What makes Key West extra special for kids and families are the unique opportunities to get out and explore nature. Not only are the Florida Keys home to the world’s third largest coral reef, but our near shore waters and mangrove islands are teeming with amazing wildlife. On Fury’s Local’s Eco Tour Eco-Tour, your family can enjoy a comfortable boat ride through the serene “backcountry,” bird watch while kayaking through mangrove tunnels and snorkel sponge gardens of small fish, all while learning about the wildlife above and below the water.
Feed a stingray and touch a shark
The Key West Aquarium is a favorite for young visitors to our island! Here you’ll find numerous exhibits containing fish and marine life native to the Florida Keys. The touch tank with conch, sea stars and horseshoe crabs is always a hit with the kids, but the biggest draws are the scheduled shark and stingray feedings where kids have opportunities to touch a nurse shark and feed a stingray! Admission is free for kids three and under.
Watch a movie in the park
If your family visits Key West between October and May, there’s a good chance you can have a fun family night like the locals do. On the first and third Fridays of the non-summer months, Key West Outdoor Movies hosts a free movie night in Bayview Park. Kid-friendly movies and cartoons are chosen by popular vote on their website. Bring a blanket and a cooler, or enjoy food and drinks from on-site vendors.
See butterflies and tropical birds up close
Perfect for families with children of all ages, the indoor Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory treats guests to up close encounters with beautiful butterflies, colorful birds and vibrant flowering plants. See more than 50 butterfly species and over 20 exotic bird species in their special, climate-controlled habitat. You won’t want to miss the Conservatory’s amazing gift shop full of souvenirs, toys and locally crafted artistic displays that you can’t find anywhere else.
Listen to ghost stories
Families with older children or youngsters not easily scared may be interested in one of the island’s several ghost tours. Some are walking tours while others use trolleys, some feature theatrical guides dressed up in period costumes, while others use ghost hunting equipment and gauges. Children are welcome on the tours while accompanied by a parent or guardian, though some tours refer to their story content as being PG-13. Contact the ghost tours with questions about the age appropriateness of their experience.
CALL (888) 222-5590