Your Questions Answered: Where to Go in the Florida Keys for a Family Vacation?

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What a great website. I found it while searching for info about the Florida Keys. I am trying to put together a family vacation to the Keys, but I’m finding myself totally confused. I have two boys — ages 8 and 10 — who love to snorkel and be on the beach. My husband and I are both outdoor people and would like any help finding the best location to stay and have a good family time. Thanks for any input, Denise.

First, thanks for the kudos, Denise. We appreciate the compliments!

KEY LARGOI’m actually thinking about a family vacation to the Florida Keys myself, and our kids our similarly aged (mine are 7 and 9). We’re “outdoor people,” too, and we like to be active while we’re vacationing. So, I thought I’d share some site links and information I’ve uncovered in the (very short) time I’ve spent researching the destination.

If you found us via a Google search, you may have already read CajunMama’s posts “Best Family Resorts in the Florida Keys” and “Top Family Activities in the Keys.” She also wrote about Islamorada’s family-friendly Cheeca Lodge, which she gave rave reviews. This resort has actually been closed for the past seven months, since a New Year’s Eve fire; the main lodge has been totally rebuilt and the resort is set to open December 15, 2009, with new “premier oceanfront and island-view rooms.” Cheeca Lodge is definitely on my family’s short list of accommodations.

Another upscale property my friend (also a mom of two) recommended was Hawks Cay on Duck Key. She actually worked there about two decades ago, during a college internship, and has warm memories of the Florida resort. She’s considering it for her family vacation.

If we do all end up in the Keys, we’ll be in good company: The New York Times named the Florida Keys the Family Destination of the Year.

My sort-of local Sunday newspaper travel section, the Denver Post, just ran a comprehensive piece about traveling to Key West; the story by Lindsay H. Jones has some great advice.

Our friends at Away.com have created a Florida Keys Family Travel Guide, chock full of ideas. Finally, peruse all the information on the Official Tourism Council Website for the Florida Keys. Or, if you’d like some firsthand advice and help for planning your family vacation, call 800-FLA-KEYS.

We’d love to hear from locals and frequent visitors to southern Florida — anyone else have ideas for where we should stay and what we should do while we’re in the Florida Keys? Please leave any info in the comment section.

Thanks, Denise, for your question. Let us know where and when you end up visiting the Florida Keys. We hope you have a great family vacation!

Photo by Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau. Key Largo Sunset.

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August 2, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, Family Travel 

Comments

9 Responses to “Your Questions Answered: Where to Go in the Florida Keys for a Family Vacation?”

  1. Your Questions Answered: Where to Go in the Florida Keys for a Family Vacation? | TravelDealsReview.net - Best & Great Travel Vacation Deals, Weekend & Holiday Travel Deals says:
    August 2, 2009 at

    [...] Original Source Your Questions Answered: Where to Go in the Florida Keys for a Family Vacation? [...]

  2. Amy @ The Q Family says:
    August 3, 2009 at

    My friend swears by Bahia Honda State Park. You can book a campsite and has the best view on your accommodation for an adventure seeking family. :)

  3. j perkins says:
    August 3, 2009 at

    If you want to be very close to the Bahia Honda State Park, but want an economy motel, check out the Big Pine Motel at mile marker 30, right on US Hwy 1 in Big Pine Key. Nothing fancy, but there is a great cafe there also, only about 20 steps from your room.

  4. Andy Hayes says:
    August 3, 2009 at

    One of my favourite areas of the work. In fact, we just recently covered this on my blog not more than a week ago! Some hot tips:
    http://andyhayes.com/cruising-the-florida-coast-with-the-top-down/

  5. MountainMama says:
    August 3, 2009 at

    Thanks for your insight, Amy & j!

  6. Tara says:
    August 3, 2009 at

    If the kids love snorkeling, then one must-hit on the Keys is Key Largo. The nearby John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park is completely underwater and amazing! There are tons of snorkeling tours to choose from and you could easily spend two or more days just exploring different sections of the park.

    By the way, other than Bahia Honda and a few (rare) others, the beaches are not great in the Keys – they’re kind of mucky with clay-like sand that’s not what you had in mind when you were thinking about fun in the sun on a beach (at least, not what I imagined). I’d focus on snorkeling trips, hit the beach at Bahia Honda, and save the rest of your beach fantasies for other parts of Florida (pretty much anywhere on either coast).

  7. family vacation cheap says:
    August 5, 2009 at

    Ive recently heard good things about the west side of FL, where there’s the nice warm water from the gulf of mehico.
    -Jack

  8. Dee says:
    August 5, 2009 at

    One of the best, least populated, and most enjoyable keys is Duck Key. I highly recommend it. The beach there is awesome. They have several swimming pools – some are more relaxing for adults and others are totally set up for the kids to have a blast. They offer snorkling excusions directly from their marina, as well. THe restaurants are fabulous on Duck Key, too. It is set up for families and your boys will fall in love with it!!!!

  9. Megan Champion says:
    August 12, 2009 at

    We just got back from the keys, I am still working on writing articles for my blog about the best spots to go. We had a 6 year old and an 18 year old.

    I have a few reccomendations,

    1. there is no reason you cannot get a very nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath – for under $950

    2. Stay in Marathon, visit Key West (if you have kids)

    3. Take an off shore snorkeling trip with a small comany (a boat that carries 6 to 8 people) NOT one of these boats with 30 passangers. I reccomend Abyss in Marathon, they are amazing, and no more than 6 people on a boat.

    4. Eat at Keys Fisheries – the food is AMAZING!

    Look for other peoples experiences!

    http://www.marriedinsinglemomland.com/2009/08/and-now-for-vacation-pictures-edition-1.html

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