Exploring Islamorada with Children: Discovering 27 Fascinating Activities for Your Family Trip in Florida Keys
Islamorada, a charming island town in the Florida Keys, offers more than just beautiful beaches and parks. This vibrant destination is packed with kid-friendly activities that blend education, wildlife interaction, and adventure. Here are some must-visit spots for families looking to explore beyond the sandy shores.
Interactive Animal Shows and Swimming with Dolphins
At the Theater of the Sea, children can enjoy interactive animal shows featuring dolphins, sea lions, parrots, and more. For an unforgettable experience, there's even the opportunity to swim with dolphins and learn about marine conservation 1, 2.
Marine Life Encounters and Eco Tours
Robbie’s of Islamorada is a lively spot where kids can feed tarpon fish, snorkel, kayak, and take glass-bottom boat tours to view marine life. Older children and families can also enjoy parasailing 3. Private snorkeling, sightseeing, and eco boat tours, such as those by A Family Fun Boat Tour Company, offer wildlife spotting including manatees, dolphins, and birds, giving kids an immersive nature experience on the water 1, 5.
Historical and Educational Experiences
The Florida Keys History & Discovery Center displays the unique ecology and history of the Upper Keys. The History of Diving Museum offers engaging exhibits on diving history with artifacts, books, and photos, providing an educational experience suitable for older kids [1]. Visiting the Alligator Reef Lighthouse area provides a unique educational spot with stories about local shipwrecks and marine history [1].
Geology and Nature Outings
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park offers a hands-on geology and nature outing for children, where they can explore fossilized coral reefs and nature trails [1].
Shopping and Dessert Delights
After a day of adventures, families can unwind at Rain Barrel Village, a shopping area in Islamorada with a giant lobster sculpture and a collection of shops and art studios. For sweet treats, Blond Giraffe and Trading Post are famous for their Key Lime dessert concoctions, while Keys Chocolates and Ice Cream and Marker 88 serve up ice cream delicacies, pies, and fresh seafood 6, 7, 8, 9.
Resorts and Entertainment
Several resorts in Islamorada offer a variety of family-friendly amenities. Lorelei's Restaurant and Cabana Bar at mile marker 82 offers live music, tables on the beach, a kids menu, and reasonable prices 10. Cheeca Lodge & Spa at mile marker 82 features two oceanfront family pools, a third adults-only pool, fishing, water sports, golf, tennis, pickleball, and a world-class spa 11. La Siesta Resort and Villas at mile marker 80 offers traditional resort-style amenities, including a zero-entry pool ideal for little ones and complimentary kayak and paddleboard rentals [1].
Finally, the Islamorada Community Entertainment Amphitheater hosts top local acts and provides charitable music programs for area students 12.
These activities make Islamorada a fantastic destination for families seeking a mix of education, wildlife interaction, and adventure beyond the beach and park outings.
References:
- Florida Keys Travel Guide
- Theater of the Sea
- Robbie's of Islamorada
- A Family Fun Boat Tour Company
- Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
- Rain Barrel Village
- Blond Giraffe
- Keys Chocolates and Ice Cream
- Marker 88
- Lorelei's Restaurant and Cabana Bar
- Cheeca Lodge & Spa
- Islamorada Amphitheater
- At the Theater of the Sea, families can enjoy interactive animal shows and even swim with dolphins, making for a unique blend of lifestyle enjoyment and education about marine conservation.
- For an exciting mix of home-and-garden and travel experiences, families can visit Robbie’s of Islamorada, where children can feed tarpon fish, kayak, and take glass-bottom boat tours, while older kids can enjoy parasailing and eco tours that offer wildlife spotting.
