Bus From Marathon (www.kwtransit.com).
Car Park at 300 Grinnell St, and take a hop-on hop-off trolley tour.
Ferry From Fort Myers (seakeywestexpress.com)
Visitor information Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce, 510 Greene St, 33040; 305 294 2587; www.keywestchamber.org
Open Most sights are open daily; check websites for timings.
Prices Key West Aquarium: $50–64. Eco-Discovery Center: free. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: $6 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: $38–52; cash only. Key West Lighthouse Museum: $30–40. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: $41–8. Most sights are free for under 6s.
Cutting the line The sights are busiest during the spring break, Fantasy Fest (Oct), and when cruise ships are in port.
Guided tours Check www.conchtourtrain.com and www.cityviewtrolleys.com for details.
Age range 5 plus
Allow 3–5 days
Restrooms In most sights
Good family value? Online discounts make Key West’s sights affordable. At the beaches, the only charge is for parking.
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Big Pine Key
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Practical Information
Address National Key Deer Refuge: 179 Key Deer Blvd, 33043; 305 872 0774; www.fws.gov/nationalkeydeer
Bus Key West Transit (www.kwtransit.com) runs buses from Key West to Marathon daily.
Visitor information Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, 31020 Overseas Hwy (MM 31), Big Pine Key, 33043; 800 872 3210; www.lowerkeyschamber.com
Open National Key Deer Refuge: sunrise–sunset daily
Price National Key Deer Refuge: free
Guided tours Guided walks take place Dec–Mar. Visitors can even download a bird list from the website. Big Pine Key Kayaking Adventures (www.keyskayaktours.com) takes tours into the refuge.
Age range 5 plus
Allow Half a day for the refuge, a full day if kayaking
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Bahia Honda State Park
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Practical Information
Address 36850 Overseas Hwy (MM 37), 33043; 305 872 2353; www.bahiahondapark.com
Bus Key West Transit runs buses from Key West to the park’s entrance daily.
Visitor information Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, 31020 Overseas Highway (MM 31), Big Pine Key, 33043; 800 872 3210; www.lowerkeyschamber.com
Open 8am–sunset daily
Price $8 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian
Cutting the line Arrive early in spring and summer, to avoid long lines at the park entrance.
Age range 2 plus
Activities Ranger-led Beach Walks at 9am on Wednesdays
Allow At least half a day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Marathon
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Practical Information
Address Marathon 33050. Dolphin Research Center: 58901 Overseas Hwy (MM 59); www.dolphins.org. Dolphin Connection: 61 Hawks Cay Blvd (MM 61) at Hawks Cay Resort; www.dolphinconnection.com. Turtle Hospital: 2396 Overseas Hwy (MM 48.5); www.turtlehospital.org. Crane Point: 5550 Overseas Hwy (MM 50.5); www.cranepoint.net. Pigeon Key: 1 Knights Key Blvd (MM 45); www.pigeonkey.net
Bus Key West Transit runs buses from Key West to Marathon daily.
Visitor information Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, 12222 Overseas Hwy (MM 53.5); www.floridakeysmarathon.com
Open Dolphin Research Center: 9:30am–4pm daily. Dolphin Connection: call 1 888 251 3674 to reserve. Turtle Hospital: 9am– 6pm daily (educational center). Crane Point: 9am–5pm Mon–Sat, noon–5pm Sun. Pigeon Key: 9:30am–4pm daily
Prices Dolphin Research Center: $102–112; under 4s free. Dolphin Connection: prices differ with programs; check website. Turtle Hospital: $66–88; under 4s free. Crane Point: $46–52; under 5s free
Age range 4 plus
Allow At least a day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Islamorada
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Practical Information
Address Islamorada 33036. Robbie’s Marina: 77522 Overseas Hwy (MM 77.5); www.robbies.com. Indian Key State Park: 77200 Overseas Hwy; www.floridastateparks.org. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park: www.floridastateparks.org. History of Diving Museum: 82990 Overseas Hwy (MM 83); www.divingmuseum.org. Theater of the Sea: 84721 Overseas Hwy (MM 84.5); www.theaterofthesea.com
Car Rent a car from Key West.
Visitor information Islamorada Chamber of Commerce (MM 83.2); www.islamoradachamber.com
Open Robbie’s Marina & Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park: 9am–5pm Thu–Mon. Indian Key State Park: 8am–sunset daily. History of Diving Museum: 10am–5pm daily. Theater of the Sea: 10am–5pm daily
Prices Indian Key or Lignumvitae Botanical State Park: $10. History of Diving Museum: $34–48; under 5s free. Theater of the Sea: $108–128; under 3s free
Guided tours Florida Keys Kayak (www.kayakthefloridakeys.com) offers a 2-hour kayak back-country tour and sunset tour.
Age range 7 plus for kayaking and diving
Allow A day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Key Largo
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Practical Information
Address Key Largo 33037. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: floridakeys.noaa.gov. Dolphins Plus: Oceanside, 31 Corrine Pl (MM 99), 33037; 1 866 860 7946; www.dolphinsplus.com
Car Rent a car from Key West or Miami.
Visitor information Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, 106000 Overseas Hwy (MM 106); 305 451 1414; www.keylargochamber.org
Open Dolphins Plus: reserve ahead. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: 24 hours daily
Prices Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: free. Dolphins Plus: $79–210 per swimmer
Age range 5 plus
Allow A day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
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Practical Information
Address Overseas Hwy (MM 102.5); www.floridastateparks.org
Car Rent a car from Key West or Miami.
Visitor information Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, 106000 Overseas Hwy (MM 106); 305 451 1414; www.keylargochamber.org
Open Park: 8am–sunset. Visitor Center: 8am–5pm
Price $8 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian
Cutting the line Arrive early in the day to avoid long queues.
Guided tours The 2½-hour snorkeling tours start at 9am, 10:30am, noon, 1:30pm & 3pm daily; equipment rental extra. The 2½-hour glass-bottom boat tours begin at 9:15am, 12:15pm & 3:15pm daily.
Age range All ages
Allow Half a day to a full day
Kids’ Corner Answers
Answers: Where to Eat
Key lime pie.
Mango, papaya, kiwi fruit, star fruit or carambola, passion fruit, avocado, lychee, guava, jackfruit, banana, and tangerine, among others.
Pickles.
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Answers: Coral Gables
Limestone.
Merrick.
Spanish.
Biltmore.
Architecture.
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Answers: Deering Estate at Cutler
Gumbo limbo.
Orange tree.
Mangrove.
Ponytail.
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Answers: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Italy.
A stone barge.
Snakes and sea horses.
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Answers: Miami Seaquarium®
Crocodile.
Killer whale.
Manatee.
Dolphin.
Shark.
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Answers: Ancient Spanish Monaste
ry
French Altar.
It depicts, in miniature, a monk ringing a bell.
Crystals.
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Answers: Flagler Museum
1830.
Tiffany.
Key West.
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Answer: Fort Pierce
(c) Coral.
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Answers: Walt Disney World® Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
An orange grove.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.
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Answers: Walt Disney World® Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
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Answers: Magic Kingdom®
Main Street, USA®.
Sonny Eclipse, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland®.
The Enchanted Tiki Room™ and Pirates of the Caribbean®.
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Answers: Magic Kingdom®
(b).
(c).
(d).
(a).
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Answer: Epcot®
Outside the Mouse Gear shop, behind Innoventions West, and in the area between Future World and World Showcase, alongside the kiddie fountain.
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Answers: Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Hans Christian Andersen.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum.
Archaeologist.
Arendelle.
Hidden fun: There’s a key under the mat; pulling the rope triggers responses from Dr. Dunfor Pullit, an out-of-sight archaeologist supported by the rope
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Answer: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Humphrey Bear at the base supports Donald Duck; Goofy is on Donald’s shoulders. Sitting above Goofy is Mickey Mouse.
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Answers: Universal’s Islands of Adventure®
Incredible Hulk Coaster.
Storm Force Accelatron®.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®.
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall®.
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Answers: Crayola Experience
Industrial pigments.
Eight colors.
Green, yellow, orange, red, violet, blue, brown, and black.
It means "I'm feeling sad".
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Answers: Orlando Science Center
Alligator.
Cuban tree frog.
Turtles.
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Answers: Kennedy Space Center
Apollo 9.
Apollo 10.
Apollo 11.
Apollo 14.
Apollo 16.
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Answers: Kennedy Space Center
Gemini 5.
STS-51J Shuttle Atlantis.
Apollo 13.
Mercury 6.
STS-49 Shuttle Endeavour.
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Answers: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
True.
True.
False. Both parents take turns.
False. They eat fish, squid, and crustaceans.
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Answers: Fernandina Beach
France (1562).
Spain. It was flown thrice, in 1565, 1783, and 1813.
Britain (1763).
North American Patriots flag (1812).
Latin American Patriots’ Green Cross of Florida flag (1817).
Mexican rebel flag (1817).
Confederate flag (1861).
United States flag (1862).
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Answers: Fort Clinch State Park
c.
Both.
Definitely a and b – and some people say ghosts, too.
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Answers: Lightner Museum/Ponce de León Hotel
The imaginary burial place for pirates and sailors at the bottom of the ocean.
Silver coins of lesser value found in pirate hoards.
A drink of rum and water.
Originally meant “hold fast” – as in, stop and pay attention.
Pirate flag, customarily with skull and crossbones.
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Answers: Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Yes.
a.
a.
c.
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Answers: Daytona Beach
18 miles (29 km).
15 seconds.
2.5 million.
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Answers: Florida Museum of Natural History
True.
False. They also eat insects.
False. They’re the only ones.
True. They go to the Yucatán Peninsula.
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Answer: South Walton
Try:
Kite-flying, frisbee-throwing, sunbathing, beach volleyball, surfing, swimming, and many more.
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Answers: Air Force Armament Museum
Over 2,200 miles (3,520 km) per hour.
Above 80,000 ft (24,348 m).
Bunker Buster.
AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile).
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Answers: Pensacola
Spain; USA.
Panzacola Indians.
Pensacola.
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Answers: Tallahassee
1824.
Thomas Jefferson.
Florida State College for Women.
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Answers: Tallahassee Museum
Black panther and alligator.
Mockingbird.
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Answer: Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Orange blossom.
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Answer: Wakulla Springs State Park
Tarzan.
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Answers: San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park
1. 4.
2. 274.
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Answers: Busch Gardens, Tampa
A mob.
Leaves and twigs.
More than 250.
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Answers: The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg
The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.
A watch.
The Hallucinogenic Toreador.
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Answers: Museum of Fine Arts
Poppy by Georgia O’Keeffe.
La Lecture (Reading) by Berthe Morisot.
Le Parlement, effet de brouillard (Houses of Parliament, Foggy Day) by Claude Monet.