Hello! My toddler (17mo) and I are tagging along with my husband who has a biz trip in Boca next month. We decided to make a vacation out of it and drive down to Key West for the weekend. Can you please help me with accommodations and maybe stuff to do that would be age-appropriate? (I figure we'll do a lot of walking/sight-seeing and some swimming/snorkeling, weather permitting.) Re hotels, many of the websites I've visited for hotels seem to not like "guests 16 and under" or require a five-night stay (Center Court Inn & Cottages). I'm looking for a place that has a full kitchen or at least a fridge for under $250 a night. Thanks in advance!

You might look at the Island City House and Ambrosia (Ambrosia, Too, too). Both get good reviews and both are family-friendly. I've never stayed at either so I'm not sure what the accommodations are like, but you could check them out along with other options at keywestinns.com

One other thing...I'm not sure you realize how long the trip is between Boca and Key West and with a 17 month old it might seem a lot longer! You should plan on a MINIMUM of 4 hours from Miami down to Key West and I think it's about 45 miles from Boca to Miami. In other words, it's a pretty long drive for a weekend.

I agree it's an awfully long drive for just a weekend, and to be honest, aside from the aquarium in Key West, there won't be a lot to interest your little one. You might want to think about staying somewhere up the Keys, maybe Islamorada. That would knock almost two hours off your trip.

You may have a hard time finding a kitchenette in Key West for under $250 a night in peak season (next month). Agree with others that it is a long drive (I'd plan on at least five hours each way because Boca's an hour from Miami).

Only the B&Bs have a no kids policy. Try the Southernmost Hotel as they may have what you want. I wouldn't really call the Center Court Inn & Cottages a hotel, more of an Inn/B&B.

Have you tried the Sheraton or Doubletree?

I don't know if it's what you're looking for, but the Budget Key West is about $120 and has a microwave and a fridge. www.budgetkeywest.com

Thanks for the info. Re the drive, five hours is not a problem. We usually break it up, she also sleeps for part if not most of it, and also, we just did a Boston to Ithaca trip, which was about 6.5 hours and she was fine. (We also have a portable DVD player for Baby Einstein videos.)Believe me, if she was unhappy in the car, I wouldn't even think of incorporating a long drive into our vacation.

I've been to Key West twice in the last two years and my husband and I strongly think it is an ADULT vacation place and really not the place to take toddlers. You would be much better off staying at Hawks Cay or Cheeca Lodge. You could then drive to Key West for the day from there. Cruising Duval street with a toddler will be difficult if not impossible. Why bother! Hawks Cay and Cheeca are much better suited for families