Suggestions for Naples, Florida and Key West

[Rp1955]

Hello:

Spending some time in Naples/Marco Island and Key West soon. Any suggestions on "must see/must do" places/things? Restaurants ? (we love seafood). Best beaches to visit? Historical sights? We're a couple in early 60's, enjoy walking the beaches, eating out, etc. Thanks in advance.

Rose

[twinboat]

In the Keys, Smathers beach in Key West is the longest. Most Keys beach's have more coral then sand.

Bahia Honda State Park has a long Sandy beach if the tide is out. It can get full of seaweed though. I'm there now.

Marathon has Sombrero beach. Inported sand and regular maintance. A few miles north is Coco Plum beach. Quiet.

If you can, do the Ft Jefferson, Dry Tortuga, all day ferry. Expensive but all included.

Last year we tried the Eco-Tour, around Key West, on jet skis. We made it, but too fast and bumpy for us 60 year olds, to keep up with the youngins. By the time we caught up, the Eco talk was over.

Theater by the Sea, in Islmorada puts on a good Dolphin show. Grassy Key has the Dolphin Research center for a more in depth experience.

Sunset Grill or Burdines in Marathon, way to many resturants in Key West, still checking them out.

Not much info for the upper Keys. Don't think much of "Robbies" in the middle Keys.

There is a nice shelling, sand bar in Marco Island. Not sure how to get to it without a boat.

Naples has a nice beach and pier. We have enjoyed the resturants near the city dock.

[mrfuni]

Naples, my home town. Stroll down 5th avenue in downtown Naples. Enjoy dinner at Bistro 821 on 5th. The beaches are beautiful, check out The Naples Pier especially for sunset. The Mercato shopping area is a hot spot at night with plenty of bars and restaurants. We have a wonderful zoo in midtown, and a Greenway to take a leisurely walk.

Cruise down Gulfshore Blvd from The Naples Beach Club south to see where the millionaires have been taken over by the billionaires. The houses are fantastic.

I can go on and on, pm me if you have specific question. Enjoy your visit.

[muleman1]

Marco Island:
Snook Inn
Tigertail Beach or south beach access
Farmers market every Wed. morning

Goodland - several restaurants and working seafood market

Check papers for local seafood festivals (Everglades City Feb 10-12)

[cmpncrsaider]

In Naples we loved Handsome Harry's. if your having a cocktail their Ultimate Margarita is really good.
In Key West we always go 1 time to Louie's Back Yard, a little pricey but excellent!
1/2 shell raw bar for casual, catch happy hour 4:30 to 6:30 menu specials and drink specials. If you like oysters, this is a great spot! Everything's good here! And reasonable.
Have fun!! We just got back and ready to go again!!

[cmpncrsaider]

Also as previously stated Fort Jefferson day trip I highly recommend.

[PanJH]

For KW,( actually Stock Island) check out Hogfish Bar and grill, great food. Also in the same area is the Rusty Anchor ( it was closed, but due to reopen real soon) . For Happy Hour, go to Commodore/Boathouse on the harbor - the small plates are 1/2 price .

[Rp1955]

Thank you for your responses. We'll check these out. All the best.

Rose

[MRUSA14]

It is well worth the drive to Fort Myers to see Thomas Edison's home and workshop, and the adjacent Henry Ford estate. A really fascinating tour.

[Tdhewins]

In KW check out Santiago's Bodega. It's a really wonderful restaurant!

[Ray,IN]

In Key West, take the time to eat at El Siboney Cuban restaurant. It is about 3 blocks from the marker buoy, address: 900 Catherine street. They have limited parking so you might need to plan ahead.
Then of course any visitor shouldn't miss the original Jimmy Buffet restaurant on Duval St.
Every night there is a sunset party in the plaza too. If you are there during spring break, all bets are off in finding a place to park.

[TwelveVolt]

When passing through Key Largo, two options for a simple lunch or dinner are Hobo's (oceanside at mm 102) and Mrs. Mac's (in the median at mm 99, across the street from the RV park).

[RolandRock]

Big pine key - Springers bar and grill first one on right when you get to pine key. A couple miles down @ Key Deer blvd. Winn Dixie for stock up @ grocery store. Further down Key Deer Blvd. is Blue Hole, a really nice (free) little nature preserve with birds, crocs, trails and observation deck. No Name pub in Pine Key is a very unique beer/pizza place. Don't know the condition of the roads currently you may want to use the toad for that one. Sugarloaf key - Mangrove Mama's. In Key West - On A1A side Smathers beach, lots of off road parking and continue down Atlantic Blvd. to Higgs beach and Pier for walking. Driving all the way down Southard St. to Quay St. is plenty of parking at Eastern National near the Maritime museum and Naval Base. Walking back out and to the left will take you to Duval St. and Mallory Square. Don't miss sunset at Mallory Square.


Happy Travels

[jbrv]

If you want to see a little something different (Original Florida) take US 41 across the glades.

Big Cypress preserve has a few places to get out and stretch your legs and see some wildlife. Two visitor centers, one on the east and one on the west side. The both have ranger led walks, both wet and dry, and some boardwalks and such in between.

World smallest post office is on US41, Skunk Ape headquarters is interesting, Clyde Butchers gallery is on us 41 (https://clydebutcher.com/)

Everglades park has shark valley on US 41, they have a Tram tour or bikes to rent if you want to bike the 17 miles. Gets a good look at the glades.