Key West w/a toddler- where to stay?
Mar 29th, 2010, 05:38 PM
#2
I've only been once, and loved it, but Key West did not strike me as a child-friendly town. It is certainly the drunkest town I've ever been in (well, maybe Amsterdam on the Queen's birthday, or New Orleans during Mardi Gras are rivals). It has mediocre beaches. The behavior on Duval is distinctly non-childish . . . I wonder if it is the right spot for you.
Apr 7th, 2010, 12:10 PM
#4
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We took our very small kids to Key West years ago. My oldest was 3 and 1/2 and then youngest was about 9 months.
We stayed at Pier House.
We tour the Conch train tour, visited the Mel Fisher Museum, swam, used the private beach, walked the boardwalk at sunset,ate at My Blue Heaven. Its been 6 years so I am sure things have changed, but my kids had fun
We stayed at Pier House.
We tour the Conch train tour, visited the Mel Fisher Museum, swam, used the private beach, walked the boardwalk at sunset,ate at My Blue Heaven. Its been 6 years so I am sure things have changed, but my kids had fun
Apr 7th, 2010, 02:13 PM
#6
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The best location is the foot of Duval St where you will find the Pier House and the Ocean Key Resort... theres also a Westin Key West Resort nearby... Make sure you dont assume any property is kid inclusive... many of the smaller hotels dont allow under 19's....
Apr 9th, 2010, 10:13 AM
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The best KW experience is to stay at one of the local guest houses, but I don't know of any that allow children, so you'll probably be limited to a larger hotel. If you want to stay evening-staggering distance from lower Duval, the only large hotels are the Hyatt and the Westin, plus Pier House and possibly La Concha (middle Duval). If you want somewhere a little quieter but still walking distance, Southernmost Hotel at the upper end of Duval is a possibility, as is Casa Marina. What are your plans while you are there? What do you really want to do, and how close do you want to stay to Duval and Old Town?
Apr 9th, 2010, 11:55 AM
#9
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As I posted above, the Island City House, which is a guest house, is great and accepts children. A true Key West experience... Good location also. Check it out:
http://www.islandcityhouse.com/
http://www.islandcityhouse.com/
Apr 9th, 2010, 03:01 PM
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I absolutely agree with Island City House. Ambrosia (and Ambrosia Too) are also family-friendly, but if I were you I'd try for Island City House.
And even though some people think Key West is not a great place for families, I completely disagree. Though it can be a big party town, it doesn't have to be. Please visit the Butterfly Conservatory...it's wonderful for people of all ages!
And even though some people think Key West is not a great place for families, I completely disagree. Though it can be a big party town, it doesn't have to be. Please visit the Butterfly Conservatory...it's wonderful for people of all ages!
Apr 9th, 2010, 03:28 PM
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I’m one of those people that don’t agree with taking kids to Key West, although I know that there are people that disagree with me. I’ve been going there for more than 20 years, and many of my friends from my early KW days who have kids now will not let their kids go to KW until they turn 21. I certainly would not recommend taking any of my nieces there until they are legal, or at least college age (no, legal would be better). The same rule applies for weekends in New Orleans. KW is a beautiful, artistic, eclectic corner of heaven (at least on non-cruise ship days), and my fondest memories from KW are of ridiculously existential conversations with poets, painters and drag queens in the wee hours of the morning. Yes, you can take kids to the butterfly house and the Mel Fisher Museum, and you can even drag them to the Hemingway House (but they won’t appreciate it), but if you are there with kids YOU – the grown up – don’t get to experience the real magic of the place.
Apr 10th, 2010, 06:03 AM
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SusieQQ - And of course the poor families who live in Key West and have children must keep them locked up until they're either 21 or drinking-age.
Hello, folks...Key West is a town FILLED with families, schools, and churches (one of the more popular ones is on Duval).
Hello, folks...Key West is a town FILLED with families, schools, and churches (one of the more popular ones is on Duval).
Apr 10th, 2010, 04:10 PM
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I know that there are people that take the kiddies to KW, New Orleans and Vegas, I've just never understood why those would be a first choice of vacation location for parents with small children. That said, for those that do travel with kids, I'm glad that there are some guest houses where they can stay -- a guest house is definitely the best way to experience Key West.
Apr 10th, 2010, 06:37 PM
#16
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tejana - I can't think of any major city (or minor one, for that matter)that doesn't have lots of bars and/or other adult entertainment venues.
So...you don't think children should be in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, etc., etc.?
So...you don't think children should be in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, etc., etc.?
Apr 10th, 2010, 07:03 PM
#17
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As a person who has taken both of my children to Key West & NOla, both Nancy's (is that right ?) & the Eden House have suites or apartments which has suited us well in the past. My 5 & 8 year olds aren't usually out drinking after Midnight, you DO have to draw the line somewhere.
Apr 10th, 2010, 09:09 PM
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Ive been vacationing in Key West for over 20 years with my son who is now 21 this year!!! We have gone to the bed and breakfast at the Island City House for years. They are one of the only B & B's who allow children!! They have a great pool, beautiful garden you can have breakfast with a nice fish pond my son loved. Key West is great for kids during the day with a great little touch aquarium, Mel Fishers treasure museum, the sunset at mallory square has shows like a dog walking a highwire rope and other neat tricks my son loved. He was 5 when we started going so 2 is a little young. We always went in October, the summer gets too hot for children! I just got married two years ago on Smathers Beach in Key West and we went last year with my son and new stepson who is 12. We did choose a different place for the first time we contacted a real estate website and rented a condo in the Truman Annex. They are condos privately owned you can rent with everything, kitchen two bathrooms, porch, community pool. The President's Lane Condos are best! I think it was called the "Southern Palm" Beautifully decorated. It might be better than the B & B for your toddler. I think Key West is great for any age!!! As soon as our two children are through college we will be joining the local "Conchs" (those born and raised Key West style) and move to Key West. I cant wait for that final vacation!!!!!!!!!
