**Written by a special guest author: Tara Hallie from Eat, Pray, Love to Travel**
With almost 220 sunny days per year, endless stretches of gorgeous, sandy beaches and a climate that makes most of us swoon, it’s no wonder that the state of Florida receives nearly 125 million visitors each year! And, with so many unique and beautiful areas of the state to visit, how does one choose WHERE to go on their next Florida family vacation? Once you read this helpful Family Friendly Guide to Key Largo, Florida, you’ll see why this destination should be next on your family’s vacation bucket list.
When I speak of the northernmost Florida Keys, I am referring to the northernmost inhabited set of islands close to and surrounding Key Largo. After all, there are 1,700 islands in the entire Florida Keys archipelago! However, only a few are actually populated and connected to the mainland via the Overseas Highway of the Florida Keys. Even fewer are close to, or surround, Key Largo in the north.
Key Largo – Perfect Family Accommodations
The Florida Keys consists of such a vast, beautiful area comprising over 137 square miles of water and land. There are so many places to stay, gorgeous beaches to visit, water and land activities to try out and plenty of exciting attractions to see in case you need to get out of the sun for a day! How does one choose?
The last time we visited the Florida Keys, it was immediately following a Royal Caribbean Cruise that ended in Miami, Florida. We wanted to stay in a relaxed, quiet area free from lots of traffic and noise. We also didn’t want to drive several hours after disembarking from a cruise ship in Miami so we opted to stay in the northernmost part of the Florida Keys; specifically Key Largo.
Key Largo and the area that surrounds it has so much to offer!
Being a family of five who desired some extra room to sprawl out after cruising the Caribbean, we opted to rent a townhouse at the Mariners Club Key Largo. The Mariner’s Club is a gated, up-scale ocean-front community that surrounds a beautiful marina and opens right up onto the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
We loved the size of the spacious townhome, the overall cleanliness of the facilities and how quiet and relaxing the Mariner’s Club community felt. Here, there was a laid-back vibe and the property never appeared overly-populated. This was especially fantastic considering we were visiting during high season in early March.
The main pool area of the Mariner’s Club is absolutely stunning!
My three boys grew gills on this portion of the trip! We had to pull them out of the pool each day just to take a few rest breaks and eat lunch. The Mariner’s Club pool facility was huge! The photo shows about half of the pool itself. It is directly adjacent to the gorgeous blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean so the view is phenomenal!
Key Largo – Family Activities & Attractions
There are literally hundreds of activities and attractions in the Florida Keys! How do you decide?
We opted to have a few “must-see” activities planned and a few “optional activities” just in case we needed a break from the townhouse. Fortunately, the place we stayed at was so fantastic that we never felt that we had to get out of the Mariner’s Club community.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park ~ Key Largo, Florida
The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first underwater park in the United States. It encompasses approximately 70 square nautical miles of shallow water reefs, navigable mangroves, beautiful beaches and expansive wildlife and plants.
The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers something for every outdoor enthusiast! From Snorkeling & Scuba Diving Tours, to Glass Bottom Boat Tours and Kayak & Paddleboard rentals to beaches and campsites – there is something for everyone while visiting the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
My very first snorkeling adventure – EVER – occurred at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park over 20 years ago! It was during that snorkeling tour that my love for the ocean and underwater life began to flourish. I’ll never forget that adventure! I feel that it’s something all families should experience if you visit the Florida Keys.
For more information regarding the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park amenities, tour operations and rentals, click HERE.
Theater of the Sea – Islamorada, Florida
If you’re looking for a fun family-friendly activity that doesn’t involve a beach, then you should definitely consider visiting Theater of the Sea in Islamorada, Florida!
The Theater of the Sea features lush lagoons, tropical gardens and natural homes to dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, and birds. Their mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment to these animals while sharing them with visitors during up close and personal shows and live interaction programs.
The exciting thing about the Theater of the Sea is that you can spend an entire day here! It’s not just an animal park with a few shows. There are so many different animal exhibits, interactive shows, opportunities to swim with sea lions, dolphins, rays, sharks & turtles, as well as private snorkel cruise adventures! The options are endless! Visiting the Theater of the Sea will provide an entire day of fun for the whole family. Click HERE to learn more about the endless options at Theater of the Sea.
Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary – Tavernier, Florida
The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary serves as a natural refuge for 90+ non-releasable birds, representing almost 40 different species. The birds who live at the Sanctuary have suffered irreversible injuries which prohibits them from safely returning to their natural, wild habitats. However, they are able to live in this natural refuge which serves to create awareness and educate the public.
This Sanctuary is so unique and really beautiful! For the everyday visitor, their boardwalk offers the opportunity for a self-guided tour. The boardwalk follows along marked areas with educational signs ending at the bay. It is a perfect spot to take in a classic Florida Keys sunset! If you are planning to visit the Sanctuary at 8 a.m. or mid-afternoon, stick around to see the Brown Pelican feeding. It’s so fun and the kids love it!
The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary is open 365 days per year and is FREE to the public. Donations are most welcome.
Key Largo – A Slice of Key Lime Pie Heaven
Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory – Tavernier
I love key lime pie. Like really love it. So naturally, we needed to get our hands on the very best while visiting the Florida Keys!
The Blond Giraffe has been featured in magazines such as Southern Living and Coastal Living, so obviously I paid attention and made special note before we even left for vacation. Venues don’t just make it into these types of publications; their product MUST be worthy of this level of representation.​
The Blond Giraffe’s Key Lime Pie is based on a recipe handed down by the co-owner’s grandmother. A recipe that old has to be good! This cute little shop has all sorts of key lime offerings – from whole pies to individual slices to frozen pie on a stick, chocolate-dipped key lime pie and many different types of key lime flavored products such as cookies, pretzels and candies.
The Blond Giraffe is quite small, so make sure to keep your eyes open for it while traveling on the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys.
Green Turtle Inn – IslamoradaÂ
The Green Turtle Inn is an iconic piece of the Florida Keys history! Featured on an episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, their key lime pie is something to write home about!
The Green Turtle Inn’s irresistable crust is made of ground macadamia nuts which pairs so well with the classic sweet-tart filling…then they add a giant dollop of whipped cream on top with berry syrup and a side of strawberries. It’s absolute amazing!
Key Largo – Best Family Friendly Beaches
Far Beach at John Pennekamp State Park
Situated near mile marker 120 inside the John Pennekamp State Park sits probably the most popular public beach in the northernmost keys – Far Beach.Â
Far Beach is the most popular probably because of its location and how perfect it is! This beach offers soft sand with palm trees that dot the edges for a little sun reprieve. The waters surrounding this area are particularly warm and shallow which is great for families with younger children. This area is also popular for snorkelers making it a prime spot for some underwater exploration.
Cannon Beach at John Pennekamp State ParkÂ
This beach earned its name due to its unique historical background: real 17th century cannons can be found sitting along the sand! This is so cool and my children found this to be incredibly interesting.
Just like Far Beach, the waters surrounding this beach are shallow, warm and calm making this an ideal beach for just about everyone! If you are an experienced diver, you can swim a little ways out to sea to find an old Spanish shipwreck beneath the surface. This beach has a little something for everyone to enjoy!
Harry Harris Park
If you’re looking for a full park facility with more than just sand and water, then the Harry Harris Park is perfect for you!
Harry Harris Park offers play areas for children, pavilions, public rest areas, bike trails and even a small tidal pool for the kids. It’s free if you visit during the week and open the entire day. This park will provide a full day of fun in Key Largo!
Anne’s Beach
This beautiful beach is outfitted with picnic tables and a nice boardwalk to take a stroll along. The waters here are exceptionally calm and shallow so it’s perfect for families.
It’s Time to Plan That Family Vacation to Key Largo…
Now that you’ve read all about the fantastic things to do in Key Largo, Florida for families, hopefully it will inspire you to put this destination on your family’s bucket list! Key Largo, and the surrounding Keys are a “must see!”Â
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Until next time…Eat Well. Travel Often. Love Much.
XOXO
