We are coming down to Ft. Lauderdale and are curious what a good day trip would consist of to the Florida Keys. Is Key West to far for the day? How far would you go? According to Streets and Trips it is 6 hrs to Key West from FLL.

It'll be a 4 1/2 hour trip from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West. In my opinion, too far for a day trip but okay if you want to spend the night in Key West.

ok...here is another question. Keys or Sanibel Island?

I think you might find Key West a bit far in one day. Key Largo is at the north end of the Keys and you could spend some time on the water, boating, snorkeling, etcetera. We didn't spend time there so I can't really recommend anything specific, but if you post something here, people will help you out.

Personally, we love Bahia Honda Park, which is further down, at MM 37 (37 more miles from there to Key West). It's a beautiful state park, with powdery beaches (voted "best beach" by Dr. Beach a while back), calm, clear, and warm turquoise water, mangrove areas to explore, snorkeling, kayaking (wonderfully easy on the calm waters and you can paddle out forever and still only be in waist high water), and trips out to Looe Key for snorkeling on an offshore reef, very cool. There's a concession place onsite that sells the snorkel trips and rents all sorts of water gear (kayaks, snorkel gear, etc) and has food and sundries. You could pick up a picnic lunch on your way down and make a wonderful day of it, albeit possibly a long one. The park is stunning though.

I have a trip report on Miami Beach and the Keys at http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34410787, which includes info on Bahia Honda.

The park's website is www.bahiahondapark.com.

love
roxy

When are you coming down? Let me warn you that traffic to either Sanibel or to Key West can be mind-boggling during the winter season, especially on weekends or holidays.
I can't imagine doing that drive, spending a couple hours, then driving back. If you wanted to fly down for the day, you might be able to justify it, or spend a night.

While Sanibel may be a little closer in time (but certainly not much) I can't see driving over there just for a few hours either. Key West and Sanibel are great places to kick back and relax, but not necessarily worth an entire day's driving just to "get a glimpse" of them.

Unless you have already been there, consider spending the day at nearby South Beach... the shopping, bistros, and people watching are every bit as good and the ocean is across the street... Driving to key west for the day is a day in the car and once you get there, you won't have much time to do anything, and the drive to Sanibel isn't much different... Stick to SOBE, bring a couple of clothing changes, swimsuits,casual, and dressy clubwear and your day will be full!

In 2001 my Mom and I went from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (5 miles north of Ft. L.) to Plantation Key which was a nice day drive (2 hrs). We could have comfortably gone for another 30 min to 1 hr but as you know Key West is way down there. You may want to stop at Pennekamp State Park (Key Largo)and take a glass bottom boat out 7 miles to the ocean. You get a great view of marine life from the charter boat (I was surprised when we went how good the view was). Before the charter we went to wild birdlife habitat about 1/2 miles down from the Park and saw FL bird life up close and then, when going through the mangrove trees, via the charter boat, you see all the same bird life on their natural habitat. You may want to stop on right side of the road when on Key Largo, there is a big Chamber of Commerce which will give you a better idea of the sites. There are plenty of Keys you could probably enjoy more without going all the way down to Key West.

You can definitely do a day trip if you stay in the upper keys. Stephanie has some great suggestions. In January, allow 3 hours down and 3 hours back and you'll be okay. I'm in Ft. Lauderdale and love taking day trips to Key Largo, Plantation Key, etc.

Agree with the above that a day trip to the upper Keys is certainly possible. Since it is a day trip, I would assume you would want to get on the road early, and if that is the case I wouldn't worry about Keys holiday/seasonal traffic on the way down (that generally builds after 10:00 am) and unless you are planning on doing this trip on a Sunday your return traffic shouldn't be much of a problem either. I would plan to make it as far south as Islamorda; Stephanie has given you some very good suggestions to start and searching this site and others will give you a good idea of where to eat and some other stuff to do.

If you need driving directions to the Keys from FLL, it is really, really easy if you take I-595 west to I-75 SOUTH, then take the exit for the Turnpike Extention (it will say Key West on the sign.) Just stay on the TP Ext until it ends and follow the signs to the Keys. I love taking Card Sound Road to get onto the Keys, but either way is just fine. If you take Card Sound Road, stop at Alabama Jack's for lunch or dinner on the way back.... I hear it's a great place (I've never been, but my brothers swear by it!)

Have fun!

I drive from FLL to Marathon often, and it's only 2hrs, it's one hr more to KW.(this is without stopping) It's a BEAUTIFUL drive! Key West is good for a day, try staying in Marathon or Islamorada.