KEY WEST-Best excursions w/ kids

[nezy]

Can't wait to go to KW on our next cruise. I was wondering what excursions are best w/ kids? Mine are DS-10, DS-9 and DD-7.

They are pretty good swimmers, have never snorkeled, other than in the pool and would not want to be walking around shopping.

Thanks.

 

[MandM-Mom]

We loved the Aquarium in Key West, Small but interesting. Another neat place is to walk down to the harbor where all the huge boats or Yahts are. They are things you can just do on your own once you get off.

 

[tkd lisa]

You don't say when your cruise is. Key West weather in the winter isn't always warm enough for water excursions. It can get really windy. And the beaches are pretty rocky.

On our two stops in Key West, we've honestly just walked around taking in the sites for the most part. We did the Tourist train once, and it was a pretty good way to see things.

Last time we were there, DD really wanted to visit the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. We had left DS on the ship, and told her we wouldn't do it without him. And once we were back on board, they didn't want to go badly enough to head back out. There's also a pirate museum and a shipwreck museum, both of which my kids thought were interesting.

I'd do some on line research, and maybe drop a note to Shirley from the Perfect Gift, since she's a Key West native. Key West is a very easy city to do on your own.

 

[mom+3girls]

You don't say when your cruise is. Key West weather in the winter isn't always warm enough for water excursions. It can get really windy. And the beaches are pretty rocky.

On our two stops in Key West, we've honestly just walked around taking in the sites for the most part. We did the Tourist train once, and it was a pretty good way to see things.

Last time we were there, DD really wanted to visit the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. We had left DS on the ship, and told her we wouldn't do it without him. And once we were back on board, they didn't want to go badly enough to head back out. There's also a pirate museum and a shipwreck museum, both of which my kids thought were interesting.

I'd do some on line research, and maybe drop a note to Shirley from the Perfect Gift, since she's a Key West native. Key West is a very easy city to do on your own.

tkd lisa,
I am crusing on Sept 10 Magic, would you say the tourist train is worth the price, or can you pretty much walk anywhere you want? Do you know how far it is to Southern Most Point. I am thinking of doing a walking tour on my own, DD17 says the others DDs10 and 12 can make the walk to the Southern Most point because they can do WDW for a whole day. What do you think?
thanks

 

[snelsonbrown]

Shirley and Norm here!!!!!!! the ol' conchs from Key West ---now what all do you want to know? You can drop me a note at snelsonbrown@aol.com or you can send for some free information on Key West costing you a large manilla envelope SELF ADDRESSED with about $3.50 worth of postage on it - mail it to me here at the shop and I will fill it up and mail it back to you --it has maps, coupons, excurisions you can do on your own etc. It's worth the $5.00 to get it ---there isn't anything in it for me except to help you while in our home town NOW AS I ALWAYS ADD ----BEWARE OF THE MERCHANTS DOWN THERE AND YOUR CREDIT CARDS PURCHASES ----They will get ya if they can ok.
If I can help further, just let me know.

PS from Mallory Square to the Southermost Point is 2 miles and can be hard on little ones to walk ---new addition to Key West --iguanas are now the talk of the town over the chickens ----saw them while I was down there and found it quite interesting
Blessings always
Shirley and Norm
the 2 ol' conchs

 

[KensJen]

mom+3girls,

I am on the same cruise as you!!

We have been to Key West several times, but never with DS (he's 2). I think we are going to take him to the aquarium and then maybe a ride on the trolley, I think he will get a kick out of that.

There are a lot of things that you can just walk around and see. You may want to just wing it and see what interests them when you arrive. I don't think you need to plan any expensive excursions ahead of time, there is lots to do!!

 

[love2travel]

Shirley,

Can you give me more detail about your comment about beware of the merchants, when using your credit card. What happens? Do they try and over charge you? THANKS!

 

[LostGirls]

In May we went to the Pirate Museum. It is fairly small, a little on the expensive side (I want to say like $12.00 for an adult), but VERY well done.
There is a "real" pirate there who is a dead ringer for Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow! Lot's of real pirate artifacts and a couple of different small rooms where you go in and put head phones on. It's completely dark and you listen to a pirate story. Very cool! If your kids are into Pirates at all, I think they will really enjoy it. Mine were 3 and 7 and very into it!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Unfortunalty like most tourist town especially one that have so many cruise ships come in, credit card purchases are very easy to take advantage of - as I have written before, I am an ol' conch and I know all the above, yet I almost didn't notice I had been overcharged over $400.00 on my card - I was able to turn around and demand the adjustment - this was 4 years ago and it has gotten a little more aggressitve - you just have to know what you are paying for regardless how you pay and if by C/C see the amount before you sign and make sure you get your card back - you are NOT dealing with the familiar faces of yesteryear when your word was as solid as gold.
anyhow what to do with children - small kids, I believe, the conch train would be boring - the trolly car is great cause you can get off and on without paying extra - the pirate museum is good, the aqurium is good even tho it has been there since I was a little one, you have the butterfly farm which I believe is awesome - there is a playground at the Smathers Beach which is off White Street - Key West has always lacked in having something for kids to do unfortunalty - the only playground we had was BayView Park which has been shrunk to make adult areas - its still nice tho and its on Truman Avenue but too far to walk from Mallory Square - In and around Mallory Square there are neat places - Mel Fischer's museum is pretty interesting - as I said I do have maps, coupons etc you are most welcomed to have so you can have an idea of where you are going etc - Norm and I are hoping to go back home next month and will pick up more stuff -
If I can help further, just drop me a note at snelsonbrown@aol.com
Blessings always
Shirley

 

[nezy]

Thanks for all of that info. We are on the DVC cruise on sept. 4.

I was thinking of doing the trolley-so we can get off and on.
Ripleys museum and butterflu museum sound good.

What about a good swimming beach?

 

[gppnj]

I would suggest having key lime pie at Blond Giraffe. It's a little bit of heaven.

http://www.blondgiraffe.com/

 

[snelsonbrown]

I will not recommend the beaches in KW - very polluted - it came out in our local newspaper -----While Norm and I were there, we saw very little action at 3 of the beaches - Didn't make it to Ft Taylor which is the ONLY one I would recommend ---
Blessings always
Shirley

PS I agree with the Key Lime Pie but Topside Restaurant accross the street from Mallory Square also has true Key Lime pies.

 

[mike2beach]

We walked from the ship to the marina and had a great day fishing on a party boat! Caught several nice groupers. Here is the link.

http://www.fishingfloridakeys.com/tortuga.htm

 

[nezy]

I will not recommend the beaches in KW - very polluted - it came out in our local newspaper -----While Norm and I were there, we saw very little action at 3 of the beaches - Didn't make it to Ft Taylor which is the ONLY one I would recommend ---
Blessings always
Shirley

PS I agree with the Key Lime Pie but Topside Restaurant accross the street from Mallory Square also has true Key Lime pies.

Wow! That is sooo disappointing, about the polluted beaches!

I will definately get some Key Lime Pie. It is one of my favorite desserts and I am sure I haven't even had REAL KLPie!!