Why the Florida Keys Are the Ultimate Family Vacation Destination
- Debbie Kronebusch
- Nov 17
- 5 min read
A practical, fun-filled guide for families who want sunshine, adventure, and maximum quality time.
There’s no place quite like the Florida Keys for families who want to slow down, reconnect, and experience a little magic together. The islands stretch out like a necklace of sun-soaked jewels, each one offering something different—but always with that unmistakable, laid-back Keys rhythm.
Kids get to explore nature instead of screens. Grandparents get to breathe a little deeper. Parents get to drop their shoulders and realize they don’t have to orchestrate every moment. Here, the world feels softer. Friendlier. More tuned in to the things that actually matter.
And right in the center of it all sits Marathon—one of the best-kept secrets for multi-generational travelers.
Why Families Love Vacationing in the Florida Keys
A Climate That Makes Outdoor Fun Easy All Year Long
With temperatures hovering around the 70s and 80s most of the year, the Keys offer "year-round weather". Families don’t have to plan around snowstorms or rainouts. Mornings are for beaches, afternoons for snorkeling, evenings for sunsets that stop everyone in their tracks.
Calm, Clear Waters Perfect for All Ages
Because the Keys sit behind the Florida Reef, the water stays calm—ideal for younger kids and older grandparents. Paddleboarding feels stable, kayaking is smooth, and snorkeling feels like exploring an underwater playground without battling waves.
Nature Experiences That Bring All Generations Together
Where else can a 5-year-old and a 75-year-old both get excited about spotting a sea turtle or watching dolphins leap alongside a boat? The Keys create shared awe, which naturally creates shared memories.
Space to Relax Without Crowds
No theme park lines. No bumper-to-bumper beach parking. No loud nightlife unless you go looking for it. The Keys offer freedom to explore at your own pace—and that’s often the biggest relief for families traveling with little ones and grandparents.
Your Florida Keys Ultimate Family Vacation: Things to Do in Marathon, Florida
The heart of the Keys, with something for every generation.
🐬 Dolphin Research Center (Grassy Key)
A local treasure—this isn’t a flashy attraction. It’s a genuine marine research facility that rescues and cares for dolphins and sea lions. Families love:
Interactive behavior sessions where kids watch dolphins paint, jump, and communicate
Meet-a-dolphin programs that allow guests to shake a dolphin’s flipper
Educational talks that actually keep kids smiling and engaged
Shady seating (a gift for grandparents!)
It’s fun, meaningful, and surprisingly peaceful.
This is one of the most heartwarming family activities in the Keys. During the tour, you’ll:
Visit the rehabilitation pools where injured turtles recuperate
Learn how the hospital treats swallowing hooks, boat injuries, and cold-stuns
Meet “resident turtles” who cannot return to the wild
Watch feedings (kids LOVE this)
It’s informative, emotional, and eye-opening—perfect for families who love animals.
Calm, wide-open, and ideal for families. Highlights include:
A shallow, sandy entry that makes swimming easy for kids
Picnic tables and shaded pavilions for mid-day breaks
A playground for younger children
Bathrooms (always helpful with little ones!)
Sea turtle nests during nesting season
Sombrero Beach is one of the Keys’ best natural beaches, and it’s just minutes from Casa Feliz.
Families can take a short boat ride (often only 20–30 minutes) to reach Sombrero Reef—home to colorful coral heads, parrotfish, angelfish, and sometimes even nurse sharks.
Why families love it:
Guides are great with beginners
Life jackets keep everyone comfortable
The water is clear enough for incredible visibility
Younger kids can stay on the boat and still enjoy the views
It’s an easy adventure that becomes a highlight of the trip.
🎣 Fishing Charters & Dockside Fishing
Marathon is one of the country’s top fishing destinations.
For serious fishing:Offshore charters take families out for mahi-mahi, tuna, and sailfish.
For easy fun:You can catch snapper, tarpon, and grouper right off a dock. Many families tell us their kids caught more fish here than anywhere else they’ve vacationed.
Some restaurants even cook your catch for dinner—an unforgettable experience.
This is the kind of peaceful outing grandparents love as much as the kids.
Highlights:
Smooth, calm waters for kayaking and paddleboarding
A natural mangrove tunnel (a family favorite!)
Shallow waters where you can spot stingrays
Picnic areas with shade
Restrooms and rinsing stations
It’s nature at its most accessible.
🎨 Painting Parties & Local Workshops
From paint parties to mosaic workshops, Marathon is full of hands-on activities. These experiences bring generations together—grandparents painting alongside grandchildren, parents laughing at their own “masterpieces,” everyone leaving with a keepsake.
A hit on warm afternoons! Families especially enjoy:
Touch tanks
Shark feedings
Coral reef exhibits
Interactive “snorkel with the fish” experiences
It’s immersive without being overwhelming.
Why Casa Feliz Is the Perfect Florida Keys Vacation Home for Families
After full days of nature, adventure, and sunshine, Casa Feliz welcomes you home like a breath of fresh air. Families walk in and immediately notice one thing:
“This place gives everyone room to breathe.”
This beachside oasis was intentionally designed for multi-generational stays—where each family member gets what they need, without stepping on each other’s toes.
🌴 Four Private Bedroom Suites (Each With Its Own Bathroom!)
No waiting in line for showers
Grandparents have quiet morning space on the top-floor Grand Suite
Teens get their own zone
Parents have a comfortable retreat that still keeps them close to the younger kids
This is rare in Marathon—and families rave about it.
🏝 Your Own Private Beach
Walk straight from the house to the sand. Build sandcastles, launch a kayak, or simply lounge in a hammock while viewing the wide open ocean. Kids love the activity. Adults love the serenity. Grandparents love the family time.
And the private viewing dock? Pure magic for morning coffee, sunset chats, fishing, or launching kayaks and paddleboards.
💦 A Heated Pool With Three Waterfalls
The sound alone melts stress away. Kids can swim while grandparents relax in the shade. Evening dips with the pool lights on are a family favorite.
🔥 Hot Tub, Fire Table, and Pizza Oven
This is where the real memories happen:
S’mores nights
Pizza-making parties
Stargazing in the hot tub
Late-night conversations by the glowing fire
It’s the definition of family time.
🍽 A Fully Stocked Chef-Ready Kitchen + Cabana Kitchen
Whether you’re hosting a seafood feast or grabbing snacks for the pool day, everything you need is already here. The ice maker and blender in the cabana kitchen are lifesavers in the Florida heat.
🎥 Movie Room, Games, Books, and Smart Tech
Perfect for rainy afternoons or cozy nights in:
Comfortable movie space
Board games
Arcade-style tabletop video games
Fast WiFi
Smart TVs in every room
There’s always something for everyone.
🛶 Kayaks, Paddleboards & Outdoor Gear Ready to Go
No rentals. No hauling gear. Everything is waiting for you right on the beach.
✨ High-Touch Concierge Service
Your stay can include:
Private chef dinners (Chef Heather is a guest favorite!)
Grocery stocking
Yoga sessions by the water
Luxury picnics
Photography sessions
Fishing charters
Sunset cruises
Special celebrations
You dream it—we help make it happen.
The Florida Keys Are Made for Families… And Casa Feliz Is Made to Bring Them Together
When you’re ready to trade stress for sunshine and schedules for slow, easy mornings, your Florida Keys ultimate family vacation is waiting—and Casa Feliz is the place where your whole family can settle in, spread out, and simply enjoy being together. With private beach access, resort-style amenities, and thoughtful touches designed for every generation, it’s the kind of getaway that becomes a family tradition. If your crew is craving space, comfort, and a little spark of magic, we’d love to welcome you.
Your perfect Florida Keys family vacation starts here—go ahead and book your stay at Casa Feliz.
Looking forward to welcoming you soon!
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