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Started By
Message
Looking at taking family to Florida Keys after Christmas
Posted on 10/28/18 at 7:08 pm
Posted on 10/28/18 at 7:08 pm
Never been...looking at 12/27 - 12/31
Flying in to Miami and then renting a car.
4 boys(15,12,9,5)
Is this a fun trip, good time of year and enough time?
Flying in to Miami and then renting a car.
4 boys(15,12,9,5)
Is this a fun trip, good time of year and enough time?
11
Posted on 10/28/18 at 7:27 pm to mandevilletiger34
I rode a motorcycle to Key West in April this year from Houston. The drive from mainland to the Keys is a long one due to all of the small towns with 40 mph speed limits and the locals have active speed traps. Beaches are good and the historical things are cool. Honestly with kids that young you maybe challenged to keep them interested unless you rent a boat, scuba dive etc. Most of the activities we found were more adult type things. That said, I don't need to go back again. 
Posted on 10/28/18 at 10:02 pm to mandevilletiger34
It’s a nice drive....but you’ll want some activities:
—look up Pennekamp state park, Key Largo. It’s an park with an underwater component, coral reefs, and Christ of Deep statue. You can get an inexpensive snorkeling excursion from the state park out to the reefs. A nice half day, the park has changing rooms and showers.
—rent bikes in Key West, ride around and check out the cemetery (interesting stuff like the remains of sailors from the sinking of the Maine, which touched off the Spanish Am war)
—Drive can be slooowww, depending on traffic. So maybe spend the last night in Miami to prevent any snafus getting back to the airport. If the kids like pools, maybe consider a stay at the Biltmore in Coral Gables, which has the largest hotel pool in N America.
—look up Pennekamp state park, Key Largo. It’s an park with an underwater component, coral reefs, and Christ of Deep statue. You can get an inexpensive snorkeling excursion from the state park out to the reefs. A nice half day, the park has changing rooms and showers.
—rent bikes in Key West, ride around and check out the cemetery (interesting stuff like the remains of sailors from the sinking of the Maine, which touched off the Spanish Am war)
—Drive can be slooowww, depending on traffic. So maybe spend the last night in Miami to prevent any snafus getting back to the airport. If the kids like pools, maybe consider a stay at the Biltmore in Coral Gables, which has the largest hotel pool in N America.
Posted on 10/28/18 at 10:10 pm to mandevilletiger34
There are some kid friendly resorts in the Keys - Hawks Cay for example, but IMO there isn't much you'll get there you can't get 100x over in other parts of South Florida.
Not an expert in the area though, so maybe I'm missing something.
Not an expert in the area though, so maybe I'm missing something.
Posted on 10/29/18 at 12:09 pm to mandevilletiger34
I would do some research on trip advisor or some place like that to see about activities for you children. I loved the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and your boys might be interested in the shipwreck bounty story.
I loved KW but we did lots of drinking and listening to live music. Will explore more on our next trip there.
A trip to Dry Tortugas would be fun. Our friends did a jet ski tour around the island but the water was too rough for them to enjoy it. Lots of fishing charters and sunset cruises to be had.
I don't know that your kids will appreciate the beautiful drive from Miami to KW.
I loved KW but we did lots of drinking and listening to live music. Will explore more on our next trip there.
A trip to Dry Tortugas would be fun. Our friends did a jet ski tour around the island but the water was too rough for them to enjoy it. Lots of fishing charters and sunset cruises to be had.
I don't know that your kids will appreciate the beautiful drive from Miami to KW.
This post was edited on 10/29/18 at 12:11 pm
Posted on 10/29/18 at 12:37 pm to ProudLSUMom
will it still be somewhat warm at Christmas?
Posted on 10/29/18 at 12:38 pm to hungryone
Other suggestions to break up the drive:
--stop in Islamorada to feed the tarpon at Robbies: LINK
--+1 on the Mel Fisher museum...it's older-kid friendly, and there is a cool display case allowing you to touch a bar of gold.
--sunset at Mallory Square is full of buskers, from musicians to the Cat Circus, which is somehow more entertaining than it should be: LINK
--stop in Islamorada to feed the tarpon at Robbies: LINK
--+1 on the Mel Fisher museum...it's older-kid friendly, and there is a cool display case allowing you to touch a bar of gold.
--sunset at Mallory Square is full of buskers, from musicians to the Cat Circus, which is somehow more entertaining than it should be: LINK
Posted on 10/29/18 at 1:04 pm to mandevilletiger34
quote:
will it still be somewhat warm at Christmas?
Usually in the 70s but can be cool sometimes. Ive done this specific trip about 7 or 8 times. They have a great new years party so Id recommend staying another day.
Key West takes about 1 day and 1 night to experience. Keys are about 100x's better if you get on the water somehow. Set up a boat trip, lobster dive, jet ski tour. head out to tortugas.
Posted on 10/29/18 at 1:21 pm to mandevilletiger34
I don't think it ever gets cool there. 
We went in February and a couple of days it was almost too hot! I don't think I could go there in summer.
We went in February and a couple of days it was almost too hot! I don't think I could go there in summer.
Posted on 10/29/18 at 2:01 pm to ProudLSUMom
I went in July one year--rented a convertible in Ft Lauderdale & drove down to Key West. Almost had a heat stroke; ended up driving around with the top down and AC on high blowing in my face. LOL. Good times.
Posted on 10/29/18 at 2:47 pm to hungryone
quote:
I went in July one year--rented a convertible in Ft Lauderdale & drove down to Key West. Almost had a heat stroke; ended up driving around with the top down and AC on high blowing in my face. LOL. Good times.
Posted on 10/29/18 at 3:37 pm to ProudLSUMom
I appreciate all if the suggestions. May be a better trip when the kids get a little older.
Changing gears...would Houston space center be better for their ages?
Changing gears...would Houston space center be better for their ages?
Posted on 10/29/18 at 10:53 pm to mandevilletiger34
We went week before Christmas once and you needed long sleeves at night... we didn’t do anything in the water, too cold. Took a sunset cruise and it was chilly... I’m sure it’s variable.
Posted on 10/30/18 at 9:31 am to DaBeerz
We went one year over Spring Break and stopped and stayed in Islamorada at the Post Card Inn. The thing I liked about it is that they had paddle boards, kayaks, inflatable tramps, snorkels, masks, etc.. all right there that you could use for free (at the time.. it was two years ago). We only stayed for two nights, but we could have stayed longer.
We did go fishing as well while there, and they have a marina on site (which is also fun, since tarpon are swimming below it).
Anyway, the resort kind of has a retro throwback feel to it, but we really enjoyed it.
We did go fishing as well while there, and they have a marina on site (which is also fun, since tarpon are swimming below it).
Anyway, the resort kind of has a retro throwback feel to it, but we really enjoyed it.
Posted on 11/1/18 at 5:06 am to mandevilletiger34
quote:
Flying in to Miami and then renting a car.
Don’t do that. It’s a miserable drive. Just fly into Key West.
As a matter of fact, go somewhere else.
Posted on 11/5/18 at 11:04 am to mandevilletiger34
Like everyone else has said there isn’t much to do here for kids unless you plan to get out on the water. Fishing, sand bars, water sports. Downtown KW is just bars and restaurants. The very few attractions are “forced” meaning they there for people who have nothing else to do.
Posted on 11/5/18 at 2:59 pm to mandevilletiger34
I was in Key West a week before xmas last year and was able to do water stuff. We did a full day Fury excursion which included free booze, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and island hopping. Besides a few dinners at night I wore shorts and tee shirt the entire trip. I'm not sure you want to bring the kids but i highly recommend doing a dinner at Latitude's on Sunset key.
We spent a few extra bucks and flew into Key West
MSY>CLT>Key West
Key West>Miami>Msy
We spent a few extra bucks and flew into Key West
MSY>CLT>Key West
Key West>Miami>Msy
This post was edited on 11/5/18 at 3:01 pm
Posted on 11/14/18 at 8:02 pm to mandevilletiger34
Stop at Robbies in Islamorada and let the boys hand feed the tarpon off the dock. Tons of fun and something they will never forget.
Also stop at World Wide Sportsman (saltwater basspro) and check out the replica of Ernest Hemmingsway’s boat.
Also stop at World Wide Sportsman (saltwater basspro) and check out the replica of Ernest Hemmingsway’s boat.
Posted on 11/15/18 at 9:08 am to mandevilletiger34
The drive alone is worth it. It's one of the great American road trips, so enjoy it. Stop often. Explore. The trip itself is part of the experience so don't treat it like you're blowing through town down I-10 to get to Houston.
If the water is warm enough snorkel at John Pennekamp State Park. That is worth the trip alone. It will take about 4 hours in water between 5 and 15 feet deep. If the water is too cold, you can still do a glass-bottom boat tour to Molasses Reef.
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen at mile post 99.3 in Key Largo is a good meal. Quirky place with license plates on the wall and dollar bills on the ceiling.
History of Diving Museum is pretty cool for kids and costs about $5/$6 for kids.
In Islamorada, you have the beaches at Morada Bay and feeding the tarpon at Robbie's is fun. There is also the Turtle Hospital that you can tour and Florida Keys Brewing Company were you can grab some local brews.
There is the Rain Barrel Village to browse. There is this enormous lobster out front so you can't miss it.
Seven Mile Bridge is pretty great to drive across if you have never done it before. Just beautiful aquamarine water as far as you can see.
In Key West, you have the Customs House, the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Southernmost Point Buoy, the Key West Lighthouse, Mallory Square, Jolly Roveer ship and all the usualy stuff that comes long with beach vacations in Florida (kayaking, parasailing, boating, etc).
If the water is warm enough snorkel at John Pennekamp State Park. That is worth the trip alone. It will take about 4 hours in water between 5 and 15 feet deep. If the water is too cold, you can still do a glass-bottom boat tour to Molasses Reef.
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen at mile post 99.3 in Key Largo is a good meal. Quirky place with license plates on the wall and dollar bills on the ceiling.
History of Diving Museum is pretty cool for kids and costs about $5/$6 for kids.
In Islamorada, you have the beaches at Morada Bay and feeding the tarpon at Robbie's is fun. There is also the Turtle Hospital that you can tour and Florida Keys Brewing Company were you can grab some local brews.
There is the Rain Barrel Village to browse. There is this enormous lobster out front so you can't miss it.
Seven Mile Bridge is pretty great to drive across if you have never done it before. Just beautiful aquamarine water as far as you can see.
In Key West, you have the Customs House, the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Southernmost Point Buoy, the Key West Lighthouse, Mallory Square, Jolly Roveer ship and all the usualy stuff that comes long with beach vacations in Florida (kayaking, parasailing, boating, etc).
Posted on 11/15/18 at 9:47 am to mandevilletiger34
I had family that lived around Summerland Key, and he said he owned one pair of long pants - and that was for church on Sundays. It can get cool, but I don't think it ever gets too cold to enjoy being outside.
As others have said, a lot of the lure of the Keys is being out on the water. Christ of the Abyss statue at Dry Rocks/Key Largo is a great spot because you can see everything from snorkeling. When you get further down, like around Looe Key (off of Big Pine) you need to scuba to full see everything. I went as part of a trip in college and we went out with Captain Slate. He has moved his base to Tavernier and I don't think he goes out to Dry Rocks anymore.
A lot of ideas have already been mentioned - Hemmingway house, wrecker museum, etc.
There are several places in the Keys that allow for swimming with dolphins. Also check out the Key Deer Wildlife Refuge. The Blue Hole area is a great place to see all types of birds, gators, etc.
As others have said, a lot of the lure of the Keys is being out on the water. Christ of the Abyss statue at Dry Rocks/Key Largo is a great spot because you can see everything from snorkeling. When you get further down, like around Looe Key (off of Big Pine) you need to scuba to full see everything. I went as part of a trip in college and we went out with Captain Slate. He has moved his base to Tavernier and I don't think he goes out to Dry Rocks anymore.
A lot of ideas have already been mentioned - Hemmingway house, wrecker museum, etc.
There are several places in the Keys that allow for swimming with dolphins. Also check out the Key Deer Wildlife Refuge. The Blue Hole area is a great place to see all types of birds, gators, etc.
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