Key West

[jbfinsfan]

Hey BNer's:

Want to make a family trip to Key West, but need to know the best place to stay, and what I shouldn't miss, and the best time to go, etc! We have keets that are 13 and 15, so we have the teenage boredom factor to contend with, and we are still deciding whether to take them or not...but I need lots of ideas and suggestions! I have always wanted to go to Key West, and finally I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

[RinglingRingling]

Hey BNer's:

Want to make a family trip to Key West, but need to know the best place to stay, and what I shouldn't miss, and the best time to go, etc! We have keets that are 13 and 15, so we have the teenage boredom factor to contend with, and we are still deciding whether to take them or not...but I need lots of ideas and suggestions! I have always wanted to go to Key West, and finally I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

I'd vote no. unless they eat their brussel sprouts and lima beans between now and departure.

[ccmatt]

Been to Key West 16 times including 6 with the kids and am planning on spending my 50th birthday there in June with the fam. Having said that, Key West is not for everyone's kids. My kids (currently 10 and 15) have grown up with dad as a teacher and musician and love Key West. I would suggest renting a house or apartment with a nice pool. Renting scooters helps the fun factor for the kids. There are alot of things to do. The aquarium is real good, jet ski's, alot of historical stuff. Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is easily the best beach. Things are expensive, so be prepared. Good Luck!!

[Rum&aLime]

I'd recommend Courtney's Place:

http://www.courtneysplacekeywest.com/

One of their cottages would probably work well, and they are very family friendly. A block and a half off Duval, and around halfway between the Southernmost Point and Mallory Square. A small "pool" for lounging in, usually not much of a drunk party crowd.

The boredom factor could be an issue for the kids, unless you have a lot of activities planned, which can get very expensive, very quickly. The street performers at Mallory Square are entertaining. The Shipwreck Historeum is interesting. The Mel Fisher Treasure Museum is a must-see for latter-day pirates. The new Pirate Soul museum is probably cool, although I haven't been yet. Lots of water activities (snorkeling, intro SCUBA, jet skis).

Have a great trip!

-Paul

[CrznDnUS1]

We wenty last yr and too the kids to the Dry Tortugas since they both love snorkling. Although it was pricey is was a full day of fun and everyone loved it. We got back around 3 or 4 in the afternoon and after showers and dinner they were both pretty much wiped out. Too bad we didn't have a babysitter. Also the Mel Fischer mus and the pirate mus are good for the kids although the priate mus was pretty cheesey, but the kids loved it.

[mermaidindisguise]

If you camp.. I recommend thinking about it depending on your kids - mine LOVED the campground and had a ton of things to do there- swim...fish...shuffleboard....arcade..... lots of other kids... room to play.....bikes..... volleyball... and you can still go into town and do all the stuff you want to do at other times.....

If not possible to camp.... I agree with renting a house or trailer instead of a hotel.

[carolinagirl]

We went last yr and took the kids to the Dry Tortugas since they both love snorkling. Although it was pricey is was a full day of fun and everyone loved it. We got back around 3 or 4 in the afternoon and after showers and dinner they were both pretty much wiped out. Too bad we didn't have a babysitter. Also the Mel Fischer mus and the pirate mus are good for the kids although the priate mus was pretty cheesey, but the kids loved it.

Our last trip to Key West was the week of Thanksgiving for hubby's 50th birthday (Frank's Giving, he calls it), two years ago.

We snorkled at the Dry Tortugas too, which was pretty neat to do in late November. Our son (now 14) has grown up loving our visits to Key West, and he is easily bored too. Be sure to take a Ghost Tour, not the costumed one, and say hi to BN's Quint.

We ran into Mac (see below) outside of Margaritaville the day before T'sgiving, and twice on the day after, at Pepe's for breakfast and outside Shrimpboat Sound. Casa Marina had a wonderful buffett (sp oops, I'll just leave it ) for T'sgiving dinner.

We walked everywhere. Don't forget Hemingway House, the Lighthouse and ROBERT (which we haven't seen yet). You'll hear about him on the Ghost Tour. I got chills on the tour when we went under the theater marquis and were told about the fire... and that no bums in all of Key West will sleep in that doorway because of the kids pulling on their clothes.

We're heading back next June, but staying in a time share in South Miami Beach.

Oh, places to stay. We loved the Banyan Resort for our T'sgiving trip. Our first time there in 1987, we stayed at the Heron House. Both have pools and hot tubs and complimentary poolside breakfasts and are within short walking distance of Duval Street and Mallory Square.

We once rented a house on the Riviera Canal, but the best place was a restored Cuban house on Havana Lane between Truman Ave. and the cemetery.

[INeverGoAnywhere]

Hope you can get the phamily vacation in...... You might want to try the search feature on this website, there are quite a few threads about vacationing in KW and serveral about vacationing with keets....

[Cubbie Bear]

Best Western Hibiscus is probably the best affordable family kind of place close to downtown. At least the last time, rooms were clean and comfy, pool and whirlpool there too. The rest of the "chain" places are at the other end of the island. I've been there "no holds barred" and i have been there on a tight budget, you can do it either way and have a ball.

the time we were on a budget, we did several time share tours. One place gave us 50 silver dollars for taking the tour, another gave us a dinner for two certificate good at about 25 restaurants and a third gave us a sunset booze cruise, we enjoyed with a pitcher from the Brewers. We listened to their pitch, said no thanks and took our free stuff

[12vmanRick]

Hey BNer's:

Want to make a family trip to Key West, but need to know the best place to stay, and what I shouldn't miss, and the best time to go, etc! We have keets that are 13 and 15, so we have the teenage boredom factor to contend with, and we are still deciding whether to take them or not...but I need lots of ideas and suggestions! I have always wanted to go to Key West, and finally I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

13 and 15 they'll be just fine, let them roam the streets alone

[NotJust64]

Been going to the Keys yearly for past 5yrs. We have 2 boys ages 5 & 12. Keeping the 5yr old busy is impossible. However, we keep the 12yr old busy with fishing, eco-kayaking and nature things. I can honestly say that we have stayed on Cudjoe Key MM 21 and as far up as Duck Key (Hawks Cay). We have never stayed directly on Key West. There is not a lot to do with kids either way. Hawks Cay MM 58 was the best choice with the kids. They have dolphins right on site to observe, great pools, water sports etc. BEAUTIFUL condo's. A tad pricey...avg. $550 a night for condo. VERY WELL WORTH the extra drive out of Key West each night for the peace and quiet. For fishing a must do is Marathon Lady....the 2 deck hands Stan and Tim are the best.
Either way you look at it, a bad day in the Keys is better than a good day at home !