Oh forgot direct flights into Tampa.

<What to do there besides the beach?>
That's the problem with Sanibel and Anna Maria--nothing there besides gorgeous beaches and some nice places to eat.

I think people here are scare-mongering about Key West. "Gay hub" is a pretty inappropriate remark in 2017. How would that be any sort of negative for kids? Gay people HAVE kids.

And a touch of nudity, easily avoided, never blinded anyone.

Listen to garyt22: <When your kids are awake, Key West is very kid friendly... chickens wandering the street, breakfast at Blue Heaven, butterfly conservatory, pirate treasure, conch train, six toe cats at Hemingway house, pools, sunset sails, aquarium, ice cream, t shirt shops, casual restaurants...>

My husband was stationed in KW and we go often and all the kids I see do just fine. It is an island and lots of bars but many other things to do as well. I would not take them down Duval at night but they would love Mallory Square at sunset.

http://www.familytravelnetwork.com/a...activities.asp

<"Gay hub" is a pretty inappropriate remark in 2017>

Why is that? It's a fact. Nothing "negative" about it. I'd say the same thing about Provincetown, parts of Seattle or San Francisco, sections of Puerto Vallarta, etc.




<And a touch of nudity, easily avoided, never blinded anyone.>

That is not what most people are hoping to find when they are asking about "kids friendly" destinations.

It's all about context. No, the term "gay hub" is in and of itself not offensive.

Tha way you used it is.

< And you do know it's a gay hub, right/

Maybe you'd like to go to one of the other keys instead?>

On a thread entitled "Key West--Kid Friendly?", your answer clearly says that a "gay hub" is NOT kid friendly.

We spent the week in Key West with our now 5 year-old son this past March. It was an amazing week! Our family booked a condo in the Truman Annex, the old Naval Administration building, via Historic Hideaways. It was 2BR/2Bath with washer/dry in-unit. This location was perfect. We could walk out the back and watch the cruise ships and their pool was right on the ocean.

Renting a condo also saved us considerably on eating meals out. We could make a quick breakfast and light lunch in the condo. Plus, it was very helpful to have a washer/dryer; less clothes to pack.

While in KW, we did rent a stroller from a local baby rental company. That made it much better as we don't rent a car when we visit KW.

As for things we did:
KW Aquarium
Sunset in Mallory Square
Walked through the marina and historic sea port
Beach day at Fort Zachary State Park (bring water shoes)
Visited the USCGC INGHAM Maritime Museum
Pool day at the hotel
Early happy hour drinks at the Green Parrot
Walk down to the Southernmost Point
Conch Train Tour


We pretty much avoided Duval Street after 3PM which was not difficult to do. Our son just loved watching the boats, ships, and jet skis on the ocean. We also spent a considerable amount of time in the pool at the condo complex. It was such a great week, we are returning next April.

When I was in Key West for about a week, I didn't feel it was a "gay place". Especially during the day, we went out at might but never out late though. It is a tourist mecca and draws all kinds of people. In all the activities we did (snorkeling, Hemingway House, Truman White house, and varuous other stuff) it was prerty family friendly.

There are really no beaches that are that nice imho.

For kids as young as yours I might consider another area, especially if you want lots of relaxing beach time.

You know, a lot of that "don't go on Duval at night" has to do with STRAIGHT people and how they are acting, not gays.

I agree with the characterization of both Sanibel and Captiva in terms of things to do.

Exactly Dukey1. I love Key West and the locals are what make it great.

"You know, a lot of that "don't go on Duval at night" has to do with STRAIGHT people and how they are acting, not gays."

I'll agree with that. Straight or gay, Duval is no place for kids at night.

Pushing Siesta, Sanibel, and Marco Island. You can fly into Ft. Myers via a lot of connections and rent a car. Marco Island may be the most family friendly in that there are more very casual restaurants. There isn't really anything to do in any of these places.

I wouldn't worry about a 3 and 6 year old needing entertainment if they have access to a beach and/or a pool. I think they are too young to enjoy Busch Gardens. There are enough spectacular birds and sleepy alligators at the Ding Darling nature reserve on Sanibel to amuse them, and the beaches are great for shelling. Marco is next to the Everglades, and you can take an easy day trip to South Beach, seeing plenty of alligators on the way.

It will be more humid than California with often spectacular thunderstorms late in the afternoon. It is a good time to have a siesta. Morning at the beach, nap, pool after showers routines keep the kids out of the worst of the sun.

Key West would be fine for adults and kids who are old enough to appreciate glass bottom boats, snorkeling, and fishing, but the beaches are narrow and man made by the look of them. The Hemingway and Truman houses are too old for them, and they are too young to find drunks and characters amusing.