My husband and I just booked a trip to Key Largo. We have a 10 year old that we will be taking along. We thought Largo would be a good spot being close to Miami and the Glades. We are staying at the Westin. We realize there's no beach in the keys, but it seems like there are other things to see and do (oh Lord, I hope so). Have we made a big mistake or can it be salvaged?

You can be pretty sure that your ten-year-old will have a great time. You might want to consider staying on a middle Key, like Islamarada. There is not much to Key Largo. From a middle Key you can get to Key West in an hour and there's a lot to do in the immediate vicinity. Be sure to book a snorkeling excursion. John Pennecamp state park (Largo) has excellent snorkeling. The Westin has a very nice snorkeling trip out to one of the coral reefs. A swim-with-the-dolphins program is a lot of fun and very educational. How long is your vacation? If you need to stay in Largo, you might want to consider splitting your time and spending half of it in Miami to see the sights, plus do the Everglades. Try to book a good airboat tour in the Glades. Honestly, Miami probably won't be that interesting to your child, but no, IMO I don't think you've made a big mistake!

Key Largo was my favorite. There's not a beach, but John Pennekamp state park makes up for that. Take him on a snorkeling cruise, rent him his own gear, he will have a blast.

Since you'll have a car (I presume) you might drive down to Bahia Honda to enjoy the beach - it's reputed to be the nicest beach in the keys.

No, you have not made a mistake. Buy the 10 year old a snorkel and mask- when I was that age I would spend all day in the water. But you'll be able to do Pennekamp snorkeling tours, glass bottom boat tours, swim with the dolphins, rent a kayak or canoe and explore the "backcountry" mangrove islands wich are just a short paddle from Key Largo. Rent a waverunner and take the kid for a ride. Have sunset dinners at the Quay and Sundowners restaurants. Take a half-day party boat fishing trip. You are within easy driving distance of the Everglades, stop at the everglades alligator farm and take a airboat ride. Are you getting the picture? Yes, given a choice and unlimited budget, I'd probably prefer Islamorada or Key West, but that certainly doesn't make Key Largo a poor choice for a vacation.

We love the upper Keys and the Westin has its own small beach. I agree with everyone else. Snorkel, kayak, do the Everglades (an hour from Key Largo), drive to Key West for a day, go fishing, rent a boat, etc. He'll love it. Look into booking a snorkeling trip on one of the boats by the Holiday Inn marina as opposed to the Pennekamp ones. I like the boats better and they all go to the same place. Have fun.

Mary,
My husband and I took our 10 year old son to the Keys last March. My husband went scuba diving almost every morning so my son and I looked for other things to do. Since there are no beaches except those that are man-made at the larger hotels, we went swimming and snorkeling at the Pennekamp Park. We also drove down to Marathon Key to the Theater By the Sea. That's the place that has the dolphin shows. If you have reservations you can swim with the dolphins. Swimming with the dolphins is in a separate area from the performance area. We did not swim with them but enjoyed the show. There's a pretty small covered seating area to watch from. The shows take place about every 45 minutes or so. They let some of the kids come down on the platform to get a closer look for part of the show. There are also other things to see- sea lions, sharks, stingrays, alligators, etc. The whole place is rather small so there is not a lot of walking involved. We enjoyed it.
Also, one day the three of us drove down to Key West. There we took the trolley tour, looked at the Aquarium, Pirate Museum, etc. Also, it was interesting to drive on the bridges between the keys - not your average highway.
One more thing. If you go out on one the snorkeling trips - don't do on a day that the water looks rough. We made that mistake and my son got seasick. Go on a calm day because the water is beautiful and there is lots to see.
Hope this helps.
Becky

Just as a clarification, Theater-of-the-Sea is on Windley Key (part of Islamorada), not Marathon. It is a fairly short drive from Key Largo.

A BIG thanks to all who have replied. You all have given me great information and I feel EVER SO much better now! Thanks and if anyone has any "Don'ts or avoids" let me know!

Speaking of airboat rides - does anyone know of a good one? They seem to vary in trip time and where they go. We will be traveling along Tamiami Trail coming from Miami so want something on the east side. Would appreciate any information. Also, is the Shark Valley Tram tour worthwhile? It's a 2 hr tour, and I think, run by the national park.

Mary-Enjoy a cocktail while you savor the sunset! Go have a great time!

Hi Mary!

Some things to do in Key Largo:

* Visit the African Queen at the Holiday Inn docks.
*Caribbean Shipwreck Museum-displays hidden treasures & rare maritime artifacts
* Hike or snorkel in John Pennecamp
* Visit Dolphins Plus
* Drive to the Everglades
* Go fishing
* Theater of the Seas in Islamaroda