Miami South Beach Art Deco hotels and palm trees

Best 5 Days in Florida Keys — Family Friendly

Miami → Upper Keys → Marathon

5 days · 3 cities · 7 activities · route optimized by distance

This family friendly itinerary reshuffles the schedule around family friendly activities — kid-friendly activities and interactive experiences. A moderate mix of walking and active experiences, with plenty of guided experiences. Includes one must-see landmark across Miami and Upper Keys and Marathon.

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

This 5-day Florida Keys family itinerary keeps kids and adults engaged — 7 activities are chosen for accessibility, fun, and manageable pacing across Miami, Upper Keys, and Marathon.

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

7+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 3 cities

Where you'll stay
Hotel in Miami · From $180/night +2 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$940.52 total · $188/day
See budget →
Top picks
Miami's Kid-Friendly Must-Sees, Miami's Kid-Friendly Must-Sees: App guided - half day, Miami's Kid-Friendly Must-Sees: App guided - full day
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

Miami

Miami Miami · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full Miami
Morning
Miami's Kid-Friendly Must-Sees$$~3 hrs

Explore Miami Zoo, the Children's Museum, and Jungle Island with the whole family

Year-round. Indoor/outdoor mix works in any weather.
Afternoon
Miami's Kid-Friendly Must-Sees: App guided - half day$$~3 hrs

Spend a half-day exploring the top sights. With the help of your personalized App Guide, you can pick and choose what yo

🏨 Hotel in Miami

South Beach / Mid-Beach / Brickell

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Travelers book: The Setai Miami Beach $500-900/nightFontainebleau Miami Beach $250-450/nightGenerator Miami $100-200/night
Book Hotel in Miami from $180/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Light Miami
Full Day
Miami's Kid-Friendly Must-Sees: App guided - full day$$~3 hrs

With a full day to explore, you can sightsee at a more leisurely pace and visit more of the sights highlighted in your A

🏨 Hotel in Miami

South Beach / Mid-Beach / Brickell

wifiparkingair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Setai Miami Beach $500-900/nightFontainebleau Miami Beach $250-450/nightGenerator Miami $100-200/night
Book Hotel in Miami from $180/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Miami → Upper Keys
1h 42m Drive straight to the Upper Keys without sightseeing along the route. This is recommended for those who want to maximize

Upper Keys

Upper Keys Upper Keys · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Full Upper Keys
Morning
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder$$$~3 hrs

Get up close with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins at this Key Largo marine research facility

Year-round. Book well in advance — programs are limited capacity.
Afternoon
Florida Keys Eco Boat Tour$$~1h 30m

Cruise the backcountry waters spotting dolphins, manatees, and wading birds with a naturalist guide

$60.52 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round. Manatee sightings best Nov-Mar. Book this tour →
🏨 Hotel in Upper Keys

Key Largo / Upper Matecumbe Key / Venetian Shores

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Travelers book: Casa Morada $350-550/nightCheeca Lodge & Spa $300-500/nightKona Kai Resort and Gallery $200-350/night
Book Hotel in Upper Keys from $265/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Upper Keys → Marathon
1h Drive straight to Marathon without sightseeing along your route. There aren't any major point of interest along the way

Marathon

Marathon Marathon · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 4 Sat, Jul 4 Full Marathon
Morning
Turtle Hospital$$~1 hr

Tour the only state-licensed sea turtle veterinary hospital and meet rescued turtles up close

$35 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round, tours on the hour 9am-4pm. Book in advance — spots fill quickly. Book this tour →
Afternoon
Dolphin Research Center$$~3 hrs

Meet Atlantic bottlenose dolphins at this nonprofit marine research and education facility

$35 Verified Mar 2026 Open daily 9am-4:30pm year-round. Interactive programs book separately.
🏨 Hotel in Marathon

Vaca Key / Sombrero Beach / Boot Key Harbor

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Travelers book: Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa $350-600/nightTranquility Bay Beachfront Resort $250-450/nightHampton Inn Marathon $150-250/night
Book Hotel in Marathon from $185/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 5 Sun, Jul 5 Marathon
Checkout & Depart

Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from Marathon!

Where You’ll Stay

Estimated total: $648–$972

Trip Budget Estimate

$940.52 estimated total per person
$188 per day
Lodging $810
Activities $130.52

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

Typical range for Florida Keys

$500 – $2,500 per person for 5 days

Budget: $100/day — Budget motels, fast-casual dining, public transport Mid-range: $250/day — Hotels, restaurants, car rental Luxury: $500/day — Resorts, fine dining, guided tours

Similar Destinations

Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to Florida Keys.

🧳 Practical Info for Florida Keys

📄 Visa
ESTA required for Visa Waiver Program countries. CA citizens visa-exempt. See US entry requirements.
💵 Tipping
18–20% tip expected at restaurants. Standard US tipping culture applies.
💱 Currency
US Dollar ($ USD). Cards accepted everywhere.
🔌 Power
120V, Type A/B plugs. EU/UK/AU travelers need an adapter.
📶 Connectivity
Good coverage along the Overseas Highway. Some remote keys may have weaker signal.
🚨 Emergency
911 (general emergency)

🚗 Getting Around Florida Keys

🚗 Car

Drive the Overseas Highway (US-1) from Miami through all the Keys — one of America's most scenic drives.

🚌 Bus

Keys Shuttle runs between Miami Airport and Key West with stops along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit?

Spring and fall offer the best weather and fewer crowds. Summer is peak season. Check regional weather patterns for specific conditions.

Do I need to rent a car?

A car is essential for road trips and national parks in the US. Public transit is limited outside major metro areas.

How much does a week cost?

Budget: $100-150/day. Mid-range: $200-350/day. Luxury: $500+/day. Costs vary significantly by region and season.

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