Plan a Summer Family Getaway to Key West, Florida

If the idea of another family getaway to Florida has you groaning at the idea of more time surrounded by Mickey Mouse and his pals at Disneyland, here’s an idea for a compromise. In Key West, there’s plenty of kitschy fun to keep the kids entertained, yet the destination also offers lots of appeal for adult as well.

Situated at the very tip of the Florida keys, a chain of islands that stretches south of Miami into the Caribbean, Key West is perhaps best known for being the home of Ernest Hemingway for many years. But it’s also a popular spot for both families and single travelerrs, who come to explore the beautiful natural surroundings or enjoy the laid back vibe of the island.

Among the most popular family friendly activities in Key West are the butterfly and nature conservatory, Ripley’s Museum and glass-bottomed boat tours to see the area’s abundant natural wildlife, like colorful fish, dolphins, and coral. Of course, you could just spend most of your time lounging on the beach, so combined with the fact that it’s pretty easy to find cheap hotels in Key West, it makes for a rather inexpensive vacation destination. Summer is off-season, so in addition to scoring lodging discounts, you may also find that cheap tickets to Florida are more plentiful.

So the kids are covered, but what about Mom and Dad? Key West offers great golfing, fishing, scuba and snorkeling, history – like the Hemingway House and Shipwreck Museum – and of course, the famous Duval Street nightlife.  From salsa bars to bars with views to laid-back beer bars to sports bars (with tvs for keeping up with the World Cup 2010 action) there’s no shortage of nightlife options for the older crowd.

Photo by gusdiaz