One of my all-time favorite places to visit is the Lower Keys in Florida.  It’s like this tropical wonderland in the United States.  Time slows down, and everyone seems so much more relaxed, and happy.  I’ve actually tried to convince my family to move there, but unfortunately, the lack of hockey has them completely against it.  I’ll just have to get my fill when we visit, I guess.

10 things to do in the Lower

Keys with kids

1. Visit the Sugarloaf KOA.

Sadly, the KOA is actually in the process of rebuilding after Hurricane Irma.  If you’re thinking about heading there after October, consider staying in their brand new rebuild.  It was one of the most amazing places we have ever stayed.  Instead of cabins, they rent trailers.  Our deck was literally on the beach area.  If you don’t already know what a KOA is check this post out, they’re all over North America, and pretty much the perfect place to stay with kids (no, they don’t pay me to say that, I just love them that much).

There is so much for families to do there, and since it’s about 20 miles from Key West it’s far enough from the hustle and bustle, and close enough if you do decide to visit.

2. Go snorkeling

Anywhere.  I mean it you can snorkel pretty much anywhere you want to, which means you can find a place to go with even young children.

3. Try the Key Lime Pie.

I’m going to be completely honest and tell you, I am not a fan of key lime pie.  But the lower keys are well- known for their key lime pie.  I’ve known about this for years, and never tried it despite having been there several times.  This year I did.  Everyone but me loved it.  So, I’m obviously the odd one, ad you should try it.

3. Visit the gulf side of the ocean.

The beaches gulf side are generally calmer than the Atlantic side, and therefore make for a much more relaxing trip with small children.

4. Go paddleboarding or kayaking

Natives know all of the good places to go kayaking.  I loved that the KOA not only had a marina staffed with people who knew what they were talking about, they also rented boats, kayaks, and paddleboards.  You can rent them all over the place in the lower keys.

5. Visit the southernmost point

Because you HAVE to!

6. Eat authentic Cuban food.

There is a little (and I actually mean little) Cuban restaurant by mile marker 22 with the most delicious Cuban food.  It’s called Morita’s Cuban Cafe.  Do NOT go to the lower keys without stopping there.

7. Get pizza at A Slice of Paradise (mile marker 24)

We spent some time on tripadvisor this trip.  We wanted to find all the places that might have been overlooked.  This was another one.  The day we went happened to be BOGO or some other crazy special (just perchance).  Our entire family of 6 ate for $20.   The pizza was incredible, and we got to eat outside with chickens, and roosters roaming, and this GORGEOUS channel.  The view was incredible.  It was the perfect, stress free meal with kids.

8. Watch the sunset in Key West.

It’s amazing.

9. Go fishing.

Just like kayaking, there are so many places to go, and the shop at the marina in the Sugarloaf KOA is the perfect place to ask questions.  There are so many people who know what their talking about there!

10. Visit Bahia Honda State Park.

There is so much goodness to explore there and Junior explorers can even get a patch there!

Whatever you do with your family in the lower keys, I am sure you will have an incredible time.  It’s an amazing place with so much natural beauty.

xo, Lorrin

 

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