Search the site...

Sunshine Travel
  • Sunshine Travel
  • Sunshine Travel's Blog
  • About
  • Sunshine Travel
  • Sunshine Travel's Blog
  • About

Sunshine Travel's Guide to Key West: Key West with Kids

1/13/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Key West has a reputation for being a haven for drinking, a little bit of craziness, and lot of gay pride.  (How many other cities do you know with a clothing-optional bar?  Or more bars per capita than any other US city?)  So maybe that’s not what you have in mind when selecting your next family vacation spot!… However, you might be surprised to find that there are a lot of family-friendly things to do with kids in Key West!  Whether you’re just visiting for the day via cruise ship, or staying a few nights, you’ll find plenty of activities to keep the young ones happy, while you kick back and relax in Margaritaville yourself!  Here are some great ideas:

Picture
There are many museums and tourist attractions available that kids will enjoy.  You can start out with an overview from Trolley Tours or aboard the Conch Tour Train  (kids 12 and under ride free!).  If you think your kids will get bored with the narration, no matter how interesting and informative it might be, why not rent an electric car and tour on your own?  Several places offer these rentals, such as Adventure Rentals (who also happen to rent scooters and Harley Davidsons!)

If your kids like pirates, shipwrecks, and treasures, check out Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum and the  Key West Shipwreck Historeum.  Older kids with an appreciation for literature and history may enjoy the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum  or the Harry S. Truman Little White House. 

Picturephoto courtesy of: Key West Lighthouse Museum
If you have young kids, you may have found that most lighthouses don’t let you climb to the top unless you are a certain height or age - not so at the Key West Lighthouse Museum : while admission is free for kids under 6, everyone can climb the 88 steps to the observation deck of this lighthouse that dates from the mid-1800s!

Picturephoto courtesy of: The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Be sure to make a stop at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.  You and your children will be able to explore over 6000 square feet of interactive exhibits.  Through learning about native plants and animals, observing a Living Reef exhibit, and viewing the different South Florida ecosystems, the hope is to increase awareness and appreciation of conservation in South Florida.  Best of all, admission is free!  Also with free admission is the Turtle Kraals Museum.  While there are no live turtles, there are several family-friendly and educational exhibits about sea turtles, and it's worth a stop if you're nearby and the kids like turtles.  

If your children are interested in viewing some live animals, note that kids tend to enjoy the shark feedings and touch tanks at the Key West Aquarium.  
And for a peaceful and wondrous stop, The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory was recently awarded the People’s Choice Award from TripAdvisor for the #1 Attraction in Key West!  This is not a place to quickly breeze through - be sure to really slow down and take it all in.  Don't forget to bring your camera!

Picturephoto courtesy of: Florida State Parks
Key West is actually NOT known for great beaches.  However, if you need some beach-time on your vacation, there are a few choices.  Smathers Beach is the largest public beach in Key West, and has been recently revitalized.  It’s relatively family friendly, with white sand, and calm waters (and right across the street from the Sheraton Suites, see below).  Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is another great option.  You can tour the fort, and then have lunch (in the café, or bring your own picnic).  Beach equipment and watersport rentals are available.  Snorkeling is good, but be sure to bring watershoes as the shoreline can be rocky. And if you must stay at a beach-front resort, check out Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort; it's one of the few Key West resorts with their own private beach (see below).

If your kids are older, there are plenty of opportunities to get out on the water.  Try Stand Up Paddleboarding,     or the Ultimate Adventure from Fury Water Adventures, for a day filled with snorkeling, catamaran rides, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, and a water playground. Sebago Key West offers a similar Power Adventure, including banana boat rides and paddle boards.  There are also multiple outfitters for fishing and sailing trips.

Picture
Back on land, make sure you have your picture taken at the Southernmost Point.  And last, but not least, don’t miss the nightly Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.   Try to arrive about 2 hours before sunset to watch the street performers (think sword-swallowers and juggling unicyclists), passing boats, and to get a good seat on the edge of the pier!


Family-friendly hotel accommodations in Key West include: 

Hyatt Key West Resort & Marina  - families can reserve a second room for their kids at 50% off (based on availability) at this hotel that is centrally located to most of Key West's attractions.
Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort - while not right near Duval Street, this resort has an 1,100 stretch of private beach, which is a rarity for resorts in Key West, and families like the quieter atmosphere.
Sunset Key Guest Cottages - part of Westin, on a 27 acre private island reachable by boat launch from the Westin Key West, if you really want to have that get-away-from-it-all feeling with the family.


Be sure to contact Sunshine Travel to find a resort that suits you best...and to get a great deal as well!

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Marisa Bower
    Lake Worth, FL
    Sunshine Travel

    Archives

    January 2022
    July 2021
    September 2014
    December 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011

    Categories

    All
    Alaska
    Allure Of The Seas
    Aquatica
    Arts
    Babies
    Beach
    Celebrity
    Club Med
    Cruises
    Crystal
    Disney Cruise Line
    Disney Dream
    Family
    Florida
    Food And Wine
    Fort Lauderdale
    Glaciers
    Grade Schoolers
    Homestead
    Hyatt
    Jupiter
    Key West
    LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
    Little Palm Island Resort & Spa
    Luxury
    Miami
    Naples
    National And State Parks
    Noble House Hotels
    Norwegian
    Ocean Key Resort & Spa
    Passports
    Pelican Grand Beach Resort
    Preschoolers
    Railroad
    River Cruises
    Royal Caribbean
    Sarasota
    Seattle
    Seaworld
    Sole Miami
    Toddlers
    Traveling With Extended Family
    Travel Insurance
    Tweens
    Tweens And Teens
    World Cruise

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.