Tell me about the keys

[lisa las vegas]

We are flying into Miami this summer and rather than drive straight up to Orlando, we have decided to go down to the keys, for a couple of days. For those of you that have visited the keys, do you have any tips? We are travelling with 3 kids ages 13 8 and 4. I have heard that key west is a place to be avoided at night with children, but would appreciate ideas on what to do in the surrounding area.

Thanks

[palm679]

It's been a while since I was in the keys. But the middle keys are good for a visit and I stayed at a place called cheeca lodge. I enjoyed Key West as well and it is just a "party" place at night but don't let that put you off. You have not lived until you watched a sunset from mallory square. Enjoy. Here is the link to Cheeca Lodge cheeca/

[Guest]

We have stayed in Key West, Islamoradam and key Largo and Marathon.
I loved our jaunt down to the keys. The best tip is to make sure you drive down in the day time, the views are amazing and also the roads are pitch dark at night. You don't get the great views at night and the roads are quite narrow in places so I would say day time and have the Drive of a lifetime. We thought the Drive down was one of the best bits. Key west is the ultimate as there is plenty of quaint and unusual places to go Day & night even with kids. After 9.30/10pm I would say its more drunks and pubs but up until 9.30ish there is plenty of families still returning from meals etc.

Ps- we walked about with our 10yr old and it was fine, there is really Duvall street which is the long Drinking area after the above time. But Not UK wknd Wild. ( I say UK wknd wild without Prejudice Mind)

We stayed in the Parrot Key Resort, Key West, Tranquility Bay Resort Marathon. And Hilton Hotel in Islamorada. All great.

[Guest]

hi OP

I have never been, but am planning a visit this year.

I have two young kids and am planning to stop in Islamorada on teh way down, spending the day in one of the parks or maybe on teh water (if the funds allow then stay the night there. Next morning, drive down to see Key West (inc. Hemingway's House) and then back to Orlando.

A long drive, and maybe not the way everyone would do it, but it gives us a full day and night to enjoy, and don't have to 'deal with' Key West at night.

[Basset]

We stopped in at theaterofthesea/index.html and enjoyed it. I'll see if I can dig out some photos.

[Guest]

The Keys are so laid back. Love them but would say that Key West has become very touristy and tatty in parts.

[brindle]

We are off to marathon for a week and islamorada for a weekNext thursday
Have been before islamorada stayed in the islander resort and hawks key resort on duck key.
We love the keys very laid back.we have used private condos ths time
We enjoyed key west for a day Hemingways house is worth a visit.
Some great wildlife Iguanas on the resorts,Turtles we spotted from the bridge nr hawks key so stop off at a couple and take a look you might be lucky they are amazing to see in th wild

[Guest]

We've been a couple of times and probably won't go again now. Not that there's anything wrong with them but in our opinion there are other places on the Gulf coast which are just as good or in some cases better.

Having said that the Keys are an iconic place to visit, so if you've never been, go for it!

[Guest]

I stayed in Islamorada in 2010 for a wedding, it is a bit tatty and touristy but it's still worth a trip.

My main tip is a higher factor suncream than usual, the sun can get very intense that far south!

[Mary A]

Would also recommend a visit to the Turtle Hospital on Marathon