My family is planning a trip to the Florida Keys over Memorial Day weekend. We planned on driving from north Florida to Miami to stay one night there on Saturday. We are trying to figure out the next few days. We are for sure staying two nights in Islamorada Monday and Tuesday. Right now we are thinking Saturday night stay in Miami simply because of a lower cost of hotels we have been looking at. Sunday drive t Key Largo to snorkel at Pennekamp then drive back to hotel in Miami area. (Should we do a snorkel boat trip or can we snorkel from shore?) Monday get up early from Miami area and drive to Key West to stay for the majority of the day then drive to Islamorada to stay over night for the next several days.(Is traffic going to be awful in and out of Key West on Memorial Day?) Any suggestions on inexpensive activities to do in Islamorada and surrounding areas with teens? We plan on coming back to the keys again next year just getting in a short trip to see it for the first time. Should we forget Key West altogether over Memorial Day weekend? Thank you!

Help me out here: why are you going BACK to Miami for a night and then turning right around and driving BACK toward Key West?

Is it the money or what????

I've got to agree with Dukey - you're planning a drive that goes

Northern Florida-Miami (stay in Miami)
Miami-Key Largo and back to Miami same day (stay in Miami)
Miami-Key West for a day trip
Key West - Islamorda for a couple of nights

Sorry, but there is nothing about this plan that makes sense. Those places are all in a straight line. If you must stay over in Miami on Saturday, and if you must get to Key West, you should go:

Saturday: Northern Florida - Miami (stay in Miami)
Sunday: Miami - Key West (stay in Key West)
Monday & Tuesday - Key West to Islamorda (stay in Islamorda)

Once you leave Miami, don't go back... Head right to key largo for your snorkel and stay there or head right to Islamorada... You can day trip to Key West from Islamorada and save some money... Key West is only swamped when there is a cruise ship or special event... Check the events calendar ...

Since Islamorada is centrally located in the keys, it's one of the better places to plant your family... Also lots of water activities... Have fun!

We made the mistake of going from Ft Lauderdale to Key Largo one day of the Memorial Day weekend last year. DON"T DO IT