Miami or Ft Lauderdale or Key West for a young family?
 

Hi,
We are taking our 3 year old to a wedding in Miami and visiting family in Ft Lauderdale end of Nov. We will have 8-9 nights, plan to stay 2 nights in a hotel in Miami for the wedding then rent a beach condo from vrbo for one week anywhere in the area. Only vaguely informed about Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Key West and know nothing about other southern FL areas. Husband and I have both been to Miami for business but not for vacation. We want a relaxing vacation with lots of beach and pool time with the kid. Interested in taking in a little art and Cuban culture in Miami but that's not the focus of our trip. Don't need to be in the middle of glitzy restaurants or clubs... we live in Manhattan and already dragged kid to Paris and Hong Kong in the past 18 months so it would be nice if this trip is a slower pace, less city life and more family and nature. Not interested in shopping or Disney. We will have a rental car.

How are these these places different as they relate to a family vacation? Which has best laid back, safe and beautiful beaches? Appreciate any suggestions on where to set up base camp for one week.
Thank you!

No beaches of great quality in Keys but it can be a fun overnight or two... Miami is pricey and South Beach is the Glitz you seem to want to avoid...

I would stick to Lauderdale and get some input from the Family down there on their favorite beaches and resorts...

With a three year old, they won't remember where they were anyway...

forgot to add that weather can be iffy in late NOV... so stay as south as possible to increase your good weather chances...

Key West is very much a "lie by the pool" kind of place since there are few beaches as mentioned above.

Whatever "pace" is on your trip is obviously up to you. Frankly since you have a rental car and given what you say you want to avoid you might consider going over to the gulf coast around Naples/Sanibel where things are a LOT slower and there's a lot less "glitz."

Hollywood Beach might be fun for the family :)

I agree about Hollywood...fun and laid back.

Here's a link:

http://www.visithollywoodfl.org/holl...broadwalk.aspx

Thanks very much for all the helpful tips. Checking out Hollywood Beach now and crossing out Key West.
Any more suggestions on where to eat, where to stay and what to do in the area? I will do research too but always appreciate great insight from folks on this board. Thank you. flatfeet2

I would choose Fort Lauderdale lovely beach, fun water channels with a great water taxi that takes you to nice water restaurants etc
Good hotels by the ocean, some plays going on always, Fort Lauderdale is very pleasant goodlaces to eat in las splash. give it a try.

If you decide to stay near Ft. Lauderdale try Eduardo de San Angel restaurant. It's in a strip mall but very cozy inside. The food is delicious. The cilantro soup is amazing. They even have discounts through restaurant.com