Key West vs Provincetown

[rocky]

Hello all. I don't get to travel as much as I use to and did spend alot of time in Key West when I could get away from upstate NY. I had fun but things seem to change. I have not been back to Provincetown in years and I can drive from here. Soo, looking for your advice on where I should look in to? I know at the Keys the action goes on all night and in PTown it sort of quiets down after 1am. But just didn't seem the same in Key West. I appreciate your candid comments. Thanks guys, you are great. Rocky

[NoahDriver]

EYW all the way.

 

I was born and raised in FL, so my vote is def. KW.

 

Though it all depends on what you are looking for, like you said P-Town is a little more quiet, and KW is more of a party town. I get down to KW about every 4 months and just cannot get enough of it. What a lot of gay guys don't think about is that KW offers a lot more than just a fun gay community there is everything from snorkeling crystal clear reefs to world-class dining to sky diving. Also P-Town has a very distinct 'on' season, so if you don't go at the right time, no one will be there. Key West tends to attract a good crowd year round.

 

 

Either way, you'll have a good time at either location

 

 

 

Noah

[Guest RianB]

What Noah said...The Keys can be fun, It woulda been nice to be able to go more often but living in Miami just wasnt willing to do the 3-6 hour drive during the big weekends e.g. Fantasy Fest. Islamorada is another good one, about half way there.

 

Just watch the tropics during this time of year, its normal for Key West to do evacuations all the time...otherwise drink up and have a blast!

[JT Brooklyn]

Key West vs Provincetown.. The Sun always shines (mostly) in K/W!

 

P'town is a Seasonal Gay getaway..You'll Luv it during The Season!

 

At one time quite a few Biz Owner's spent June to Sept in P'town and could be found spending their Profits in Key West the rest of the year, along with the One Million Tourists we show a good time to every year that come off the Big Cruise ships every week!

 

So depending on how you do your "Cruising" we actually have it all!

[+ g56whiz]

Whatever happened to Fire Island as a gay vacationland?

[JT Brooklyn]

F.I.

 

F.I. does still get a good crowd! Not like the Pre-HIV Days though.

 

There was a time when it was called the "Poor Mans Key West"!

 

Considering the Cost for a very "IFFY" Summer Rental Season like this so far WET & Cold NYC Summer.. I doubt the Island even got alot of "Day Trippers" so far this 2009 Season.

[edjames]

I guess it would depend on the time of year you want to travel to these destinations.

 

I would suggest you avoid Key West during the summer months when the weather can be oppresively hot and humid in Florida, not to mention it's hurricane season and more than one traveler has had their Key West getaway ruined by an evacuation. FYI, it rains almost every afternoon. I haven't been down there in about 5 years but it had changed then and it's not the same gay friendly resort it was many years ago. I will, however, make another trip down there in the future.

 

Provincetown is a summer/early fall place to visit. The weather can be a lot cooler up there and the water is freezing cold at the beach! However, there are a lot of gay activities, shows, bars and restaurants to take advanatge of. I am headed up there in a few weeks.

 

So, I'd say if your anxious to travel soon, head north to P-Town and if your travel plans are later, head south.

 

As far as other gay destinations, what about Montreal, Quebec City or Toronto? They are within driving distance from upstate NY, and the exchange rate is favorable right now. I just returned from a wonderul long weekend in Montreal and had a terrific trip.

 

ED

[+ newatthis]

montreal report?

 

... I just returned from a wonderul long weekend in Montreal and had a terrific trip.

 

How about a Montreal report? You'd have lots of appreciative readers! (But don't hijack this thread (as I just did!); start a new one.)

[Guest manrent1]

I've always thought Key West was one of the tackiest places on the planet. If you want fun in the hot Florida sun go to South Beach or Ft. Lauderdale. I can't imagine spending more than 8 hours in Key West.

[Luv2play]

Hemmingway called Key West the poor man's St Tropez. Then it became fashionable, mostly because of the gays. Then AIDs struck and it went into decline. I agree South Beach and Ft Lauderdale are better bets, in the season (not summer).

[Guest zipperzone]

 

Provincetown is a summer/early fall place to visit. The weather can be a lot cooler up there and the water is freezing cold at the beach! However, there are a lot of gay activities, shows, bars and restaurants to take advanatge of. I am headed up there in a few weeks.

ED

 

I have always found P'town to be at it's best in the fall after all the party boys have gone home. I enjoy the solitude, the atmosphere, the architecture and the fact that Boston is not too far away if you need a quick fix of sophistication.

 

Another place I also enjoy in the off-season is Nantucket. Not as convenient as you can't drive to there but I love the beaches and almost everything else about it. It has always amazed me that it was not more of a gay mecca.

[NoahDriver]

The last few trips I took to South Beach and Ft.Lauderdale were horrible.

 

The thing about Key West is that it's an island tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. South Beach is one of the busiest beaches in the US. Last time I was there, it felt like a frat house invasion, with paparazzi and women with silicone boobs the size of their head. Key West still has a small town feel with nice people and a come as you are attitude.Added, accommodations in Key West are much more plentiful and cheaper then the Miami Beach area.

 

Don't think about walking down the beach holding your partner's hand without at least a dozen comments from ignorant people driving their dime-a-dozen Bentleys. Rovers, and BMWs.

 

 

Key West: Relaxed, judgment-free, gay friendly. What more could you ask for?

[JT Brooklyn]

I totally agree with all who think the "Lovely People" should stay in Ft Laud/Miami ..."Birds of a Feather" should definitely Flock together and stay on the Mainland!

 

Key West is definitely for the Laid back type NOT for those who have to be Entertained 24/7....

[+ Charlie]

I went back to P-town last summer for the first time in 37 years, and it hardly seemed to have changed, although I did not try out the bars and the night life. I used to go to P-town regularly for the beach, the fact that it's small enough that one could walk everywhere, and the very relaxed atmosphere--in the 60s, it was the only place I had ever been, other than Cherry Grove, where gays were completely open in public and no one batted an eye. My only visit to KW was a dozen years ago, and even then people were telling me that it was no longer as much fun, or as gay, as it used to be. So my personal favorite is definitely P-town, although I certainly admit to being prejudiced by all my nostalgic connections to it (after all, it's where I found my true love).

[Traveler North]

Been to both places. Each has its advantages. But really enjoyed staying at gay resort, the Boat Slip, in P-Town. Really rocked at night with dancing and pool play.

People came there from all over P-Town.

[Guest RianB]

I've always thought Key West was one of the tackiest places on the planet. If you want fun in the hot Florida sun go to South Beach or Ft. Lauderdale. I can't imagine spending more than 8 hours in Key West.

 

you've spoken for all of Florida....yeah Its my state but Miami is just a small section of an otherwise colorful, mix matched state.

 

LOL but I cant see why people jump all over Florida's sun. Hell...the sun is even worse in the southwest. Theres no rain, no clouds...its 12 hours non-stop many days

[Guest RianB]

Last time I was there, it felt like a frat house invasion, with paparazzi and women with silicone boobs the size of their head.

 

Most of those women were probably T.S. its popular down there. Plus lots of men have silicone boobs too....

 

Don't think about walking down the beach holding your partner's hand without at least a dozen comments from ignorant people driving their dime-a-dozen Bentleys. Rovers, and BMWs.

 

Thats cause South Beach isnt gay friendly; in an open way. A night in South Beach with straight people is COMPLETELY different than a night with gays. Its almost like day and night. Many of the local gays dont even go to south beach like that...We already know what its about, rather NOT about...

[essjay]

sounds like you should go to work for the chamber of commerce!

[JT Brooklyn]

The Summer has Hit the Keys early. So unless your into "Hot & Humid" Late Sept is the best time to visit Conch Country!

 

Although the Rates are dropping for the Summer.

[Guest]

The two destinations simply have different seasons, as others have alluded to. From Memorial Day to mid-September the weather is less stifling in P-town. One thing about P-town that I've noticed, though, is that it can be tough to find a place unless you're willing to commit to at least a 4-day stay. Key West has a whole lot more accommodation options. I would especially not like to go to KW during peak hurricane season, such as August & September. I've known two couples who own places in both towns, and they leave KW in early May, then leave P-town to go back south in October.

If you're looking for escorts, Ft. Lauderdale is a client's paradise--probably the best place in the world to hire escorts IMHO. Neither FLL nor South Beach have the resort atmosphere of KW and P-town, though, which I would pick if hiring escorts is not an issue (although P-town does get seasonal escorts).

[JT Brooklyn]

Also IF you get real Horned Up over a "Working Guy" from Miami/Ft Laud Flying him down to K/W in 55 mins is an easy deal to make!

 

Many B/B's make Rates very affordable during June thru Sept! Unless your afraid of a Little Wind!

[+ deej]

One key difference these days is it'll take longer for the oil slick to get to P-town.

[jimboivyo]

JT- The airtime might be quick, but the fare isn't cheap. Never has been. I can't get from TX to KW under about $400 w/ tax. I usually end up flying private anyway, but it's always been an expense either choice.

 

I vote for key west. love staying on Fleming st.

[+ g56whiz]

The Summer has Hit the Keys early. So unless your into "Hot & Humid" Late Sept is the best time to visit Conch Country!

 

I haven't been to KW in so long it was still the "Conch Republic"!

[MsGuy]

Lol

 

One key difference these days is it'll take longer for the oil slick to get to P-town.

 

Good point!

 

I heard on C-SPAN last night that Florida is already organizing volunteers to pick tar balls off the beaches.