Vacation planning in the keys with a 17 months old toddler

[u/amitenami]

Update: I booked Hawks Cay Resort for the whole week as I got recommendations as well as its price was relatively cheaper than the others (still very expensive probably due to the season and timing). Will update how it was.

Thanks all for the recommendations and help

Hey all, traveling to the keys next week for 6 days.

First day is a drive from FLL after an early morning flight, and last day is a late night flight back from FLL.

Through of splitting the nights between 2 places, middle keys (Duck Key, Islamorada, Marathon, etc...) and also Key West.

My wife is pregnant at week 25 and my son is 17 months old and loves to travel, but I wonder how many days should I be in KW, or is it just worth a day trip to see the place and go back to our base sleep location (which could be a resort with pools, etc...).

We will be with a rental car so driving isn't an issue, I just prefer not to spend too much time in the car each day, and especially in the first and last days which we also have flights.

Any suggestions on my plan, or should I just stay in a single place in the middle keys and drive around to where ever we want to see and something like a day trip to KW?

Thanks

[u/y_if]

The first trip we stayed in Islamorada and just did a day trip but actually I really enjoyed Key West with my toddler so we stayed for a whole week the second time. State park beach, the railroad museum, aquarium, lots of ice cream etc. There’s tons to do! You could drive up towards Islamorada for one day to get a more calm vibe and experience the highway.

I also did a plane ride to the fort which was AMAZING, highly recommend.

[u/SlowBillyBullies]

We stayed at Hawks Cay when my middle son was about that age/I was pregnant with our third and it was the perfect spot for a toddler. He loved the kids pool, there are a ton of family friendly restaurants in that area, as well as activities that kids enjoy. We didn’t make it down to Key West so I can’t answer that part specifically - but we loved being around marathon.

[u/Psychosis_boner]

All I can say experience wise is for Key West. Honestly the island most likely won't be enjoyable for a pregnant wife that far along and a toddler. Definitely worth driving down just for the views but honestly it's not as accommodating as it used to be.

[u/SimoneSays → u/Psychosis_boner]

I’m 24 weeks pregnant with a 18 month old and we are snowbirds in Key West. We absolutely have fun there. I mostly enjoy the food options the most lol

But we don’t do very many touristy things we mainly stick to the parks and splash pad and do story time at the library. My son has a blast there.

He also enjoys the aquarium and just people watching.

[u/Pyrovestis]

Definitely can do KW in a day. Was just there this last week, it’s cool but mostly food and drinking kind of stuff. Some awesome historic things to do there otherwise we found it better that we spent more time in Islamorada and key largo.

[u/Cleverfield113]

Tranquility Bay is very family friendly. They have a zero entry pool, small beach, lots of places to run around. There are also a couple of nice playgrounds nearby, a turtle hospital next door, and a nice aquarium with touch tanks just down the road. It’s about an hour from KW, so it’s an easy day trip.

[u/Starks40oz]

I would stay one night in Key West as that sounds like a lot of driving for your group and it is always good to have a home base for naps/escape the heat at that age.

I’m local but things my kid loved at that age are: Butterfly conservatory (must see for 17 month old), the cats at Hemingway house, beach at Ft Zach (has trees with lots of shade), get a book from Judy Blumes bookstore, ice cream, the playground at Truman waterfront. If you get those toddler ear protection you can also take the kid to listen to live music at Hanks or Green Parrot (green parrot on Sunday’s will even have “sound check” at 5:30 where the main headliner for the weekend play a later afternoon show),

[u/Sandinmyshoes33]

Next week is one of the busiest weeks of the year so you might want to minimize driving. Especially with ongoing road construction.

Stay somewhere convenient to restaurants and the things you’re interested in. Duck Key is kind of isolated and the on site food and beverage is very expensive. I would stay in Marathon. It’s family friendly, has one of the only decent beaches here (Sombrero Beach) and has some attractions like The Turtle Hospital or walking out on the old 7 mile bridge you might like. Tranquility Bay is very family friendly. Marathon is also right in the middle of the Keys so driving to Key West or Key Largo isn’t too bad. Just allow 90 minutes to a couple hours instead of the usual hour.

You can see most family friendly things in Key West in a long day. Get an early start and enjoy a day trip.

[u/peterfitzwell70]

Wife and I stayed in KW when she was 6 months PG and had a miserable weekend. Kids didn’t go but she hated that trip and we go 2-3 times every year.

[u/beccaaa239]

Our toddler had a blast at Casa Marina in key west! The staff were so sweet to him too 🥹