How to pack for Florida Keys, Patagonia, and New York!

Lola, the Keys in March are likely to be nice and warm, 80ish, without being too hot; colder weather is possible but unlikely. And dress there is indeed casual. Some restaurants (unknown to me) might insist on formality, but in general the uniform is sandals, shorts and a t-shirt or, to dress up, a shirt with buttons.

Lola, Sounds like you have everything you'll need already on your packing list.

I have spent much time over the years in the Florida Keys, and things are very casual there. T-shirts and capris will be fine. It can be cool in mid-March (rare). More likely sunny and warm, 75 degrees nighttime to 95 degrees daytime. (Surprisingly, mainland Florida (Orlando or Cocoa Beach) can have cold snaps in March that last only a couple of days.) Let me know if you want the name of a really nice more formal restaurant in Key West.

I lived in New York City for awhile. It can be cool but sunny in mid-April. Sometimes it is rainy there in mid-April. Your rain jacket should come in handy. Even if it is not raining, it can serve as a windbreaker on a cloudy day. You already mentioned fleece in your Patagonia gear. This is likely to come in handy in NYC. Maybe even with the rain jacket on top of it.

Sounds as though you have a fun trip planned! Enjoy!

OK, Thanks! The last two times we were in New York it was October and the weather was great. But our first trip there was in April--- I remember it was after Passover--- and we got caught out in a drenching downpour that gave no warning. So I will plan on carrying my rain jacket everywhere we go.

A quick question on the Keys--- I keep reading there are "no nice beaches", particularly on Key Largo where we will have the most free time. (We will also drive down to Key West to visit friends.) Is that really true? We just need a safe place to get into the water for swimming, not a beach for walking or sunning.

In Key West, there is Smathers Beach. (Named for George Smathers, a friend of John and Robert Kennedy. He was the original owner of the land.) It's a public beach. Similar to the beaches you find in Miami, only there's not much of it.

Also, one of the grand hotels there has a good beach. The old Casa Marina, now a Marriott, I think. But it's for hotel guests.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park has a beach and an old Civil War era fort. It's at the most south-westerly point of Key West.

For a nice, clean beach you want Bahia Honda State Park. About 3/4 of the way down the Keys.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahia_Honda_Key

Not as far south in the chain of the Keys is Sombrero Beach on Marathon:
http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/parks/city-parks-and-beaches/

About half way between Key Largo and Key West (Marathon) is Curry Hammock State park, with swimming and kayaking.

These are all beaches I have been to, and the best is Bahia Honda.

There are many low-quality beaches (narrow strips of coarse sand) that would be fine for getting into the water for snorkeling, but Bahia Honda State Park (about midway down) has some really nice beaches. Since you will be based in Key Largo, you can get into the water at John Pennekamp State Park, which (as you probably know) is focused on snorkeling and diving.

One thing you might consider is renting kayaks. There are a lot of really beautiful places you can see in a kayak. Another thing, Robbie's Marina at Mile Marker 78 has schools of Tarpon up to 7+ feet long hanging around, and you can watch people feed them, or feed them yourself.

We were in Santiago, Chile in March. It was not hot and humid rather warm. It has a Mediterranean climate. I do not remember any humidity; landscape looks like California. Comfortable. We did have a/c in hotel. We attended an outdoor evening wedding, women wore wraps over their gowns, men suits.

Expect lovely comfortable weather for the Keys. However, many travelers make the mistake and assume Florida is all hot weather. I got caught in a cold spell for a couple of days while tent camping on Key Largo. So, as long as you have something like a mid weight jacket with you, you will be fine. An inexpensive fleece type athletic/hiking jacket which packs easily or similar is a good choice. If you really have trouble, there is always a store like Kmart around to bail you out. Enjoy Monte's stuffed fresh shrimp with a cold beer in Key West - if it's still there. The flamingo crossing has homemade mango and passion fruit ice cream - if it's still there. I haven't been down there for a number of years. I agree Bahia Honda will be your best beach choice near Key West. Enjoy Florida! Come and leave some of your money here. Keep Florida Green!

Thanks, everyone! I will check out those beaches.

Suki--- any suggestions on what to see on our one day in Santiago? We enjoy walking, so I was thinking of heDing to the Bella Vista area to wander, and stop being n somewhere for lunch. Then maybe go up the funicular? Thank you for assuring me it may not be too hot and humid. I did see that comment on TripAdvisor and in one guidebook, but I am sure it varies through the summer.

Yep. I own a house in NY, lived there 10 years and travel there every year. April will not be warm or dry. They are not having much snow so far but that could change and it often snows in April. You might wind up wearing your hiking boots. As for sneakers....can you go with a leather sneaker, like Keens? It is unlikely to be dry in NY.

Your list is great for key west.