Considering a Florida vacation? Don’t know what to expect? Then you should read our travel guide. We will give you our tips on where to stay and what to do for a wonderful 6-day/7-night Florida getaway.

As you probably already know, Florida is a great place to travel. It is one of my favorite US destinations. While there are beautiful beaches throughout Florida, this article focuses on the Florida Keys. That’s right, Caribbean atmosphere right here in the good old USA. If you are looking for a large resort hotel experience, you should probably stay in Key West. You can fly directly into Key West International Airport on American, Continental, Delta and US Airways. If you prefer to stay in Miami, it is only a 2-hour drive south to Key West. You can drive the Overseas Highway all the way to Key West. The Florida Keys offer plenty of land and water activities, as well as historical landmarks. In recent years, Key West has become more developed, but you can still find the historic charm of old Key West. Just get off the beaten path and you will find places like Bahama Village and historic Old Town. If you are ready to party, you can do the “Duval Crawl” on Duval Street, where New Orleans meets the tropics.

So let’s get started. Which hotel or resort should we choose? While there are a lot of very good options, we recommend the Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa. The Hyatt provides a beach experience that rivals many of the large resorts throughout the Caribbean. This property has 2 restaurants, 1 bar, sunset cruises aboard a 60-foot sailboat, two piers, motorized and non-motorized water sports, a fitness center and spa, a pool, bicycles, scooter rentals and direct beach access. Duval Street is only one block away, so you can easily walk to many restaurants and bars, as well as sunsets at Mallory Square. The Key West Golf Course is nearby, but you will have to reserve in advance. Whether you choose to relax on the beach, sip a drink by the pool or try one of the many activities available, the Hyatt has something for everyone.

We always like to split our time evenly between enjoying all of the resort amenities and touring areas outside of the resort. There are many touring options available in Key West, which can be arranged through the Hyatt or you can book activities in advance through our site. Whether you want to venture out on your own or take a guided tour, the options seem endless. Some of the best guided tours are the Key West Pub Crawl, Historic Key West Trolley Tour and the Key West Conch Tour Train. Other notable attractions include the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West Aquarium, Key West Lighthouse Museum and the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum. Of course there are unlimited opportunities for boating, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, parasailing and jet skiing. While we are focusing on Key West activities, there are many nearby activities and sights throughout the keys. 

We did not forget about the shopping! A great place to shop is the Clinton Street Market at Mallory Square. Here you will find many commercialized shops as well as small coffee and candy shops. Many cruise ship passengers shop at Clinton Street Market because it is convenient for them while docked at Key West, so get there early. Other areas include many specialty shops such as the Conch Republic Cigar Factory, Key Lime Pie Co. and Cuba, Cuba!

And lastly, you have to indulge your appetite while on vacation. Key West offers many dining and entertainment options. Some of our favorites are Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, the Hardrock Café, Alonzo’s Oyster Bar, Anthony’s Café, Louie’s Backyard and Mangoes.

These suggestions should keep you busy for a week, but don’t forget to relax and enjoy all of your resort amenities.

Happy Travels from VacationsandTravelDeals.com!