Six-day Florida Keys itinerary with children

You could possibly spend months exploring the Florida Keys, trying out the smaller islands, discovering the household points of interest and simply revelling in that laid-back environment – however in case you don’t have fairly that lengthy, you possibly can nonetheless pack quite a bit right into a six-day Florida Keys itinerary with children.

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Operating for 113 miles, the Abroad Freeway is the one main street by means of the Keys so it additionally makes for a simple Florida street journey for households, following the route from the Higher Keys to the Decrease Keys, earlier than heading again north once more.

Our personal journey fitted into round every week, together with flight time, basing ourselves in Key Largo, Key West and Marathon however you possibly can go slower in case you’ve bought time to spare, with loads of tempting detours to construct in over greater than 800 keys, or you possibly can reduce a number of the actions from this Florida itinerary for youths to cram every part into a brief break.

No matter you select, it’s a fantastic place to discover with youngsters – numerous household points of interest, some unbelievable boat journeys, seashores to chill out on, excursions to take, historical past to find and a welcoming laid-back vibe (learn on for recommendations on when to plan your Florida Keys journey to keep away from the crowds).

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Day 1 – Miami to Key Largo

For most individuals your journey will begin in Miami (or presumably Fort Lauderdale) except you’re driving the entire approach to the Florida Keys.

Though there’s an airport in Key West, it’s a simple drive from Miami to the Higher Keys and also you get the expertise of driving all the way in which down the Abroad Freeway, together with the great Seven Mile Bridge afterward on this Florida Keys street journey itinerary.

With these sweeping bridges taking you from key to key, as you take in the views of the ocean on the way in which, the journey may be very positively a part of the journey right here.

You probably have time to spare, it’s nicely value setting apart a number of days to find the most effective of Miami with children as nicely, or you may construct in a detour to the Everglades Nationwide Park, however in any other case it’s round an hour from Miami airport to Key Largo – ultimate in case your flight arrives late and also you don’t need a lengthy journey forward

What to do in Key Largo

Maintain day 1 easy, particularly in case you’re factoring in an extended drive or jetlag – relax at your resort or head to the seashore.

Harry Harris Seaside and Park on Tavernier is round a 15-20 minute drive from Key Largo, and it’s nice with youthful children. A jetty protects the gentle sand seashore from the strongest currents, so the water is calmer and there are many services for households.

The place to remain in Key Largo

We stayed at Reefhouse Resort & Marina (the previous Key Largo Bay Marriott Seaside Resort) with its personal personal seashore, pool and beautiful spacious rooms searching to the ocean.

There are boat journeys from the on-site marina and a dive store if you wish to get going right away, or the property has two bars and Gus’ Grille all-day eating with its outside coated patio if you wish to chill out with one thing to eat.

There are cookies for youths at reception while you check-in (and for grown-ups in case you ask properly!) plus loads of parking.

The place to eat in Key Largo

Don’t miss a go to to The Fish Home which specialises in native seafood, together with yellowtail snapper, mahi mahi, grouper, Florida lobster and stone crab.

I cherished the specialty matecumbe sauce and there are easy choices for youths too – it’s all very relaxed too so nice for households.

Day 2 – Islamorada

Head a bit of additional south for day 2 to find Islamorada – you may additionally make this your first cease from Miami as a substitute primary base within the Higher Keys to begin your Florida Keys itinerary with children.

Try a number of the greatest motels in Islamorada for households right here

Because it’s barely farther from Miami airport, we selected the shorter drive – it’s simply over half an hour from Key Largo to Islamorada so it additionally breaks up the time within the automobile with youthful children – after which headed again to Reefhouse Resort for the night.

What to do in Islamorada

There are many nice methods to fill a day on Islamorada with children, in case you don’t really feel like a lazy first morning.

Anne’s Seaside

Fancy some extra seashore time? One other contender for the title of most stunning seashore within the Florida Keys, Anne’s Seaside is right for households because the shallow water is ideal for youths, or you possibly can stroll alongside the boardwalk right here too.

Historical past of Diving Museum

Islamorada can be house to the Historical past of Diving Museum, house to a real sixteenth century treasure chest!

The museum additionally shares the position South Florida and the Florida Keys have performed within the historical past of diving, when you can study every part from free diving to what it takes to dive into the abyss!

Feed the tarpon at Robbie’s Marina

Head to Robbie’s Marina, with a string of stalls to select up souvenirs, numerous boat journeys, tarpon feeding and loads of locations to eat. In case you’re feeding the tarpon, hold an eye fixed out for the pelicans who swoop in to steal the fish – these payments pack fairly a peck.

We stayed a protected distance away at Robbie’s of Islamorada for lunch, with a inexperienced iguana absorbing the solar close to our desk – there are many child-friendly dishes on the menu, in addition to nice fish and seafood. They’ll even prepare dinner your catch in case you’ve been out fishing.

Take a snorkeling journey

Within the afternoon, head out on a snorkel tour with Sundance Watersports stopping at a few completely different reefs – these can embody Alligator Reef, Cheeca Rocks, or Hens and Chickens Reef relying on the circumstances on the day.

Whichever reefs you do go to, the tour sticks to the shallower ones, round 7-17ft deep so even novices will get a fantastic view of the fish – you may even be fortunate sufficient to identify a turtle (though hold an eye fixed out for the moon jellyfish that they snack on).

Snorkel gear is included though you possibly can carry your individual – in case your children have the one-piece full-face masks and snorkel, they gained’t have the ability to use them although, and can want the normal two piece set

There are different boat excursions leaving from the northern finish of the important thing in case you’re on the lookout for different snorkeling excursions in Islamorada

Day 3 – Summerland Key & Key West

Head additional south to the Decrease Keys, crossing Seven Mile Bridge on the way in which – your eventual vacation spot is Key West, round two hours from Key Largo and Islamorada, stopping on the way in which at Summerland Key.

What to do at Summerland Key

We timed our go to for one of many public excursions of Mote Marine Laboratory’s Elizabeth Moore Worldwide Heart for Coral Reef Restoration, which occur on Tuesdays at 10am (at 24244 Abroad Hwy).

If this doesn’t match along with your itinerary, it’s also possible to go to Mote’s different areas in Key Largo and Islamorada which have excursions on different days. Excursions have restricted numbers and should be prebooked.

Higher with older children than toddlers, it’s fascinating to see the work their scientists are doing to assist revitalise the reefs – the tour takes you inside their labs to be taught extra about why crabs are serving to their work, the illnesses affecting the corals and the way Mote is even serving to the corals reproduce.

It’s all made very accessible for the general public, and even my 11-year-old might observe the tour’s info, so in case your children love nature or are occupied with sustainability and conservation, it’s unmissable – and a reminder that the attractive Florida Keys Nationwide Marine Sanctuary, with its reefs, sea grass meadows and mangrove forests, wants our assist.

What to do in Key West

There are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do in Key West with children, that you simply gained’t battle to fill your time right here – we had round 48 hours however might very fortunately have spent longer.

There’s extra time on Day 4 of my Florida Keys itinerary with children so that you don’t should pack all of it right into a single afternoon!

Begin off with a Key West guided tour to get your bearings – we cherished the Conch Tour Practice to seek out out extra in regards to the historical past of Key West.

Stopping a number of occasions on the way in which, the route passes a few of Key West’s most well-known sights, together with the Southernmost Level buoy (the southernmost level of the continental United States searching to the Atlantic Ocean) and Mile Marker 0, combined with quirky tales like how the Southernmost Southernmost Home bought its title.

There’s additionally the Key West Outdated City Trolley Excursions, which journey a bit of additional afield, stopping at a number of the motels farther from the Outdated City.

You could possibly spend the remainder of the afternoon wandering round Mallory Sq. and Duval Road, or heading all the way down to the harbor. There are additionally a number of seashores round Key West, together with Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, plus Higgs Seaside and Smathers Seaside.

There’s additionally a splash pad on the Truman Waterfront park, which is nice enjoyable for toddlers and younger youngsters.

Or take a look at a number of the household points of interest in Key West, together with the fascinating Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, telling the story of his treasure searching adventures.

There’s additionally the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, the Key West Aquarium, the Ernest Hemingway House, Harry Truman’s Little White Home, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and nice views from the Key West Lighthouse, to call a number of others.

For my choose of the most effective issues to do in Key West with children, take a look at this submit for the whole record

End the day with a sundown cruise – there are a number of to select from though we cherished the Sundown Sail from Sebago Key West with a sunset-themed soundtrack and open bar because the sky turned gold.

A few of the alternate options embody the prospect to go out on a schooner with Basic Harbor Line, whereas Sundown Watersports has their very own tour.

Favor to remain on dry land? Head to Mallory Sq. for the Sundown Celebration, with avenue performers (often a bit risque), avenue meals, and stalls promoting tempting arts, crafts and souvenirs that pop up for the night.

The place to remain in Key West

We checked in to Opal Key Resort – the sister resort to Reefhouse Resort in Key Largo – for our two nights in Key West.

Beforehand Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina, numerous its spacious ethereal rooms overlook the marina or the unbelievable pool with its poolside bar, plus you possibly can breakfast overlooking the water.

Downtown Key West is correct on the doorstep too, so we couldn’t have had a greater location, plus the cool blue-green tones of the rooms handle to really feel luxurious whereas nonetheless being family-friendly.

The place to eat in Key West

You gained’t battle to seek out locations to eat in Key West with children – there are some nice household pleasant eating places, to not point out loads of locations to seize an ice cream.

For someplace actually memorable, head over to Blue Heaven in Bahama Village with its outside tables below the bushes, reside music, and Floridian-Caribbean menu.

Hemingway as soon as refereed boxing matches right here, though it’s calmer nowadays! Well-known for its breakfasts (though go early), there are restricted reservations for dinner that are nicely value doing – the Key Lime pie to complete was the dimensions of my head.

We additionally had some wonderful pizza at Clemente’s Wooden-Fired pizza on Fleming Road, which was nice for sharing in case your children gained’t handle a complete one every.

There are additionally loads of locations to seize a fast meal together with fish, sandwiches, tacos and burgers, like Two Mates Patio restaurant on Entrance Road.

Or Cuban Espresso Queen has scrumptious smoothies and breakfasts in addition to Cuban sandwiches.

Day 4 – Key West

With a full day in Key West, you possibly can tick off extra of the family-friendly points of interest and actions that you simply didn’t handle to squeeze in to day 3.

What to do in Key West

There’s no driving to do at present (except you need to) so you possibly can benefit from Key West being so walkable and take a look at extra of its household points of interest – or head a bit of farther from Outdated City Key West in case you’ve ticked off a variety of your record the day earlier than.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

You could possibly fortunately spend the morning at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, for instance, trying out the historic web site earlier than hitting the seashore.

Take a kayaking journey

Round 20 minutes from Key West, there’s a two-hour tour of the mangroves from Geiger Key, close to Boca Chica Key.

This Key West Kayak eco-tour is led by a information specialising within the space’s nature – you may spot dolphins, rays and turtles, in addition to iguanas, birds and different native wildlife, whereas studying in regards to the space’s seagrass beds and mangrove forests.

Go dolphin-spotting and snorkeling

You’ll be able to simply slot in one other boat journey too, together with the prospect to identify dolphins in addition to snorkeling close to Key West.

One of many stand-out operators is Trustworthy Eco, which makes use of Key West’s first electric-powered constitution boat, Squid, charged by photo voltaic panels, together with a four-hour dolphin watch and snorkel journey.

However it’s also possible to discover related journeys with Sundown Watersports andFury Water Adventures, in addition to a snorkeling journey from Sebago Watersports.

Day journey from Key West

For an added journey, the attractive Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park is round 70 miles from Key West – it is advisable to journey by boat or seaplane to this archipelago of seven small islands, the place the coral reef and shipwrecks of the nationwide park are excellent for snorkeling and diving within the turquoise waters.

Seaplane Seaside, North Swim Seaside and South Swim Seaside are a number of the greatest seashores. This one is greatest for households with teenagers and older children, because it takes some effort to succeed in and there’s restricted services when you arrive.

The Yankee Freedom Ferry is the official park ferry, together with entrance charge to the Nationwide Park and Fort Jefferson, or in case you’ve bought the funds, the seaplane to the Dry Tortugas has half-day and full day constitution choices.

Day 5 – Key West to Marathon

Time to begin heading again north at present from Key West to the Center Keys and Marathon – relying what you like, you possibly can spend a part of the morning in Key West or slot in a cease on the way in which, however the massive exercise at present is a go to to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.

Excursions there run each half-hour till 4pm (and it is advisable to arrive quarter-hour prematurely) so plan your day accordingly. It’s round one hour from Key West to Marathon.

What to do – Key West to Marathon

Nonetheless bought some issues to do in Key West to tick off? There’s time to suit some extra earlier than you set off, or strive these concepts for the place to interrupt the journey to Marathon.

Bahia Honda State Park

Cease off at Bahia Honda State Park with its palm-lined seashores in your route north. The small island is simply after Massive Pine Key earlier than you attain Seven Mile Bridge heading north, and it’s a beautiful place to spend a number of hours.

There are some attractive white sand seashores – award-winning Calusa Seaside is very attractive – plus there’s snorkeling, seashore combing, in addition to kayaks and paddleboards to hire. It’s round a 15-minute drive from the Turtle Hospital.

Kayaking at Sugarloaf Key

Cease at Sugarloaf Key as a substitute for a kayaking journey with Get Up and Go Kayaking by means of the mangroves and waterways of the Florida Keys backcountry.

The corporate makes use of clear kayaks so that you’ll get a novel view of the marine life as you paddle.

Marathon Turtle Hospital

Considered one of my daughter’s favorite issues to do in the entire Florida Keys street journey was a go to to the Marathon Turtle Hospital. The hour-long excursions begin with an schooling section – and if that sounds dry and boring, assume once more – masking the threats to sea turtles, the analysis being carried out on the Turtle Hospital and the way they work to guard them.

There’s an opportunity to see contained in the working theatre (with vets finishing up procedures on a number of the turtles throughout our go to) after which to fulfill a number of the everlasting and non permanent inhabitants who’ve been rescued and are recovering right here.

Together with loggerhead, inexperienced, hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley turtles, all of them get particular person names thought up by their rescuers – Tater and Tot had been two examples together with Grumpy and Sneezy throughout our go to (Snow White had already been returned to the ocean!)

The hospital itself grew out of a resort with a sideline in rescuing turtles; after a hurricane meant the proprietor might select both to restart the lodging facet or focus solely on treating diseased and injured turtles, he selected the latter.

The hospital is now believed to be the world’s solely state-licensed veterinary hospital devoted solely to the remedy of sea turtles, the place potential returning them to the wild.

The place to remain in Marathon

Tranquility Bay Resort can be a fantastic alternative even in case you weren’t planning to go to the Turtle Hospital – set proper subsequent door, the lodging contains seashore homes with 2-3 bedrooms (nice in case you’ve bought a bigger household or are travelling with grandparents) in addition to the tropical backyard rooms.

Set proper on the seashore, there are water sports activities, plus a number of swimming pools together with one massive one on the centre of the resort. Decor is traditional Florida seashore, numerous blues and white rocking chairs on the balcony or verandah, some searching by means of the palm bushes to the Gulf of Mexico.

The proper place to unwind (in case you haven’t already) on the finish of the journey. You should purchase breakfast within the foyer (or there are a number of locations close by to select up one thing to go), plus it has its personal nice restaurant for dinner, Butterfly cafe (learn on for extra particulars about that).

The place to eat – Key West to Marathon

In case you’re heading to Sugarloaf Key for the kayaking, not far-off on Summerland Key, Mangrove Mama’s is an area favorite, recognized for seafood and steak plus sides like honey corn bread.

Or on Little Torch Key, Kiki’s Sandbar & Grill is one other native favorite and a fantastic easygoing beachfront spot serving fish and seafood, together with blackened shrimp tacos and griller snapper filet sandwich. It’s not removed from Nationwide Key Deer Refuge as nicely if in case you have time for a brief detour!

In case you’re staying at Tranquility Bay Resort, or close by, don’t miss dinner at Butterfly Cafe – regardless of the title, that is way more trendy restaurant than cafe, with some scrumptious dishes for your complete household and really welcoming to children. Considered one of my favorite locations that we ate on our Florida Keys itinerary.

Day 6 – Marathon/Key Largo to Miami

In case you’re planning a six-day journey as we did, at present sadly marks the ultimate day of your Florida Keys itinerary with children – however there’s nonetheless time to slot in one (or two) last actions earlier than heading north to Miami, together with John Pennekamp State Park.

Our personal flight again was late at night time, which meant we had just about all day to discover so relying when your airplane leaves (in case you’re flying house), simply issue within the drive – round two hours from Marathon, or round an hour from Key Largo.

What to do in Marathon

Go to Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters earlier than you allow Marathon – an aquarium with a variations as there’s an opportunity to get into the water with a number of the creatures residing right here.

We went for a Stingray Expertise which was one other unforgettable spotlight of the journey – with wetsuit, masks and snorkel on, we sat within the pool with the rays, studying the stingray shuffle (to keep away from by accident stepping on any of them) and discovering out extra in regards to the Southern Rays and Cownose Rays within the tank.

Then having been enthusiastically checked out by a number of the curious rays (together with Pancake, who couldn’t get sufficient of blowing bubbles onto me), there’s an opportunity to feed them and to drift within the tank, watching them swim.

Workers had been nice with my initially nervous daughter, who was so wowed by the expertise (in addition to the turtle hospital and coral analysis lab tour) that she’s now setting her sights on a profession as a marine biologist.

All have had their barbs eliminated for safely and – like different experiences, such because the coral reef snorkeling – are appropriate for youths. There’s additionally the nursery encounter in case you don’t need to get moist, interacting with child stingrays, plus the Massive Shark Bay encounter the place you possibly can safely work together with nurse sharks.

Even in case you don’t fancy reserving one of many encounters, there’s heaps to entertain the entire household right here. A lot larger than the Key West Aquarium, it’s largely outdoor (though there’s some shade) with talks and feeding occasions going down throughout the day.

We noticed nurse sharks being fed and checked, tortoises, terrapins and alligators, plus tropical fish galore together with an enormous grouper and a tidepool contact tank, which is all the time successful with children. You’ll be able to select to feed a number of the creatures too – we purchased some meals for the lobsters.

In case you’re fortunate you may even spot a manatee swimming within the open water close by. We ended up spending 4 hours right here together with lunch and will fortunately have stayed longer!

What to do in Key Largo

There’s one other likelihood to get out on the water on the Key Largo Princess glass backside boat tour to discover the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Key Largo Nationwide Marine Sanctuary.

The 2-hour boat journey runs 3 times per day, at 10am, 1pm and 4pm, with seats exterior to benefit from the views or within the air-conditioned cabin.

When you arrive on the reef, there’s commentary that will help you perceive what you’re seeing by means of the big viewing home windows – in all, there’s 280 sq ft of glass to see by means of on the marine world below the waves.

When to plan your Florida Keys street journey

It pays to time your break within the Florida Keys with children so that you simply get the most effective of the climate and keep away from the crowds – as there’s famously one main street by means of the Florida Keys, you don’t need to spend it caught in site visitors on the Abroad Freeway!

For extra recommendations on planning a street journey with children, together with what to pack for a household street journey, street journey actions for youths and the most effective street journey snacks, take a look at my posts

Whereas March to Might has a number of the greatest climate, Spring break wouldn’t be my first alternative for a household journey, particularly round Key West. December to February is cooler however you possibly can nonetheless count on temperatures within the mid 70s, which is ideal for exploring with children.

After we visited in late October/early November, it was heat, the climate was nonetheless usually excellent (though often a bit windy for boat journeys) and we weren’t preventing the crowds so it’s one other good time to contemplate.

Hurricane season sees the worst tropical storms from mid-August to the beginning of October, so it’s greatest to keep away from these weeks in case you can too, in addition to dodging the excessive temperatures and humidity of midsummer.

You may also examine when main occasions are deliberate on the Florida Keys Tourism web site, in addition to checking when cruise ships are docked in Key West, as it could make a giant distinction if there’s a bigger ship in.

For concepts of extra issues to do in Key West with children, take a look at my high picks

Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. My journey and most of the actions listed was organized by way of the vacationer board for the needs of evaluate however all opinions stay my very own.

Major picture/Seven mile bridge/Anne’s Seaside/pelican/turtle on a reef/Duval Road/kayaking/Dry Tortugas/Bahia Honda/deer/John Pennekamp park/sundown seashore courtesy of Depositphotos/Shutterstock, all different photographs copyright MummyTravels

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