Hello, my parents are planning a trip to Key West in December leaving around December 17th. They wanted to fly into Miami or Ft Lauderdale and rent a car to drive to the Keys. They want to try staying in a cottage instead of a hotel, if those are even available. Are there places to stay in most of the towns or just near Key West and Key Largo, on google maps they show towns like Marathon and Islamorada. They are fine with not being where all the other tourists are if that helps. Also I heard a lot about Biscayne and Dry Tortugas NP and they wanted to check them out. They are still in the planning so anything would really help. Also how long would you suggest going there for , would 7 including travel be enough for them.

Key West is touristy but does have accomodations. However, our family of nine did rent a house for Thanksgiving on Cujoe Key which is some 20 mi. from KW. It had a pool, backed onto a canal, quite roomy. I'm sure you will get ideas what to see.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...s-168718-2.cfm

Bill in Boston

Rather strange that if you click on to our report about our Thanksgiving in the Keys it looks like it has been removed for some unknown reason. However, if you type in Keys in "Search the forum" there it is.

We recently did a trip to the Keys using the airport in Ft. Lauderdale. It was not at all difficult to drive from FLL to Key West on our first day.

I think 7 days would be a good amount of time for your parents to see the Keys, splitting their time between Key West and someplace further north. (We split our time between Key West and Key Largo.)

I talked to my parents this morning and they said that the suggestion of splitting Key Largo and Key West for a few nights would be great. Has anyone been to Dry Tortugas because they really want to see the fort and snorkel, just for a day trip. Longhorn if you could tell me what places you stayed at then maybe we could start figuring things out. Thanks for the trip report.

Hello again. My parents decided on what I think is a good itinerary.
1. Fly into Ft Lauderdale December 21st- spend night in Miami
2. Visit Everglades, drive to Marathon
3-6. Spend in Marathon
7. Drive to Key West, spend the rest of the day there
8. Ferry to Dry Tortugas, snorkel
9. Drive back to Ft Lauderdale for evening flight

Any suggestions for where to eat or visit would be greatly appreciated.

We did a similar trip last November. However, we spent the night in Ft. Lauderdale. Found a great little hotel for $100.00, a block from the beach.

Then a night in Islammorada. We didn't love Islamorada, although lots of people do. I guess we just didn't 'click' at the right places.

Next night in Marathon. We really enjoyed Marathon. Stayed at the Continental Inn. Dinner at Sparky's Landing. Also found a bar/restaurant for sunset that had $1.25 stone crab claws. They were awesome.

Spent the rest of our time in Key West.

If your parents haven't booked their plane tickets yet, have them consider flying out of Key West. Not much more expensive, and far more relaxing than driving back up the keys on a schedule.

Personally, I'd spent more time in Key West than Marathon, but, I love Key West.

That looks like a fine itinerary.

Guesthouses and B&B's are popular accommodations in Key West, but we chose to stay in a hotel. We were very pleased with our choice, the Best Western Plus Hibiscus. The rooms were large, the bedding was very comfortable and we enjoyed perks like the pool, hot tub, free parking and free breakfast (not extensive, but it got us going in the morning.) The location was great--one block off Duval Street at the opposite end from Mallory Square. It was quiet, but we could easily walk to the attractions.

We really enjoyed the Hemingway House. Even though I don't particularly like his books, Hemingway had a fascinating life and this house was well worth a visit. I recommend you do the guided tour first and then walk back through the house on your own (which is allowed and encouraged). There's lots to see that doesn't get covered on the tour.

If your parents have their own snorkel gear, they can snorkel off the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor park. There's not tons of fish, but we had fun. I would recommend they take some water shoes for the beach since parts are rocky.

While they are in Marathon, your parents could go to Bahia Honda State Park for a snorkel tour. You can rent gear if you don't have it and we found it to be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Also, another nice place to spend an afternoon near Marathon is Sombrero Beach.

thanks everyone for suggestions and i suggested Key West airport before but i only just checked and saw that it is only 360 per person which is the same as for Miami or Ft Lauderdale.

I enjoy the drive down the Keys. I dislike the drive back up the Keys to catch a plane.

I'd also suggest a tour of the Truman Little White House in Key West. I don't remember Truman being president, but, I do remember my mother really liked him. It's an interesting tour, if your parents enjoy history.

http://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com/

My parents had already made air travel reservations and lodging so I guess that I was to late with the suggestion of fling from Key West. They decided to change around the itinerary a little. I believe that this is the final one.

1. Fly into Ft Lauderdale December 21st afternoon- drive to marathon
2-5. Spend in Marathon
6. Drive to Key West, spend the rest of the day there
7. Ferry to Dry Tortugas, snorkel
9. Drive back to Miami, visit Everglades
10. Fly out of Ft Lauderdale

I like that they're driving back to Miami the day before they have to fly. It makes it much less stressful.

I hope they enjoy their trip. We're 'skipping' the Keys this year, heading to Nicaragua instead. Will be a bit of a culture shock.....

Thanks JeanH and everyone else for all the stuff you posted.

Hello everyone again, my parents are sitting on the edge with this trip because my moms friend told her that it will not be very warm at that time of year. I would be fine if it was not warm but then again I am not going. On weather.com it says that highs are in 70's so that does not seem to bad. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.

I've been several times over Thanksgiving and once in early December. The weather was good each trip. Just dumb luck though.

A couple years ago we were in Florida, not the Keys, in early December and it was in the 30's. We darn near froze. Our friends actually headed down to the Keys looking for warmth, it was cold there too, although not the 30's.

There's really just no way to predict......

I've just found the article that should help you in the selection
http://www.traveladvisortips.com/top...rkeling-tours/
Good luck in your trip!)