Hi, we are planning a trip around Xmas break to take the kids to Everglade national park. We would also like to continue our trip afterwards to key west. If we fly, which airport should we land? How many days should we plan for the trip in all? What are the must-sees and must-dos along the drive from Everglade to key west? Some great place to eat? We thought about driving down. We will be coming from DC. But it is a challenging thought, though doable. We've done that before. If we drive down, it will save us the hassle of renting a car. Anyway, any suggestion on our planning is mostly appreciated. We look forward to this trip.

I mean most appreciated. Greatly appeciated. Sorry for the typo.

If you fly in to South Florida, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale airports will be your best bet. You can drive to the Everglades then turn around drive back, and head to Key West.

Florida doesn't have one way drop off fees so you can ditch your car in Key West. Parking in Key West is expensive and a hassle.

Feeding the tarpon at Robbies in Islamorada, Bahia Honda State Park, and eating lunch at Mangrove Mamas are all must dos in my book.

Plan on at least a week.

airboat rides are wonderful. hire a guide to take you in an outboard out to look for manatee and to tour you through the back creeks of the mangroves deep in the everglades. if you come from the west, stop at everglades city. if the rod and gun lodge is still in business, it's an authentic experience.

I visited the Everglades and the Keys just last week. Here's my two cents.

1) If you can swim, take a snorkel tour at Pennekamp State Park (you can rent all necessary equipment). Half the people on the boat tour I was on had never snorkeled before (this was my first in ten years), so they're VERY experienced with people with no experience.
2) Bahia Hondo State Park has one of the best swimming beaches you could ask for. Soft, white sand; shallow, clear water.
3) Rent a bike or take a tram tour at the Shark Valley area of Everglades National Park (ENP). Seeing gators by mid-day is almost a given. If it's a cool but sunny day, giving the gators incentive to get on the cement to warm up, you'll be able to walk within five meters of them.
4) Walk along the Anhinga Trail of ENP; again, gators and several birds are almost guaranteed.
5) Other good stops are Mzarec Pond and the Snake Bight Trail (saw well over 100 birds gathering at a water hole).
6) Odds are good of seeing a crocodile at Flamingo Center. But note that the lodging there was damaged beyond repair by Katrina.
7) Don't miss a key lime shake at "Bobs is Right Here" near the main entrance road into ENP.
8) Amongst the historical sites at Key West are Harry Truman's "Little White House," Hemmingway's Home, and Sloppy Joe's Bar.
9) During sunset at Key West, hundreds gather at Mallory Square just to be part of a party. Join the fun.

Other good stops are Mzarec Pond and the Snake Bight Trail (saw well over 100 birds gathering at a water hole).

Where are these places? been to shark valley and anhinga trail, but don't remember these stops.

> > Mzarec Pond and the Snake Bight Trail
> Where are these places?

As you drive to the Flamingo Area, Mzarec Pond and the trailhead for the Snake Bight Trail are on your left. Both are fairly well marked, near Flamingo, and easy to spot on the official park map.
http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisi...ad/evermap.pdf

Stop for a milkshake.

http://www.robertishere.com/stand.htm

Pick up some cool, unique leather sandals at Key West Sandal Factory.

Ooops, sorry! I looked that up too fast. The original sandal place is Kino's, and they also have the best deals and most unique styles.