Florida with kids: a 9-day route from Miami to Key Largo

For nine days in Florida with children, connect Miami, Homestead and Key Largo: two city nights, two near the national parks, three in the Keys and a final night near Miami Airport. Arrival and departure are included. This route suits families wanting water, wildlife and short outings; Orlando and Key West need separate travel days.

I'd protect the three Key Largo nights first. Two complete days without moving luggage give the trip a slower middle, rather than a new checkout every morning.

Choose the season before the hotels#

December to April is my suggestion for this South Florida trip: drier conditions, fewer Everglades mosquitoes and occasional cool evenings. Roughly mid-May to November brings heat, humidity and frequent thunderstorms. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. The template's sample dates, 14–22 November, still fall within it; change them to suit your trip. For that period, choose flexible accommodation cancellation terms and read which weather events and trip interruptions any insurance actually covers. (NPS weather)

Eight nights in four places#

Driving times below are estimates before congestion and stops. Allow another 60–90 minutes on moving days for packing, loading and settling in. In Miami, include parking in the accommodation comparison; in Homestead, prioritise a kitchen and laundry; in Key Largo, find out exactly what water access means. The accommodation pins suggest areas.

Days 1–2: keep Miami manageable after the flight#

Carry water, a snack and a fresh child's outfit separately from the suitcases. Once you have collected the car, aim for the accommodation. If everyone is still awake, follow with a 15-minute walk by the nearest waterfront: count boats and choose tomorrow’s breakfast spot. A grocery stop is useful if it sorts tomorrow's breakfast, fruit and water in one go.

On day two, choose South Pointe Park: 60–90 minutes for the promenade, ships and a play break, followed by the beach. From Coconut Grove, estimate 30–45 minutes' driving each way. A towel and dry change let you stay out through the morning without returning to the room.

Wynwood is an alternative for families who enjoy a mural hunt: spend 45–60 minutes looking at street art in the neighbourhood. The ticketed Wynwood Walls are a separate visit. In persistent rain, replace the beach morning with the Miami Children’s Museum on Watson Island.

Day 3: Calle Ocho, then Homestead#

Spend about an hour on Calle Ocho in Little Havana: the outside of Domino Park, shop windows and a juice stop. Eat breakfast first and keep the walk to this one area. Then drive approximately 50–70 minutes to Homestead. Tired children may appreciate going straight there and gaining an easy afternoon instead.

Homestead puts the next park morning beyond Miami traffic. Buy a picnic for the next two days and plan the first wash for your arrival evening in Key Largo. If stopping before check-in, keep an adult with a loaded car where possible; the walk can also wait until after unloading.

Day 4: an Everglades morning#

Drive approximately 20–35 minutes to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, then continue to Royal Palm; allow around three hours for the visitor centre, Anhinga Trail and a snack. In November, start at 09:00: Coe opens at 09:00 from April to mid-December and 08:00 from mid-December to March (NPS). Entry in a private vehicle is USD 35, plus USD 100 per non-US resident aged 16 or over without a qualifying pass: two adults with younger children pay USD 235, while the nonresident annual pass costs USD 250. Return to Homestead for the afternoon; detailed wildlife planning and the pass comparison belong to this particular outing. (NPS fees, annual passes)

Day 5: Biscayne from land, then the Keys#

At the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point, allow 60–90 minutes for exhibits, a short waterfront walk and a picnic overlooking the bay. It is about 20–30 minutes from Homestead. Children can look for fish in the shallows; seeing the offshore reefs requires a boat outing.

Biscayne has no park entrance fee; boat tours cost extra. Continue to Key Largo, roughly 55–70 minutes' driving. Unload first, start the first wash, then find somewhere nearby for dinner. The Keys have varied shorelines, so ask specifically about a swimming beach, pool and shade when choosing accommodation.

Days 6–7: beach time and an optional reef trip#

At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, plan two to three hours around Cannon Beach and a picnic. The small beach suits a splash; reaching the offshore reef means a separate snorkelling or boat trip. A vehicle carrying two to eight people costs USD 8 plus the USD 0.50 Monroe County surcharge per person; children under six enter free. (Park authority)

Day seven has a specific alternative to the beach: a 2.5-hour glass-bottom boat trip. The park authority describes the trip; the concession operator lists USD 55 for adults, USD 30 for ages 4–11 and free for ages three and under. Two adults and two children aged 4–11 pay USD 170, plus park entry. Include free children in the passenger count when booking. Allow arrival an hour before departure to confirm the reservation; keep the afternoon for the pool.

Sailings depend on weather and minimum passenger numbers. If the trip is cancelled, choose Cannon Beach and look for different shell shapes along the shore. The aquarium and Discovery Center stay outside the fixed plan during the documented redevelopment.

A nine-day Florida packing list#

These quantities are starting points with laundry around the middle of the trip. Per child: six tops, four pairs of shorts or skirts, two lightweight long trousers, seven pairs of underwear, four pairs of socks and two sets of sleepwear. Per adult: five tops, three pairs of shorts, one pair of long trousers, six sets of underwear and sleepwear.

Add per person:

• One light jacket for air conditioning and cool evenings, plus light rain protection.
• Two sets of swimwear; a rashguard for children; one sun hat and sunglasses.
• Closed walking shoes and sandals; water shoes where the shore access calls for them.
• A refillable bottle and one quick-drying towel if accommodation does not supply beach towels.

Shared items include sunscreen, insect repellent used according to its age instructions, a small cool bag, two wet-clothing bags and detergent for one wash. Keep personal medicines in their original packaging in hand luggage. Buy water, snacks, nappies and larger consumable packs after arrival; bring what you need for the first night.

For international visitors, US electricity is 120 V/60 Hz. A charger labelled “Input 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz” needs the appropriate US plug adaptor; a 230-V-only hairdryer will not work properly with an adaptor alone. Apple confirms that input range for its USB adapters; your own device's label is what counts.

Rental car: settle seats and tolls#

Florida requires an approved child restraint through age five: through age three, a separate carrier or integrated child seat; at four and five, a suitable booster is also permitted. The legal age threshold still leaves you to choose a seat for the child's size and weight. Arrange the actual model with the rental company. (Florida statute 316.613)

Toll payment comes in three forms:

SunPass explains the models; the current usage fees above come from TollPass’s Florida terms. Ordinary post-paid TOLL-BY-PLATE cannot send a rental-car invoice to you: it goes to the registered vehicle owner.

For this route, I would skip a nine-day toll package. Use toll-free US 1 between Homestead/Florida City and Key Largo. The alternative Card Sound Road costs a two-axle car USD 2.13 with SunPass or USD 3.18 by Toll-by-Plate each way (Monroe County). Miami–Homestead can also follow toll-free US 1; the faster Turnpike option varies with your junctions. Two Miami transfer days would mean USD 9.90–10.70 in TollPass service fees plus actual tolls. The official toll calculator gives the road charge for your start, end and payment method.

Settle these together before booking: the rental toll model and child seat, then the boat departure and usable park facilities. Seats, payment and the outing budget can then go straight into your plan.

Days 8–9: return before flight day#

Key Largo to the Miami Airport area takes roughly 80–100 minutes before traffic. Make this transfer on day eight and sleep nearby. On departure day, allow separately for fuel, vehicle return, the rental-station transfer and airport check-in.

International families travelling under the Visa Waiver Program also need a separate ESTA for each child. Add the trip to your Compi: daily ideas, places, eight suggested overnight stays and the packing list come with it. Set your flights first, then the laundry and open day, so the outline fits your family.