A week in Islamorada, plans?

[Sunnydreams]

Hello, we've booked a beach house in Islamorada for a week in April after a couple of weeks in Orlando. Wondered if anyone has been there?
Have lots of plans for Orlando so think this week will be a slower pace but some recommendations for nice restaurants or interesting places would be really helpful. Husband,12 year old daughter and myself going, hoping the sea will be warm enough for swimming

[archibald]

It will be warm enough for swimming - it's fab. Visit the state parks - Bahia Honda for the beaches and the ability to swim in the Gulf of Mexico, cross the car park and swim in the Atlantic. John Pennekamp for the glass bottom boat tours, and Harry Harris for snorkelling from the beach around the rock pool. Pop back onto the mainland for the Everglades State Park, and go on an airboat. Would really recommend the Fruit & Spice Park at Homestead. We spent a few days in the Keys last year and wrote a short trip report, but I can never find where to find it again .

[rosered]

The turtle hospital is worth a visit as is the dolphin rescue centre. Key West is worth a visit, lots to see and do.

We love Loreleis in Islamorada for a meal. It is right on the beach and a great place to eat and watch the sunset.

There really is lots to do, it is a fab area. Can I just ask who you rented the beach house through? We have always stayed in hotels but I could fancy a week in a beach house there.

[Lola]

Don't miss Robbies Marina to feed the Tarpon, it's also a good casual eating place. Bahia Honda for the beaches, good facilities, changing rooms etc. Dolphin Rescue centre worth a visit too.

[tocpe321]

Used to love driving down the Keys. One year remember going to a sealife park in the mid Key area and a seafood shack where you ate on the upper floor looking out at the pelicans.

Sorry cant remember more. This was 20 plus years ago.

[Sunnydreams]

Thank you for all the replies, great to hear there are some nice places to visit. State parks and rescue centres sound ideal, enough to be busy but still relaxing on holiday. We booked through "freewheeler vacations" a letting company in The Keys, was quite a struggle to find something that was available and not on a monthly lease. Is it about a 6 hours drive from Orlando? We need to leave the Orlando villa by 10am and can't get into the beach house till after 3pm, not too bothered about the drive as hoping to see some pretty scenery Planning to stop in Miami on the way back to break up the drive and have a little look about. Thanks again

[rosered]

If you want somewhere to call in en route and you like shopping Sawgrass Mills, Fort Lauderdale is worth a visit. Its a huge outlet mall with just about every shop you could think of.

We also liked Robert is Here which is a farm shop in Homestead . I have never seen so many different fruit and veg and the smoothies and milkshakes are fab.

[nick.66]

You gotta go to Robbie's Marina and buy a bucket of fish to feed the wild Tarpon, best couple of dollars you'll ever spend!

[macy]

A nice place to eat is the Islamorada fish company, it is situated outdoors around a lagoon.Ideal place to take kid's as it is informal, they can feed tarpon's plus you can sometimes see manatee's there. We always visit when in the Key's.

[scooby 52]

Another vote for Robbie's Marina, mind your fingers though ;-)