It is by far one of my favorite getaways. Key West is about as authentic Florida as you can get, and whether you’ve never been or are a seasonal regular, I hope some of these travel tips will guide you on your visit to the southern most point of the US.
I think hopping on a bike is by far the best way to travel around an island. You get the freedom of going where ever you like much faster than walking, yet it is quieter and lets face it, much cheaper than renting a scooter or four wheeler. You don’t ever have to worry about parking, it’s better for the environment, and if you have a couple drinks, you can always walk it home ;). Yesterday, I did something I have sadly never done in my home state…my husband and I went out to Anna Maria Island, rented bikes, and explored a place that I thought was familiar.
Everytime I head back to Florida from Munich, I am seriously craving some sun, saltwater, and seafood. Usually one of the very first stops when I am home is the Cortez Kitchen for a fresh blackened grouper sandwich and a beer after an awesome day at the beach. If you are looking for a locals spot with an authentic Florida vibe, you have to check this place out.
If you are on the Gulf coast of Florida, and wanting to try out fishing (or even just looking for something to do with friends or family), you really won’t want to miss this experience. In 2009 some friends and I went Deep Sea Fishing with a local fishing tour in the area called the Cortez Kat. Captain Gary (pictured below), and his crew mate Lance really made this an incredibly fun experience. We woke up early, got to the docks around sunrise, and headed out to a special spot where the fish were biting literally every 2 minutes. It was really awesome.
If you are in Key West and looking for somewhere authentic to have some good food in a laid back Key West atmosphere, look no further than Pepe’s Cafe. Of all my travel tips for Key West, this place is one of my favs. They have been around for over 100 years and are considered Key West’s oldest eatery. Pepe’s is one of those places where you will see regulars, those local faces that come in every day, and with good reason! The food is excellent, servers are genuine and funny, and an atmosphere you won’t find in too many places.