RV Trip too the Keys

[randlemanboater]

I am going to load up the wife and kids in the RV the day after Christmas and ride down to the Keys for a few days.

What I need is suggestions on:

-Cool places to take the kids....cheeper the better.

-Can you catch diner from land?

-Anyone know of places to park and sleep in the RV down that way? (we are more nomadic than the "set up camp and stay for days" type travelers).

-Where's the best food at reasonable prices?

-Any info you guys can give that will help me to show the family a good time.

I have been studying everything I can about the area on the net and have read lots of posts on RV forums, just thought I'd ask here since I know there are several Floridians on here.

Also suggestions for on the way down and back of things to stop and check out would be great as well.

Thanks in advance!

[phatdaddy]

i'm sure you'll get plenty of good ideas on the keys, but a place my family always enjoyed was st augustine. not sure if it would fit your driving schedule but might be a good midway point. there is a state park on the beach (anastasia, i think) and my kids love exploriing the old fort and the fountain of youth attraction. we went to the space center one year and did not enjoy it that much. lotta static displays and look but don't touch stuff and we had about 100 fifth graders ,so it was not too much fun for them. there is also a mock early settlement in st augustine that they also enjoyed.

sounds like a good trip'
enjoy

[THEFERMANATOR]

How far into the keys are you wanting to go? Will you be in just your RV, or are you bringing a towed vehicle with you? This time of year the weather isn't really the best down there as the wind tends to blow non stop. BAHIA HONDA is a good place to head to for camping at reasoneable prices in the lower keys as it is a state park. BIG PINE KEY is a nice area and is just an island or 2 south from there. CUDJOE KEY is also a decent island to head towards. After you go past MARATHON(VACA KEY) over the seven mile bridge things get pretty pricey. I believe there is also a state park in the TAVERNIER area if your not wanting to head deep into the keys. I haven't ever spent much time in the upper keys, but ISLAMORADA is a pretty big island with alot of tourist type stuff.

[parishht]

Pedro says

"ju has to stop at sout o da bouder"







I just had to, I couldn't help myself.

[randlemanboater]

Ferm, just the RV, I haven't bought a tow dolly or tow bar yet. I figure as long as we are there, we will at least pass through Key West, I know its crowded and expensive there, but if we are that close, might as well.

Parishht, I pick up I-95 south of South of the Border, but I do enjoy the signs on the way back.

[joe7670]

In Key West, Good and not too pricey food can be had at Two Friends Patio Restaurant. I love their food and it's right off Duval.
http://www.twofriendskeywest.com/

On the way down if you take Card Sound Road instead of US1 you can hit up Alabama Jacks for some excellent conch fritters and other seafood and good prices as well. The entrance to card sound is just after Florida City on the left.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...s_Florida.html

Havent been after having kids so cant help with kids fun stuff. Everglades is a posibility depending on their age. It's inexpensive and can see gators...

Fishing of the bridges in the keys is supposedly excellent, but must learn where and when and the tides ... Maybe a site online where you can get some help with when and where.

My coleague at work claims the best key lime pie anywhere is at Herbi's in Marathon. It's a dive. I haven't had their food but the key lime is quite good. I like Joe's Stone Crab's key lime pie better(In Miami).
Joe's is expensive, but excellent food if want to stop in Miami.
Obvisously plenty of latin and other good restaurants in Miami too.

[phatdaddy]

rmb, just remembered long key st park as a back up to bahia honda. campsites on the beach but its about mm 65 so a pretty good treck to the end. pretty nice park, but not a lot of tourist stuff around there

[randlemanboater]

Thanks for all the tips so far.....keep em comming.

I've never had a conch fritter, but I'm looking forward to it.

[lumberslinger178]

What time will you be coming to jersey to get me ? I'm up early

[THEFERMANATOR]

HERBIES in MARATHON is probably closed right now as they are a seasonal restaurant. With your RV the keys will be a chore to navigate as many of the roads and streets are very narrow and parking is limited. Another option to consider is maybe rent a car while you're down there. I'm pretty sure MARATHON and ISLAMORADA both have a rental car place as I believe they both have an airport. The drive across TAMIAMI TRAIL(US 41) is very scenic and isolated, and takes you right through the glades and several pull offs. Be advised though it is a scenic road and tends to be bumpy. On your way down definately take card sound road as the last time I was there they were 4 laning US1 and it had some pretty heavy back-ups on it.