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Key West or Destin for family vacation?
We live in Central FL and plan on taking a long weekend trip to either Destin or Key West (staying in KW, but spending time in the middle Keys as well) with our 1 and 4 year old boys.
We've already been to KW before and know the drive between Miami and KW is beautiful. We're comfortable with the KW environment (avoiding the party atmosphere with children wouldn't be an issue) and thought they would enjoy seeing the sunset celebration.
We've always heard Destin is beautiful, but have not been there before. Is it more than a beautiful beach? Are there activities for children? If it were just my husband and I traveling, we'd probably pick the relaxing trip on a gorgeous beach. But for those of you with children, you know laying on the beach relaxing just isn't an option with small children:)
Looking forward to hearing input from those who have traveled to Destin!
Re: Key West or Destin for family vacation?
Oh no! LOL My husband and I were just saying that we would never go down to KW during Fantasy Fest. It is definitely not always like that
I don't because we don't stay in hotels, since we have our house there, sorry! We go to Henderson State park, which is a lovely beach that is not crowded at all. I dont know about protected waters, what do you mean by that?
Some coast lines and islands have naturally (or man made) sand bars or other barriers just off shore that creates a calm, more protected area in the water that is perfect for little kids to play in.
Cool! I have never seen that but it doesn't mean they don't have them.
I have actually heard this is a great place for families, it is near Destin -
http://waterscapefortwalton.com/
I was just in KW at the beginning of January. What kinds of things would you do w/ kids?
I didn't get to see the Sunset Celebration (i was busy drinking). My BFF lives in KW, and she said then Sunset Celebration is pretty cool. We did the trolley thing around the island, but I can't imagine that would be fun for kids.
I've never been to Destin, but KW just does not seem to be kid friendly.
The sunset celebration would be the big draw. When we were there last time there were lots of families around. There were a few nice, casual restaurants we really enjoyed there too, including Blue Heaven. We actually enjoy the middle keys too, but there aren't as many hotel options in that area. If we planned a Keys trip, we'd probably stay in KW and do the sunset celebration one night, but also spend time during the day in Islamorada and Bahia Honda Beach. The perfectly calm waters in the keys is a huge plus for us with kids.
I was pregnant when I was in Key West, so maybe that's why I know of non drinking activities/locations to visit. I really didn't have any other choice when I vacationed there. lol I could understand why the bars would be a popular place for those younger and without kids though
I was there w/ Ragnar (the relay that goes from Miami to KW).. it was a huge party.
I did go to the Aquarium, I LOVE aquariums, so that was on my MUST do list. It was okay ..small. But they do have a touch tank, and the girl said that they were opening a sting ray touch tank the middle of January.
There is the dolphin training center somewhere on the one of the upper keys. Islamorada maybe? I went there when I teenager, pretty neat.
We ate breakfast @ Camille's -- the service was slow, but it was packed wall-to-wall with runners - I've heard a lot of great things about it otherwise. We also ate @ the Conch Republic - which was really good. We ordered a ridiculous amount of food and everything was SO good.
we also ate at Red Fish Blue Fish, which is in Mallory Square (my BFF works there) .. i can't really comment on the food much - we ate there Saturday night after we finished the relay and i was so tired i could barely keep my eyes open, much less eat. They have good drinks
We had a lot of drinks there.