We will be going to the Keys for 4 weeks.(Yay..trying to get out of this cold and ice and snow called Michigan!) One of the weeks we will be joined by DS, DIL, almost 6 DGD and almost 3 DGS. Any tips, ideas off the beaten path? We know about the Theatre by the Sea and the bird sanctuary, and the Pennekamp State Park. All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

it depends on where you are in which key... have you picked your spot to stay?

agree with gary. Where are you staying?

If you get to the lower keys my kids always enjoyed going to Bahia Honda State Park. There are nature trails to walk, and they loved walking out on the old bridge.

The park has one of the best beach areas in the keys, and if you are there when the tide goes out you can walk and see all kinds of ocean life.

We usually camped there and the kids would fish under the bridge by the campground or go to the lagoon and fish. We had our own boat, but I believe they offer charters from the park to Looe Key which is a nice snorkeling area.

If you want to drop by and pick me up, I live in Michigan also, I will be happy to show you around the park.

Yes, we are staying in Islamorada. Been there many times but not with kids that age. Thanks. Cgenster, we should have a gtg! There seems to be quite a few of us midwesterners on board!

Don't miss the National Key Deer Refuge at Pig Pine Key (around mile 29). If the kids are old enough, Key Colony, Marathon has a 9 hole golf course that costs about $10 a round (mile 53 or so).

Oops, make that Big Pine Key!

I agree that Bahia Hondo is worth a stop -- surprised by just how beautiful the place was.

And although Key West has one of the largest beaten paths in Florida, I can't recommend the place enough. Even though I have NO interest whatsoever in drunken, late night parties; the atmosphere of the place is amazing. Plus lots of history and culture.