Key West with young kids

[CVW]

What's the best thing to do with our 4 and 7 year old boys while in Key West? The train sounds like a good idea in theory, but they'd probably get bored after an hour or so.

What about the glass bottom boat? Will it hold their attention for the entire trip? Or what about the schooner?

Would they enjoy just walking around, or is it a little too adult?

 

[TnRobin]

We did the glass bottom boat last May. I was not impressed. Although it did hold Matts attention (then 7). Possibliy because I got sea sick I didn't feel a think on the Magic becuase I was taking Meclizine, but the Meclizine did not work on the glass bottom boat.

We have been to key west once before in 1999 when the ship was diverted due to Hurrican Floyd. We took Matt to the Aquarium (Age 4) and the gift shops near by. He enjoyed it. We then took him back to the kids club and did a little exploring.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Hows the aquarium? Is it worth $25 for 2ad, 1ch?

 

[M&Ms Mum]

I am a lighthouse nut, so I take my 3 and (recent) 5 yr old to see the lighhouses where ever we go. M&M love to climb the LH steps and see the top. You can do that in Key West and they think the stairs are fun.

If you get the Trolly pass you can just get on and off as you'd like. Just an idea. and then you will have plenty of time for the sights and sounds of Key West !!

 

[CVW]

How's the schooner ride? How does it compare to the glass bottom boat? Will they get bored?

 

[UMTerp]

My DD 4 and DS 8 were very bored on the conch train (different from the trolley). We could not get on and off. Half-way through they had a stop to sell you photos and have you buy stuff from a gift shop. We didn't return after the break. Wanted to go to the butterfly museum but didn't realize it was so far from the port - near the southernmost point (I believe).

 

[WDWLVR]

We didn't have any kids in our party, but I think what we did would hold the interest of children. We started with the Trolley and took that all the way around to the Southernmost point (there were a number of stops you can get off before here, but this is where we got off). Did the Southernmost point (about a two block walk from the trolley), then the Butterfly conservatory (another 2 block walk), then we walked up to Hemmingways House (this was a longer 6-8 block walk, but we could have gotten then if we got back on the trolley - we just wanted to walk). After that we walked up Duval street (again we could have boarded the trolley but wanted to walk). Later in the day we did do the Aquarium and thought it was nice - nothing major like we have here in Chicago, but it was great to see them feed the sharks and rays and they had some cute turtles as well.

I really recommend the trolley - it is so easy to get around and you can do as much or as little walking as you want with it.

 

[plutospup]

DD6 really enjoyed the Butterfly museum. There were hundreds of very colorful butterflies flying around. Sometimes you had to watch where you were walking so you didn't step on them!

 

[AnnMorin]

Especially the saw fish I had never seen one of them. When the feed the sharks it is cool, and you can pet a baby one. DS (nine at the time) really enjoyed it, it is homey and old fashioned not like the Boston Aquarium or Mystic. Oh and if you show them your key to the world card they will give you a discount. I think it was like $2.00 off per person.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hi this is Shirley and a born-native of Key West - I have some very informative information on Key West - the packet also has discount tickets etc that would help while in my hometown - the cost is only a LARGE envelope that is self addressed with about $3.75 worth of stamps on it - there is no strings attached for this service - Now my hubby and I are planning another trip home and I hope to bring back a lot more information and hopefully more discount coupons -

One of the things I often mention is that Key West offers very little for children to do unfortunalty, but it has always been that way - it is an adult playground, but there is things you can do with children - the conch trip for most part is boring for young children - it is tho the only way to get almost the full history of Key West - the butterfly farm is a neat place - I did go see it (wish they would have something like that when I was growing up) and I do have discount tickets for it - the aquarium is also nice - the lighthouse is great tho the walking up is very long and hard on little's one legs -

Anyhow if I can help further, just drop me at note at snelsonbrown@aol.com.

Always
Shirley and Norm