We booked our trip to Key Largo last night staying at Baker's Cay resort. We've never been to Florida before, other than a layover flight. We're flying from DFW to Miami and renting a car to get to the resort and just around in general.

Any recs on things to do, places to eat and sight-see would be appreciated. Our will be 7 and 11 at the time of the trip next month in July.

Sailing away to Key Largo………..

Sorry.

Search the forum for Islamorada recs. It is close enough to Key Largo to do some of the same activities and eat at some of the same restaurants if you don't mind a little driving.

I'd for sure plan a day trip to Key West- conch train, butterfly sanctuary, Hemingway's house, if your kids read Judy Blume books, she lives in KW and has a bookstore she owns. She's often working in the store. Call ahead to see what days she'll be in the store.

Dolphin Sanctuary in Marathon

Turtle Sanctuary

Take a fishing or snorkeling trip

Theater of the Seas Aquarium

ETA- if your kids are 7 and 11 take them to eat at Lorelei in Islamorada. They have a limo that is a boat that you can get a ride on. Kids usually get a kick out if it. Just call ahead to make sure the limo boat is running when you go.

In KW there's also a cool shipwreck museum and Mel Fisher's museum from his huge treasure haul.

We visited the butterfly sanctuary last week. I really never would have imagined it is something I'd enjoy but it was a blast.

Only rub is you're looking at 2 hours each way via car, assuming no wrecks nor construction on the islands.

Going to be in Key Largo in about a month for a wedding, what are good bars/restaurants to hang out in?

Oh man…where do I start? You are going to have a lot of fun.

If you like National Parks, spend a day in the Everglades (bring bug spray) and in Key Biscayne. You can do the boat guided tour of Key Biscayne from the visitor's center near Homestead.

Eat at Alabama Jacks (on Card Sound Road, a slight detour off of US 1 and an alternate route from Homestead to Key Largo), Mrs. Mac's Kitchen (it's on an old Pizza Hut in the median of US 1), and Snook's Restaurant and Grand Tiki.

Dive/snorkel with Amoray Divers in Largo or Key Divers in Islamorada. Ask you hotel for a fishing guide recommendation if you want to bay fish or reef fish in the Atlantic.

Take a day trip to Key West. Stop in Marathon and eat at Herbie's Chowder House, 7 Mile Grill or Keys Fisheries. It's a hike down to KW, and you can only go about 40MPH on US 1.

Another good side trip is to spend an evening at Robbie's of Islamorada. Feed the Tarpon, but be leery of the Pelicans. They are aggressive and will steal your bait! Get the currasco steak. It's Cuban and it's tasty.

There isn't really a beach in Key Largo, but there are bay beaches on the Florida Bay side.

You're gonna love it!

Some favorites:

Snooks, Bayside Grill, The Big Chill, Lorelei , Snappers, Skippers, Mrs.Macs

For Breakfast: Harriet's

i'll second the butterfly habitat at KW. Much cooler than I expected.