Best time of year to travel to Florida Keys

[d360]

We are thinking of traveling to the keys "for the first time" and have a pretty flexible schedule. What is the best time of the year to travel to the Keys? We were thinking of flying into Miami and driving down. But then also my wife would like to take our daughter to Orlando. I requested only a couple days pleaseee..

If you were a first timer to Florida and had to see Disneyworld and wanted to go to the keys what would you do? any other destinations between here and there?

Thanks,
Dan

[The Travel Slut]

Dan...You can't lose in terms of enjoyment by any of your choices....

The Keys and Disney (WDW) could not be any more different and diverse however and about 6 hours separate the two also depending where in the Keys you plan to go.

The "top" of the Florida Keys are 60-90 minutes south of Miami and can easily be reached in a car (there is limited or no real public transport). You can get a flavor of the Keys by staying in Key Largo between mile markers (MM) 104 and 94 (try to Marina del Mar--a diving resort about MM 96 or 98) but as you drive further south, the waters and views get nicer and the pace much slower until you reach Key West at MM 0. Key West is a whole another world.....but probably not best experienced with kids--although I NEVER turn down a chance at Key West.

I would avoid the Keys during holiday periods or major Festivals (like Fantasy Fest) due to crowds & prices--although in this economy--there are some deals to be had. The best time for the Keys is late spring or late fall for best water conditions if you plan to snorkel/dive and to avoid or minimize both the heat/humidity and the hurricane & rainy season (June-Nov but really August-October).

Otherwise, the Keys are great year-round. One downside if you drive from Miami to Key West (about 160 miles and 3-4 hrs or so).. is that you are then about 6-8 hours from WDW up north in Central FL. and that is without a stop in the Everglades for the requisite Airboat rides to see the alligators.

WDW is about 3 hrs north of Miami if you take the toll turnpike and about 4-5 hours if you take the free Interstate 95 up the coast..... There are some nice sidetrips off I-95 like the Navy Seal Museum, Kennedy Space Station & NASA, Daytona Beach, etc.

WDW itself can be a week-long adventure if you spend 1 day in each of the 4 major theme parks, and one day in a waterpark.

If you had to pick a time to see WDW, I'd really avoid holiday times and stick to mid-weeks during normal school years to minimize crowds.

Is there something more specific you want or need? I'll try my best to help you out.

TS (in Florida for the time being--lol).

[d360]

Also seems like two trips but begin westcoaster's I'd prefer to stay longer and do it all. 10yo daughter likes to do everything "except we don't allow her in bars". Diving a must!

I'll check into a couple options.

flight; seattle >orlando > miami and return miami, seattle.
and
flight; seattle >orlando > keywest and return seattle.

maybe there's a option to eliminate driving so much.

I think WDW 4 days will be more than plenty. After that ready for beach and beer.

Where you stationed in Fl?

[The Travel Slut]

You are on the right track....better to enjoy at locations you want than spend driving 12+ hours for the better part of a week.

I know that Alaska Airlines had some great (under $200 total) fares a while back from SEA to MIA.

TS

[frdsmth9]

December to May is the best and most popular time to travel to the Florida Keys. Temperatures are high and agreeable, but not too high.

You may prefer transitional months as March or September, October and November. They are also excellent months to visit the Florida Keys with one advantage: hotel rates are lower than in the most popular season.

There is another yet more radical alternative, for those who don't mind to support lots of humidity and daily rainfalls: June to October. The rewards are significant reductions in hotel rates - and fewer crowds...

[The Travel Slut]

Just be aware that if you go in October, during Fantasy Fest (usually the last 10 days of the month) that accommodations and prices will be scarce and high....

[samabhi111]

Best of Luck. Enjoy your vacation and after returning post some pics of it.

[Rakhi Chowdhary]

The Florida Keys and Key West (Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, Key West ) - According to the International Game Fish Association, the Florida Keys features more saltwater world records than any other destination. Accommodations, exciting events, or a Florida Keys sunset wedding is what you desire.

The 120-mile-long Florida Keys island chain is linked to mainland Florida by U.S. 1, the Overseas Highway. Visitors to the Upper Keys can fly into Miami International Airport or Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. From there, they can hop on shuttle buses or rent cars and arrive in the Upper Keys in about an hour from Miami or an hour and 45 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale.

In addition, visitors can now fly to Marathon, the small city at the mid-point of the island chain, aboard small airlines such as Florida Coastal Airlines and SeaCoast Airlines. Ground transportation is available in Marathon including shuttle buses and rental cars by Avis, Budget and Enterprise.

As always, visitors can fly to Key West International Airport via connections or direct flights from a host of Florida cities. The airport offers a host of ground transportation options, including local shuttle buses and rental cars.

General aviation enthusiasts and corporate jet operators will find plenty of services at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport and Key West International Airport.

If you choose to drive to Key West from the mainland, or take a shuttle bus, the trip will take about 3.5 hours over U.S. 1, the Overseas Highway.

[troyan]

We've a chance to go to the Keys with our kids this summer, but im concerned about the weather..any thoughts?

[Ruby]

I've been there in August and I can say that it was hot and humid, though I still had a great time diving. Either way, don't let the weather put you off as there's almost always a nice breeze throughout the day and nights aren't too bad. Mu advice since you have kids is to take it easy during the hottest part of the day (12-3pm).

By the way, don't buy into the saying that the northern part of the Keys is cooler...no matter where you stay in Florida Keys it won't make a difference as it will still be hot and humid.