Traveling the Florida Keys

[usbusin]

If you were traveling without your bus, but in your toad, what are your favorite spots and reasonably priced hotels along the Florida Keys? 

We want to visit the Florida Keys next winter for a week or so.  Is this enough time or should we plan more time?  This would be in February 2015.  Is it practical to stay somewhere in the middle and make day trips each way?  Is the traffic real bad in February?

Thanks for your help, especially all you Floridians.

GaryD

Moderator,  if you feel this is not the place for this post, please move it.

[Emcemv]

Stayed at the seaside inn on marathon key several years back, nice spot, I like the keys better than mainland Fla.

[Bill B /bus]

Two places to camp on the Keys without a massive price. One is Jolly Roger, I believe in Marathon, a Passport America park at about $35/day for five days. Next Bahia Honda State Park just above Key West. With those two you should be able to get your week on the Keys without breaking the bank.

Bill

[usbusin]

Emcemv, couldn't find Seaside Inn.  Was it Seashell Beach Resort in Marathon?

Bill B /bus, we won't have our bus, but will be in a car, so camping is not in the cards!

Thanks, guys.  Just trying to get a feel for the area.

[Tim Bookmiller]

We stayed at Westwinds Inn in Key west  yes pricy but we parked the toad and rode the trolley everywhere. Every thing there is pricey

[usbusin]

Thanks Tim, for the info.  I suspected that the Keys would be pricey!!

[Bob & Tracey]

We love the keys! Key West is expensive but the rest not so bad. We like to stay near Marathon but up to Islamorada is nice too, lots of smaller ma & pa type accommodations. Key West is a blast for a few days but I would not want to spend a week there, be sure to spend at least one night though. If you like bottom fishing check out the Marathon Lady out of Marathon, there is a restaurant next to the dock that will cook your catch (love deep fried grunts).

Some places we have stayed and can comment on;

White Sands Inn, Mile Marker 58 ocean side near Marathon
Gulf View Waterfront Resort,  MM59 gulf side near Marathon
Conch Key Cottages, MM62 ocean side
Blue waters Motel, about MM50 in Marathon gulf side
Lime Tree Bay, MM68.5 on Long Key gulf side

http://www.fla-keys.com/

Bob

[usbusin]

Bob, thanks so much, that is the kind of info we're looking for; places where others have stayed and would recommend.  The Keys are totally new to us so we really appreciate all those who have responded.  The smaller mom & pop accommodations are just what we are wanting; not the big hotels/resorts.

GaryD

[Emcemv]

Gary D

I had the name wrong in my previous post, we stayed at the seascape resort, nice spot in marathon.

Bruce