Key Largo
My gosh, WE LOVE THE KEYS! This was a huge bucket list stop for us and we were so glad we added it to our itinerary. In fact, we loved it so much, we are going to try to make it back every year! We did SO much in the keys and there is a ton to explore in each key, but of course, we had some favorites.
8 Fun Family Activities in the Florida Keys:
Visit Robbie’s of Islamorada - feed the tarpon (don’t let a pelican get ya!), shop around the shops & eat lunch with a beautiful view - a morning well spent!
Visit John Pennekamp State Park. A great spot for the kids to see the aquarium and also enjoy a day at a small beach. Kids can do the Florida State Park Junior Ranger program here and earn a badge, which also provides a ticket to get into another Florida state park for free!
Visit Bahia Honda State Park. This one is a beauty. The turquoise water and views are unmatched - it is the perfect spot for a beach day. There is also a small grill and ice cream shop on site or pack your own lunch and enjoy lunch with a view at one of the many picnic tables. We also found that this was a great place to teach our little dude the basics of snorkeling!
Stroll the streets of Key West and visit the southernmost point buoy for the staple Key West photo op (and see the roosters walking around, of course)! Parking can be a little tricky in Key West, but once we found a spot, we just wandered the streets for a bit, went to some shops, enjoyed an ice cream stop and some key lime pie (obviously!). It can be a pretty touristy area, so a little tricky to navigate with the stroller at times, but doable overall.
Spend a day at Theatre of the Sea. This was such a fun, relaxing and educational day! It’s small enough that you get to enjoy all of the shows and educational opportunities without feeling rushed and also get to take your time with the littles. The grounds are beautiful as well and you feel like you are just spending the day in a tropical garden! *stroller friendly
Stop at Boba Manatee Cafe for a coffee slushee with coffee jellies & fried ice cream - this location is actually inside the Rain Barrel Village, so we originally stopped to take a picture with the huge lobster outside and browse the shops (which is also fun as there are many unique & hand-made goods), but then stumbled upon this gem! The coffee slushee is so unique and delicious and our kiddos loved the fried ice cream!
Stop at the Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory for some truly delicious key lime pie! This one is self explanatory - you gotta get key lime pie in the keys and this one is top notch!
Soak in all of the sunsets. A sunset view in the keys is one of my absolute favorites - there is just something about the beach, the sand, the sound of the waves and the colors of the sky while the sun is setting on this part of the world that makes you never want to leave.
Where we stayed: Captain Jax Mobile RV Park. As with several RV parks in the keys, this one is a little snug, so if you are a big rig and not comfortable navigating tight spaces, tread carefully as this location might not be for you (we are 39 feet and it was a TIGHT squeeze)! But once you squeeze in, this place is a DREAM! Beautiful sunsets, a fishing pier, friendly full-time residents and locals. We absolutely love it here. And as with most RV parks in the Florida Keys, expect it to be pricey, especially during “snowbird season” in Florida (November-March). Also beware that they charge extra per person in excess of 2 people, so something to keep in mind for large families.
Favorite Food Stop: Island Grill in Islamorada - GET THE TUNA NACHOS. I can’t emphasize enough how much we crave these tuna nachos! They are THAT GOOD (and we didn’t even get a picture of them because we scarfed them down so quickly). The kids also really enjoyed their fish strips and it was a large portion for a kid’s plate. Plus, this is cool location for kids to watch the boats come in, as several people arrive to the restaurant by boat.
Brewery Spotlight: As always, we are on a quest to bring you recommendations for great local craft beer and/or food in cities all across America that also have a kid-friendly spaces. Islamorada Brewery & Distillery in Islamorada is a local brewery that we really enjoyed. The beers were good, the outdoor beer garden was perfect for kids to play and they even had live music when we visited. Definitely a chill vibe of the island life and worth a stop.
Coffee Shop Spotlight: Mr. Beans Books & Beans - this is an adorable coffee stop in Marathon. The iced coffee was so good and the pastries were delicious! If you need a coffee & a treat, this is your stop.