Help needed with Florida Keys trip
 

Hi, everyone. My family and I decided to take a trip to the Florida Keys in late December. We've never been there before, so we are excited to go. Some info about us: we are a family of five, with two parents, 23 and 16 year-old sons, and a 16 year-old daughter. We travel together at least once a year, trips varying in size. Our budget for this trip is $7000, although that really is stretching it - we are hoping to spend around $4000-5000 or less. Since all the kids are busy with school (high school and med school), we don't want to spend more than 4 nights there.

That said, I'm not very familiar with the Keys. We want family-friendly activities, don't care much for bars/drinking/nightlife. Basically, we're looking to have a good time and have fun as a family. Water sports are fun, guided tours aren't necessary, we'd like to visit a national parks.

So, some questions:
1. Which islands should we visit? Is it viable to visit the Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys in 4 nights?
2. What are some activities you would recommend for us?
3. Should we stay on a resort (Moorings, Cheeca, Hawk's Cay...etc) or in a standard hotel?

Thank you for any advice you can offer us.

Sorry, more questions (can't edit original post):
4. How do we get around the Keys if we fly down here? Should we rent a car to drive?
5. Are the Keys easy to navigate on car?

Islamorada is half-way down the keys and offers the perfect base for your trip... plenty of great accommodations, restaurants, and an easy drive to any key or the everglades...

If you fly, rent a mini-van for comfort and luggage space as you will need it to get up and down the keys... there's only one main road so it's hard to get lost...

The Moorings has cottages that fit your need, but availability may be limited... have fun

The Moorings is not a standard resort, and it is not a conventional hotel. The accommodations are in separate cottages set under stands of palm trees set back from a pretty beach. There are water craft--kayaks, etc--that you can use by yourselves. There are no crowds and it almost feels as if you are on your own property. There is no restaurant on premises but there are places to eat down the road and all the cottages have kitchens and they will lend you a BBQ grill if you ask.

It is unlikely that they will have space for December of this year.

If you can get a cottage, I highly recommend the place.

<Should we stay on a resort (Moorings, Cheeca, Hawk's Cay...etc) or in a standard hotel?>

Just depends your travel style and your budget. I like the old-time motels you find alongside the highway in the various Keys.

Camping at Bahia Honda state park and visiting Key West were highlights for me.