absolutely love Islamorada! We just stayed at The Drop Anchor Resort in November and will be back there often. Look at their website and make your own judgement. Go to the Island Grill for awesome Tuna Nachos, burgers, etc. Drive south about three miles (?) ( address is 77522 ) and just over one of the bridges you'll see a place called Robbie's on the right which we really enjoyed as well. Tableside at the water and docks, watch Manatees and Tarpon, great food/drink. LOTS of unique arts/craft stands all over. Don't miss Lorelie's for a sunset either.

Thanks - that is exactly the kind of info we are looking for.

Oh yes, Lorelie's is great. We stayed at The Islander.
There is a great restaurant nearby, Chef Michael's. Excellent, can't recommend enough. Or you can grill your own at Islander. They have grills all around the property.
Key Largo we like Mrs Mac's Kitchen. The old little one on the bay side of the road.
Cheers
irina

Drop Anchor also has 6 Weber grills for use. There are several seafood markets you can buy fish from to grill.

BEERMAN did his normal great trip report a few years ago on same, including red Mustang convertible! Search to find.

We vote for Mrs. Macs kitchen as well and if you stop at a tourist welcome station at the top of the Keys on your way down you will often find discount coupons..including Mrs. Macs. There are also shell shops in the mid to lower Keys that have not only unique shells but great gifts as well.
As for Key West..park the car in an off main street ( Duval) parking lot and walk through the downtown area. You may be followed by a beautiful rooster looking for handouts. A trip to Key West isn't complete without quaffing a few at Sloppy Joes and they have a small souvenir shop as well. Be advised that the Sloppy Joes on Duval is NOT the original..it's around the corner on a side street. In Mallory Square there are lots of shops and don't miss the Aquarium and the Sandal factory. Once back in the car you may want to tour little Havana..an area of Key West with original Cuban style cottages/homes built by Cubans who settled in Key West in the fifties. And don't miss mile marker # 1.

Forgot...somewhere around Islamorada is the original African Queen...totally restored and you can book a trip on a very historic boat..you may have to explain to the kids what the boat is all about...

Thank you for the recommendation on Mrs. Mac's kitchen - we are planning on spending 2 nights in Islamorada & 3 nights in Key West. We have been to Key West several times & plan on spending time at several of our favorite bars (Hog's Breath, Captain Tony's & Smokin Tuna to name a few) while there. We are renting at a bed & breakfast a few blocks off Duval. Thanks for the info & tip on getting coupons!

Oh yea, the African Queen is in Key Largo at Holiday Inn.
Near Diver's Direct.
Cheers
irina

First time I stayed in Islamorada was back in '82. The Cheeka was the place. I think it was about $79 a night. Crazy what it is now but still a great property, worth going for a drink or walk around. There was a place called the Holiday Isle that had a Tiki Bar that was the place to be. Rum Runners were the rage. Ahh the good old days. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

Holiday Isle is still around. Called Postcard Inn now.
Fun times. We will stay at Cheeca next time.
cheers
irina

RE...Mrs. Macs Kitchen...you'll find her at mile marker 99.4 , U.S. 1 in Key Largo and if you can score a card somewhere at a tourist welcome station near her business the card is good for a free Key Lime Freeze...delicious

The Postcard Inn is where we were thinking of staying!

That's a real party spot! Enjoy. LOL
You aren't sleeping or anything right?
Check it out. And if you like it, go for it.
Lots of places to stay.
Cheers
irina

We stayed at the La Jolla resort for a few days on our way through and had a good time, in a lost 50's sort of way. Also did Lime tree Bay and that was very nice (except the weather was miserable so couldn't really take advantage of it.)