Save Money On Your Next Family Vacation: Visiting Key West

Save Money On Your Next Family Vacation: Visiting Key West

When you are ready to book your next family getaway, consider the benefits of visiting Key West! It’s an affordable destination that offers multiple opportunities to have a great deal of fun without breaking the bank. From accommodations to restaurants, activities, and more, you’ll discover what makes Flordia and the Keys in particular so special to travelers.

Budget-Friendly Places to Stay

For a small island, Key West offers a wide range of options when it comes to accommodations. Campgrounds like Boyd’s Key West Campground and Leo’s Campground and RV Park offer places to pitch a tent or hook up your RV, and they also typically offer additional amenities like marina access, pools, pavilions, and playgrounds. These can be a cost-effective way to visit. It’s also worth considering some of the area’s hotels and motels. It would be even easier if you had a timeshare at one of these hotels or resorts, as you would be eligible for significant discounts. However, this is only useful if you stay at these hotels frequently. If not, using a timeshare exit firm like Timeshare Travis to get out of the contract might be a good choice. While you might pay more per night than a campground, the convenience of being in town and not having to worry about additional transportation costs could be worth it. Hotel and motel amenities might be of value to you, too, if perks like a kitchenette, free bike rentals, and on-site or nearby dining could make your life easier. Check out NYAH Key West, Looe Key Reef Resort, Sugarloaf Lodge, and Kingsail Resort.

Eat Well Without Spending a Lot

Key West is well-known for the great food and drinks you can get here, and the seafood, in particular, is out of this world. Eaton Street Seafood Market is a top-rated place to get fish sandwiches, lobster rolls, and other made-to-order dishes prepared with the day’s freshest catch. What’s more, they offer comfortable outdoor seating or you can take your meals to go. For a true taste of the Conch Republic, don’t miss Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, where all things lime are available. The key lime pies are made from scratch so you can be assured of their high quality and deliciousness, whether you’re buying the whole pie or by the slice. You can also pick up foodie treats for yourself or as souvenirs for friends and family back home, like chutneys, jams and jellies, cookies, candies, and more. Other popular places to eat include Caroline’s, Blue Heaven, and Duetto’s Pizza and Gelato, and The Conch Shack.

Affordable Activities

One of the best things about Key West is the plentiful state and national parks that offer amazing experiences for comparatively very little money. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is easily accessible and offers lots to do for all ages. You can tour the historic fort and learn more about its history or you can get close to nature while walking or biking the trails. This park also has a beach, a jetty for fishing, and even an on-site cafe with a light breakfast and lunch menu. The city also has several local public beaches where visitors are welcome. Go swimming or snorkeling, or just soak up the sun. Beach chairs, beach umbrellas, and snorkel gear are available to rent at several of the beaches.

You can also book your ferry trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, known the world over for its clear waters and outstanding snorkeling opportunities. Even novice snorkelers can enjoy the shallow reefs and wrecks where vibrant sea life can be observed. If you’d rather stay above the water, you can tour the historic fort here, or you can kayak around the small keys, swim at the beach, or go birdwatching.

And if you’d like to have a little adventure, be sure to try a fishing charter! With All In Fishing Charters, you can experience the legendary fishing that people come from all over the country to try. Enjoy wreck, reef, and deep water fishing where everything you need is provided. The experienced captain and crew ensure everyone has a great time.

Don’t Miss Key West’s Main Street

Many visitors to Key West also enjoy the free Sunset Celebration held at Mallory Square every night. Located right at the end of Duval Street, this vibrant street fair includes performers, arts and crafts vendors, and food and drink vendors. It’s an all-ages event and a great way to get amazing sunset photos. Riding a bicycle on the streets would be a much better experience. With a bike at your disposal, you can hop around different street vendors much quicker while enjoying the scenic beauty of the sunset while riding. All you need to do is look for bike rental websites like pelicancruiser.com or similar ones that tend to provide their service in the vicinity, and you can have a bicycle for a set time slot. Many people also enjoy strolling Duval Street for window shopping as well as souvenir shopping. Boutiques showcase local art, jewelry, textiles, pottery, housewares, and gifts. Duval Street is also lined with museums, cafes, bars, restaurants, and services like spas and salons, making it a convenient location to build your vacation itinerary around.

Key West: Excitement Within Reach

There’s no reason you can’t have an amazing vacation despite a tight budget. Key West offers a world of engaging activities and unforgettable food without a high price tag. There are so many choices for accommodations, activities, and restaurants that you can easily customize your itinerary to match your needs. Visit Key West and you’ll quickly see why vacationers return here year after year.

Kelly Tate
Latest posts by Kelly Tate (see all)