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I'm considering taking the family (wife and kids age 11 & 8) to the Flordia Keys over the Christmas/New Year Holiday. I'd appreciate any ideas on which part of the keys would be best and lodging ideas for that part of the keys.
I have been to Key West before and we drove the entire chain of islands to get there, but it has been long enough that I don't remember too much except the Key West part.
I would not rule out any part of the keys. Fishing will not be the focus of the trip, so I don't need a place that caters to the fisherman, nor a dock, marina, etc, but if a nice resort offers all of that, then great. We are not willing to pay for the most expensive places, but we usually stay away from the cheapo outdated looking places, too. Waterfront is preferred. I would lean toward a single family home or a resort over a motel room.
I think Vrbo.com has more Keys home and condo/townhouse rentals. Renting a place like this will be much cheaper than getting 2 decent hotel rooms or a suite. Better hurry as that's one of the busiest weeks in the keys. If you don't have a boat, Key West may offer more things to keep the wife and kids happy, especially if the weather isn't great. This is an example of a rental in a neat area of Key West (in my opinion), but they're not right on the water: http://www.vrbo.com/84413 We've never stayed there because we always bring the boat, and stay in Islamorada.
White Sands Inn on Grassy Key Just north of Marathon. http://www.whitesandsinn.com/ I recommend rooms 7, 8 or 6. There are only eight rooms to choose from and they don't feel like your typical cheapo place. The price is reasonable for the Keys but not cheap. It feels secluded and peaceful, even though you're just minutes away from everything Marathon has to offer.
My favorite place to stay is the Bahia State Park Campground. They have a few nice little waterfront cabins available for a very reasonable price. We always stay in the regular campsites in a camper. The beach at Bahia Honda is very nice and seldom crowded. http://www.bahiahondapark.com/
The middle keys on down to Bahia Honda State Park is much more family friendly than Key West. Key West is the place to go for nightlife and expensive dining. Seems the prices are out of control the further south you go.
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2005 Sea Hunt 202, Honda BF150 2009 Toyota Tundra
there is no reason to be and nothing to do in the keys if you don't fish, dive, or drink. take the kids to orlando.
Couldn't agree more. The keys are relatively lame. Although, I have been camping at Bahia Honda and it was AWESOME experience. That said, as I recall, they are usually booked weeks, if not months in advance. They would get a line of cars every morning waiting to see if they got any cancellations. However, if you like camping and can get in there, it's definitely an awesome place to camp.
Doesn't sound like you want camping though. Seriously, the Keys are relatively lame unless you are doing some sort of water activity (not even beach as most are lame).
Yeah, go to Orlando and see some plastic robotic fish, maybe some man-made lakes dyed the color of your choice. Maybe stop in at Pretend Key West or pretend New Orleans. Go to Disney and walk through some plastic towns, stand in line for an hour for a 3 minute ride that hasn't been changed in 20 years. Then you could hit some of the 100,000 T-shirt and tourist crap stores, grab a bite in one of the 10,000 pancake houses. Don't forget that it will be cold in Orlando in late December. Don't forget that each day in some God-forsaken theme park will cost you $300 including some (really awful) food to eat.
Or you could go to the Keys and enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the world.
We live in the Keys (Marathon). For a more family atmosphere than either Key West or Key Largo, Try Marathon. If you can, try to book a duplex on Key Colony Beach (a small island community right outside Marathon). A boat dock comes with, and rents go fro $900 to $1200 a week for a 2 or 3 bedroom unit complete with kitchen. Go to www.exit realty.com to see photos of these units. If you want more info, call me at (305)942-9678.
KIds in the keys, give me a break!! My kids are 11 and 13 and have been going to the keys (marathon, Key Colony Beach area) since they were 5. We have a Six Flags in Atlanta, and they would much rather be in an environment where everything is an adventure, not plastic!! Being from the midwest and wanting my kids to see all of the U.S., when vacation planning begins, it's a no-decision for the boys. Keys!! Snorkeling, fishing, sight-seeing, Key West, lizard-chasing, crab catching, they find a way to entertain themselves. Rent a boat and let your kids enjoy it. Hawks Cay, Key Colony Beach, Marathon, Great Area!! Good Luck on your decision!!
don't give me that real florida bs. 3000 tourists from cruise ships on duval street. t-shirt shops. mallory square fruit show. faux fisherman at the world wide sportsman. real floridians are leaving the keys in waves. the keys are great if you have a boat, love to dive and fish and your family enjoys. otherwise nothing wrong with catering to their fun. no boat then the keys are the last place i'd go. rent a boat? that's a toss up. in dec the wind is probably blowing 15-20 out of the north depending on where the latest front is. not great snorkeling weather. some very nice beaches in west and south west central fla. sunsets just as good or better. fishing is great in big bend farther north. beautiful, historic springs and towns north and inland. the keys are as much a tourist destination/trap as O town. as Carl Hiassen says" ...thousand tourists per day come to the keys in a white knuckle rage to get laid back".
fishin-fanatic,
Every year is different as far as weather in December. Sometimes a lot of fronts and sometimes not. I will personally guarantee that the only ice you will see in December in Key West will be in your drinks.
TinManMike,
It sounds like you and your kids know how to have a good time.
__________________ "Key West...Where the weird turn pro"
Bad example delmar - Carl Hiaasen could live anywhere he wants, and he lives in the keys. Plantation Key, I think. If fishin-fanatic wanted advice on Orlando, he would asked his question on "The Bored Truth - Standing in Line Forum".
don't give me that real Florida bs. 3000 tourists from cruise ships on duval street. t-shirt shops. mallory square fruit show. faux fisherman at the world wide sportsman. real floridians are leaving the keys in waves. the keys are great if you have a boat, love to dive and fish and your family enjoys. otherwise nothing wrong with catering to their fun. no boat then the keys are the last place i'd go. rent a boat? that's a toss up. in dec the wind is probably blowing 15-20 out of the north depending on where the latest front is. not great snorkeling weather. some very nice beaches in west and south west central fla. sunsets just as good or better. fishing is great in big bend farther north. beautiful, historic springs and towns north and inland. the keys are as much a tourist destination/trap as O town. as Carl Hiassen says" ...thousand tourists per day come to the keys in a white knuckle rage to get laid back".
As a NATIVE Floridian, from "Miama", you're dead wrong. I gather, lunching in the dead of winter on a beach in the sun, sharing time with Dolphins, being outdoors, dropping a line from a thousand bridges, with the chance to catch Snapper, Shark, tarpon and Snook to name a few, are reasons to stay away. North wind is fantastic, you spend the day on the leigh side and remain comfortable doing all the activities, the rest of the country can not, as they are bundled up indoors.
The 3000 tourists entering Duval really hate the place, so do the merchants..........
Personally, I would love more people to stay away. The traffic getting to my vacation home down there is getting worse!
HullSlap - 10/27/2006 3:45 PM White Sands Inn on Grassy Key Just north of Marathon. http://www.whitesandsinn.com/ I recommend rooms 7, 8 or 6. There are only eight rooms to choose from and they don't feel like your typical cheapo place. The price is reasonable for the Keys but not cheap. It feels secluded and peaceful, even though you're just minutes away from everything Marathon has to offer.
HullSlap,
I checked out the White Sands Inn Site. Thanks. They don't mention dockage at their pier, or ocean access. How about trailer storage? You seem to know a lot about this motel, can you answer these questions? I have a 23' boat.
locals, whats the place in marathon, bay side, with the sea turtle hospital? has pool, outdoor area with bbq grills, nice grounds, not far from the bridge, boat ramp and dock (very important!) its older but well maintained. one of the types of places they are turning into condos. blue water bay is similar and nearby, can take 23' boats, pool, ramp, trailer parking.... a small investment in one of those "guides to the keys" will return $$. i didn't understand from your first post you were dragging a boat down. have fun. i go to marathon frequently. its a good central location. a place bay side, with dock, ramp would be my preference.
Advice on a Family Trip to Florida Keys 
