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Some people believe that it is preferable to travel to Key West by air. It is possible to have an enjoyable time in Key West without a car. Most of the sights, bars and restaurants on the island are in easy walking distance. There is also a great deal of traffic on the island, particularly in the tourist areas and parking can be difficult to find. Other people believe that driving is an essential part of the Key West experience. Street parking is available, though more available in some places than others. Some hotels, motels and guesthouses have their own parking arrangements, though parking lots are more common the further you get away from Old Town. There is a municipal parking garage near the Key West Bight
- If you arrive by air or ferry and must have wheels, consider renting a bike. Keep it securely locked when you're not on it. Please be respectful of the rules of the road (use hand signals, etc.).
- Conch – It’s pronounced “konk,” not “konch."
- Buy and read the book "Quit Your Job & Move to Key West" before you visit Key West. It is more of a guide to the island than anything else, and will give you LOTS of truthful insight into local culture. It is also cheap and a quick read - easily found for about $10 on Amazon.com.
- Ladies, leave your high heels at home. You won’t need or want them. Buy a pair of Reef flip flops for your trip – you won’t be disappointed. Same with makeup - waterproof mascara and lip gloss is all you'll need, especially in the summer. That whole foundation, concealer, powder routine will not work here when it's hot. You'll end up looking like your face is melting, and that's not cute at any age.
- Key West is really casual. A sundress for ladies and khaki shorts for guys is as dressed up as anyone ever gets in Key West.
- Key West is not a “beach destination.” If you are coming for that, you’ll probably be disappointed. Click here then use the search tool for information on what the beaches are and are not.
- There are no all-inclusive resorts.
- It takes about 4 hours to drive from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to Key West. If it's a holiday, it can be 6+ hours. If there is an accident on US1 it can take even longer. Many people agree is easier to get in and out of Fort Lauderdale so always compare the two when looking for airfare. The general consenus is that day trips from Miami to Key West are not worth it. You need to spend a few days in Key West to really feel it, understand it and enjoy it.
- Pace yourself. Do not try to do too much or drink and eat too much on one day.
- People tend to drink a lot quickly because (There are 300 bars, it's fun and) you're thirsty and it's hot. Order a water with each of your adult beverages. Try to go 1:1 water and drinks. It will make a huge difference in how you feel the next day because you're not inadvertently trying to alleviate your dehydration with grain alcohol and high fructose corn syrup :) :)
- Key West is not Miami – it doesn’t matter what you drive, what clothes you wear or how much money you have. Leave the attitude at home.
- In the same vein, there are no “Miami-style” (velvet rope, long lines, hefty cover, dress code, etc.) clubs. If you’re coming for those, you’ll be disappointed.
- Bring and wear sunblock! The sun is much more concentrated here than wherever you are in the US. A sunburn will really put a damper on your vacation.
- PLEASE don't litter. Not only is it rude but it clogs the already somewhat inferior drainage systems and can even get out into the ocean. Remember that if it looks like someone's house, it probably is. That ledge you're leaving your empty beer bottle on just may be someone's front porch, and how would you like for people to relieve themselves on your lawn?
- Don't drag your feet on the scooters. You're asking to lose a toe or three. Scooter injuries and accidents are VASTLY underreported. The combination of inexperience, alcohol and "vacation brain" is not a good one. You want you to leave the island with as much skin and as many appendages as you came with (a few less brain cells is ok).
- When picking a hotel (or asking about it on the forum) think about price range, proximity to things you want to do, style of accommodations you prefer, etc. There is something for pretty much everyone.
- In the same vein, before you ask "Where is the best . . . " "What is the best . . . " "Who is the best . . . " - please define "BEST." For example, "What is the best time of year to go to KW?" is not a good question. What is "best?" What kind of weather do you want? Do you want it to be more or less crowded? What kind of activites do you want to do? How much money do you have to spend? Do you care if it's a holiday or no? Be more specific...
- Bring lots of cash for tips. Locals in service jobs LIVE off tips.
- If you are driving a car around town, please obey basic traffic laws. A stop sign/red light means the same thing here as it does where you live. Many locals and tourist get around on scooters, bikes and on foot, so running a stop sign (or red light) in a car can have catastrophic results.
- The motto around Key West is “One Human Family.” Locals really live this motto each and every day.
- There are lots of chickens, dogs, lizards and cats running around everywhere. Please don’t torture them – they add character to the little island.
- Don’t pack too many activities into a day. Relax, go with the flow, and slow down. That’s what Island Time is all about!
- If you are swimming in the ocean, you may see a shark (it is, after all, where they live). Don’t let it stop you from swimming, snorkeling or diving. You have a much greater chance of getting hit by a car on Duval Street than being hurt by something in the ocean.
- Whatever it is, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
- There are no bathrooms after the security gate at the airport. To go to the bathroom after you've already been through security, you have to go back through security upon your return.
- Hurricane season starts June 1st and ends in November 30th. High time for hurricanes is usually Aug/Sept. For information on the weather, visit www.weather.com. You can find monthly averages, etc. "Will it rain on April 3?" is not a question anyone can answer. And, for most people, a rainy day in Key West is still better than a sunny day at home!
- It will take you 5 days to do 3 days worth of things here, for a variety of reasons. It always works out that way. Key West time warp.
- It's a small island - walk whenever you can (this is where those comfy Reef flops come in). Keep in mind that if you wouldn't walk out in front of a moving vehicle in your town, you shouldn't do it in Key West either.
- For ideas about what to do with your kids while in KW, click here. There are many that say KW is not a good place to bring kids, and many that say it is.
- "Old Town" is basically anything from Bahama Village/Southernmost Point up to a few streets beyond White Street. After that is "New Town." If you're staying in Old Town, you're pretty much in walking distance of Duval, Mallory Square, Historic Harbor. If you're in New Town, you're not within walking distance of those things, although you may be close to a beach, depending on which side of the island you're staying on.
- Power outages are very common. Do not worry or panic if one occurs while you are in Key West. Most times the power will come back on in about 20 - 30 minutes.
- Duval Street is not the be-all-end-all of KW. Get off the beaten path and see what you can discover for yourself. You might find a place you want to stay next time, a great place to eat, a plant or flower you have never seen before, a beautiful house, etc...
- If you're prone to mosquito bites, bring insect repellant and wear it, especially in the warmer months. Much like a sunburn, a bunch of bug bites will put a damper on your vacation. Wouldn't you rather smell like OFF! than be scratching yourself to death?
- Locals have a love/hate relationship with tourists. Locals tend to love good tourists and hate bad tourists. Don't try to fight it, just know that it exists and try to be a good tourist.
