A week in the Keys

We are beginning to plan a first time visit to the Keys in either February or March. Would appreciate any advice on the best place to fly into (from NY); we would also like a trip to the Everglades; the best place to stay in the Keys; recommendation on spending most of the time in Key West, Key Largo or other Keys or splitting it up. We like historic stuff - and were thinking B%26amp;B. Also which month, weather wise would be better -- we were looking end of February or mid-March. Any tips appreciated.

A week in the Keys

You can fly into either FLL or MIA. I would pick whichever has flights fitting your budget and times. I prefer MIA, but most on here prefer FLL. Take your pick.

Best place to stay in the Keys? Really depends on what you want. Since you have never been, maybe split you time between the middle Keys and Key West and see which suits you for your next trip! Marathon and Islamorada are good picks.

February and March are super busy here in the keys. Weather can be windy, hindering some water activities, but it will/should be warm. Late Oct and Nov are usually good weather months.

Not many B%26amp;B%26#39;s outside of KW. There is one in Big Pine (Deer Run, i think?)

www.floridakeysmarathon.com

www.islamoradachamber.com

Two links for starters on places to stay outside of KW. See if anything peaks your intrest in a place and exactly where you want to be and get back to us - it%26#39;s a vocal board here with lots of good advice.

A week in the Keys

Most people on the board seem to pick between MIA and FLL based on price.

Depending on when you land (morning vs. afternoon), you could visit the Everglades on the way to the Keys. Instructions are in the go list below.

I would split my time between the Upper or Middle Keys (i.e., Marathon, Islamorada) and KW. Tarpon Flats is a B%26amp;B. Dove Creek Lodge serves breakfast but is more of a small hotel. For some interesting history, take a kayak over to Indian Key (near Robbie%26#39;s described in the go list). You%26#39;ll need to read up a bit on the history before you go. There%26#39;s also a memorial to the 1935 victims of the hurricane.

http://www.keyshistory.org/hurrmemorial.html

If you really like history, read Last Train to Paradise by Les Standiford before your trip. It describes the building of the railroad from Miami to Key West. You%26#39;ll see remnants of it still.

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i12780-Everglad鈥?/a>

ANother option, which may cost a little more would be fly in to RSW (Ft. Myers), rent your car there, hit I-75 to just south of Naples and then cut west to hiway 41. Depending on your arrival you could spend your first night in Ft. Myers and then start your Everglade adventure. Hiway 41 (Tamiami Trail) will take you right through the Everglades with a side trip to Everglade City for a meal and on to Shark Valley for a tram tour. You are then close to the Keys...I can highly recommend Islamorada Hampton Inn. You can make day trips all around the Keys from here. Staying in Key Largo is much like staying on the mainland...you need to venture south a little more to experience the Keys. I would plan to depart MIA or FLL but this will make the most of your time. February or Mid-March are good months weather wise although there will be many tourists.

March will have the better weather. By then the cold fronts stop short of the Keys and drift back north. We get warm, stable weather with little rain.

I%26#39;d spend some time in Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, and KW. Each has a somewhat different flavor.

http://www.fabulous-florida-keys.com

I would split your time between the upper keys and Key West. Take a look at the Islander in Islamorada, you will be central to everything in the keys and in walking distance to a bakery, several shops and restaurants. Search the Key West forum for tips on where to stay, I beleive there are a few B%26amp;B%26#39;s there. Mid-March the prices should start to come down. February is still tourist season in the keys.