Key West/Key Largo in 2 weeks w/ family - tips?
 

My husband and I and our 11 year old son are driving from Miami with another family (also two 11 year olds) to Key West for 2 nights, June 6-7 (a weekend) and then to Key Largo for 1 night.

We want to go snorkeling in Key Largo. We're staying at Popp's Motel (1 post in Rants and Raves gave it a 5 and they seem low cost and friendly). Anyone else stay there before? Where should we snorkel - do we take a boat in the Atlantic side or go to Pennekamp or what? Since it is for such a short period of time, I want to snorkel where the water is really blue and there are reefs and colorful fish, but I'm fairly ignorant about the geography of Key Largo.

Also, good ideas (other than the usual Hemingway House Museum, the fort, sunset, etc. all of which we are going to do) for activities in Key West? Rent bikes? 11 year olds can be some of the more jaded people in the world so nothing too babyish but still not too sophisticated - they won't appreciate it. Maybe someplace where they can have virgin frozen drinks and feel grownup. Also, anyone have any comments on Courtney's Place where we have reservations in Key West?

Thanks in advance. I always get the best advice here. My 2001 trip to Fance was great because of all the excellent advice.

topping - need help - thanks

The reefs are on the ocean side of Key Largo, several miles out. You can go with any one of a number of charters; Popp's will surely have brochures. We've gone with the concessionaire in Pennekamp State Park and were very happy, but this doesn't mean they're the best. Pennekamp is about 8 miles north of Popp's. You have to pay a few dollars admission to get into the park but it's worth it. There are little beaches (though you might like Popp's better) and a charming aquarium.

No matter which boat you go out on, it's quite a ride, maybe 45 minutes, out to the reefs. When you get there, I don't think you'll be disappointed by the fish. The first time, we were so astonished by the sight (the numbers and colors of fish) that we forgot to breathe, which is not appropriate when snorkeling. The reef off of Pennekamp is the real thing -- as spectacular as you've seen in the movies.

In Key West, I think 11-year-olds will enjoy the sunset "celebration" at Mallory Square. There are escape artists, unicyclists, and guys doing tricks with dogs. If you walk along Duval you will see T-shirts in store windows that will make you blush, but maybe not your kids.

Too bad you only have 2 nights in Key West, I'd recommend a day trip via seaplane to the Dry Tortugas - it was the highlight of our Keys trip and the best snorkeling we had. Don't know who enjoyed it more - me or the kids!

I agree about the Dry Tortugas - we did the boat trip and it was best part of our Key West trip. Saw a shark! Kids loved it! If you can fit it in, do it! Otherwise did the usual - hemingway house, truman museum, key lime pie at the blond giraffe. Had a wonderful time.

What is the Dry Tortugas? We are going to take a trip in two weeks to the keys........please tell me more in detail so i know what to do

The Dry Tortugas are a national park north of Key West. Mainly it is old Fort Jefferson which protected us for years now part of the national park system and really part of the Everglades National Park. Many people take a boat or plane out to see this park.

http://www.nps.gov/drto/
Cut and paste above to see the national park service on the Dry Tortugas.

Hi, The Keys are our favorite vacation spot. I would disagree with the previous recomendation on the Dry Tortugas though. Its a long day for anyone, far too many on the boat, especially if you have children, very expensive day ($140+ pp), and very crowded waters if there are a lot of campers on the island. My suggestion for you, if you have a car, is to visit Bahia Honda State Park at around MM 30, you can snorkle right off the small beach. Lots to see right past the sea grasses. They also offer 2 snorkle trips to that take you to great reefs with mild waters. Excellent for the children and never more than 30 on each boat. They even have a concession that serves sandwiches, drinks and ice cream. You can rent kayaks there too. Pennekamp has a nice boat trip for snorkling and the aquarium was a great plus. There really aren't any beaches of size in the Keys, the water is the big draw. (Don't worry the baraccuda won't bite! One other beach at Key West is Smathers Beach, out closer to the airport. Although rocky bottom, it also has vendors and changing rooms. Volleyball nets and rafts available for rent. We did see lobster, rays and many other fish out there by the floating sunrafts. Fort Zachary State park in Key West One thing to remember -- it is a law in Florida that a dive flag MUST be visable when diving and/or snorkling. If you do not take a boat trip to snorkle, you can rent flags at the State Parks, or purchase one at any Winn-dixie grocery store. Go to Land's End Village - just a short walk from Mallory Square area for lunch at any of the waterfront resturants. Schooner's may even have music in the afternoon. Sit at a table on the highest level, enjoy the view, the kids will love it too. Have a great time!!!!!

We just returned from the Keys...try to visit one of the less expensive Cuban restaurants-they were great! Food is not cheap down there-so be prepared.So many things to do-watersports, sunset cruises aboard the various schooners, Duval St. shops(above poster was accurate about the "unusual" merchandise in the shop windows).Renting bikes is a good deal-I'd avoid all those scooters/2&4 seater numbers-they are very pricey.A stroll around Mallory Sq. is fun-be sure to see the 2 dogs doing tricks in the center square.It is VERY hot down there-if you try to plan on sightseeing early in the morning, then returing to your hotel poolside when it's so hot and then out again in the cooler evenings, it won't be so bad. Look for all the air conditioned places you can duck into.Oh, and be sure to do the Conch Train 1 1/2 hour tour of th eisland. It is really well done and informative. Worth the $$$. Best bets for cheaper eats-El Meson De Pepe(Mallory Sq.) Pepe's(Caroline St.) Mangia,Mangia(Southard St.)Have a ball!

WE went to the Dry Tortugas via seaplane. It was a 30 min flight. It WAS very expensive, but to me it was worth every penny. The campground is closed at this time (although there are a VERY limited number of sites anyway). The beach is just beautiful - a true Caribbean type beach, with Bahama like sand, crystal clear waters of the most gorgeous colors, and snorkeling FROM the BEACH. The coral heads were HUGE. We saw moray eels, loggerhead turtles, rays, schools and schools of fish - right off hte beach! We went to Bahia Honda and it was VERY crowded, with alot of smelly seaweed. We did have fun on the kayaks there, but it did not compare to the Tortugas. If you want to snorkel at Looe Key, my rec is to take a trip with Strike Zone Charters out of Big Pine Key. Excellent operation - low number of people on the boat. Very friendly guides, glass bottom pontoons too. I dive and was very impressed with their operations.

Thanks. We leave for Miami Wednesday, then on to Key West Friday and Saturday. After that, on to Key Largo for Sunday night and Monday. Can't wait! And I was just thinking about Cuban food so I will definitely check out the places you mentioned, bryarsmom.

Since we are from Memphis, we are certainly used to being hot in the
summer.

If we get inspired we have some flexibility to stay over Monday night too so may get to go to one of the other places recommended.

Thanks a lot, and I will post about our trip when we return.