It’s straightforward to think about the final of the Keys as extra of a celebration location than a family-friendly vacation spot, however with so many issues to do in Key West with children, it shortly grew to become one among our favorite stops in our Florida Keys itinerary.
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Set proper on the far southernmost tip of Florida on the finish of the 113-mile Abroad Freeway, there’s loads of historical past to find alongside boat journeys within the Nationwide Marine Sanctuary surrounding the Keys plus some enjoyable household sights.
However probably the greatest elements of a go to to Key West with children is how laid-back it feels: straightforward to walk across the streets, nothing is ever too far-off and the historic centre feels very walkable – right here’s my choose of the most effective.
Key West Conch Practice tour
Top-of-the-line methods to get your bearings, and a good way to discover Key West with children when it’s scorching or humid, the intense yellow and black Key West Conch Practice putters across the streets with a guided commentary on the realm.
There are 4 stops alongside the way in which, together with one for some procuring, so you’ll be able to hop on and hop off, or keep on for the entire 75-minute tour.
Alongside the way in which you’ll see quirky sights just like the Southernmost Southernmost Home – that’s its actual title, not me unintentionally typing twice! So the story goes, its proprietor was decided to stay in Florida’s Southernmost Home… however when its house owners wouldn’t promote up, she constructed a brand new property simply throughout the road and claimed the title that means.
There are additionally tales of wreckers and pirates, together with the truth that a number of the earliest inhabitants of Key West made a dwelling by merely claiming a share of income from any wrecks off the coast – the remainder of the time, they received to sit down again and chill out.
Add in hyperlinks to Cuba and the Bahamas, tales of cigar-making and saloons, an opportunity to see Ernest Hemingway’s House, Harry Truman’s Little White Home and study Mel Fisher’s treasure searching (learn on for extra about that!) plus the Key West Lighthouse, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and an entire lot extra, it’s the proper introduction to Key West for households.
Tickets are legitimate for one or two days, and provide you with free entry to the Sails to Rails Museum.
Key West Previous City Trolley Tour
If the Conch Practice experience has whetted your urge for food, otherwise you wish to discover additional afield, take a look at the Key West Previous City Trolley Tour as nicely, which has 13 stops alongside its route, together with a string of Key West accommodations.
With trolley vehicles operating round each Half-hour, it’s straightforward to make use of it to get past the walkable centre of Key West, operating from stops close to the waterfront round Mallory Sq. to Bahama Village and all the way in which all the way down to Fort East Martello Museum, in addition to the Southernmost Level.
Tickets are legitimate for the day and provide you with free admission to the Sails to Rails Museum.
Take a ship journey
You may’t go to Key West with out getting out on the water a minimum of as soon as – the most important choice isn’t whether or not to take a ship journey, it’s which one to take as you’ll be spoiled for selection.
There are dolphin-spotting excursions, snorkeling journeys, in addition to the possibility to easily sail round and take in the surroundings.
One of many stand-out operators is Sincere Eco, which makes use of Key Wst’s first electric-powered constitution boat, Squid, charged by photo voltaic panels, together with a dolphin watch and snorkel journey.
However it’s also possible to discover comparable journeys with Sundown Watersports andFury Water Adventures, in addition to a snorkeling journey from Sebago Watersports.
Or how about watching the solar set from the deck of a ship? Sundown cruises are higher for older children and teenagers than toddlers and little ones who’re going to get a bit bored watching the surroundings, however my 11-year-old positively wasn’t the one little one absorbing the sunset-inspired soundtrack on our journey.
We took a two-hour sundown sail with Sebago Watersports with an open bar (together with employees topping up glasses with champagne) or it’s also possible to head out on a schooner with Traditional Harbor Line, whereas Sundown Water sports activities has their very own tour.
Key West Aquarium
The very first attraction in Key West, the Key West Aquarium first opened its doorways in 1935 – admission 15 cents (and 5 cents for teenagers) again then!
It may cost a bit extra nowadays, however it’s a stunning place to go to in Key West with children, particularly in the event you can catch one of many excursions, sharing details about the marine life inside.
The aquarium isn’t large, with a few most important rooms and a few outside area, however you’ll be able to simply whereas away an hour or so taking a look at all of the tanks lining the partitions, dwelling to reef fish, moon jellies, and tropical fish galore, in addition to recognizing eels and barracuda.
Don’t miss the contact tank too, which is enjoyable with younger children, the place you will get arms on with sea stars and extra.
On the centre, a number of the rescue sea turtles which make their dwelling right here and an opportunity to be taught extra in regards to the completely different species. There are some open-air tanks too within the surrounding area, dwelling to rays and sharks.
E book skip-the-line tickets with free cancellation right here
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
There’s one thing in regards to the phrases treasure hunter that grip you, regardless of how previous you might be. And the story of Mel Fisher, who spent 16 years trying to find the wreck of the Spanish galleon Atocha, makes for a fantastic story by themselves.
The perfect a part of the story, after all, is that he lastly discovered the fabled treasure ship, nonetheless filled with riches centuries after it sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622.
A go to to the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum brings that story to life, with particulars of his lengthy search, in addition to placing a number of the priceless items on show.
There’s additionally background on the Spanish conquest of South America, details about day by day life and why the ships had been crusing in hurricane season, however essentially the most memorable half is seeing the astonishing finds, corresponding to golden plates and fabulous jewelry.
Upstairs there are extra rooms linked to the historical past of the Florida Keys, together with tales of piracy (and the pirate’s code for any small buccaneers), in addition to reveals on slavery and on the Cuban Missile Disaster. Certainly one of our favourites, it’s a fantastic place for the entire household.
Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum
Key West’s historical past is tightly linked to the seas surrounding it – not least all these inhabitants who made a dwelling from the waves, from pirates and smugglers to wreckers, serving to make Key West the richest metropolis per capita in the entire USA by the mid 1850s.
As a result of whereas the reefs surrounding Key West make it a incredible place for snorkeling and swimming as we speak, they’ve been deadly for ships over historical past – and this quirky little museum is devoted to all of the shipwrecks within the Florida Keys.
The household pleasant Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is ready over two flooring in a recreation of nineteenth century wrecker tycoon Asa Tift’s warehouse, with real finds recovered from wrecks across the Florida Keys,
There are costumed storytellers in addition to audio and video that will help you uncover extra, plus some enjoyable interactive reveals, like making an attempt to elevate the 64 pound silver bar from the 1656 shipwreck of the Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas.
And to complete the go to, head up the 65 foot lookout tower for a number of the finest views of Key West.
Key West Lighthouse
The primary lighthouse in Key West was accomplished in 1825, shortly after the US Navy established a base right here, to attempt to maintain all vessels secure among the many reefs within the shallow water of the Keys
Simply over 20 years later, the present lighthouse was opened, half a dozen blocks from as we speak’s seafront, to interchange the unique 65ft tower.
Decommissioned half a century in the past, it’s now a museum and guests can stroll up the 88 steps to the highest of the sunshine (once more, not the most suitable choice in the event you’re visiting Key West with toddlers!) and be taught extra about its historical past.
That features tales of a few of its Keepers – the primary to be in cost of the present lighthouse was a girl, virtually extraordinary on the time – in addition to seeing a few of their belongings, images and even learn the phrases of some who lived right here.
There’s a reduction in the event you e-book on-line upfront and it’s included within the Key West Museums Tradition Cross together with Fort East Martello.
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
An amazing possibility for teenagers who love animals and nature, there’s an opportunity to stroll among the many 50-60 completely different species of butterflies which stay on the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.
A fast flap of the wings from the Southernmost Level market, over on Duval Road, the conservatory homes butterflies from world wide below its glass domed climate-controlled habitat.
Beginning with a 15-minute movie sharing details about the life cycle of butterflies, in addition to some enjoyable trivia, it’s also possible to be taught extra in regards to the superb Monarch migration and see caterpillars feeding alongside the way in which.
There are unique birds to identify as nicely, together with two pink flamingos, Rhett and Scarlett. Flamingo followers may even e-book to flamingle with them as soon as a day at 4.30 – with a most of six company, you will need to prebook to affix this.
Sails to Rails Museum
There’s one other probability to study life at sea across the Florida Keys on the Sails to Rails Museum – included in tickets for the Previous City Trolley Tour and Conch Practice, so it’s straightforward to cease in for a fast go to.
Uncover how sail energy introduced treasure fleets from Mexico and South America previous the Keys on their means again to Europe, in addition to the nineteenth century Navy makes an attempt to rid the Caribbean of pirates, plus the way in which transport helped Key West growth.
Then there’s an opportunity to be taught extra about how steam energy took over and the Age of Sail got here to an finish, as railroads opened up new frontiers throughout the nation, its progress via the Civil Battle years, and the way sail endured in Key West regardless of all of it.
Ernest Hemingway House and Museum
In case your children are followers of Ernest Hemingway’s works, attending to set foot inside the home the place he lived within the Thirties is unbeatable.
Realistically the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum goes to enchantment extra to teenagers than preschoolers, though exploring the home remains to be enjoyable for youthful children who’ve by no means learn any of the creator’s books. There’s a brief tour of round 20-Half-hour included within the go to.
Look out for the swimming pool within the grounds too: created at large expense, it was an unlimited luxurious again within the days earlier than Key West even had recent operating water.
In case your children aren’t a fan of Hemingway’s work, there’s one other temptation for youthful kids – cats! Round 60 stay on the museum grounds – and look out for some with six toes, descendants of the creator’s personal six-toed cat Snow White.
Harry Truman’s Little White Home
One other probability to stroll within the footsteps of the good and good with a go to to Harry Truman’s Little White Home – additionally higher with older children than little ones.
The thirty third president spent 175 days at this website in Key West throughout his presidency, and you may take a guided tour to be taught extra about its historical past – which began lengthy earlier than Truman set foot inside.
In-built 1890 as quarters for the Naval Base Commander and Paymaster, it was additionally visited by President William Taft, whereas Thomas Edison lived right here for a number of months. President Dwight Eisenhower recuperated right here after a coronary heart assault, whereas John F Kennedy met the British Prime Minister right here through the Bay of Pigs incident – to call only a few.
And it’s right here that President Truman labored on the Marshall Plan and the Truman doctrine, whereas additionally profiting from any time away from his duties to benefit from the Key West life-style, with historical past tellers sharing some extra about him personally in addition to the home’s place in historical past.
Go to the Southernmost Level marker
Take your home on the southernmost level within the continental United States – which apparently can be the bottom latitude of land within the continguous North American states at nearly 18 toes above sea stage.
The brightly painted concrete buoy is a reminder that you just’re solely 90 miles from Cuba right here, far nearer to the Caribbean islands than Washington DC.
In the event you simply desire a glimpse, you’ll be able to see if from the Conch tour prepare and the Previous City Trolley tour, so you probably have your digital camera on the prepared, you’ll be able to seize a fast picture as you cross. If you’d like the traditional picture of your loved ones with the marker, prepare to attend some time in your flip.
It’s finest to keep away from going within the peak warmth as the road typically stretches down the block, though folks are typically useful about taking the picture of these in entrance – if you will get there early, you’ve received extra probability of attending to the entrance quick and avoiding very bored children questioning why they’re hanging round for this!
For an additional picture opp, it’s also possible to discover Mile Marker 0 in Key West on the on the nook of Fleming Road and Whitehead Road – it’s round a 15-minute stroll from the Southernmost Level. The signal itself typically will get taken as a memento (a bit simpler to steal than an enormous concrete buoy) so there are sadly no ensures although!
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
The southernmost state park within the continental US, Fort Zachary Taylor predates the Civil Battle – and nonetheless homes the most important cache of Civil Battle armament on the planet.
You may discover the buildings to get a way of how the troopers posted right here would have lived, in addition to pretending to fireside the cannon and defend the gun ports in opposition to the enemy (digital enemies, after all, so whoever you select to think about).
There are day by day excursions at 11am in addition to data to assist share extra background on the half the fort performed within the Civil Battle and the Spanish-American battle, with re-enactments each third weekend of the month.
In case your children have a brief consideration span for historic websites, the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park can be dwelling to a sand and pebble seaside if you wish to swim, snorkel and even fish after (or as a substitute of!) exploring inside, with some incredible coral reefs that are perfect for inexperienced persons studying to snorkel.
Hold an eye fixed out for gopher tortoises as you discover the park, plus there are bike trails, nature trails and geocaching actions too.
Hit the seaside
There are a number of seashores to select from at Key West, together with a few of Florida’s finest seashores with children.
Smathers Seashore is likely one of the hottest with households; Key West’s largest public seaside, it stretches for round half a mile with watersports rental together with kayaking and paddleboarding and umbrellas for rent. Carry food and drinks although as there’s not a lot to purchase when you arrive.
Clarence S Higgs Memorial Seashore – or Higgs Seashore for brief – is nearer to Previous City Key West, and has shallow calm water for fairly a means out, making it a superb possibility with youthful children. There’s umbrella rental plus some free parking right here too, in addition to the one shore-accessible underwater marine park in the USA.
Higgs Seashore can be dwelling to Fort West Martello and a number of other monuments, together with one documenting the positioning of a nineteenth century slave cemetery right here.
Or Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is likely one of the closest to the Mallory Sq. space (although it’s nonetheless fairly a stroll with children), with some nice snorkeling for teenagers, in addition to the fort’s historical past.
There’s additionally a splash pad on the Truman Waterfront park, which is nice enjoyable for toddlers and younger kids
Go kayaking
There are many probabilities to kayak in Key West with children – in the event you’ve received your personal, simply select one of many three seashores to set off and discover, or you’ll be able to hire kayaks at Smathers Seashore.
For a guided journey, you’ll find excursions to the Florida Marine Sanctuary if you wish to get additional out to sea.
However for one thing a bit completely different, head out into the mangroves to see a distinct aspect of the Florida Keys. This Key West Kayak eco-tour is led by a information specialising within the space’s nature – you would spot dolphins, rays and turtles, in addition to iguanas, birds and different native wildlife, whereas studying in regards to the space’s seagrass beds and mangrove forests.
You do have to move to Geiger Key, close to Boca Chica Key for this two-hour tour, however it’s solely round a 20-minute drive from Key West – incredible in case your children love nature.
If that’s too far, or your children are too younger for the kayaking, head to the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Centre (open Fridays and Saturdays) together with an interactive mangrove exhibit
Key West Ghost and Graveyard Tour
For some spooky enjoyable, climb aboard the Trolley of the Doomed to find Key West’s darker aspect – though this isn’t a tour that’s going to terrify you out of your wits.
Count on sinister tales, macabre reminiscences and a big serving to of comedy on the one-hour Ghost and Graveyard Tour (from Previous City Trolley Excursions), which additionally heads contained in the Key West Shipwreck Museum for a haunted home bonus, to listen to a couple of Depend and his misplaced bride.
Key West was named one of many high 10 most haunted cities in America, so the tour isn’t in need of materials – every part from lynching and homicide to island superstitions and Key West’s most haunted places, together with the Hanging Tree.
Unsurprisingly, it’s not appropriate for youngsters below 4 and is advisable for teenagers and older. You may go along with below 13s although relying the way you assume they’ll take pleasure in it – you understand finest in case your little one will love listening to about hauntings and horror or in the event that they’re going to have nightmares for every week.
Bike tour of Key West
What’s higher than cruising spherical Key West on two wheels? A bike tour of Key West with Key Lime pie included!
This journey from Key Lime Bike Excursions takes you thru the Previous City, passing Mile Marker Zero and the Southernmost Level, in addition to Harry Truman’s Little White Home, Ernest Hemingway’s Home, the Key West cemetery and Higgs Seashore alongside the way in which.
There’s a information to share a few of Key West’s historical past, from smuggling to shipwrecks, with the three-hour tour ending with a slice of Key Lime Pie.
You can even hire bikes instantly if you wish to discover at your personal tempo, with children’ bikes and child seats out there, though you could want to order these in the event you’re searching for one thing particular as there are restricted numbers out there.
Take a stroll
Certainly one of my favorite issues about Key West is how walkable all of it appears, and it’s made for strolling round.
We visited at Halloween, which meant in every single place was embellished for the vacation, however everytime you go to there’s lots to see – together with Key West’s well-known roaming chickens.
Take a stroll across the marina and Mallory Sq., wander the size of Duval Road – that is the guts of Key West and one among its oldest elements, dwelling to the Oldest Home Museum and Backyard, a conch cottage inbuilt 1829.
Or head all the way down to the harbor the place the boat excursions set sail, with loads of seats exterior the eating places and shady spots to cease as nicely.
You may even get self-guided walks of Key West like this Previous City Treasures smartphone tour, to be taught extra about what you’re seeing alongside the way in which.
Save time to cease in Mallory Sq. Dock in direction of the tip of the day for Sundown Celebration too, with avenue performers (sometimes a bit risque), avenue meals, and stalls promoting tempting arts, crafts and souvenirs pop up for the night, whereas everybody waits for the solar to sink beneath the horizon.
Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park
Whereas the Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park isn’t in Key West itself, it makes for a incredible day journey when you’re on the tip of Florida.
Greatest for households with teenagers and older children, because it takes some effort to achieve – the Nationwide Park is round 70 miles from Key West, so you could journey by boat or airplane to this archipelago of seven small islands. It’s fantastically unspoiled however that additionally means there’s not one of the services you may want with younger kids.
The coral reef and shipwrecks are good for snorkeling and diving although, and the surroundings is just idyllic, so it’s nicely well worth the effort. Seaplane Seashore, North Swim Seashore and South Swim Seashore are a number of the finest seashores.
The Yankee Freedom Ferry is the official park ferry, together with entrance price to the Nationwide Park and Fort Jefferson, or in the event you’ve received the finances, the seaplane to the Dry Tortugas has half-day and full day constitution choices.
The place to eat in Key West with children
You gained’t battle to search out locations to eat in Key West with children – there are some nice household pleasant eating places, to not point out loads of locations to seize an ice cream.
For someplace actually memorable, head over to Blue Heaven in Bahama Village with its outside tables below the timber, stay music, and Floridian-Caribbean menu.
Hemingway as soon as refereed boxing matches right here, though it’s calmer nowadays! Well-known for its breakfasts (though go early), there are restricted reservations for dinner that are nicely price doing – the Key Lime pie to complete was the dimensions of my head.
We additionally had some superb pizza at Clemente’s Wooden-Fired pizza on Fleming Road, which was nice for sharing in case your children gained’t handle an entire one every.
There are additionally loads of locations to seize a fast meal together with fish, sandwiches, tacos and burgers, like Two Associates Patio restaurant on Entrance Road.
Or Cuban Espresso Queen has nice smoothies and breakfasts in addition to Cuban sandwiches.
The place to remain in Key West with children
You’ll discover loads of family-friendly locations to remain in Key West, together with our personal attractive base for our journey at Opal Key Resort.
With rooms overlooking the marina, there’s a incredible pool and poolside bar, breakfast overlooking the water and spacious ethereal rooms in cool blue and inexperienced tones. Downtown Key West is true on the doorstep too, so we couldn’t have had a greater location, plus it manages to really feel luxurious and family-friendly on the identical time.
To be sure to’re by no means too removed from the sights, attempt to choose someplace near Mallory Sq. or the marina, or near Duval Road (though not on it, because the eating places and bars are buzzing till late).
Discover extra concepts of accommodations in Key West right here, together with large title chains like Hyatt and Marriott though these are typically farther from Previous City, in addition to locations like Parrot Key Resort.
In the event you choose having your personal area, I’m an enormous fan of Plum Information which vets its residences and villas individually, and has a few properties in Key West.
When to plan your Key West break
It pays to time your break in Key West with children to get the most effective of the climate and to attempt to keep away from the crowds – as there’s famously one main highway via the Florida Keys, you don’t wish to spend it caught in visitors on the Abroad Freeway!
And whereas March to Could has a number of the finest climate, Spring break wouldn’t be my first selection for a household journey!
December to February is cooler (for Key West) however you’ll be able to nonetheless anticipate temperatures within the mid 70s, which is ideal for exploring with children.
Once we visited in late October/early November, it was heat, the climate was nonetheless typically superb (though sometimes a bit windy for boat journeys) and we weren’t preventing the crowds so it’s one other good time to think about.
Hurricane season sees the worst tropical storms from mid-August to the beginning of October, so it’s finest to keep away from these weeks in the event you can too, in addition to dodging the excessive temperatures and humidity of midsummer.
Lastly, in the event you can examine when cruise ships are visiting, do: it made an enormous distinction between our first day exploring when one ship was docked and the remainder of our keep after the day trippers had gone dwelling. You can even examine when main occasions are deliberate on the Florida Keys Tourism web site.
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. Some content material was freed from cost for the needs of evaluation, however all opinions are my very own
Conch prepare/harbor/boat journey/aquarium/maritime museum/mile marker/meals/Opal Key Resort copyright MummyTravels, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos/Shutterstock
