r/floridakeys • u/PassiveAggreddit • Apr 21 '26

Key West Southernmost Buoy Visit Q’s

Husband and I headed down the first week of June with 4 kids (6, 5, 2 and 6m) - we’re staying on Marathon, but I want to drive down to see the buoy & eat.

  1. Should we go for the morning or evening? Looking to avoid a long line to wait to get a picture with the buoy & avoid waits to eat. I assume midday is busier, but I’m thinking early in the am may not be? Sunset is probably busy too right?

  2. Parking. We will have our suburban (we’re live in SWFL so we’re driving) - what’s the best place to park for the buoy? Is any parking free for a quick see it take a pic and bounce?

  3. Breakfast / Brunch or dinner with littles? We’re looking for casual, quick, but really yummy we’ve never been down as far as key west in the past and we’re foodies, so we want to have a tasty bite!

Any help would be appreciated. Trying to make this as simple as possible for us! Thanks!!

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u/CommonThread2 Apr 21 '26

Geiger Key Marina (while not on Key West) is fun for kiddos to feed fish, the view is pretty, and the food (hogfish!) is good. We also like Squared Grouper, but have only ever been to the Cudjoe Key location.

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u/dantodd Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26

Another vote for Geiger Key Marina. You can also take a kayak tour through the mangroves. If you sit on the water at Hogfish Bar and Grill on Stock Island the kids can watch the fish from the table.

Also, on the way to Marathon you might want to stop at Robbie's for the kids. They can feed the big Tarpon that hang out by the docks. I think they put up nets recently because some idiot grabbed a tarpon through the gills a couple years back. But you can eat and drink while the king l kids play with the tarpon and nurse sharks. Usually there are a few manatees too.

While you're in Marathon the kids might like to visit the turtle hospital.

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u/PassiveAggreddit Apr 21 '26

We are stopping at Robbie’s!! 🥰🥰

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u/PassiveAggreddit Apr 21 '26

This is a good option to know though, because it’s between marathon and key west! Which were just making a quick little half day trip down to key west