nina

Just found out we are going on a cruise Presidents week, and one of the ports is Key West. After walking around town, I'm wondering if there is a beach fairly close to downtown where the kids could swim. What is the best way for 3 adults and 3 children to get there? Are there any within walking distance? Thanks.

Bob

Fort Zachory Tayor just off of Southard Street.

nina

Bob, I read in Fodors that it's very rocky there and not great for swimming, is that accurate? I don't mind rocky, as long as it won't cut up your feet. Is it a swimmable beach at Fort Zachary Taylor? Thanks.

Bob

I can't speak for all beaches in Key West but I understand that all are the way you describe. When we went to Fort Zachory we brought old tennis shoes so we didn't cut our feet getting in and out of the water.

xxx

Key West is not a beach destination.

nina

I've been to Key West and know it's not a beach destination, but given that it is one of the stops on our cruise, we'd like to take the children to a beach, rather than dragging them around all day sightseeing.

Thanks Bob, we'll bring water shoes for the kids.

Stormi

Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach known as County Beach. This beach is located one-half mile west of Smathers Beach on Atlantic Blvd near the south end of White Street.

C B Harvey Rest Beach Park is located on the Atlantic Ocean near White St. Pier.

South Beach found at the end of Duval Street. It's a small public beach with picnic tables and bathroom facilities.

Smathers Beach just west of the airport on S. Roosevelt Blvd. It has food and beverage vendors, bathrooms and showers, equipment rental, etc.

Fort Zachory Taylor Beach is a state park with all the facilities but you have to pay to get in. $3.00 - 4.00/ car. Location is through Truman Annex and is the favorite beach in Key West.

There are taxis, buses, bikes (rent) and so on to get to any of the beaches.

nina

Thanks stormi. Are water shoes needed for South Beach as well?

Roof

Beach shoes are needed just about all beaches in the Keys. South Beach is now a part of Kellys Restaurant and usually smells of sewage. Fort Zack is the best and it is also very close to where the cruise ships dock.

x

What website did you copy that from Stormi??

Mick

Fort Zachory is great! I give it 2 thumbs up. Here is a nice review of it.

http://www.showtimeinteractive.com/t...-18878,00.html

nina

Thanks for the help. Fort Zachary it is then. And thanks for the review Mick.

Home

there is tons of stuff to do with the kids instead of bringing them to a rocky beach. The Aquarium is fun, The Shipwreck Museum is interesting, take a glass bottom tour out to the reef, climb the lighthouse, see the kitties at Hemingways house.....

nina

Thanks home, but believe it or not, my sons love rocky beaches, and so does my nephew. They would spend hours doing this along the coast of Maine where it's too cold to go swimming.

Boys have this thing about tossing rocks into water. I don't get it either, but they seem to love it.

abc

Keep in mind Feb can be a chilly and windy month in Key West. You may not have the option of going to the beach but with that said I would also choose Fort Zack.

susan

I agree with the above post. You can't rely on the weather being warm enough to swim in February. And one other caveat...Fort Zachary Taylor is not within walking distance unless you're very energetic and have lots of time. You shouldn't have a bit of trouble getting a cab, though.

xxx

Nina, keep in mind rocky Maine coasts are very different from sharp coral keys water access.

Did you decide to bag the Grand Canyon/Scottsdale trip?

nina

xxx,
Is the coral really that sharp? We will probably visit the aquarium and Hemingway's house while in Key West as well.

Regarding the Grand Canyon/Scottsdale - it's absolutely still on! My husband and I and the kids are going there over April vacation. The cruise is in February, over President's week. It's my mom, sister and our kids. Our husbands hate cruises, so they aren't coming.

xxx

I would either stay on the cruise ship and let your kids hang out at the pool or get a day pass from the Wyndham Reach for use of their pool and beach.

OliveOyl

Walking on coral is sort of like walking on lava rock, maybe worse! Though kids can and do swim in pretty much any water, you might not care to. It's pretty cool by February!