Can you bring the kids to Key West? It’s the question that’s on your mind if you’ve been thinking of planning a Key West family vacation. Yes! Key West is a kid-friendly destination packed with fun for the whole family.
From white-sand, shallow-water beaches that are perfect for “sunning and running” to historic landmarks in Old Town Key West, your entire family is about to bond while splashing, laughing, and learning in this place we like to call the Conch Republic.
A tour we think you'll love
Here are seven activities for kids and parents you need to know about if you’re planning a family vacation in Key West!
1) Booking A Magical Sandbar Tour
Most tourists who fly in or arrive on cruise ships are never told that many of the best views in Key West can only be experienced from its sandbars. If your goal is to bond while you explore off-the-beaten-path beauty with your kids, look no further than a Key West sandbar charter. Let’s cover what you need to know about planning this type of excursion.
Dreamy, remote sandbars pepper Key West’s backcountry waters. The only way to access them is with help from an experienced captain. That’s where Key West Boat Trips comes in! We offer relaxing sandbar excursions that allow you to recharge and bond with the family while floating away from the crowds in search of stunning sandbars that offer once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities.
Here’s what you can choose during your upcoming Key West family vacation:
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Hop from sandbar to sandbar during this three-hour to four-hour excursion that lets you customize your itinerary based on the sandbars that interest you most. It’s just a 25-minute journey from your pickup point to the sandbars! This excursion includes the mangrove trails of Mud Keys and time with the locals at Snipe Point.
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Enjoy a two-hour sunset cruise featuring a picturesque ride to and from the marina that anchors at the sandbar. Once we dock, you can jump in the warm, shallow water to enjoy the sunset from your spot in the “middle of the ocean.” Bring the camera!
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Tell the family you’ve booked a mangrove safari! This two-hour experience features a leisurely ride through backcountry waters to reach the Mud Key Sanctuary. This is one of the best places to see the tropical birds of South Florida in the wild!
Our Key West kid friendly boat trips cater to families looking for bonding opportunities! While kids love the thrill of being on the water, parents appreciate the slow-paced, remote nature of our excursions.
Planning a family trip to Key West has never been easier! Let our experienced team take care of the details while you focus on making memories. Reserve your spot with Key West Boat Trips today!
2) Exploring The Key West Aquarium
The Key West Aquarium is one of the island’s most popular and beloved kid friendly attractions. This public aquarium is most famous for its large touch tanks that bring the mystery and splendor of the waters surrounding the Florida Keys right to your fingertips.
Both younger and older kids love all of the interactive exhibits that allow them to get friendly with wondrous ocean creatures! The aquarium is home to sea turtles, tropical fish, eels, sea urchins, and more.
Pro Tip: The Touch Tank and Sea Turtle Conservation Tour are two of the most popular attractions for the whole family, including kids of all ages!
3) Watching A Sunset At Mallory Square
There’s nothing better than finding a free Key West family attraction! Here’s one that your kids are going to remember forever. For decades, crowds have gathered nightly at Mallory Square in Key West to watch a glowing, ethereal sunset paint the sky.
In fact, Mark Twain, Tennessee Williams, and Ernest Hemingway are among the countless artists and icons who have been inspired by these sunsets over the decades!
Key West is home to some of the most stunning sunsets in the U.S., and watching the sun dip below the horizon is an unforgettable experience for the whole family!
Pro Tip: Come early to catch live entertainment and grab food from the food trucks that line the square nightly.
4) Relaxing At Nice Beaches In Key West
Key West is one of the best places to shake off the stress of a busy season in life with some lazy beach days with the kids. In an overstimulated world, there’s something valuable about trading screens for sun and sand.
From fishing to snorkeling, local beaches offer so many ways to enjoy the local lifestyle. Here’s a rundown of some kid friendly Key West beaches:
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Smathers Beach – Perfect if you’re looking for a large beach with smooth, rock-free sand.
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Higgs Beach – A top pick if you want to do a little snorkeling with the older kids. Expect to see fish surrounding you in the water!
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Truman Waterfront Park – Combines a peaceful waterfront area with a playground and splash pad for kids to explore.
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Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park – Perched where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Gulf of Mexico, this beach at the southern end of the park is a haven for swimming, snorkeling, and paddling. Sea turtle sightings are big here! You’ll also see locals fishing and shooting the breeze while waiting for bonefish and tarpon to bite.
Fun Fact: Key West’s beaches are not only beautiful but also home to unique wildlife! You might spot colorful fish, sea turtles, and even dolphins while enjoying a relaxing day by the water.
5) Enjoying A Yummy Breakfast At Blue Heaven
Everyone in Key West knows Blue Heaven for its iconic pancake breakfasts! Your kids will love made-from-scratch plain, banana, pineapple, blueberry, or pecan stacks served warm with syrup and fresh-squeezed juice.
Parents will also appreciate that there’s good food that appeals to more adult tastes. Spend time enjoying a slow, relaxing breakfast with a menu offering egg sandwiches, eggs any style with bacon or sausage, omelets, shrimp and grits, and much more!
The lovely outdoor dining area here might inspire you to come back later in the day for dinner and cocktails. If you do, be sure to finish up with this spot’s famous Key Lime Pie featuring a buttery cracker crust, freshly squeezed lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and heaps of meringue!
This popular spot for a night out also features live music and an incredible cocktail menu to put you in a Caribbean state of mind!
6) Fluttering Around At The Key West Butterfly And Nature Conservatory
Roam among hundreds of butterflies as they soar high in a glass-domed sanctuary at this popular family attraction! This is one of the best places for kids if you’re looking for indoor attractions in Key West.
In addition to hosting around 60 butterfly species from around the globe, this conservatory also has exotic birds and flamingoes!
Be sure to take your time strolling through the lush, tropical gardens filled with colorful flowers and waterfalls. The peaceful atmosphere makes it a magical experience for both kids and adults, and you might even have a butterfly land right on you!
Good To Know: Its convenient location on Duval Street puts it within walking distance of many hotels and attractions.
7) Exploring History And Culture In Old Town Key West
Many families visiting with school-aged kids take the opportunity to visit Hemingway House, see the Southernmost Point buoy, and climb the Key West Lighthouse while in Old Town. Old Town is a beloved historic district that’s famed for its well-preserved buildings, lush courtyards, and landmarks that highlight the island’s unique history and culture.
Downtown Key West is also contained within this district. If walking from point to point seems overwhelming with younger kids, consider hopping on a Conch Train. Operating since 1958, the Conch Train brings you on a 60-minute loop through Duval Street and Old Town. You can also bundle your ride with a walking tour and tickets to popular attractions along the route.
Is Key West Family Friendly? Let Us Prove It to You!
Helping families make memories that will last a lifetime is what we’re all about! We know that coming to the Florida Keys with little ones can feel overwhelming if this is your first visit. That’s why our team is here to help you explore some of the most beautiful areas of Key West without the need to plan ahead on your own.
From sunset cruises that give you a chance to reflect on how far your family has come to pleasure cruises through mangroves, we give you access to the most breathtaking spots in Key West!
You’re going to come home relaxed, recharged, and thankful that you booked this trip that allowed you to experience the magic of Florida’s otherworldly sandbars with your family. We offer affordable rates that families of all sizes will find reasonable.
Make one of our great adventures part of your next trip! Book your spot with us today!
