Going in April with 3 (10-16 yrs) kids. Want to do snorkleing/kayaking and see everglades. We have 3 full days. Thinking of staying at Westin in KeyLargo? Doing 1 day everglades 2 days key largo. Any recommendations on iternary/ hotels/ snorkeling companies.
Also can we do a hover/Fan boat rides in everglades.

tocon
We will be in this area in Feb/Mar. Are you driving in? We drove Rt 41 many years ago and remember aligators on both sides of the road! Anhinga Trail, Everglades Nationsl Park has alligators, turtles, herons, egrets and is a most popular trail. We are staying in Key Largo before going to Key West and staying at "Best Western Suites at Key Largo" 1-800-780-7234 I have not stayed there before but we have a oceanfront suite with balcony and pool, 2 queen beds with full kitchen
for 122.00 per night.

We always stay at the Best Western mentioned by "cd". It's a small hotel, but centrally located on Key Largo with their own snorkeling cruises. The rooms have screened-in lanais that face on a busy canal with snorkeling and fishing boats coming and going all day long. (Fun to watch.) The rooms are all townhouses with one bedroom and bath upstairs and pull-out couches and half-baths below. The kitchens are fully operational, with continental breakfasts offered. If you have any questions about the hotel, please feel free to send me an e-mail - we've been there probably 10-12 times in the past including twice in 2003 and will definitely be back this year.

ccolor
So glad to hear a heads-up on the hotel we are staying in! We will be driving from Treasure Island (Tampa Bay area) and want to walk the Anhinga Trail in the Everglades National Park before checking in that first day. How's our time on that? Anything else in Key Largo that you enjoy doing?

Well let's see - our agenda in Key Largo is usually drinking, eating, doing nothing <grin>. Actually I can't give you much help on the time thing, we usually rush right out of either Miami or Ft. Lauderdale airport and get our cold selves to the Keys to thaw as quickly as possible. However, your family might enjoy a glass-bottom boat trip, John Pennekamp state park, (as you stated) kayaking/canoe trips, a ride on the African Queen, or even going to the end of the canal where the fishing boats come in to see how the catch of the day went. The kids might like to eat at Coconuts and Alabama Jack's (it's located on Card Sound Road - a toll road, but neat to drive when going into Key Largo). We also liked Mandalay Bay and Tugboats (stick to the appetizers, the entrees are expensive and dinky) for local food and neat surroundings.

I took an airboat tour of the Everglades out of the Everglades Holiday Park. It was a great tour.

http://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/

The best area for snorkeling in the area you will be in is the John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo.

I HIGHLY recommend that you DO NOT take an airboat tour. You will not be able to take an airboat inside the park as it destroys the Everglades. There are tours that operate on the fringes of the park. Go to one of the visitors Centers and the rangers will tell you how best to enjoy the Glades responsibly

Also...on the way in from Homestead, be sure to stop at the "Robert is here" fruit stand and get a orange milkshake

I agree on John Pennekamp for snorkeling. We have done it a few times. They have a snorkeling tour that takes you on a boat out to the live reef. It was very reasonable and included the equipment. The snorkeling was excellent at the reef. There was a tremendous variety of very colorful fish and the water was warm and very clear. I even came face to face with a Barracuda. We have always gone in November.

God forbid you take an airboat ride. But don't feel bad about buying produce and neat fruity milkshakes from a farmer whose industry has destroyed and polluted more square miles of the Everglades than a million airboats could do over a thousand years.
I guess some people can't see the forest for the trees. Or is that the sawgrass for the citrus trees?