Headed South to the Conch Republic ...

[MaryvilleRockWriter]

It's vacation time, and the girlfriend and I are getting the hell out of here for a week. Next stop: Key West. It's Fantasy Fest week to boot, so the freaks will be out in full force. Any of you Blabbers have recommendations for cool/unusual/out-of-the-way stuff to see and do while we're down there/on the way? We're driving. The iPod is fully charged.

[Randall]

It's vacation time, and the girlfriend and I are getting the hell out of here for a week. Next stop: Key West. It's Fantasy Fest week to boot, so the freaks will be out in full force. Any of you Blabbers have recommendations for cool/unusual/out-of-the-way stuff to see and do while we're down there/on the way? We're driving. The iPod is fully charged.

That's wild. You are the second person I know headed for Key West this weekend. If you see a tattooed guy who looks vaguely like Henry Rollins partying with a guy who looks like Kenny Loggins/Jesus, ask them if they know me.

Bon voyage!

[Gina]

It's vacation time, and the girlfriend and I are getting the hell out of here for a week. Next stop: Key West. It's Fantasy Fest week to boot, so the freaks will be out in full force. Any of you Blabbers have recommendations for cool/unusual/out-of-the-way stuff to see and do while we're down there/on the way? We're driving. The iPod is fully charged.

Ohh have a great time. We have been twice this year so far. You have to go eat at The Blue Heaven, as long as you don't mind roosters running under your feet
If you have time and the money take the boat trip to The Dry Tortugas.

[Gina]

http://picasaweb.google.com/holtgs/K...ey=onB1dsS2ms4

Hemingway House
http://picasaweb.google.com/holtgs/H...ey=zjD-XRb_J1Y

[skirob]

Any of you Blabbers have recommendations for cool/unusual/out-of-the-way stuff to see and do while we're down there/on the way? We're driving. The iPod is fully charged.

-Take your time once you get past Marathon Key. Roll down the windows and enjoy the drive.
-Bahia Honda state park @ Big Pine Key is considered one of the best US beaches. It's gorgeous.

In Key West:
-Go snorkeling. You can sign up for one of the catamaran trips and they'll take you out to a reef. Very cool. Drinks (I know you don't imbibe) provided once out of water if on sunset trip.
-Drink consumption makes up 99% of Key West nightlife. Even if not drinking, some better places to check out are the Green Parrot (met cool locals here that were big V-Roys fans), The Bar (if still around, changes names a lot), stick your head in Sloppy Joes, Hogs Breath and Capt. Tony's to say you were there.
-The sunset celebration at end of Duval. Catch the freaks and street performers. Another night go to the hotel sunset celebration next door (you don't have to be a guest, just walk on over) and catch the Cat Man do his thing.
-Hemingway House is worth checking out and you get to see the infamous six-toed cats.
-Last but not least, go have your picture taken at the Southernmost Point. Everybody does.

Food:
-Turtle Kraals about a block from Sunset pier. Food is pretty good and reasonable. They have nice outdoor seating overlooking the boat docks.
-Blue Heaven is Cuban/island food that is excellent (Gina can 2nd this). You sit outside and have chickens running around everywhere.

Beaches:
-Smathers is a pretty nice public beach on eastern end of island
-Fort Taylor is also nice public beach with more shade than Smathers

[Quince]

-Bahia Honda state park @ Big Pine Key is considered one of the best US beaches. It's gorgeous.

Seconding that. Have a blast, MRW!

[The Italian Dude]

And, like if you are on the beach at nite, you might run into the "Bale Man"
if he has found anything, you may be in for a pleasant suprise.

[relentless1]

We were there this time last year. We always camp at Bahia Honda State Park. If you want to go to a beach, definitely go to Sandspur at Bahia Honda. It's magical.

The Stuffed Pig at mile marker 49 on Marathon has positively dynamite breakfast.

[~Rumormonger~]

An early morning kayak cruise the the mangroves on Sugarloaf is a rejuvinating experience.

And don't forget to visit the Weeki Wachee girls on your way down.

[Quince]

And don't forget to visit the Weeki Wachee girls on your way down.

'In 1997, the popular Former Mermaid shows began, bringing former mermaids back to Weeki Wachee Springs to swim in the Mermaids of Yesteryear shows, which play to standing room only crowds.... As the mermaids sing in The Little Mermaid show:

We’re not like other women,
We don’t have to clean an oven...'

Think they know Billy Mack, that detective down in Texas?

(You know: the one who knows just exactly what the facts is.)