Key west at Xmas
 

We're spending the Christmas holiday in Key West this year.

Anyone got any recommendations on places to see / visit and restaurants to go to?

The Hemingway house is top of our list.

What is there to do for kids? Anything aside the pool / beach?

We're driving from the mid west and I kind of think that's going to turn into a mare with the kids in the back!

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

Parrot is a nice bar.

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

Not many beaches, and they are man-made. It's sort of a party place really. You should have nice weather though. Just book somewhere with a nice pool, and kids will love it.

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

When you drive down,take your time from Florida City to Key West,stop where you want.....i usually stop in marathon,and use there public beach.onward's to the seven mile bridge which begin's on the marathon side,you could have a walk on the old bridge,which is pedestrian for walking,right next to the seven mile bridge....you can walk on the other side of bridge as well...You can visit bahia honda state park,not a good beach though,if you want ...the head on into key west....el ciboney on catherine st,for good cuban breakfast....you can walk key west,and bahamian village,mallory,beach etc.

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

Thank you. We are going to peg it on the way down there but we are taking a more leisurely pace on the way home so we could do the marathon stop then.

we are really looking forward to being able to walk Key West. One of the reasons we chose it, we get so claustrophobic being stuck in our cars all the time.

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

The best happy hour in Key West.
Feed you and your family for a great price.
Powerful half-price cocktails for mum and dad.

http://alonzosoysterbar.com/page9/page8/page8.html

And as mentioned the Green Parrot is a great bar if you can get a baby-sitter for the kids.
As a rule the further away you walk from the start of Duval the better.

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

I am getting the feeling that Duval is erm a bit full on partywise and I guess should be avoided with kids??

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

It's nice, but not especially for little kids. It's a big spring break destination.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g3...a:Beaches.html

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

Not knowing how old your kids are or whether you have thought this one through but are you REALLY sure about Key West ?
It is and always has been an adult's party town with very little in the way of entertainment provided for children.
There really are far better places in Florida to take children on a holiday.
Seriously, you'll be surrounded by a lot of adults getting pissed, there's hardly any beach to speak of and it's a hell of a schlepp from the Mid-West.
By my reckoning ( okay,Google Maps ) it's about a 22 hour drive.
And another 22 hours back.
With kids in the back !

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

yes we had figured it was a massive drive and we kind of knew it was a party town. But i will never take my kids to Orlando / disney world etc. we are dead set against all that commercialisation of childhood, so we were looking for somewhere that was def open on Christmas day (darned if I am cooking) was going to be nice and warm and that we didnt have to fly to. Already paid up so too late now! I hope its not too, too party though as with no baby sitter we cant join in!
Did we make a massive mistake?

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

Not necessarily although without knowing the age of your children it's hard to say.
If they're very young it won't really matter where they are provided there's a pool and a beach.
And if they're slightly older then there are always things like boat trips and snorkeling,plus there are loads of places for a family to eat together in the evening.
You really ought to consider a professional baby-sitting service for at least part of the time to give you some time off at night.
But space is at a premium in Key West so everything is geared to what makes the most money - adults partying.
I know what you mean about the comercialisation of childhood, we felt the same about our kids,specifically Disney.
But on the other hand theme and water parks are massive fun for kids and keeping them amused and having fun is really what childhood is all about.
Hemingway's house is interesting for adults but again,I really can't see children being anything other than bored with it.It is,after all, just a house once lived in by a writer.
And remember you can't re-create your own childhood for your children as times and tastes change.You've got to let them create their own.

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

They're 2 and 4 so I think they'll have fun in the pool and beach. They're easily pleased right now. We really wanted somewhere we could walk around and ditch the car for once.

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

In that case you're fine.
At that age the kids won't mind where they are and a pool to splash about it is all they'll need.

www.keywestattractions.org/key-west-for-kids.php

I'm not sure where you're staying but do investigate the possibility of professional baby-sitters, even if it's just for one night to have a meal and a few drinks just round the corner.

www.sittercity.com/babysitters/fl/key-west.html

And going back to commercialisation of childhood - there's a lot to see and do in Florida's theme parks as the kids get older and you can avoid the Disneyfication of kids.
Places like Sea World are genuinely interesting for them and I remember as my children got older getting huge satisfaction from watching them conquering their fears and trepidation by going on roller-coasters and Wild N'Wet kamikaze slides.
Don't deny them their fun when young because with the internet and social media they're going to grow up much faster than you ever did ! :nod:

Re: Key west at Xmas
 

On the way down, stop in at Big Pine Key. There is a pub called the No Name Pub. Seemed kid friendly, food wasn't bad, and the place is covered (floor to ceiling) in dollar bills. Was a little difficult to find but that could have been the navigators fault.

CWT