Key West Family Vacation Guide
Key West is one of those destinations that most people only dream about visiting. From elegant dining experiences to a wide array of activities and local hotspots, your itinerary will undoubtedly be packed. In a fast-paced world where everyone is working hard in the daily grind to make ends meet, it has become too easy to let life pass you by. Making it all too easy to forget how to enjoy life. That does not have to be the case, traveling to Key West with the family may be just what your family needs. You can look to the Florida Keys for some of the best tropical experiences you can have and still be in the United States. It provides a Caribbean experience complete with a great nature experience- perfect for a vacation with your kids! Enjoy your Florida adventure in Key West and experience the vacation of a lifetime.
One of the things that make Key West so great is the near-perfect weather all year round. Even though the area is just a stone’s throw from the equator, the island has an average temperature of 75 to 85 degrees and the low rarely goes below 65 degrees at night. It’s a great place to vacation, and to live- just ask the locals. The ideal weather makes it an excellent place to be any time of the year: winter, spring, summer or fall! Key West has something for every visitor; whether it’s snorkeling, scuba diving or taking a sightseeing tour on the Conch Train Express, this tropical paradise is a destination that has something special for every member of the family.
Where to Stay in Key West
With plenty of housing options for locals and visitors alike, as well as its close proximity to beaches and local hotspots, Southernmost Hotel is one of the most popular places to stay in Key West. Below are some property options to consider as you plan your visit.
Bed and Breakfasts – Southernmost is home to a unique mix of bed and breakfasts that cater to people from across all ends of the spectrum. Whether you want to enjoy the privacy of a secluded tropical bungalow with a personalized flair, or the extravagance of a beachfront mansion property, the possibilities are endless.
Hotels – Southernmost also has a wide assortment of hotels that provide all the amenities one would expect from a tropical resort or conservative comfort at a value for the budget-conscious.
Key West Resorts
Imagine a place where you can pamper yourself while spending quality time bonding with your loved ones. That is what you can do while staying at the Parrot Key Hotel and Resort, a jewel among Key West accommodations. With deluxe rooms and suites, you can relax in luxury. The hotel has four swimming pools for you to enjoy as well as a fitness center to stay active. At poolside you can dine at Café Blue before exploring the resorts tropical gardens. Concierge services can arrange for bike or boat rentals or water sport excursions such as snorkeling, jet-skiing, or kayaking. Indeed a stay at Parrot Key is an experience your family will remember for a lifetime.
Stuff To Do In Key West
For unforgettable family fun, you can venture out of your room at the Parrot Key to experience the spirit of historic Mallory Square where you can step back in time at the Key West Shipwreck Historeum and Museum. Here you can experience the city maritime history in a combination of actors, artifacts, films and laser technology to see how the city became one of the wealthiest in the U.S.A.
Dry Tortugas Tour
Experience Key West from a perspective you never thought possible; 10,000 feet in the air. The perfect way to begin or end your stay on the island, The Dry Tortugas Tour takes passengers on a relaxing plane ride to take in the natural beauty of Key West all while learning a little something from the pilot tour guide.
Mallory Square
A visit to Mallory Square is a must for anyone interested in the local culture. At dusk, visitors and locals alike gather in the square to watch the unmatched beauty of a Key West sunset. Afterward, street-side entertainment illuminates a carefree atmosphere that shines brightly till dawn.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is another must-do for visitors. This beach features the cleanest water which is perfect for snorkeling and the best sand in comparison to the other beaches here. You can also venture over to the Civil War monument while at the park and beach. The park also serves as an open-air art sculpture gallery from January-April.
Key West Conch Tour Train
The Key West Conch Tour Train is a sightseeing train operating since 1958, that will take you around to some of the most historic landmarks on the island. Make a stop at the Hemingway House, or shop all around the town if you so desire. This little sightseeing train runs all over town from 9 am to 4:30 pm. See all the things in Key West you long to with the Conch train. It has stops at over 300 venues including Mallory Square, and the festival atmosphere of the town square. Mallory Square is an area that offers great shopping experiences, shows, eating and more.
Key West Aquarium
There is nothing quite like experiencing the beauty of the sea by paying a visit to the Key West Aquarium where you can actually get up close and pet lives sharks or let the kids touch hermit crabs, sea urchins, and conchs. It is an educational experience not to be missed. This aquarium has made the US News and World Reports travel list of the 11 best attractions in Key West. It is small but offers a close-up view of fish, mammals and their natural ocean habitats. Those that are in the know visit the aquarium at Key West for family fun. Admission is modestly priced for the aquarium and is usually good for two days.
Catman
Dominique Lefort, known all over as the Catman, offers a cat show not to be missed. He and his spectacular repertoire of talented felines perform regularly for the Sunset Celebration at Westin Pier right across from Mallory Square. Both kids and adults can experience the joys and thrills of his amazing performance, perhaps even snapping a few pictures of the top-notch entertainer and his amazing flying house cats.
Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden
A visit to this Florida hot-spot would not be complete without wandering through the Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden where your family can truly understand the attraction of the Florida Keys. Here there are thirty-six bronze busts of key figures who participated in the shaping of the city into a vibrant and colorful part of America’s heritage and folklore.
Restaurants in Key West
Key West has everything the everyday wannabe food connoisseur would expect during an over-the-top vacation. From gourmet cupcake shops to beachfront cafes featuring authentic Caribbean cuisine, it might get overwhelming deciding on just one.
To experience the finest in Caribbean cuisine you can take your family out to eat at Blue Heaven. The property has quite a history, including hosting Friday night boxing matches overseen by Ernest Hemingway himself, making the establishment a must-see for literary buffs. You can experience the finest in Japanese cooking and enjoy the Japanese cooking method of “teppanyaki” at Key West’s Benihana restaurant. Here you can experience culinary joy for the whole family.
La Trattoria Restaurant
For the spectacular taste of Italian cuisine, you can dine at La Trattoria Restaurant where you can enjoy Bruschetta, Carpaccio or any other mouthwatering cuisine with an Italian flare.
Southernmost Cafe
Southernmost cafe is an elegant beachfront cafe that caters to families, large groups or simply someone looking to enjoy a cool drink at the bar. Whether you want to relax in a beach chair while sipping a cocktail during happy hour or enjoy a savory crab omelet to start the day, Southernmost Cafe might be worth checking out.
Banana Cafe
Under the same ownership for over 20 years, the Banana Cafe features the top tier of dining elegance that Key West has to offer. A menu rich in authentic French favorites, visitors out on a romantic rendezvous can expect to sample delectable tastes such as soup au gratin, crepes as well as fresh seafood that is caught daily and grilled to order.
Two Friends
A casual patio cafe that serves all of the savory classics one might crave after a long day at the beach, Two friends is the perfect place to enjoy a mid-day luncheon or early afternoon dinner. With a menu that consists of favorites like calamari, wholesome cheeseburgers, and lobster bisque, the temptation of Two Friends might be difficult to resist if you happen to walk by.
Getting Around Key West
Mopeds
Mopeds are one of the most popular ways to get around on the island, offering a more personalized experience than one might get while inside a vehicle. Pirate Scooter Rental provides a simple to use service that quickly delivers and hastily picks up mopeds at the customer’s discretion.
What are you waiting for?
In all, it is important to remember that planning makes perfect: a family vacation in Key West is an indulgent way to enjoy the fruits of life. Consider the above options as you create your itinerary and experience the best of just what this island paradise has to offer. Indeed Key West has a lot to offer in memorable family vacations.