4th of July in Key West!
- Onyeka Ehie
- Jul 15, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 27
We were extremely fortunate to have Martin’s mom stay with us for two weeks, and I wanted her to experience a different state since it was her first time visiting America. After considering a few options, we chose Key West because of its charm and waterfront location. It was the best decision we could have ever made. I think Key West is perfect for families or groups. Not only is it such a vibrant town but it’s also cost effective.
How We Got There
We flew to Miami first via American Airlines, with our tickets costing around $270 each (depending on the season, you can often find even cheaper fares). After landing, we rented a car for 5 days, totaling about $250. We spent our first night in Miami before embarking on the breathtaking drive down to Key West. It was one of the most beautiful drives in my entire life! We were surrounded by water most of the time and it made us so excited for the next few days. It took us about 3 1/2 hours to drive to Key West from Miami and I got to live my best passenger princess life while taking in amazing views!
Where We Stayed
When looking for places to stay, I wanted something that was cost-effective, but also was going to be a great experience for us. After some research, I discovered that historical inns are a thing in Key West. I found a cute little spot called Ella’s Cottages, and when I say our stay was 10 out of 10, I mean it.
The location was perfect, being really close to Duval Street, and the hotel itself was amazing! Not only was there a complimentary breakfast, but also an afternoon tea. We spent a lot of time just relaxing by the pool and enjoying our time there. The staff was also so kind and attentive! The rooms start at about $200 a night, with higher rates for larger rooms. We were lucky to be upgraded to a suite, which was great! Martin's mom stayed in a standard room and loved it as well!
What We Did
Snorkeling – We booked a 3-hour snorkeling trip and it was absolutely perfect. The water felt amazing and we saw so many fish. Martin and I even caught a glimpse of a stingray! If you’re being mindful of price, I highly recommend the tour we did because it’s family-friendly, safe, had live music, and plenty of space on the boat deck to relax. BOOK HERE for an unforgettable experience! There are also options to charter your own boat if you have a bigger group!
Duval Street – This is the most vibrant area of Key west and has lot of shops, restaurants and bars. If you have time to spare and don’t know how to fill come here and just walk around and you’ll find something that will grab your attention. We absolutely loved the live music and found ourselves stopping to listen to music at almost every corner!
Beaches – I’ll be honest, Key West is not known for its beaches and we knew that coming in. We spent an afternoon at Smathers Beach and it was exactly what we needed. Was it the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen? No. But the water felt great and we were able to get the relaxation we needed. Martin’s mom got a fresh coconut from a local and loved it. Higgs beach and Fort Zachary Historic State Beach ($6 admission fee) are also great options for a relaxing beach day!
Hemingway House – You can’t go to Key West without visiting Hemingway House. It was the home of Nobel prize winning author Ernst Hemingway and was the perfect touch of history. The home is stocked with cool mementos and lots of cats. Martin’s mom loved it so much she went through twice (so cute).
What We Ate
Kaya Island Eats – Hidden gem in Key west with the most amazing food. We weren’t sold when we first walked in but wow were we proven wrong. If you go, you 100% have to order the Hawaiian Kahlúa pork. It was so good. Flavor, sweetness, everything was completely on point so order it and thank me later. Also DON’T forget to order the key lime pie!
Café Marquesa – I always like to have one night of fine dining and this was the BEST choice. Although it was a white cloth restaurant, it still had a chill vibe (Martin wore shorts). The pork osso bucco and grouper were to die for and they had an amazing wine selection. We may or may not have ordered 2 bottles because it was that good ☺
Clemente’s Trolley Pizzeria – You guys know we always need our pizza fix when we travel and this was exactly what we were looking for. We got the Hawaiian, the Supreme, and the house salad. All were so amazing!
Moondog Café & Bakery – This is the perfect lunch or afternoon coffee spot! We got the banana cream pie and I basically inhaled it in one bite.
The Lobster Shack – If you’re looking for something chill with the best seafood, look no further. Seriously one of the best lobster rolls I’ve ever had!
We had an incredible time overall, and Martin and I both agreed that we'd love to return someday with our future kids. Key West is such a wholesome town, and seeing Martin’s mom enjoy herself so much warmed my heart. I highly recommend visiting Key West!
With Love,