From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Florida Keys

By Janet Groene
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The No-Passport Riviera Vacation

Picture yourself frolicking on a sand beach with your children, then splashing into shallow waters clear as an aquamarine gemstone. You're on an exotic island, yet you had no airport hassle, no passport and no visas.
Although air service is available to Marathon and Key West, most South Florida families simply hit the road and enjoy the passing scenery as they drive down the Keys. After you leave Miami, islands straggle south like one sugar cookie after another. Stop often to shop, shutterbug, nosh or sightsee. That's part of the fun.
The time to celebrate the Florida Keys is summer, when snowbird crowds are gone, rates are at rock bottom and waters are calmer and clearer for snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, diving, and sea kayaking. Yes, it's hot in summer, but the Keys are cooled by sea breezes, and almost every afternoon brings a showery cool-down.
Lodgings range from family-friendly resorts such as longtime favorites Hawk's Key and Cheeca Lodge to beach house communities and familiar chain motels and hotels in all price ranges. What's on your must-have list? Whether it's a bare-bones motel room at budget rates or a fancy resort with spa, beachfront suites, supervised programs, room service and restaurants, you can find the right match for your family.

Here are some of the Keys' best sightseeing highlights for families:

Marathon & Islamorada

Crane Point Museum, Nature Center and Historic Site, MM 50.5, is a hammock settled early in the 1900s by a Bahamian family whose home is still on view here. After children enjoy the hands-on nature exhibits, walk miles of nature trails filled with surprises.

History of Diving Museum, MM 83, is worth a special visit even if you have never taken a deep-sea dive and never will. It's for history buffs, avid divers -- from amateurs to professionals -- and children who love interactive exhibits. Bring your camera to snap the kids with the props provided.
Theater of the Sea, MM 84.5, is one of the oldest and best attractions in the Keys. Many families buy season passes and come here often to absorb the ever-change wildlife scene. Don't just see the shows and rush away. Savor quiet pathways alit with nature. Get reservations if you want to swim with dolphins, sea lions or stingrays.

The Turtle Hospital, Marathon, is a heartwarming look at saving sea turtles. Children age 8 and older will appreciate the heroic work and serious science being done here.

Key West

Dry Tortugas National Park involves a 70-mile ferry ride to Fort Jefferson, so it's a long day for toddlers, but children age 7 and older will never forget the dark, echoing dungeons of this historic fort. The beach is picture-perfect, and you can snorkel in waters clearer than anywhere else in the Keys.

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center provides an entertaining, educational few hours. Science-savvy kids love the interactive exhibits and the mock-up of Aquarius, the underwater ocean lab.

Pat Croce's Pirate Soul Museum is captivating, tasteful and educational for all ages from serious history buffs to children who love pirate movies.

Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is a not-to-be-missed tradition. This nightly art festival features arts and crafts exhibitors, food and street performers.

Ask as you go, and you're never more than a few miles from boats for rent, dive and fishing charters, waterside dining, art galleries and funky shops. The Bass Pro Shop in Islamorada is not just an excellent place to stock up on outdoor gear and casual clothing, but it has a full-size replica of Ernest Hemingway's fishing boat, Pilar. Kids love to take the wheel and play skipper.

Janet Groene is a professional travel writer who creates healthful trail mix recipes posted at www.CreateAGorp.blogspot.com.

Family Travel Briefs

* At Tradewinds Islands Resorts on St. Pete Beach, get a $100 resort credit when you reserve a room at regular rates. Now through Sept. 30, get the deal if you book three nights or more directly with the resort. Use the credit for dining, shopping, at the spa or for children's programs on the property. Kids can ride the three-story-high High Tide Slide, jump on the trampoline and have fun in the KONK (Kids Only) Club. For adults, there are restaurants, a comedy club and a pub crawl. Families together love the water sports and dive-in movies. 800-360-4021,www.justletgo.com/bonus

* Save on a stay in the heart of the city at the plush InterContinental Tampa. Walk to shopping and dining, or drive to the nearby Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo and Busch Gardens. Through Sept. 30, purchase a weekend night Thursday through Sunday at prevailing retail rates, and get either a second night or a second room the same night free. Packages starting at $159 include a disposable camera and a picture frame. 866-402-0758 and mention rate code ILE3P,www.intercontampa.com.

* Even though your family keeps kosher, you can enjoy a home exchange and, like hundreds of other families, get a free vacation. Go towww.jewishhomeswap.com, where family homes are listed worldwide with kosher kitchens and within walking distance of a synagogue.

* Do you want to make a family birthday the event of a lifetime? Whether you will be there or not, you can do the planning and give a family member a "Celebration Vacation" at Walt Disney World. Call, and your own Dream Maker will personalize and customize the gift. Choose a special room, special meals, special experiences, photo ops and much more. 407-393-4438.
*Mark your calendar if you want to be among the first to board the two new Disney Cruise Line ships under construction. Disney Dream will launch in 2011 and Disney Fantasy in 2012. Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are now sailing out of Port Canaveral. Ask your travel agent about packages that include a seamless vacation that takes you and your luggage to the resort before or after the cruise.

* Does your spouse or older child dream of becoming a pilot for fun or a career? The new Let's Go Flying initiative from the nonprofit Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will put you in touch with one of 3,500 flight schools nationwide where discounted introductory flights cost as little as $99.

 