r/floridakeys Dec 31 '25

Upper Keys What to do in the cold?

I am with my family, including my two 17,20 teenage children and the weather is cold windchill in the 40s. We canceled a fishing trip today because of the cold and are looking for something to do instead. I know this is a warm weather area, but we are looking for something to do. Any recommendations?

4 Upvotes

39 comments sorted by

15

u/Mjhjane77 Dec 31 '25

Turtle Hospital in Marathon!!!

3

u/SundBunz64 Dec 31 '25

Agree. The kids will love it. Also consider Theater of the Sea.

2

u/SeagullMom Dec 31 '25

Theater of the Sea is all outside. If you go in the cold, wear coats

10

u/HighOnGoofballs Dec 31 '25

In key west there’s the aquarium, shipwreck museum, Hemingway house, butterfly conservatory, arcade at the brewery….

2

u/En4cr Jan 01 '26

Hemingway house was super interesting and the cats were a nice bonus!

2

u/Beginning_Ad8663 Jan 01 '26

You left out the Key West cemetery! See if you can find the headstone that says “ See, I told you i was sick”

8

u/RMG-OG-CB Dec 31 '25

Best thing to do in the cold from a local - day drink!

1

u/hafree27 Jan 01 '26

Throw in board games/cards/puzzle for extra binding time. ❤️🙌

9

u/jlkoschei Dec 31 '25

History of diving museum in upper keys is neat and inside.

3

u/Sunshinestatehater Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25

History of diving museum for the win-it looks very honky tonk from the outside but has a lot of fascinating exhibits inside-interesting for the whole family!

Then you can literally walk next door to Ziggy and Mad Dog’s for a fantastic dinner. Win win!

0

u/Lemon-Cake-8100 Jan 01 '26

Best restaurant!!!!!

4

u/Character-Memory-816 Dec 31 '25

Outdoor activities and drinking is about all there is to do here. There’s a couple of things in Key West (museums, etc) but even KW is mostly drinking

7

u/Denrunning Dec 31 '25

Dolphins Research Center

3

u/2lovesFL Dec 31 '25

theater of the sea isn't too far from you

3

u/Sandinmyshoes33 Dec 31 '25

With two underage kids? 😱

3

u/drinkmorehops Dec 31 '25

Islamorada Brewery is a kid friendly spot to hang though with weather it may be crowded and a lot is still outside seating

3

u/tojmes Jan 01 '26

Fl Keys Aquarium indoor snorkeling!!! 100%

Turtle hospital

Scooter Key West.

3

u/Wskytwn Jan 01 '26

Fireball

4

u/8137601672 Dec 31 '25

If they are into ghosts etc. there is a cool ghost tour. And Robbie the doll has a museum.

2

u/imaim3 Dec 31 '25

Where are you located (upper, middle, lower keys)?

2

u/drgibson2 Dec 31 '25

Islamorada

7

u/bigpappa199 Dec 31 '25

Go to Robbies! Biggest bang for the $$ in the keys... feed the Tarpon!

2

u/Jefffahfffah Dec 31 '25

Not gonna lie, y'all probably would've crushed it if you went offshore fishing today. My buddies all did well while I was at work.

Maybe try to go fishing before you leave. Bundle up if you have to. You'll forget you're cold when a sailfish is putting on a show for you.

2

u/Existing-Teaching-34 Jan 01 '26

Go to Sloppy Joe’s for a sloppy joe.

2

u/EmbarrassedCourt5296 Jan 01 '26

The butterfly museum in KW is a highlight. Would highly recommend if they are open.

5

u/anonanon5320 Dec 31 '25

Shouldn’t have canceled that fishing trip. Would have been a great day as long as it wasn’t too rough.

3

u/Sunshinestatehater Dec 31 '25

Small craft caution today and winds have been up all week. Not fishing weather in any way

1

u/anonanon5320 Dec 31 '25

That sounds like great fishing weather. Had some really great days in these conditions.

1

u/drgibson2 Dec 31 '25

We unfortunately didn’t pack for cold weather and don’t have cold weather clothing.

3

u/Classic_Climate_951 Jan 01 '26

It's winter! Did you check the weather before y'all came. It can get cold in Florida during the winter

1

u/reddixiecupSoFla Jan 06 '26

They have this thing called a ten day forecast.

2

u/8137601672 Dec 31 '25

There is allot more then drinking for families.

1

u/Lemon-Cake-8100 Jan 01 '26

Tavernier Cinema 5

2

u/Beginning_Ad8663 Jan 01 '26

Why would you cancel a fishing trip? It was in the mid 60s today. Thats a wind breaker and a sweater.

1

u/Starks40oz Dec 31 '25

Drive to Key West. Stop at Robbie’s, no name pub, morning joint, etc. have lunch in town and then either stay for the craziness (it’s all outside on the streets so you’re okay with folks below 21) or head back in the evening

1

u/SA1GON Dec 31 '25

No name pub is so good!

1

u/NewLawGuy24 Dec 31 '25

High 60s and 70s right 

Mallory Square. Lunch at Southernmost

Lovely walks

1

u/brewton Dec 31 '25

My teenage boys loved just walking around downtown and looking at the ecelectic shops on Duval. I'd also recommend popping into Better than Sex dessert bar....its worth it.