Here we are again in Florida, this time for a quick weekend in Key West. I’ll give you 8 things to do with your family while you are here. We flew into Miami and rented a car. It’s a fun and beautiful drive to get there. Just be prepared to take your time. It’s a very busy road and speeds are SLOW!
First off, is Key West a family destination? Some would argue it is. I’m split on this one. To me, it seemed more like a party town and would be fun for an adults only trip. However, if you stay away from the downtown area and stick to the resorts or your VRBO and local tours, you can make anything a family destination.
One disappointing thing about Key West, there really are no beaches to speak of. Man made ones, yes, and those are not great.
We’ve been here a few times, so we knew what to expect. The main reason we chose this destination with our kids is so my son could get PADI, scuba certified. Our summers are short in the midwest, so we didn’t want to waste time doing that on the weekends. It was important for us to get this done because we almost always go scuba/snorkeling on our winter destination trips.
My son got sick of the pool courses he was required to take before they ventured out even though he had been diving a couple times before. But, scuba can be a dangerous sport so it’s a must that they train everyone before going out. So while the ladies lounged by the pool, the men took three days training and out on scuba dives. We didn’t spend a lot of the vacation together, but we knew what we were getting into and it was worth it. Plus, it’s kinda a win-win if you ask me 😉
Where We Stayed:
We stayed at the Hyatt Centric. I would HIGHLY recommend staying here. Location, location, location! It’s just a block from shopping, restaurants, and touristy type things. The rooms were awesome and the pool area nice. They had a pond with fish and turtles, which is always fun and a boardwalk to take a short walk on and view the ocean. When we checked in, this beautiful fruit and cheese tray, along with a bottle of wine was waiting for us. In the hundreds of hotels I’ve stayed at over the years, this has never happened. A+ to Centric. You made the start to our vacation a good one.
8 Fun Things to See and Do:
Mile 0:
This is one of the most popular places to get your picture taken at Key West outside of the Southernmost Point. Mile O is the end of U.S. 1, which is a highway that connects a lot of eastern U.S. starting in Maine and ending here. All 2,369 miles of it.
Southernmost Point:
Another mandatory picture spot. Southernmost point is basically what it says. It’s the most southern point in the U.S. Go early to get your picture. It is usually crowded and you have to stand in a long line especially if the cruise ships are in port.
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum:
Museums are always fun. This museum isn’t really that big, but we were still glad we went through it. Learn more about the museum here.
Ghost and Gravestones Tours:
Now this is a ghost tour! I actually was frightened a time or two, but I won’t ruin it by telling you why. If you like this kind of thing, definitely go. Dolls freak me out the way it is, and you will get to meet a freaky one on this tour. Even if you don’t like a ghost tour, I would still recommend it because you drive the streets of Key West and the guide is very informative on the history of Key West. Highly recommended. Click here to get tickets and read more.
Duval Street:
There are several fun bars if you are on an adult trip. My two favorites are Sloppy Joes and Irish Kevins. I always go back for more entertainment, and the mojitos aren’t bad either. Besides the bars, there are several shops and restaurants. We enjoyed La Trattoria Italian restaurant. If you have kids, just be warned there are some sketchy things in the windows and you will see it all on Duval Street.
Get Scuba Certified:
We used Captains Corner. My son ordered his book beforehand to study. Make sure you do this. They are not impressed if you just show up and pretend you’ve studied. They will ask you questions, so you better know what you are talking about. Their guide was excellent and they had a very good experience. If you are already certified or if you are interested in a quick session for a day dive, check them out as well. Highly recommend.
Latitudes:
We took a ferry over to the Sunset Key Cottages and ate at Latitudes. I loved this place! The food was fantastic and the boat ride was fun. Definitely check this place out to eat or if you want, stay!
Mallory Square:
Last, but not least, my favorite part of the trip is always the sunset celebration on Mallory Square. There are a ton of entertainers, food vendors, music and more. The best show is Dominique and his flying cats. He’s a little bizarre, but I love the show and we got a free t-shirt. It’s fun to walk along the boardwalk and eat and shop as well. A must do.
Fun on The Drive Back to Miami:
On our way back to Miami, we stopped in Islamorada for some fun. Theater of the Seas was a fun place to see animals and watch a few shows. It was worth the stop. We also stopped and fed the Tarpon at Robbie’s in Islamorada. It was really fun! You can buy little fish right there to feed them. They also have some shopping and an outdoor restaurant on site. To find out more about Robbie’s, click here. We ate at Marker 88 on the beach and it was fantastic!
I know I’ll be back to Key West. It’s an easy trip and a lot of fun. Tip: If you are ever in the Fort Myers Beach, FL area, they do have one day trips on a boat cruise we’ve taken before. FUN! Florida is a favorite of ours. Check out this article on St. Pete Beach, FL.
Next time Key West will probably be sans kids. Sorry, not sorry.
