Vacationing in the Florida Keys

I started vacationing in the Keys in the early eighties. I was in college and I'd save a little money and drive my '67 Chevy van down with a few friends and camp. My two favorite campgrounds where The Fiesta Key KOA and Bahia Honda State Park. Whether you're tent camping or roughing it in a 34'plus motor coach. These are great places to stay. Both are on the water and have boat slips available If you bring you boat. http://www.floridakeysbest.com/families/florida_keys_camping.htm is one of many site that will provide information of camping In the Keys.

National chain motels, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Comfort Inns etc are easily found through any travel agent or online. All provide clean comfortable rooms for the less adventurous at heart. I've stay at several while working in the Keys prior to moving here to live. These are easy ways to get familiar with the Keys.

Now for the older stuff. Hidden Harbor motel in Marathon is a really neat place to stay. The owner, Richy Moretty, opened the Turtle Hospital on the property. Richy is pretty much world renown for his efforts to save endangered sea turtles. With the hospital and recuperation tanks on site, free tours are available to all guests of Hidden Harbor. The rooms are affordable, clean and have the 50's/60's decor so common in the Keys. The Kings Sail, Banana Bay, Blue Waters, Valhalla are other motels in the middle keys area you should check out.

On the upper end of the cost scale are Chica Lodge and Little Palm Island. Check out http://www.littlepalmisland.com/ for more Info. These are vacation get aways for the rich a famous. Presidents, movie stars and multimillionaires are the normal guests. They stay in these places and fish the same waters I fish. While all have their list of charters and guides, you can still be picked up at their docks by your personal guide.

The Florida Keys is a remarkable vacation destination. The beautiful waters, excellent dining and ecclectic art communities are one of a kind. From the Ritz to Ritzy crackers, If you haven't been to Keys, Come on down