The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

This attraction is a real treat. Take a break from the bars and the noise of Duval Street and enter into a simply enchanting environment. The Butterfly & Nature Conservatory boasts a large gift shop where you can purchase beautifully mounted butterflies and many other nature-themed items. There is a learning center and, of course, the conservatory itself. When you walk through the door into the conservatory you will be transformed into a magical place. Take in the sights and sounds of the tiny finches in all colors of the rainbow while being amazed by the beautiful surroundings and the most gorgeous butterflies you've ever seen.

Located at 1316 Duval Street, this attraction is a must-see. 305.296-2988. www.keywestbutterfly.com

The Turtle Hospital

When I visited The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, that was the day I fell in love with turtles. The work they do there is amazing and they are "The Planet Earth's leading sea turtle research and rehabilitation  facility." The Turtle Hospital (Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. They are a fully functioning veterinary hospital for sick and injured sea turtles. They rescue, rehab, and release sea turtles in the Florida Keys.  My friend and I visited there one day simply out of curiosity and were pleasantly surprised to see the good work done there as well as the adorable turtles in all phases of recovery. I highly recommend this attraction. The Turtle Hospital gives guided tours and they have a cute gift shop that you can browse once you're finished. Don't miss this one!

The education center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. There is limited space so be sure to call for a reservation. 305.743.2552. Located at 2396 Overseas Highway, MM 48.5 on the Gulf side in Marathon, Florida. www.turtlehospital.org.

Shor American Seafood Grill

The Shor is located in the Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa. It's a lovely place and the view is to die for. Ray and I had the good fortune to visit there in March 2016 for their Easter Brunch. While it was a little pricey ($49 per person plus tip and an 18% gratuity), the food was spectacular and the bottomless mimosas weren't too happy either. The offerings included and Omelet Station with bacon and a variety of sausages, a seafood bar with undeniably good Key West Pink Shrimp, clams, and delicious smoked salmon, Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, hand sliced Easter Ham with Orange Ginger Glaze, an Island Salad Station and an assortment of breads, pastries and desserts. Needless to say - it was yummy!!

You can find parking yourself or you can valet your car. The valet guys were super nice. The Hyatt is located on the waterfront at 601 Front Street. 305.809-4000. You can dine inside our out on the veranda.

Sunset Grill & Raw Bar

There is so much to do at Sunset Grill. First, the view is great, the sunsets divine. You can come by boat or find parking in their spacious lot. There is also on-street parking. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and it's a fine place for happy hour. They have a full sushi menu as well as happy hour fare. If you're coming for sunset get there early because all the good seats go fast. Be sure to bring your camera. This is what it actually looks like on some days.

Second, they have a pool and it's heated. I love ordering an umbrella drink and sitting on the ledge in the pool sipping to my heart's content. Lots of people come there as families so it can get crowded, but it's a great place to people-watch.

Third - Sunday Funday. Not necessarily my cup of tea - it gets teaming with kids and teens and can be kind of loud, but if you have the courage, give it a try. There is also corn hole and other games to keep everyone busy.

Fourth - they have live music every evening and all day on Sunday.

Fifth - Tiki Bar not your style. They have a beautiful restaurant that offers more choices than the tiki bar does.

Bathrooms are located inside the restaurant and are nice. Sunset is located at the foot of the world-famous Seven-Mile Bridge; 7 Knights Key Blvd., Marathon, MM 47; 305.396-7235

Burdines Bar & Grill

Burdines is such a fun place to go. It overlooks Boot Key Harbor's beautiful waterway so while your waiting for your food you can sit and watch boats coming and going. It's also a maria so dockage, bait, tackle, ice cold beer, snacks and ice are available. They monitor Channel 16 so if you're coming by boat you might want to call ahead. Marina hours are 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

I always get the same thing at Burdines - a blackened fish sandwich with sautéed onions, but Ray has tried various things and each was as delicious as the next. Their tag line is, "food so good it'll make your tongue slap your brains out." Their fries are very different from any other place because, according to the menu, they're sprinkled with fairy dust. They are string cut and deep fried to perfection, but watch out, the portion is huge so order one for the table to share. Burdines waitresses and bartenders work really hard to make your dining experience a pleasurable one. They are super friendly and do a great job cranking out made to order food.

Burdens is located at 1200 Oceanview Avenue at the end of 15th Street, MM 47.5. 304.743-9204. burdineswaterfront@gmail.com. They don't really have a website - at least not one that tells you anything more than you will find right here, and they don't take reservations. They are open between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily. The often have live music but you're have to check the schedule. Ladies - the bathrooms are very clean, but sometimes you have to stand in line because there is only one. Burdines is wheel chair accessible too.

Keys Fishery

This is one of my favorite places to go for lunch, Happy Hour or to watch sunset. The view is pretty phenomenal. They offer an extensive menu, but my favorite thing to do there is chow down on their stone crab claws. They are fresh, plentiful and pretty inexpensive, at least compared to other places. In January and February 2016 we paid $2.50 apiece for mediums. Their raw bar also offers clams, oysters, Key West Pink Shrimp and tuna. They can also pack and ship your catch.

If you need something more substantial to eat, go downstairs and order anything from soups and salads to whole stuffed lobster. They boast a beer, wine and full liquor bar. The bartenders are always super nice and very accommodating. Every year this bar hosts a name the bar contest. I hear it's quite a ta do. The name for 2016 is Claws and Straws. Keys Fisheries, Market and Marina is a working marina so you'll see boats coming and going all day long. Perhaps bringing in those yummy stone crab claws. They also have a carry out seafood market. Girls - there are two bathroom locations, both downstairs. One is inside the restaurant and the other is across the parking lot in an out building. Not the greatest, but they are clean.

Keys Fisheries is located on the Gulf, at the end of 35th Street at the south end of Marathon. Turn towards the Gulf at The Stuffed Pig. They are open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 305.743.4353; www.keysfisheries.com
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Lighthouse Grill Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club

The Lighthouse Grill is part of the Hyatt Hotel located at 1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon 33050. You don't have to be staying at the hotel in order to frequent the bar. Ray and I have stopped there numerous times and really the place. The bartenders are super nice and really go out of their way to accommodate their guests, yet it's not stuffy or snooty in any way. Their happy hour is from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and they offer drink specials and discounted appetizers. My friend and I had lunch there one afternoon and the crab salad special that I ordered was unbelievably delicious. We also indulged in a pomegranate martini that was superbly blended thanks to Devon the bartender.

The hotel lobby and dinning rooms are simply lovely so if you're looking for a place to feel really special while eating a fantastic meal, you might want to consider the Lighthouse Grill dining room.

Dockside Tropical Cafe

Oh my goodness, Ray and I took such a walk down memory lane the other day. We stopped by Dockside in Marathon to have a look around. It's been several years since we've been there, but thought we needed to re-visit some old stomping grounds and a place that our good friend owned for a couple of years. We were happy to see that little had changed although the bathrooms are exactly the same (not sure that is a good thing), as they were 10 years ago. The bar and restaurant has taken on a cleaner, more cared for look but that seemed like a nature progression of things too. In the old days, Dockside was a rustic bar, where musicians sometimes showed up and sometimes they didn't. It was a stop-over for cruisers heading to or from the Caribbean. On any given day you could talk to someone from Barbados or St. Johns and share a drink or two. While the marina is still full with many cruisers, I'm not sure the vibe is the same, (just this writer's biased observation). Now keep in mind, we stopped there mid-day. There were just a few people eating lunch or having a beverage - we only had drinks. We got to talking to a couple that have lived nearby for many years and they talked of the old days and had the same memories that we did, yet they still said the place was hopping and full of fun.

I was so happy to see though, The Table of Knowledge. When we first visited Dockside The Table of Knowledge was a big deal. That was where the cruisers and live-boards sat and drank and discussed and talked about all things that mattered and all things that didn't matter. While it's smaller in size now it is a tradition at Dockside and it made me happy to see it was still around.

Dockside Tropical Cafe has music most nights. It is located at 35 Sombrero Blvd. in Marathon. Visit their website at docksidetropicalcafe.com for entertainment information and directions.

New York Pasta Garden

I love this place. It feels like a 4 star white table cloth restaurant without the outrageous prices. The food is tasty and well prepared - not to mention plentiful. The cuisine is creative and the wine list is comprehensive. We've been there a couple of times and have never needed a reservation, but you may want to think about it - 305-292-1991. They have indoor and outdoor seating and the staff is friendly. Manga Manga!

Located just off of the 1000 block of Duval in Duval Square, back in a little alcove - 1075 Duval St., Key West, Fl. 33040 www.newyorkpastagarden.com

Vinos Wine Bar (Key West)

What a great spot. With an inviting patio and ecletic decor, this little gem is a must visit. The bartenders are knowledgeable and the food is fantastic. You can enjoy a relaxing glass or bottle from their extensive wine list that is ever changing to keep their selection fresh and exciting. They offer cheese plates and several appetizer options. And, if you have a non-wine drinker in your crowd, that's okay, Vino's also offers a fairly large selection of beer. This is a great place to meet interesting locals or the many Key West guests that frequent this cozy spot. The best news of all - they offer free delivery on bottles of wine from 2:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. How cool is that? Cheers!!

810 Duval St., Key West. www.vinosonduval.com 305-294-7568

Looe Key Tiki Bar

Looe Key is one of the last hold outs for a true Florida Keys experience. Lots of locals frequent the joint and some even sit on the same bar stool everyday smoking their cigarettes and drinking their beer. Ray and I go in there quite often because it's close to our rental home. As a matter of fact, we've gotten to know a number of those locals and they are all hard working guys and gals that just want to relax and have a good time. Tuesday night seems to be the best time to be there - It's jam night. That means that locals come and bring their instruments and simply jam. The place is always packed and there is plenty of room to dance to your favorite tunes.

Looe Key also has one of the best happy hours around. It runs from 3:00 - 7:00 and you can't beat the prices. They also offer some discounted bar food, like wings and fries - that kind of thing. My favorite thing on their regular menu is the BLT - good bread and lots of bacon. Bathrooms were new last year although if it's raining you have to dash across the driveway to get to them.

Looe Key Tiki is definitely and experience and I urge you to visit there - it's a blast.
27340 Oversees Highway, Ramrod Key, FL 33042. Visit their website at www.looekeytikibar.com to read about the other entities offered at Looe Key - diving, snorkeling, motel rooms, etc.

Geiger Key Marina and Smokehouse

Geiger Key Smokehouse is a hidden gem off the main drag of Oversea's Highway. It is located to the south of, and abridged to, Big Coppitt Key. Ray discovered it years ago and we still make a point to visit there at least once or twice every year. On our 2016 visit, we were pleasantly surprised to see that some improvements had been made all while keeping it's uniqueness and "keysey" feeling. The views from their outside restaurant and bar are spectacular. You can watch boats come and go, see fish swimming just below, and watch a parade of birds doing their dance all while eating great food.  They have music almost every night, but check out they website to be sure www.geigerkeymarina.com. They are open everyday for lunch and dinner and open for breakfast on the weekends. Do yourself a favor and visit Geiger Key Marina and Smokehouse. It's a wonderful Keys experience that you'll soon not forget.

If you have an opportunity, sample their Sunday barbecue - it starts at 4:00 p.m. Is a great time to get down with the locals. 

To get there turn on Boca Chia Road at approximately at MM 11 (oceanside) and follow the road a mile or so to Geiger Road - turn left. From there you can follow the signs. Geiger Key is also home to a marina and trailer park.

5 Geiger Road,

Key West,FL

(305) 296-3553