We're taking a much awaited trip from the cold here in NE to sunny so. FL during Xmas week. After 2 yrs of unemployment and no trips, we can't wait to sit on the beach and take our 13-yr-old son to see some sights. We'll be staying at Hollywood Beach for a wk, so we'll drive around from there. Thinking of going to Kennedy Space Ctr, Everglades, and the Keys. Wonder if we should stay a night in Key West, as the drive would be too long to return to Ft Lauderdale on same day? Where do you recommend to stay - Key West, Marathon, or Islamorada? Planning to just make the Keys trip 1-2 days. Is Space Ctr far from Hollywood Bch? What's best to do at Everglades? Thanks you all!!
-Perky

Skip Kennedy Space center, nothing to do there, plus heard that after 9/11, there are lots of restrictions in what is open to public. Better go to any of the Orlando attractions or Tampa..once in Tampa, enjoy the beach. Yes. Space center is quite far away from Hollywood Bch.
There are no beaches in Key West, it is more a walk around , eat and party place..so a 13 yrs old has not much to do there. It is a long beautiful drive from Ft Lauderdale, so better to spend the night and enjoy KW. There are hotels all along US1, so plenty for you to choose, but be aware that you will be travelling in season and holidays , so chances of getting a hotel do not look very good...move fast and make reservations.

I would not make that trip to the Space Center either. From where you are it is 4 hrs. or so and the traffic can be horrendous during the season. I doubt the beach will be warm enough to be hanging out in December, you definitely can't swim. If you really want to do something that your son would enjoy, you might consider renting wet suits and snorkel gear and going snorkeling (the wet suit is the ONLY way this would work at that time of year). Driving to Key West will take 4-5 hrs. from Hollywood. You could go to Pennekamp for one, Looe Key in Key West for two, and if you've got the cash, you could take the seaplane to the Dry Tortugas and snorkle there. I'm not so sure that there are trips to Looe Key at that time of year so you will have to check into it (there are some tour operators who leave from Big Pine Key). But if there are you can rest assured you're not going to be jostling with the hordes of tourists. Also, I think the Everglades would be a great trip for you. Search this forum for information about that (I haven't spent much time down there myself) or pick up a book about the Everglades. Miami also has a lot to offer. You might look for a Gameworks for that age (video game arcade owned by steven spielberg). I believe there's a science center in Ft. Lauderdale. I hope this is somewhat helpful.

About an hour south of Hollywood Beach in Key Largo, is John Pennekamp Coral Reef state Park. This is a great place to go out on a boat for a snorkling trip.We did this a couple of years ago-the water was a little chilly so we rented wet suits there and had a great time. There is also a glass bottom boat ride to the coral reef which I have never been on. Your son may be interested in the Maritime museum which is across the street from the park.They have lots of artifacts from sunken ship wrecks,some from the 17th century.
I think it is worth going to Key West, if not for just the beautiful ride in itself.I would definetly spend 1 night.You might enjoy the conch train ride where the narrator tells about the history of Key West.There is one decent beach that we enjoyed last year at Fort Zachary State park-they have chairs and towels for rent, and also a snack bar and changing facilities. After the beach we enjoyed a tour of Fort Zachary, which was built in the 1800's. Your son might enjoy that. Bring him for breakfast or lunch at Ricks Blue Heaven.

Your 13 year old will love the Hollywood Broadwalk (not boardwalk). It is a 2 1/2 mile former road that is oceanfront and lined with restaurants and shops. Rent a bike and explore the broadwalk. Live music at the bandstand 3 nights a week.

Where are you staying in Hollywood? I love Hollywood Beach!

Thanks for the great ideas and the heads-up on Space Ctr. Didn't know it was that far and the security restrictions - will scratch that. The Everglades sounds good - will look into that. Believe it or not, our 13yr old is the only one who can swim! We can't snorkel so the coral reef however enticing is out for us. We're renting a privately only studio condo in the Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort through Cyberrentals.com - read that it isn't great but fits our budget. Just heard that the owner doesn't have beachchairs or umbrella on the property, and we have to pay for parking. Renting bikes on the Hollywood Broadwalk sounds great, and so does the conch train ride in Key West. I'd better start looking for a 1-night stay in Key West; 4-hr drive is long! Thanks for your help!!

Here's another "Yes!" for the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk. The area reminds me of what the beach was like 30 years ago. It's only 15 minutes away from Ft. Lauderdale but the two places are worlds apart.

There's a great nature center on the north end, between A1A and the Intercoastal. I was walking along a path by myself (pretty quietly, I guess!), and a raccoon started walking along the path less than 15 feet in front of me. He took a few steps, froze, turned and looked at me, and ran back into the woods. I got a real kick out of it. It's really a nice way to spend a few hours. The park also offers canoe rentals.