Gulf Coast Vs The Keys - With kids

[SidB]

I'm looking to book my accomodation shortly. There are 5 of us going and the plan had been to get a villa in Orlando for 2 weeks, and another on the Gulf Coast for 1 week. Should have said, 3 adults and 2 daughters, aged 7 and 11.

I really fancy taking my kids to the Dolphin Research Centre at Grassy Key. I'm told that it takes about 7 hours to drive there(thanks to Perlla55), so a day trip is not really practical. I really don't like the idea of Discovery Cove so please don't suggest that.

What are your views ? Would there be enough to occupy the kids in the Keys ? How do they compare cost wise ? Phew.

I know there are loads of questions, and even more opinions, but any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Shuttle Fan]

Hi Sid,

We have just returned from Florida and spent a day at the Keys (our kids are 9 and 11) and I don't think they would have been happy there for more than a day or so. There didn't seem to be that much to do other than snorkelling or fishing.

We stayed in Miami for 2 nights (Holiday Inn South Beach - excellent hotel) which we all enjoyed and then drove down to Key West which took about 3 hours, with a couple of stops. The Dolphin Research Centre is about half way down the Keys. The traffic to the Keys is slow moving with speed limits varying from 35 - 55 mph all the way, with little chance to overtake.

We would have liked to have visited the DRC, but didn't really have the time. We telephoned on the Friday regarding walk in places for the dolphin wade and swim and she said they have about 18 walk in places available each day, and she could offer me a bookable place for the Monday, but unfortunately this didn't fit in with our plans. I'd be interested to hear your experiences if you visit the DRC.

I have put some links to the Keys on a previous thread to TraceyL. There seemed to be a lot of guest houses in the Keys with prices starting at about $79 and hotels at about $130 - so quite pricey.

When we left Key West we drove to Fort Myers Beach and stayed there for the night as a resting point on the way to St. Petes and this took 7 hours via Allegator Alley (some parts of the journey were extremely slow due to a very bad storm).

From Fort Myers Beach it then took us just over 2 hours to get to St. Petes.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

We stayed down on Marco Island last year, about 16 miles south of Naples. Wonderful - so much so we're back there this October for 10 nights after a week in Orlando. Me, DH and DD (then 9).

Our journey from Orlando to Marco took us just about 4.5 hours - but we didn't rush anywhere. It was an easy journey. From a week on Marco Island we then spent another 2 nights down in the Keys and I have to say we loved every minute. Went on a fab snorkelling trip from our hotel and enjoyed mooching around the keys. Our hotel was on Islamorada which is a couple down from Key Largo. We didn't even contemplate going to Key West since we were only there for 2 nights.

I don't know whether you've been down to the Gulf Coast before, so pardon if you know the area, but if you stay somewhere like Naples/Marco it's much easier to get to the Keys - about 2 hrs for a day trip/overnighter. You've also got the Everglades on your doorstep at Marco and that's well worth a visit or two. The John Pennenkamp (sp?) Dolphin Centre is nr Key Largo so would only be a 2 hr trip from Naples/Marco - something to consider.