The Perfect Key Largo Weekend Itinerary for Families
Just an hour’s drive from downtown Miami, Key Largo is close enough to drive down for your next Florida Keys vacation, no missed work required. Whether you want to enjoy some quiet rest and relaxation or enjoy a one-of-a-kind family trip to Key Largo, we think you’ll love this Key Largo itinerary with plenty of memory-making fun ideas for you and your loved ones.
Friday Afternoon
When you arrive at Mangrove Marina, you will have plenty of time to get comfortable in your luxury houseboat and explore the marina and everything it has to offer, including our heated freshwater pool and Tiki Huts. You can relax on your private balcony or dip your toes into the water before heading out to the Fin & Juice Bar & Grill located right here in the marina to grab some dinner and drinks. Make sure to tuck in early for the night to get a head start on your mini Florida Keys vacation.
Saturday Morning
While you are waiting for your family to wake up, you can enjoy your coffee on your balcony or head out for some early morning fishing. Once everyone wakes up, grab some refreshing key lime pancakes or cracked conch benedict at the Conch House in Key Largo for breakfast.
After breakfast, it’s time to go fishing. Whether you brought your own boat or prefer to charter a boat, the options are virtually limitless at Mangrove Marina. Islamorada is known as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World with incredible options for fishing both offshore and in the backcountry, catching everything from mahi-mahi and shark to tuna and grouper.
Saturday Afternoon
Take a lunchtime break to fill up with crab cakes or award-winning chili at Mrs. Macs Kitchen and then relax with an afternoon eco-tour. The Keys are richly biodiverse, and you can learn about both plant and animal life as you glide across sparkling crystal waters and our guides share their lore.
You might even have enough time in the afternoon to visit John Pennekamp State Park. Here you can snorkel or dive around the coral reefs of the first undersea park in the United States or explore the area in a glass-bottomed boat. You can also canoe, kayak, fish, or even check out the 30,000 aquarium in the Visitor Center.
Saturday Evening
Who needs reservations when you can cook up your fresh catch in one of Mangrove Marina’s barbecue facilities and enjoy it in our relaxing Tiki Huts? After dinner, keep the fun and romance going with a sunset cruise with champagne at Robbies, where you can feed the tarpon, too. You can also watch the sun go down and enjoy your favorite drinks right on the balcony of your houseboat.
Sunday Morning
This might be the last day of your family trip to Key Largo, but since it only takes an hour to get back to Miami, you can still pack plenty of fun into the time you have left here. Start with breakfast at Cafe Moka, which is serving up warm, fresh croissants and creamy lattes, perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. Don’t plan on making yours too lazy, though, because there is still a lot to do.
Next, try jet skiing, a great activity for older kids, teens, and parents alike. For younger families, a beach morning can be just as fun. Spend your morning wandering along the edge of the beach and looking for beach glass or pretty shells. If you like to collect, remember to only collect shells that are no longer inhabited by living organisms to keep our shorelines and ecosystems healthy!
Visit Mangrove Marina today to learn more about planning the perfect Key Largo itinerary for your next Florida Keys vacation or to reserve your houseboat.