tabarrett

I'm planning a new trip with my adult daughter. We will be flying into Miami on Nov. 30 and should be on South Beach by noon. We will be staying 2 nights on South Beach and then driving to Key Largo for 3 nights and then down to Key West for 4 nights. I'm looking for fun/special activities that I should not miss along the way. This is my daughters first time seeing the ocean so it will be special for her. I want to do a lot of snorkeling and we are both interested in seeing gardens and bird/animal santuaries. Any ideas you can offer will be greatly appreciated!

garyt22

everything ln the keys is reachable in a few hours ... break your activities into two sections... things to do from Key Largo and Things to do from Key West... Islamorada is about half way but once you get to Key west, there is plenty to do there alone...

Before you get swept up...start planning yourself by looking at www.fla-keys.com

rncheryl

While still on the mainland, Fairchild Tropical Gardens is lovely. http://www.fairchildgarden.org/

Primo snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park. http://pennekamppark.com/

Lots to do and see in Key West of course. You might consider Trumans Little White HOuse and the Hemingway House. http://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com/ http://www.hemingwayhome.com/

Should be a nice time of year: the hurricanes are gone and weather is less humid.

mrt

3 days in Key largo may be too long. If you are breaklng up your trip between two destinations you should reconsider Islamorada and Key West. Not much going on in Key largo and just not that interesting (in my opinion).

tabarrett

All great ideas! Thank you all for the links. I will definitely check them all out. 3 days is too long for Key Largo? Maybe then we could arrive later on the 1st day and leave very early that 4th day and drive to Islamadora for a day. I was hoping to go to the Everglades whiling staying in Key Largo and do some snorkeling. I guess I better plan my time better for Key Largo or cut it short by a day so I can spend more time in Key West. Is the Snorkeling about the same in Key West vs Key Largo? Also, could someone please recommend a good place to stay in Key West? I'm hoping for a beach condo or cottage, something with a full kitchen. Sounds like it is only a mile or so wide so not concerned about where too much I guess. Ideas on lodging anyone?

longhorn55

Good snorkeling at the aforementioned John C. Pennecamp State Park in Key Largo. We also found good snorkeling at Bahia Honda State Park at Big Pine Key. We snorkeled off the beach at Ft. Zachary Taylor in Key West, too, and it wasn't any great shakes. Snorkeling from a boat could be better, but I have read that Key West snorkeling isn't so good due to the lack of coral. You might want to check that for yourself.

We stayed at the Best Western Plus Hibiscus in Key West. They did not have kitchens and they weren't on the beach, but they had large rooms, a nice pool and hot tub, free parking, close to Duval Street (but quiet!)

tabarrett

Sounds great! I will definitely check out all of these sites. I truly appreciate all of your opinions! Thanks!