Key West, FL

Updated on October 04, 2011
M.L. asks from Dulles, VA
9 answers

My husband is being sent to Key West for work for 3 weeks. Our anniversary falls during his trip, so I thought about meeting him there for a long weekend. Then I thought about taking my dd with me and making it a family trip (since we didn't take one this year). She's been dying to go on a plane. Is Key West a good place to take a child? If I do take her, I would fly into Miami and drive 3+ hours to Key West. If I went solo, I would fly right into Key West. Either scenerio, it's an expensive 4 days!

What would you do?

Added: He's going in November for 3 weeks, not IN 3 weeks.

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So What Happened?

Thank you for all of your responses. I found out my mother could not stay with her because she will be out of the country, so now not taking her is not an option - rather to go or not. Since the hotel would be free, I can't see spending money to stay somewhere else. Driving 3+ hours from Miami to the Keys does not bother me. I heard it's a beautiful drive. As I'm talking to more people, I hear there is a few things to do for kids there - Butterfly house, dolphin adventures and kayaking. It would only be for 2 "full" days, so I think we can fill those with fun things. Can you tell I'm convincing myself to go???
Thanks again!

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I wouldn't take a child to Key West, other Keys would be a better choice.
Have Grandma stay with the child and meet up with hubby.

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N.S.

answers from Raleigh on

The adult festival is Fantasy Fest - usually the weekend or 2 before Halloween. The body painting is amazing, but everyone is pretty much topless for 2 or 3 days. Such a phenomenon that National Geographic magizine covered it a few years back.

Key West really is a wonderful place, but it's not really a beach place since it's a mangrove island and they have to truck in the sand. I would recommend making it a fun weekend for you and your husband - go snorkeling out at the fort, take a sunset cruise, kayak around the island, eat at fantastic places, etc.

Since your child wants to go on a plane so bad, why don't you all take a plane over Winter or Spring Break and go visit some family or friends that you don't get to see very often?

3 moms found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

I like the mid and northern Keys for kids . . . we love Hawk's Cay.

Key West is beautiful, but extremely "touristy" and party oriented. It really depends on where you stay too. I would also check popular Key West web sites to make sure there isn't something big going on this month. I'm thinking there is an event in October that is very adult-oriented (but I could be wrong).

Good luck and I hope you have a great time whatever you decide!

2 moms found this helpful

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

The drive from Miami to Key West is great! You get to go on all of the keys - don't miss the famous Bahia Honda beach. It was voted one of the best in the world a few years ago. We (me, husband, DD 4.5 and DS 6.5 at the time) went for Christmas almost 3 yrs ago. We traveled from Michigan to the keys in our motorhome. Key West was NOT crazy at all when we were there, but it wasn't during that fantasy fest thing, so I would check into that. We went on a glass bottom boat trip and saw coral reef and dolphins! Kids loved that. There is a small sort of gathering every night by the dock area where the have local artist selling things and local preformers - juggling, music etc. There is this one old guy that performs every night and he is a literal One Man band! We had tons of fun there. I would take the kids again in a heart beat! And you'd have someone to hang out with at the beach and shops all day while hubby is at work. Even if you are staying on Key West, the other keys are plenty close enough to drive out to for day trips.

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K.C.

answers from Orlando on

I agree with other posters there are things in the keys for kids, but not really in Key West. It is mostly partying and bars. I went a few time as a child (I grew up in South FL) and it's not really exciting. We took pictures at the 0 mile marker and ate lunch at Margaritaville.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

If he can get away for a weekend, I would strongly suggest hitting one of the "upper Keys". It's a long flight/ drive to Key West and while the beaches are beautiful- there isn't much that is little kid "friendly".

We spent many Spring Breaks there in college and beyond. My parents loved taking us there as adults- toured the Hemingway house, architectual tour, etc. My youngest sister was in middle school at that time and was bored.

Hawk's Cay is a lot of fun! Friends of my family own the resort and your children will have a BLAST! We spent a long weekend there several times a year as a child (grew up in So. Fla.) and it is only a 30 minute drive from Miami (give-or-take).

Angela is right... there is a very adult-oriented weekend in October. Can't recall what it is, but my sister went once by accident and was really uncomfortable with the whole thing- at the age of 22.

Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Tulsa on

I heard it takes 4 hours to drive across key west. ??? For me, it would not be worth it.

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S.F.

answers from Utica on

Key West is NOT kid friendly in my opinion. WE went a few years back and it is like a mini Mardi Gras. It was one of the most fun trips Ive ever been on but it is not for kids. This is Key West mind you - Im not sure about the Keys itself but 'Key West' is like an adults onlt party town
Good Luck

K.G.

answers from Boca Raton on

Going in 3 weeks? Is that Fantasy Fest time? If so, it's definitely not a appropriate place for a child...
I would lean more towards no anyway. We like going down there with our "adult" friends and leaving the kids at home...

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