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We are plotting our next Amtrak adventure for next winter and have considered a trip to Florida via Amtrak. We have always driven in the past but thought since we have some Rewards points available for a One Zone Roomette and with the rising price of gasoline, we would take Amtrak. Most likely we would leave on the Capitol from Cleveland to WAS and then they have us on the Silver Meteor to Fla. One question we have is what station to disembark if we are planning to acquire a rental car--head to Key West, then back to west coast--Naples/Ft Myers area- then return car at Amtrak on east coast. We thought of going all the way to Miami but it arrives in town later in the evening. (Rental car available-neighborhood around the station? Would obtain a hotel that evening before venturing down to Key West. Other alternative spots would be to get off at West Palm Beach (Soujourner's post was most interesting) or Deerfield Beach? or Ft. Lauderdale. Looking for your thoughts on these options. Thanks Railroad and Mrs. Bill
notelvis Member # 3071
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Orlando has a Hertz office right at the station though it usually has quite a line at train time.
Palmland (see Silver Star Trip Report thread) recently did a trip where he rented from Avis. They met him at the Orlando station going (while others waited in line at the Hertz counter) and dropped him off at the West Palm Beach Amtrak station on his return. He drove to Key West in between.
Ray S Member # 3175
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The West Palm Beach station is close to the airport where you can pick up a car. Also many hotels right there. I-95 or Fl. Turnpike very close to get you on your way to Key West next morning.
A Palm Tran bus (44 I believe) runs every 60 minutes from train station to airport.
Ray
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Railroad Bill, I'm not sure what level of hotel lodging you customarily use, but if you can accept an independent hotel that last was a Ramada (I personally won't), there is one as good as adjacent to the Deerfield station.
There is a fellow who posts at railroad.net who reported such was acceptable to him, but he's young and was likely traveling "on the cheap'.
If Enterprise is an acceptable auto rental brand to you, they have an office "nearby".
Finally, if interested, possibly through the various rail forums, a little "reconnaissance" of the property could be arranged.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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I'd suggest getting a rental car at either Orlando or West Palm -- you can get rentals right at the AMTRAK station in Orlando, but then you have a 3-hour longer drive to the Keys than you would from West Palm.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Not sure which of my posts inspired you, but I did love visiting Key West in mid-January 2006. I do strongly recommend when visiting there that you stay in the Old Town; there is a big strip approaching it (Roosevelt Av) and staying there would IMO entirely lose the flavor of the place. We were in Key West around the time of a big regatta; there were a lot of boat people around, an older crowd than the spring break types who I imagine inundate in February-March.
I found Key West architecturally beautiful, deliciously laid back, and just kinda neat--not like Florida but more like a small tropical New England seaport, probably with some Provincetown thrown in (though I've never been to Provincetown). The weather was lovely--the sunsets spectacular--I really did feel like I was in Paradise. I loved just walking around, by the wharves, the naval housing, the beach (it's not a great sandy beach, though, more full of shells and quaint--wear cheap but if possible close-toed cavas beach shoes), the main aboveground cemetery & streets around it, Hemingway House, Truman Housem, southernmost point, Casa Marina hotel, you name it. Duval St a bit tiresome with the T-shirts but great for People Watching. Going for Cuban coffee. Eating conch fritters. One really neat thing I did was go to the Dry Tortugas (this is a 70 mile trip on catamaran boat, if you get seasick it may not be for you but it was so cool being there!)
I'm not sure about going to West Palm Beach; your train may be later than you like; also West Palm has some dumpy areas, and better hotels in better areas are likely to be very pricey in January. I don't know about Fort Lauderdale either; train has potentional of being even later (I think once they get on TriRail tracks, if they are at all late, they lose even more time, because TriRail has priority); also, I know hotels in that area where you can enjoy the water taxis etc are very pricey esp because of all the cruisegoers coming in and staying in hotels the night before they leave. So David's suggestion about getting your car in Orlando and overnighting there might be a good one. True, it means more driving, but you are pretty much guaranteed to get in at a decent time, the car pickup situation sounds good, and there are zillions of hotels/motels, so you could undoubtedly get a better buy.
Another good thing about going to Orlando is that you can take the Silver Star or Silver Meteor with little difference. If you go further south, the Silver Star does the all-around-robin's-barn trip to Tampa and back, making the Silver Meteor far more practical to South Florida.
Railroad Bill Member # 5097
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Thanks Sojourner for the great trip advice to Key West. We have traveled to Florida since I was a child but never made it to the Keys. Looking forward to this new adventure. The Orlando idea sounds good too. We have friends that live in Tampa and Sarasota and having the car to visit the West Coast first may make more sense. Then head to Key West and later drive up the east coast-possibly board the northbound Meteor or Star in the morning hours to get home. Thanks again to all for your advice.
sojourner Member # 3134
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I hope you like Key West, as much as I did, Bill, and I think picking up the car and doing the west coast on the down trip sounds like the best plan. You might even look into that ferry from Fort Myers, though it could be pricey or choppy or canceled in bad weather, I'm not sure about it.
Re Key West, I forgot to mention Fort Zachary Taylor Park & adjoining fort--by that pebbly shell-y little beach I liked (and when I was there hardly anyone was--this was around Jan 15 I think). Not so much left of the fort but the guy who gave the tour there (I think it was free) was very knowledgeable northern transplant--from upstate NY (like me) I remember! and visiting went with the visit to the Dry Tortugas and its fort. Two other places I forgot to mention are Aubudon House (I never went in but it looked interesting) and the small but pleasant botanical area by and Martello Tower run by the Key West Garden Club, to which I walked (it's near the AIDS memorial I think). And don't forget Flagler Station and Key West Cemetery. These are spread all over in the old part of town--I walked all over (I'm a walker) but there is the conch bus that roves around downtown.
REstaurants we liked included B.O.'s Fish Wagon, 801 Caroline at William, the place to get conch fritters; El Siboney, 900 Catherine at the Corner of Margaret, just off Truman, popular fairly inexpensive Cuban restaurant, closed Sundays; I remember esp liking the roast plantains side dish; 5 Brothers Grocery, 930 Southard at corner Grinnel, great place to go in morning for Cuban coffee and guava pastry; Flamingo Crossing, 1105 Duval, great ice cream including key lime flavored; and don't forget to have Key Lime pie some place!.
The place we stopped in Key Largo on the drive to Key West was Denny's Latin Cafe, 99610 Overseas Hwy (Rte 1, the main road out), across from the Holiday Inn, great Cuban sandwiches, Cuban coffee, and guava pastries. Just a simple roadside place but friendly and the food really hit the spot.
rresor Member # 128
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Went to Key West last in the summer of 2006. Warning: it's a LONG drive, even from West Palm. Best way to do it is get on Florida's Turnpike ASAP, take the Sawgrass Expressway around Fort Lauderdale, then the Turnpike Extension south from there. Avoid Miami, and especially the Palmetto Expressway. In fact, if you want to go to the west coast, the ferry from Ft. Meyers sounds like an interesting possibility.
On the way back, drop your car at Miami airport and take a cab to Amtrak at Hialeah (or ask if the rental car bus will take you -- it's not far). Avoid driving in Miami or up and down the southeast coast if at all possible, certainly on weekdays at rush hour. And try to schedule the trip to and from Key West for other than Friday or Sunday.
Except for those caveats, have a great trip. The Overseas Highway is a wonderful experience. I just wish the trains still ran...missed them by almost 20 years (Key West Extension washed away 1935, I was born 1952).
Ray S Member # 3175
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I agree with the Turnpike, Sawgrass Exp and Turnpike Extension to the Keys. I live in WPB and go to the Keys often. I live west of WPB and stay in Islamorada and it takes 3 hours. It is another 90 minutes to Key West. It is a nice trip once you get into the Keys but it is two lanes and takes a while. Enjoy the scenery. My wife and I are going this coming week for three days.
Driving up the coast can be good or bad. Just like any other metropolitan area. I too would drop the car in Miami if possible.
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