Its almost Thanksgiving and we realised we have 10 days of vacation and need to decide where to go. My boys are 8 and 2.5 yrs old and they do not do good in cold outdoors. Well, its hard to find a warm place in December and Florida looks like one of the better options. We dont want to visit the mouse in this busy season so decided on Miami and the Key West.

Please help me decide what all options I have with kids. It seems like it will be neither too warm nor too cold. Can we still do water activities? Where all can we visit around that area? Not everything need to be necessarily kid-centered though. Please share your experience and tips and help me make this vacation memorable.
Thank you all in advance!

Yes, it will be warm in Miami and Key West unless they have a cold snap.

Pick hotels with heated pools. Not hard to do in either place.

Miami would have more to do for the kids: Miami Metro Zoo, Parrot Jungle, Dr. George Tours (http://www.hmsf.org/programs-adult.htm), Vizcaya, Versailles Pool, Key Biscayne, etc.

There is a tremendous amount to do.

The 2.5 year old will not care.

As far as Key West goes, lots to do but geared more for older kids or adults. Your 8 year old is the perfect age.

In either place I suggest a condo. You could even base yourselves out of Miami and head to Islamorda for day trips.

In Key West it is more about the nightlife and the rest of the keys are more about R&R and getting out over the water.

Unless I'm mistaken there are no heated pools in Key West, and I'm not sure what average water temps are for December.

There are lots of activities for kids there, though, including glass bottom boat rides, a butterfly conservancy, Pirates Museum, Mel Fisher museum, and if you want to get real cheesy, a Believe it or Not.

I think you and your children would LOVE Key West

This is a great condo complex in Key West, with heated pool.

http://www.1800atlantic.com/

To be more centrally located to drive to Miami or Key West, we've stayed at these condos and they are also very nice. Also heated pool.

http://cocoplum.com/

thank you for your responses.

is there any website where i can find condominiums? everywhere i look, they are showing me rentals for a month or a week atleast. i am not sure if we want to stay at a place for a long time.

I doubt you could find a condo in Key West for less than a week, but there are quite a few inns and B&Bs that have kitchen facilities. The Island City House has a great reputation and is family-friendly. Ditto Ambrosia and Ambrosia II.

Try looking in keywestinns.com

We decided to stay at Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami. It is near Miami but less expensive.
www.vrbo.com has a lot of options in condominium rentals and i am hoping we will like something which will suit our needs.
I appreciate more inputs about things to do in/around that area.
Thanks!

I hope you are spending part of the time in the Keys. Your boys will love the Everglades. In fact, you may end up there twice. One day, do a trip out towards the west and take the airboat ride. Another day, head south and enter the national park near Florida City. There, you will want to see the Anhinga TRail. 1/2 mile boardwalk (stoller friendly) with tons of gators and birds. Stop at the Robert is Here fruit stand for fresh fruit milkshakes.
If you are able to spend the night in the Keys, you'll have lots of other options. Robbies (in Islamorada) has huge tarpon (fish) that you can feed. You can also rent kayaks there. You'll find great places to just be outside and enjoy your family.