Travel Tips for Key West with Kids
Top twenty tips for home activities in the Key West
I always thought Key West was a grown-up dig until I visited there recently with a friend. A few years ago, my son and I were there briefly when our cruise ship pulled into port, but with only six hours to explore, our options were limited. From the first experience with my boy, I remembered only the rude bars, Duval Street, and some interesting street characters weaving hats from palms My most recent visit to Key West changed my opinion – there’s not much to do with the kids, the options are almost endless.
There is a journey
Expect to drive about 3 1/2 to 4 hours from Ft. Lauderdale or Miami airport to Key West. There is no need to rush, the journey down is part of the experience. Each of the different islands of the keys has a unique flavor from areas such as Marathon and Key Largo which are occupied and somewhat to the smallest industrial keys which have a tropical vibe with beach resorts on both sides of US Highway 1. Traveling 110 miles on this mostly one-lane road, you’ll cross 42 arch bridges over crystal clear, azure blue waters. If kids need to stretch their legs and play in the sand, two state parks are worth a visit: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo and Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key at mile marker 36. For more detailed information about each key and the US Highway US1 route, the internet has a wealth of information. Check out www.fodors.com for more information about the points of interest in the southern activity.
Top 20 Things to Do with Kids in Key West
1. Shell Tour Train and Old Town Trolley- This is a great way to get organized in the Key West. Both present narratives about the history and culture of the Key West. $29 for adults and $14 for children It takes you a 90-minute ride, and it pulls you up to visit certain points at times.
2. Aquarium-Opened in 1934, one of the oldest aquariums in the states. It was the first major attraction in Key West. It is located on Whitehead Street near Mallory Square. Prices range from $5 for children to $112 for adults.
3. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory- This is a gem! Located in the village of 1316 Duval, you will see 50-60 different species of butterflies in the indoor garden. It’s from $8.50 for children to $12 for adults.
4. Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum- Located at 108 Duval Street, this museum contains 12,000 square feet of the odd and unusual. Prices are $11.95 for children and $14.95 for adults.
5. Pirate Souls Imprisoned as the ultimate pirate museum, this is where you can find rare and authentic artifacts from the early history of Key West. Pirate’s Soul is located at 524 Front Street.
6. Sunday, Glass Bottom Boat or Snorkeling Cruises- Many companies offer a boat or boat cruise. Head to the historic port for more information. There are also kiosks around Duval street where you can pick up brochures or signs for the next cruise. Many private companies also offer snorkel day trips and offer many options of water ports. Something that the kids would be interested in. We rented from Floridays and Fury Cats and were very pleased.
7. Redwood Tortuga national park-located 70 miles west of Key West, this is a 97 acre national park. With a four-hour boat trip (two hours each way) and about five hours of time visiting the park, playing on the beach and Fort Jefferson on the way, this is the perfect getaway from Key West. Schedule this after you’ve been in town for two days and you need to change your venue. We recommend a fast charter catamaran to speed up your trip here and there by a few hours.
8. Duval Street – Both daytime and nighttime are perfect for shopping, dining, and people-watching on Duval Street. Older kids will love the ubiquitous gift shops that line Duval and other side streets.
9. Hemingway House-Kids ages ten and older might enjoy a tour of the house where Ernest lived and wrote “A Farewell to Arms” in retirement. Vsuards cost about $10 dollars and discounts are often available on the internet. This is also home to 50 six cats, descendants of the original cats given to Hemingway when he lived here.
10. Key West Lighthouse-Just across the street from the Hemingway House. It offers a great view of the island.
11. Southernmost Point-Stroll to the famous marker which is not the southernmost point United States. You can also tell your friends and family at home to see you on the webcam at this location.
12. Mallory Square- When in Key West, you are bound to see the sunset from here at least once! Starting around one to two hours before sunset, artists shop and musicians and performers entertain you.
13. Beaches-If you are looking for large stretches of fluffy sand, you will be deceived by the beaches in the Keys. The beaches here are narrow, with crunchy and hard corals. But the inhabitants swear by the beach at Castle Zachary Taylor. Rent a bike because it’s a bit further to walk if you’re wearing beach gear. Also visit Higgs Beach Park, which offers rental cabins for snorkeling chairs and beach chairs. The water is clear and shallow, and the place for swimming is secured by a rope.
14. Kayak Eco Tours-Several companies offer eco tours of the mangroves near Key West. Many will pick you up directly from your hotel or hostel. Finally, kayaking is offered for younger kids and their parents. We recently chose Blue Planet Kayak and enjoyed an excellent and informative three-hour tour.
15. Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum-at the corner of Green and Whitehead, this museum is devoted to treasure and archeology. Admission prices are $12 for adults and $6 for children.
16. Florida Key Eco-Discovery Center-Part of NOAA Education. This center has 6,000 square feet of interactive, live exhibits including reef and aquarium. It’s near Castle Zachary Taylor Beach, so it’s a bit off the beaten path, but admission is free. For more information, there is a website at floridakeys.noaa.gov.
Holy Tours-What’s a trip to Key West without a ghost? These family friendly tours leave at 8pm and 9pm at night. Dress appropriately for the weather and expect to walk for about 90 minutes. Prices are typically $15-$20 for adults and $10 for kids.
18. The Shipwreck Museum-located at 1 Table Street, bills itself as a “historium” with live actors taking you to Key West in 1851. It’s a ropes just to immerse the kids in history. There is also a 65-foot lookout tower for a full view of the old town of Key West. Here’s a shot with my ten birthday!
19. Pirate Walking Tour- If you still haven’t gotten your fix of all the pirates, take this evening’s ninety-minute walking tour that describes the maritime history of Key West.
20. Dolphins, dolphins and more dolphins There are options to 1) swim with the dolphins (more expensive) or 2) simply observe them in their natural habitat. The boat and sailing companies listed above are a good starting point for your search.
Money saving tip: almost every service and company offers a coupon. Before you leave home, check Key West websites for the latest deals and start your trip with a fistful of money-saving deals!
