We will be docking in Key West for a day and want to avoid the touristy excusions; any recommendations. We are traveling with a 7 and 10 y/o

Key West is a tourist destination and just about anything you do will be 99-100% tourist.

You might start your day with a good overview of the key, offered by the conch train tour. www.conchtrain.com

Then, depending on your interests, walk along Duval, go on a snorkeling trip, or spend some time on one of the key's few beaches.

Don't miss sunset at Mallory Square, of course. www.mallorysquare.com

The kids would probably enjoy the aquarium and perhaps Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum

Fast Buck Freddie's on Duval might also interest them and you.

Believe me, the "tourists" have already discovered every nook and cranny of Key West.

What "touristy excusions" are you speaking of? How many hours are you docking for? I assume you will be leaving before sunset so you will not be able to do Mallory Square.

If you want to do something less touristy, do a kayaking tour. The Conch Train is about the most tourist thing you can do, and I don't think it will be as interesting for kids anyway.

Just a word of caution - the last time we were in Key West (a couple years ago) some of the stores displayed merchandise and t-shirts with slogans that weren't exactly "kid-friendly". But Key West can be a fun place to spend the day - just know that you won't have the place to yourselves! Our kids' favorites were Mel Fisher's Museum and Mallory Square.

Conch Fritters!!!

If you want to do something the kids will alwyas remember, take the Discovery Glass Bottom Boat ride out to the reef...

http://www.discoveryunderseatours.com/

#35.00 / person but less for children.

You can walk there from the docks by walking *on the sea side* of the Ocean Key Resort and around. This is the 5 minute scenic walk to the boat. When the trip is finished take every one back to El Meson de Pepe by following Front Street for Cuban appitizers in their garden.

Pjk

Key West is a town who's main industry is tourism and you are a tourist.

You'll be hard pressed to find anything non-touristy.

Take a boat tour, get out over the water.

Agree with the other posters...you're not going to find too much "untouristy"

I'd suggest Conch Tour, gives good overview/history of the island, Kids would probably like Mel Fishers Museum and Pirate Soul Pirate Museum. They might like the Butterfly Conservatory too.

The conch train may have changed, but I still remember riding it in the '70s when I was about 5 years old.

Hemingway house?
Lighthouse?
Take the kids' picture at the Southernmost Point. Yes it's touristy but also educational.

I'm just glad nobody has told you that you should visit the "real" Key West which you would probably find quite boring.

My nephews, ages 8 & 11, loved the Conch Train tour, "shopping" on Duval, a snorkeling trip, and the craziness of Mallory Square at sunset.

They also liked watching a HUGE cruise ship leave port.

Dukey, tammy would have to transport herself back to 1983 to visit the 'real' Key West.