May 3, 2025 ⢠38 mins
đ§ Episode 176: Exploring the Florida Keys with Britt Myers Thinking the Florida Keys is just for grown-ups? Think again! In this episode, Rob chats with Britt Myersâco-founder of Keys Weekly and a passionate local advocateâto uncover what makes this legendary island chain an unexpectedly perfect destination for families. From Key Largo to Key West, Britt helps bust the myth that the Keys are only about rum and Jimmy Buffett. We explore kid-friendly beaches, eco-adventures, cultural gems, amazing eats, and the kind of laid-back island charm that welcomes families with open arms. Whether you're planning your first visit or just looking for a fresh take on this iconic road trip, this episode will inspire you to pack up the kids and hit U.S. 1. đď¸ In This Episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review The Family Vacationer! You can also follow us on Instagram and Substack for bonus content and travel inspiration.
- Why the Florida Keys are more than just Key West (and more family-friendly than you think)
- Kid-approved activities like dolphin encounters, kayaking tours, snorkeling, and biking the islands
- Local food highlights including key lime pie, conch fritters, pink shrimp, and fresh seafood
- Family-friendly festivals and seasonal events like lobster mini-season and seafood fests
- Brittâs must-do recommendations: The Dolphin Research Center, Sombrero Beach, eco-tours, and state parks
- The arts and music scene in the Keysâincluding events like the Songwriters Festival and hidden-gem live music spots
- How to get there: Tips on flying into Key West or driving down from Miami
- Keys Weekly: Your go-to source for local news, events, and family-friendly happenings in the Florida Keys
- Dolphin Research Center
- Visit Florida Keys for additional trip planning help
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review The Family Vacationer! You can also follow us on Instagram and Substack for bonus content and travel inspiration.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Thinking about the Florida Keys for your next family vacation.
We're diving into what makes the island chain a unique,
maybe even unexpected destination for families. Episode one seventy six
starts right now. Welcome to The Family Vacationer with Robin Tracy,
your go to podcast for families.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
On the moon.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Hey everybody, I'm Rob and welcome back to The Family Vacationer,
the podcast where we explore travel through the eyes of
a family. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your
very first trip with the kids, We've got tips, stories
and insights to help you make every journey memorable and manageable. Today,
we're heading to one of the most iconic road trips
(00:49):
in the United States, the Florida Keys. Now, when people
think of the Keys, they might picture crystal clear waters,
Jimmy Buffett tunes, and a laid back vibe that fills
more adult than family friendly. But the question that we're
asking today, can the Florida Keys be a destination for families?
From Key Largo to Key West, there's incredible natural beauty,
(01:13):
marine life history, and yes, family adventure if you know
where to look and to help us uncover the hidden
and not so hidden family gems are the Keys. We
have the pleasure of speaking again with Brett Myers, friend
of the show, friend of the family. Britt is one
of the founders and owners of Keys Weekly, a hyper
local news outlet that knows the communities of the Keys
(01:36):
inside and out. Britt, thanks for coming back on the show.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Rob. I am honored to be a two time attendee
here on the show with you. So I've been telling
everybody about it, so I'm coming back and uh now
I'm always excited to talk with you Rob. On and
off the podcast. We have a good time and fun
subject today something I love Key West and appreciate you having.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Me absolutely well, Brit.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
For families who've never been to the Florida Keys, how
would you describe the vibe compared to other beach destinations.
We know that the Keys have their own vibe, but
how would you describe that to families that are looking
to travel to the Keys.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Well, I think the first thing is who thinks the
Keys are very different? There's a lot of a lot
of similarities, and there's a similar vibe up and down
the Keys, but you've got some really unique uniqueness to
the different islands. I guess you'll say they're all connected
by us one. But you've got Key Largo and Alamarad
on the upper Keys, you've got Marathon and the Middle Keys,
and as you go down the big Pine in Key
(02:34):
West down where I'm at here now. Uh, it's very
it's very very different, different ways of life and types
of things, but also they all share a commonality too,
which I think a lot of times people think of
the Keys with a misconception, which is is just one
big party area, or it's a tiki hut which is
Jimmy Buffett playing, or you know, drug running days and
(02:57):
all the pirates and all that is here, or there's
legacy of that here and it adds to the nostalgia.
But really, I think one of the misconceptions if you
haven't been here, for families who never have been here,
is that you know it's not family friendly or you
can't take a family trail up here because it's more
in adult themes and those types of things. I don't
(03:19):
I think that couldn't be further from the truth. If
you're an adults and you want to come down and
find adult things to do, there's plenty of that, But
if you have families and you want to come down
and do family things and whatever that is for your family,
there's plenty of room. The islands are bigger than you think.
You know, we have plumbers and doctors and in stores
(03:40):
and everything, you know, fast food chains, whatever you want
to we have it here. So a lot of the
misconceptions are their tiny islands. But that said, the family
element really is. You look at locals who live here,
Rob and Key West has about thirty to forty thousand
locals who live on the island and up and down
the Keys. We have two or three high schools here
(04:01):
in Key West alone, and a bunch elementary schools and
middle schools. There's a lot of families who live here,
so as you can imagine, there has to be things
to do for children and kids su I should Rob,
I think compared to other destinations. You got to get
rid of the misconceptions. First. What's really cool about the Keys,
I think, is you can do something unlike anywhere else
in the United States without a passport. You know, to
(04:24):
have this experience, you pretty much have to go to
the Bahamas or somewhere else, you know, Costa Rica or
Puerto Rico, or somewhere with the passport. The Keys gives
you that sense of safety, you know, in terms of
medical or whatever it might be when you travel with
kids within the United States, and not that any of
those other places are not safe, but at the same time,
(04:45):
you know there's a stigma when you travel abroad versus
staying within. And I think you only get this experience
without a passport. Here in the Florida Keys. There's a nostalgia,
there's a vibe or the southernmost area in the United
in the United States, and there's just that that island lifestyle.
(05:07):
You kind of it's kind of that traveler or even
those families who are seeking something a little different, a
little more exploration, a little more off the beaten path,
looking for those special restaurants that you don't find anywhere else,
looking for those you know, some of the people's families,
you know, looking for the you're enjoy of beverage, looking
for the beverage place. But there's just something a little
(05:28):
different for everybody. And that's kind of what to me
encapsulates the Florida Keys. And so to put one label
on it, or if you haven't been here and have
that expectation that it's just one big Jimmy Buffett party.
God rest his soul, he did a lot for this place.
But there's a lot more than that, right, So I
think that's for families. That's the first thing I would think.
Check that out before you just assume and that it's
(05:50):
a great place. And it's not just Key West from
Key Largo one hundred and ten miles down the Florida
Keys on some of the most beautiful road and highways
and bridges and that you're ever going to fine water,
sunsets and sunrises. It's just an amazing place.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
So I've had my first visit now to the Keys. Now,
granted it wasn't the visit that you would draw up
as far as you know, what I was able to
do in the town that I was there. I saw
the lovely Lower Keys Medical Center in my brother's apartment.
That was basically all I got to see on my trip.
But that is a misconception when you think of the Keys.
(06:26):
I know, that's kind of how I thought of the
Keys as Key West, and that's just one part of
the Keys. So let's talk. Let's talk specifics. What are
some of the most family friendly areas in your opinion
that they're in the Keys any places that stand out
for parents that are traveling with you know kids, maybe toddlers,
maybe you know teens.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
It's such a it's a fun question to answer if
it's a tough one because I don't see one area
it is necessarily more family friendly than the other. I think.
I think some probably have less. If you if you
look at things, and let's not beat around the bush,
if you talk about Key West. There's something for everybody,
(07:08):
depending on your you know, your your philosophy on life
or your worldview or whatever it might be. There's something
for everybody, but one doesn't necessarily infringe on the other.
Other than everyone has a great attitude. Our motto was
one human family, and that just means everybody gets along. Everybody.
It's true. I mean it's not roses and unicorns all
the time, but it's everyone gets along. There's a there's
(07:29):
a natural appreciation when you're down here, a vibe. And
it's not just people in flip flops and drinking rum
all day. There's hard workers. There's people. You know, your
brother is down here with me. Now he's a teacher
at a school. He does a great job, but there's
not really one place. Some just have less of some
things and more of some things. But they're all have
family friendly areas. If you go to Key Largo and
(07:50):
you come down the keys, I mean there's there's dolphins,
there's places to go. We'll see the dolphins in theater
of the sea and dolphin reese. There's where you can
pretty much just spend the day there with the families.
They have dolphins and beaches and things like that. There's
there's there's uh public beaches, like if you go through
Marathons and Braro Beach that's just really beautiful places. Of course.
(08:10):
Uh if you want to rent a boat with a
captain or if you have some boating skills, there's nothing better,
I don't think in the world getting on the boats
and the Florida Keys and getting out and exploring sandbars
and islands and looking at you know, and there's a
big environmental and it's so there's so much to talk about,
rob and I'm kind of jumping around here.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
That's all right if you have these.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Families that are if you're interested in the environment, in
the coral and the restoration or the sea life and
looking at starfish and different kinds of fish and those
types of things. And of course you get down towards
Big Pine, which is really what the old Keys used
to be, and there's there's Key deer and those are
unique to the Florida Keys. These a little tiny deer
(08:51):
walk and down to Key West there's just about everything.
And you know, whether you get on a boat, get
to the sandbars, or get the Key West and new
bicycle tours and history tours and ghost tours. I don't
think you. I think the ireny because I hear it
all the time. And to be fair full disclosure, I'm
not here to promote myself for my companies, but I'm
(09:12):
proud that one of my company is a digital company
overseas media group. One plug uh ish is the Folks
Here's a vendor uh and we work for the Tourism
Development Council here in the Florida Keys to promote the Keys.
And I and I only bring that up seriously because
we do hear a lot of times for someone who
hasn't been here, maybe it's not family friendly. And I
would say, you really couldn't run out of things to
(09:34):
do with the family if you've got a week here
and a lot of it. I mean, you could spend
a week on your own and just doing your own
seclusive type trip and just spend time on the water
in the beaches are there's plenty of things to bop
around and do history. I mean, we'll get to it.
But from the Hemmingway House to the Butterfly Museum to
the and the food and drinks problem, I mean, it
doesn't get better better. So that's I'm happy to put
(09:57):
that up against anybody any day. So yes, it's a
one place to pop into a place and order some food,
some fresh fish or some beche or some howk fish
or you know a lot who is my favorite, or
some some conk pritters or cock comp chowder. You and
I are from the same area Georgia. We love some
Brunswick stew. Most people ask me what is comp chowder like?
And I'm like, if you don't know what Bronswick stew
(10:17):
is like, I can't really give it a good comparison,
but a good it's uh, except you add add conk
to it instead of uh, instead of pork.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
So that's a tomato base.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Yeah, it's more of a chowder tomato base. Okay, some
true locals will get on to me if you're not
giving it the right recipe. But you got potatoes and
some different veggies and conk and you can spice it
up a little bit as much as you like, and
then it's got comp you know, from the conk shell.
It's not legal to take conk from the waters here,
but they still come in from the Bahamas and uh
(10:49):
they're protected now. But conk is a big dish in
places like this, the Caribbean, of course the Florida Keys,
so that conk can be cracked and made in a
more tenderized way for what they call conk fritters. Yep,
kind of like kind of like hush puppies. That's an
example with conk in I guess is a is a
loose example. And then the conk chowder. A lot of
(11:10):
pride goes into that. Who has the best chowder and
you can find you know, it's always throw a little
tabasco in there, and uh, just cool unique things like
that that you're not going to typically get in the
Panhandle and up and down the coast of Florida you
get down to the keys, things get a little different
and in a great way.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Yeah, I had conk fritters at least three times while
I was down there, based primarily on your suggestion. And
I have to tell you that was that was some
good stuff I had. And I can't believe I can't
remember the place. It was close to my brother's apartment,
but key lime honey mustard, which might have been the best.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
It was so good.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
In fact, I came back and I looked up like
how to make it, and I started making it and
I still am making it up here. It's it's kind
of like romolode, but it's it's got a key lime
flavor to it.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Oh. That was so good, so good, so good. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
And the key line, of course, the key lime in
every essence of the word, the lines are grill here
is become. You can go to your public so or
anywhere you go and get a key lime pie. But
that's the home of the key lime pie is here
in a place called Kermit's. Kermit's really known for that,
and uh, and there's plenty of other great places. And
who has the best key lime pie is always a
(12:21):
great argument, whether it's Key West. From talking about Kermit
all the way up, the Florida Keys Lobster another big
deal and that's another great and there's and that brings
up another good point, rob As I just sort of
ramble through this. I hope it's okay. But you talk
about family oriented things to do. There's so many different
events and seasons in the Keys that attract families, many
(12:46):
lobster seasons. One of those people can come down for
a couple of days before the commercial lobster folks get
out there and start doing their thing. A couple of
days for tourists and locals will like to go out
with the license and a limit, and you got to
do the right thing. But you go out and gather
gather your limited lobster in our lobster down here in
case you don't know or haven't been, don't have the clause.
(13:07):
So they're not the main lobster, but they are just
as good to eat in my opinion. So great lobster
and great events around that type of stuff. And uh so,
depending on the time of the year you come down
here at the seafood festivals, Marathon has one Key West
has a seafood festival Ala Morada and Tabineer up that
area has a huge event called the Nautical Flea Market.
(13:28):
So depending on when you're in town, there's plenty. There's
usually something rob going on in the Florida Keys, whether
it's family friendly or if you're the daughter. I went
to a comedy club last night saw TJ. Miller. It
was not family friendly, but it was pretty cool see
a guy like that in the comedy club. Louis c.
K was there last week. But there's always something going on.
If you want mainstream concerts, shows for kids, concerts that
(13:51):
are kid friendly. A lot of good country acts that
come through play. The art scene rob in the Keys
is hands down one of the most underrated scenes you'll
have from people doing shows and plays because we have
a lot of transplants and people who have done Broadway
and things like that. They come here and they put
on shows and uh, you know when kids come out
(14:13):
of that stuff is incredible. There's one called Passion Project
in Key West. A lady that heads that up with
professional dancers from Latin America and all over the country
and all over the world. Excuse me, and you know
I'm rambling, but I'm sitting here because I'm like, you
asked me the question about the Keys and kids, and
I know people say, oh, the Keys aren't kid friendly
and it drives me crazy because he couldn't be further
(14:34):
from the truth.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
All Right, well, let's let's try to let's try to
rein it in. We're going to get into some specifics here,
so let's talk about what are some must do activities
for families that are maybe visiting the Keys for the
very first time.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Now you've you've.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Mentioned a lot of them, but let's let's talk about
maybe the first time visit. What are must do activities.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Depend on where you're at. I highly suggest, depending on
where you're at, have bicycles for the family because you
want to bike around. And if you're in Key West,
get a golf part get some bikes. Those types of
things I think a must do if you can pull
it off. Let's get on a boat looking at the
Florida Keys from the from the water, there's a totally
different vibe, totally different experience than than necessarily looking at
(15:16):
it from the from the shore. However, you don't have
to do that, You'll still have a great experience. But
being able to get on the water with kids, to
see sea life, to get in the water, to feel
the difference of that salt water and float in that
water and see the reef and see the crystal emerald
looking water and see the different fish and see sharks
(15:38):
and you name it. It's just awesome to see. And
so the boat would be a must do for me.
Get on the boat one way or the other. If
you want to do a party cruise with the kids,
there's Danger Charters here in Key West and up and
down the Keys we have Fury and others. Uh, you
can get kids out on those. They have water slides
and sunset cruises and things like that to get the
kids out on whether you want to do fishing or
(16:00):
water activities with the paracel and jet skis. So those
to me with kids are kind of mustews to get
them out there. Every part of the Keys has a
different great tourist attraction, you know, attractions for kids where
there's marathon at quarium encounters where you can actually swim
with sharks and see all kinds of different things, and
the Dolphin Research Center. Here in Key West you have
(16:23):
the Butterfly Conservatory. Those are mustus. And if you like history,
depending on the age of the kid, rob I mean
you got the hemming Way House. You just spend hours
in there looking at the history nostalage of that place
and what took place in there. Yeah, I mean, I'm
just it really depends on the age of the kids,
but I think getting out and exploring and being part
(16:45):
of it is a lot more important setting that And
nothing wrong with the hotels from great hotels, but you know,
at some point you want to get out. You want
to get on those beaches, get on the water, to
go to these places. It's a NonStop activity a lot
of times.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
So the Dolphin Research Center, what is that like? What
are the different experiences that uh, you know, families can
can expect when they go to the Dolphin Research Center.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
I'm not going to give them the better plug than
they would with all the things they offer, but there's
there's opportunities depend on the packages you do that you
can get in and swim with the dolphins. Is a
huge area where they rehabilitate and raise dolphins and they're
trained and they take great care of them, and uh,
they you're able as a family to get in the
water with dolphins, swim with them. You can watch shows
(17:30):
there and learn about dolphins, learn about conservation and things
like that. They do a lot of great things too
with with veterans that come down different programs and particularly
those who have been wounded in different organizations like that,
like Wounded Warriors, and just something special about when they
(17:50):
get into water with dolphins and that that connectivity that
you get. So imagine our kids when they get in
there in that connectivity and you know, dolphins have a
sense that it's unexplaineda while. They're intelligent and they also
just really connect so with kids, kind of a neat
thing to see if they're able to get in the
water with them and just be a part of that
and the and you know, so once in a lifetime
talp opportunity. I think we're close to it. In it's
(18:11):
a deep place. They do a great job. It's been
around for a long time. That's up in Marathon just
above Marathon around the duck Key Grassy Key area, and
so if you're driving into the Keys, whether you're staying
in that area or driving through, that's that's worth the stop.
Anytime you got kids. Now, I really think it's for
all ages too. That's one of those that it doesn't
really matter if they're three years old or fifteen years old.
(18:32):
That's something you can do.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
You've mentioned a lot of food and we're talking about
the entirety of the keys here, so this you know, I.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Know this could be a long list, but in trouble.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
Yeah, I know, but any kid friendly restaurants that you
would call out just all along the keys.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
So they you get me in trouble because there's so
many great restaurants. So we work with a lot of them,
and they're so good. You know, I want to be
careful what you call kid friendly. I mean if you're
talking about do they have a slide out back or something,
or a rocket ship? Not a lot of that. A
few places, but kid friendly. I think most are kid
friendly because there's just so unique. You go out on
(19:13):
a patio, you go out on a deck, Sparky's landing
up in Marathon up and keep calling that's a great place.
Get out there on the water and sit on the
deck and you're kind of outdoors in a big tiki
hut type area down in Key West. I mean, it's
endless type stuff. Whether it's you know, two friends patio
and pep be some guys do that or over at
have Shell raw Bar or Louis's backyard or I'll get
(19:36):
myself in trouble because there's so many good ones. I
work at so many, but there's really not a play
I don't I don't think there's a you know, there's
Devall Street, and there's bars and places like that into
all streets. It's strange to make sounds fun. That's a
fun unique stroll with kids. Now there's different times of
the year rarely, but you may have fantasy fests that
people know about and hear about kind of our our
(19:57):
take on Marty Grass. That might not be the night
for the kids.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Yeah, probably not, Probably not all that way.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Throughout the year though, just getting out and bopping in
these restaurants, and particularly if the kids are open minded
and want something more than and I know I have kids,
I know how it works. But if if, if they're
in the mood for something more than chicken fingers and
a hot dog, and uh, if you get them there,
I think there's there's really not a bad place for
them to go to. And just I mean, that's one
(20:25):
thing we're known for. And there's no shortage of restaurants,
and there's no shortage of good food. You know, try
some strong crab out with some of that honey mustard sauce.
You're talking about with a key lime and doesn't get
any better.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
What are some local dishes or treats even and you
mentioned kermits, but what are some local dishes and treats
that families absolutely must try when they're in town?
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Oh man. I mean the seafood obviously is is hands
down some of the best in the world. And it's fresh,
so vich is great. If you get to a place
with some greats of beeches a I just mentioned stone crab.
Stone crabs one of our delicacies down here. If you've
ever had stone crab, so it's a different kind of
(21:08):
crab with one big claw and those things. Those things
are just beyond that. That's an experience within itself. Any
local cat shrob like I said, yellow tel wahoo, dolphin
which people you know mahi mahi or dolphins, so not flipper,
but the actual fish. Those are great local catches that
come in. Tile fish is always a great fish. Can't
(21:30):
beat Key West peaks. You somewhere and grab some some
pinks over here, like I said, hawk fish out on
Stock Island, you get this old nostalgia experience of Key West.
The docks out there is good too with those are
those are great places for Key West, pink shrimp. The
desserts up and down the Keys are great, sweet savannahs
up in marathons. A place that everybody has a stop
at and get a cupcake or ice cream or milkshake
(21:51):
and those types of things. And we know what tourists like,
and it's food a lot of times. So if you're
talking food and you're talking family, there's just not you
don't run out. You're gonna come to You're gonna come
to the Keys and run through your list of places
to eat, and you don't have to come back about
forty times if you want to try to get to
a lot of them, so you will not run out.
(22:11):
It's a great it's a great place for cuisine, cold
beverages and uh and good desserts. I mean so uh
you would you wouldn't know it. The weight fluctuates, but
when I came down here twenty years ago, it was
a lot skinnier than this rob. So we'll catch up
to you in the cholesterol.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
So yeah, I will have to say that I didn't
get to see a lot when I was there on
my visit, but I did get to eat very very well.
The pizza place that is gosh, it's totally escaping me.
Now over close to the hospital.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
Shoot, that's Rustica.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Oh my gosh, that was so good. That was so good.
And I did I did try the pink shrimp.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
That was good. I can't remember where I tried that from.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
But uh, but yeah, I can definitely attest that if
you want good food, the keys are your your stop.
So I don't Yeah, is there anything families tend to
overlook when they're playing the Keys vacation that maybe they
should play pay closer attention to.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
I don't know the overlooking. I mean, you know, it's
probably something that you'll bring up to Rob. I don't
want to jump ahead. I was kind of holding this one.
But getting on the water doesn't have to be a
half day or full day excursion. So one thing I'd say,
don't overlook just getting on some kayaks, be safe, do
the right things. But some kayak tours, the bicycle tours,
(23:33):
the eco tours that I know you asked about a
lot of times, those are all, you know, the keys
for all the sort of the stereotypical stigmas that come
with the Florida Keys. One of the one of the
biggest things the keys are we pride ourselves on is
ecotourism and taking and teaching kids mote marine in places
(23:54):
like that, how to take care of the water, how
to take care of the sea life and those types
of things. And that's a theme up and down the Keys.
A lot of our marketing is around that. So don't
overlook the opportunities to get involved in that kayaking, snorkeling.
You don't have to go out and scuba dive necessarily
with the family if they're not certified. That's hard to do.
But some of the snorkelings some of the best in
the world and just getting out and doing inexpensive things
(24:16):
like that. And I'd say don't overlook the parks. A
lot of state a lot of state parks in the
Florida Keys that are protected. Uh. Some have Civil War
forts that were there, but people don't realize the history.
But the Union the North had forts down here in
the Civil War to control the waterways the people and
(24:36):
coming through from the Gulf into the Atlantic. And so uh,
three or four forts alone down here in Key West,
and one is out called Fort Jefferson. It's about forty
fifty miles out from Key West that you can take
an airplane or catam ran out to and do half
in full days out there in Snorkel and be a
part of history and just see the brick work and
(24:58):
the beautiful waters around it. That's pretty cool too. So
you know, some of those things get overlooked by the
food and fun and that type of stuff, but I
highly sudjust those types of things. Nothing better than a
kayak tour with the family. I mean, you can't beat that.
I mean, jet ski's are fun.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
But one of the things that I noticed I didn't
get a chance to do it, but there was a
what was it a night kayak tour where I guess
the kayaks like had they were lit right, So I
can't remember where that was, but that looked like a
cool kind of fun thing for a family to do.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Yeah, some different places offer that, And again you can
look these things up and a lot of times those
those lights of the kayaks will attract sea life and
things coming up to you. You might see a manatee,
which is a great you know, that's pretty common to
see a manatee hanging around and uh and just different
sea life and it's and you don't hear the waters
(25:56):
tend to be extremely safe. Uh, the biggest thing to
look out for people you know, and being safe on
boats and those types of things. But things like that, Yeah, Rob,
that's a great point getting out in the evening and
doing something like that in a kayak, just being safe
about it and I know where you're at. I would
recommend being with somebody that does a tour on that
and you're with them and they know where to take
you and those types of things. But those experiences, I mean, again,
(26:20):
you don't really get that many places. And you can
be in the mangroves in the back country, you can
be going out towards the ocean. Some pretty neat things
and a lot of a lot of a lot of
hidden secrets and gems in the Florida Keys. And I
don't want to scare families. I mean a lot of
people don't realize we have our own saltwater crocodile. I
mean people think alligators and there's alligators all over Florida.
(26:43):
We have a saltwater crocodile that lives in the Keys.
And if you get to see one, it's a pretty
big treat because you don't most don't get to see
that while they're here they're not they're not as threatening
or they're not to my knowledge is there's no historic
record of a crocodile attacking the human here in South Florida,
and it's the only place in North America. They live
in the in the US, and and we have our
(27:06):
own saltwater croc And if you get to see one,
it's probably pretty cool and not scary because they don't
really attack you on that type of thing. Just don't
go tickle as nose. But you know, I don't want
people to hear this. And the takeaway as the keys
have prop from dials a just one of those unique things.
There's so many things like that. I saw bald eagle
flying around the golf course the other day. It was huge.
(27:27):
I couldn't believe how big it was up close. And
so we have so many birds that migrate through here
and things like that. Just you know, you never know
what day you're going to see a bald eagle, or
you're going to see Kenny Chesney hanging out a castaway
restaurant marathon about two days ago. And there's always somebody
coming through. You never know who you're going to see.
In the Florida Keys. The cool thing about Rob. One
thing I love And I'm sitting here giving you all
(27:47):
these plugs for the keys, but I love it and
I like talking about it. You can tell one thing
I love about the Keys is you and I Well,
you're worth a lot more money than me. But we
could be setting with, you know, a billion and we
could be setting with someone else that's got a penny
in their pocket, and everybody's going to look the same,
everyone's going to talk the same, everyone's gonna treat each
other the same. You never know who the billionaire is
(28:09):
and who the guy with the one penny is unless
he asks them. But I mean, it's just there's flip
flops and T shirts. So that part that conception is
probably true. That everybody's pretty laid back down here. If
you see a person in a tie here in the Keys,
they're probably either an attorney getting ready for court, or
they've got some uh maybe some religious pamphlets to give
out to you. But otherwise, you know, you don't see
(28:30):
a lot of ties down here and that type of thing.
So that's kind of cool. You had me thinking, Rob
off that topic, what is something you don't want to
miss when you come to the Keys? You and I
both love music. We love live music. There's a thought
and there's great live musicians. So many people move down here.
We've got a great Nashville influx to spin a part
of the Keys. After Katrina in New Orleans, there was
(28:53):
a nice there's a huge uh, New Orleans, louis Louisiana
influx and musicians the revivalists started out come down here
a lot before they blew up bands like that. The
music scene in the Florida Keys is top notch, and
that's from top to bottom. There's bars and restaurants and
you'll go in there and think, wow, why is this
guy or this girl playing at this bars because there's
(29:14):
just so many great musicians. Now again, I live in
Key West, so this conversation I keep kind of reverting
back down here. But there's such good Marathon Alamorada, Key Largo.
But here in Key West we've got some names that
have toured and are touring with big names. And Lee
Brice has a guy, Nick Norman, that tours with him
down here and they grew up together and he's a
big musician. But you say, well, that sounds good, that
(29:37):
sounds like bars and people playing, well, No, restaurants. If
kids like music, just to sit there and hear somebody
playing out on a pier at a restaurant or something
like that. Some of the best and I know across
the country we have preat musicians, but it's just like
every every block, everywhere you go, you got somebody really good.
And my kids love it. They love music because of
that when and I appreciate that about Key West. So
(29:59):
I think music scene, whether you go you come down
here and you hear live music at a different bar
or patio or whatever it might be, is something that's underrated. Uh.
There's people that talk about Key Wes rob in the
same vein as the Athens music movement and out of
Seattle and then Austin. Some big things happening here in
Key West right now with names coming through here and
(30:22):
the songwriters' festivals coming up. But in a week that's
fun for kids. See a lot of country stars, a
lot of names that you know from Nashville come down here,
either on there on the way up or they've made
it somewhat and they come down here and play at
Songwriter's festival and they'll there'll be a number one hit
on the radio that some guy wrote, you're sitting there
playing at a bar, and that's a lot of fun too,
And a lot of that stuff happens during the day,
(30:43):
so you know, there's not it's not necessarily night life
bar scene where you can take the kids and just
really listen to nice music. If you're a dad, then
enjoys a beer, that's great. If you don't do that,
get a soda. But those types of things. You know,
look at the event calendar in the Florida Keys and
you know there's usually an event or a show or
something going on in the arts that's going to be
intriguing for you to be a part of while you're
(31:04):
down here. And I know a lot of people leaving
in an area metro area might be getting away from that.
But there's a little different twists on it when you
do it in the Florida Keys.
Speaker 3 (31:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Yeah. So that's the cool thing is when you bring
that to an island like Key West for example, and
fifteen thousand people travel in town for that, it changes
the vibe of the island.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
Right.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
It's a lot of fun things. It's a positive. That's
one thing about the Keys In family is for everybody,
I would put this on there, but I think for
a family too that experienced this, you know, and I'm
not trying to overstate it or sound sappy, Rob, but
there's a positivity. There's a positive vibe in the Florida Keys.
And then bring your family into it and be a
part of it. And you don't necessarily have to plant
(31:45):
it out, you know. I know my wife's a planner,
and you're probably a planner, Rob, I know you, but
I'm not, and I think you could. I think it's
a place for planners and non planners because you can
have a day off the beaten path and find discover
things you want to do, and you can look at
some things before you come down to book and of
course and some of your excursions and things. But that's
that's the cool thing about it. Positive vibe, sort of
(32:06):
seek that off the beaten path. Phil a lot of history,
a lot of cool things we're down here, from Truman,
Capodi to Tennessee Williams to Hunter S. Thompson to Ernest
Hemingway and shel Silverstein. All these types of names have
written and played music and done things here and you
just kind of travel around see where movies were filmed
(32:27):
or somebody played a song, or you may run into
them playing a song. You never know who might be
hanging out, and that's what's fun about it. I mean,
you just never know what you're going to get into.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (32:37):
Well, Britt hey Man, thanks so much for coming back
on the show. And it's obvious that you're passionate about
the keys, and with good reason. It's a beautiful part
of the country, So thanks for coming on and talking
about it with us.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Rob. I appreciate you having me, and I hope that
the listeners listening to this took something away besides the crocodile,
because that's very rare. But I do hope if you're
listening you haven't done it, or have it done it
time you come back. By the way, shout out to
the Key West Airport down here. They just just redid it, Rob.
It is if you get a chance to go to
their web page or their social media page and check
(33:10):
it out. But it's the old days of walking outside
and getting rained on, and some people kind of miss that,
but it outgrew itself and now we've got a really
nice state of the art airport and restaurants and that
type of stuff. And I think they kept the cool
local restaurant, which is the comp Flyer, but there's some
other amenities there now, so it's a little easier and
bigger to get into the Key West Airport if you're
(33:32):
coming down from this side. Obviously, if you're flying to
Miami Fort Laudo, you can drive down into Key Largo
pretty quickly. But that's that's a cool amenity that just
popped up, and it's worth talking about on your show
that the Key West Airport is has changed tremendously and
some people kind of miss the old but man, I'm
excited about the news. It's nice to have it. Allegiant, Delta, American, United, Silver,
(33:57):
I'm missing a few, but they all fly in and
out of the Florida Key is a Key West airport
almost daily and in most of those with multiple flights daily,
and obviously Atlanta being a hub, Charlotte be in a
hub of American in Miami. Uh direct flights into Ashville, Nashville, Houston, Atlanta, Newark,
Boston a couple of days with Jet Blue. So there's
(34:17):
a lot of people don't realize how busy and how
many direct flights and jets coming in out of here too.
So that's probably another misconception on how you get here,
but a lot of opportunity and you can always you
can always book somewhere and get into in the Key
West and obviously Miami. So I missed so many things.
So for those listening down here and you say Britt
missed my restaurant, I know I did, and it was
(34:37):
and it was this is We could spend four hours
talking about the keys and where to go and what
to do, Rob and uh, and I love doing it.
But think we touched the service today and I hope
it was enough to get somebody. Uh, if you got
some kids and family or just in h or others,
come down here as a group or come down with
your family and have a great time. So thanks for
letting me share it, share it to do on the podcast,
and you do great work. I love the podcast, Rob,
(34:59):
thanks for letting me do it.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Well, we'll just have to have you back for the
for the third time. And don't worry.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
In the show notes, I'll put your email address for
any complaints for any of the restaurants that you miss.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
No worries.
Speaker 1 (35:10):
Before we forget. Let's let's do plug keys weekly, So
talk about keys weekly, real quick.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Well, I wasn't gonna do it.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
I didn't know no do it do it?
Speaker 2 (35:19):
So I am the proud co owner of a media
organization down here, and part of that there's two two companies.
One is Keys Weekly and there's a lot of great
so we're gonna plug it here. We go a lot
of great local Keys community information on there. We are.
We have three weekly papers that come out every week
and that's up in the Upper Keys, Marathon and Key West.
(35:40):
We produce a lot of magazines in house and published
for a lot of the local organizations, Real County Sheriff's
Department and chambers and so it's a it's a it's
a print media along with digital media outlets. So if
you want to, I guess that I'm gonna give a
real plug if you want to kind of keep up
with what's going on in the Florida Keys, whether it's
we'll interview Jelly Roll one day who's coming in to
play into a podcast with him them, and then the
next day we're interviewing a local character who it might
(36:04):
be in the Keys. So you get a little bit
of everything. So you can sign up for our sign
up for our newsletter. There local news and restaurants and
all that time. So you get a lot of this there.
And then we have Overseas Media Group, which is a
digital company that does marketing for the Keys and things.
It does a lot better job than me marketing the Keys,
talking about where to go, what to do, and social
media websites those types of things. But keyswekly dot com
(36:25):
gives you a lot of this information and where to
go and what to do. And I appreciate the plug
because we have fun doing it. We got about thirty
employees down here in the Keys, all locals, and they
and you can tell we love it. So when I
start talking about the Keys, yeah, and tell you everybody
loves it. That's a great thing about down here. It's
just one. It's a great family, and the Keys weekly
families one. I'm I have great people in this company
and we all love the Florida Keys. And so when
(36:46):
we start talking about it like this, like oh oh
there's this, and that's why you see us scattered everywhere.
There's so many things to do, and then we'll hang
up and I'll be like, oh, I forgot to tell
you these ten things. So if somebody's thinking about it,
please reach out to me, and I'm happy to tell
you more and probably in a more concise way. So
one human, one human family, rob, put your political swords
down and escape for a while, and everybody who's get
(37:08):
along for a good week and uh and have a
good time doing it. And you'll find that you you'll
find you'll get along with anybody and everybody because everybody
has one common gold on here, and that's smile, have
a good time and be laid back and come be
a part of that vibe. That's that's my pitch to you.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
Hey, I'm sold, all right, man.
Speaker 2 (37:25):
I appreciate it, all right, brother, thanks for having me on,
really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Thanks for being here. Take care.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
Another big thank you to Brett Myers for joining me
today and sharing such fantastic insights about the Florida Keys.
His passion for the keys is obvious, so whether it's
taking in the Dolphin Reserve, exploring the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
Or just kicking back on island time.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
It's clear there's more than enough in the Keys to
make it a memorable family get away.
Speaker 3 (37:55):
Now.
Speaker 1 (37:55):
If you want to learn more about Bread and Keys Weekly,
check them out at Keys Weekly or follow them on
social media for updates and local happenings throughout the Keys
and Hey. If you've enjoyed this episode, make sure to
subscribe to The Family Vacationer wherever you get your podcasts.
We're also on Instagram and now on substack, so you
(38:17):
can follow us there for extra travel tips, family destination guides,
and behind the scenes content. Until next time, remember, folks,
keep your hearts and your passports open. Save travels everyone.
Speaker 2 (38:31):
Thank you for listening to The Family Vacationer. Make sure
I like and subscribe to hear more from Robin Tracyracy
Thinking about the Florida Keys for your next family vacation.
We're diving into what makes the island chain a unique,
maybe even unexpected destination for families. Episode one seventy six
starts right now. Welcome to The Family Vacationer with Robin Tracy,
your go to podcast for families.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
On the moon.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Hey everybody, I'm Rob and welcome back to The Family Vacationer,
the podcast where we explore travel through the eyes of
a family. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your
very first trip with the kids, We've got tips, stories
and insights to help you make every journey memorable and manageable. Today,
we're heading to one of the most iconic road trips
(00:49):
in the United States, the Florida Keys. Now, when people
think of the Keys, they might picture crystal clear waters,
Jimmy Buffett tunes, and a laid back vibe that fills
more adult than family friendly. But the question that we're
asking today, can the Florida Keys be a destination for families?
From Key Largo to Key West, there's incredible natural beauty,
(01:13):
marine life history, and yes, family adventure if you know
where to look and to help us uncover the hidden
and not so hidden family gems are the Keys. We
have the pleasure of speaking again with Brett Myers, friend
of the show, friend of the family. Britt is one
of the founders and owners of Keys Weekly, a hyper
local news outlet that knows the communities of the Keys
(01:36):
inside and out. Britt, thanks for coming back on the show.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Rob. I am honored to be a two time attendee
here on the show with you. So I've been telling
everybody about it, so I'm coming back and uh now
I'm always excited to talk with you Rob. On and
off the podcast. We have a good time and fun
subject today something I love Key West and appreciate you having.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Me absolutely well, Brit.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
For families who've never been to the Florida Keys, how
would you describe the vibe compared to other beach destinations.
We know that the Keys have their own vibe, but
how would you describe that to families that are looking
to travel to the Keys.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Well, I think the first thing is who thinks the
Keys are very different? There's a lot of a lot
of similarities, and there's a similar vibe up and down
the Keys, but you've got some really unique uniqueness to
the different islands. I guess you'll say they're all connected
by us one. But you've got Key Largo and Alamarad
on the upper Keys, you've got Marathon and the Middle Keys,
and as you go down the big Pine in Key
(02:34):
West down where I'm at here now. Uh, it's very
it's very very different, different ways of life and types
of things, but also they all share a commonality too,
which I think a lot of times people think of
the Keys with a misconception, which is is just one
big party area, or it's a tiki hut which is
Jimmy Buffett playing, or you know, drug running days and
(02:57):
all the pirates and all that is here, or there's
legacy of that here and it adds to the nostalgia.
But really, I think one of the misconceptions if you
haven't been here, for families who never have been here,
is that you know it's not family friendly or you
can't take a family trail up here because it's more
in adult themes and those types of things. I don't
(03:19):
I think that couldn't be further from the truth. If
you're an adults and you want to come down and
find adult things to do, there's plenty of that, But
if you have families and you want to come down
and do family things and whatever that is for your family,
there's plenty of room. The islands are bigger than you think.
You know, we have plumbers and doctors and in stores
(03:40):
and everything, you know, fast food chains, whatever you want
to we have it here. So a lot of the
misconceptions are their tiny islands. But that said, the family
element really is. You look at locals who live here,
Rob and Key West has about thirty to forty thousand
locals who live on the island and up and down
the Keys. We have two or three high schools here
(04:01):
in Key West alone, and a bunch elementary schools and
middle schools. There's a lot of families who live here,
so as you can imagine, there has to be things
to do for children and kids su I should Rob,
I think compared to other destinations. You got to get
rid of the misconceptions. First. What's really cool about the Keys,
I think, is you can do something unlike anywhere else
in the United States without a passport. You know, to
(04:24):
have this experience, you pretty much have to go to
the Bahamas or somewhere else, you know, Costa Rica or
Puerto Rico, or somewhere with the passport. The Keys gives
you that sense of safety, you know, in terms of
medical or whatever it might be when you travel with
kids within the United States, and not that any of
those other places are not safe, but at the same time,
(04:45):
you know there's a stigma when you travel abroad versus
staying within. And I think you only get this experience
without a passport. Here in the Florida Keys. There's a nostalgia,
there's a vibe or the southernmost area in the United
in the United States, and there's just that that island lifestyle.
(05:07):
You kind of it's kind of that traveler or even
those families who are seeking something a little different, a
little more exploration, a little more off the beaten path,
looking for those special restaurants that you don't find anywhere else,
looking for those you know, some of the people's families,
you know, looking for the you're enjoy of beverage, looking
for the beverage place. But there's just something a little
(05:28):
different for everybody. And that's kind of what to me
encapsulates the Florida Keys. And so to put one label
on it, or if you haven't been here and have
that expectation that it's just one big Jimmy Buffett party.
God rest his soul, he did a lot for this place.
But there's a lot more than that, right, So I
think that's for families. That's the first thing I would think.
Check that out before you just assume and that it's
(05:50):
a great place. And it's not just Key West from
Key Largo one hundred and ten miles down the Florida
Keys on some of the most beautiful road and highways
and bridges and that you're ever going to fine water,
sunsets and sunrises. It's just an amazing place.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
So I've had my first visit now to the Keys. Now,
granted it wasn't the visit that you would draw up
as far as you know, what I was able to
do in the town that I was there. I saw
the lovely Lower Keys Medical Center in my brother's apartment.
That was basically all I got to see on my trip.
But that is a misconception when you think of the Keys.
(06:26):
I know, that's kind of how I thought of the
Keys as Key West, and that's just one part of
the Keys. So let's talk. Let's talk specifics. What are
some of the most family friendly areas in your opinion
that they're in the Keys any places that stand out
for parents that are traveling with you know kids, maybe toddlers,
maybe you know teens.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
It's such a it's a fun question to answer if
it's a tough one because I don't see one area
it is necessarily more family friendly than the other. I think.
I think some probably have less. If you if you
look at things, and let's not beat around the bush,
if you talk about Key West. There's something for everybody,
(07:08):
depending on your you know, your your philosophy on life
or your worldview or whatever it might be. There's something
for everybody, but one doesn't necessarily infringe on the other.
Other than everyone has a great attitude. Our motto was
one human family, and that just means everybody gets along. Everybody.
It's true. I mean it's not roses and unicorns all
the time, but it's everyone gets along. There's a there's
(07:29):
a natural appreciation when you're down here, a vibe. And
it's not just people in flip flops and drinking rum
all day. There's hard workers. There's people. You know, your
brother is down here with me. Now he's a teacher
at a school. He does a great job, but there's
not really one place. Some just have less of some
things and more of some things. But they're all have
family friendly areas. If you go to Key Largo and
(07:50):
you come down the keys, I mean there's there's dolphins,
there's places to go. We'll see the dolphins in theater
of the sea and dolphin reese. There's where you can
pretty much just spend the day there with the families.
They have dolphins and beaches and things like that. There's
there's there's uh public beaches, like if you go through
Marathons and Braro Beach that's just really beautiful places. Of course.
(08:10):
Uh if you want to rent a boat with a
captain or if you have some boating skills, there's nothing better,
I don't think in the world getting on the boats
and the Florida Keys and getting out and exploring sandbars
and islands and looking at you know, and there's a
big environmental and it's so there's so much to talk about,
rob and I'm kind of jumping around here.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
That's all right if you have these.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Families that are if you're interested in the environment, in
the coral and the restoration or the sea life and
looking at starfish and different kinds of fish and those
types of things. And of course you get down towards
Big Pine, which is really what the old Keys used
to be, and there's there's Key deer and those are
unique to the Florida Keys. These a little tiny deer
(08:51):
walk and down to Key West there's just about everything.
And you know, whether you get on a boat, get
to the sandbars, or get the Key West and new
bicycle tours and history tours and ghost tours. I don't
think you. I think the ireny because I hear it
all the time. And to be fair full disclosure, I'm
not here to promote myself for my companies, but I'm
(09:12):
proud that one of my company is a digital company
overseas media group. One plug uh ish is the Folks
Here's a vendor uh and we work for the Tourism
Development Council here in the Florida Keys to promote the Keys.
And I and I only bring that up seriously because
we do hear a lot of times for someone who
hasn't been here, maybe it's not family friendly. And I
would say, you really couldn't run out of things to
(09:34):
do with the family if you've got a week here
and a lot of it. I mean, you could spend
a week on your own and just doing your own
seclusive type trip and just spend time on the water
in the beaches are there's plenty of things to bop
around and do history. I mean, we'll get to it.
But from the Hemmingway House to the Butterfly Museum to
the and the food and drinks problem, I mean, it
doesn't get better better. So that's I'm happy to put
(09:57):
that up against anybody any day. So yes, it's a
one place to pop into a place and order some food,
some fresh fish or some beche or some howk fish
or you know a lot who is my favorite, or
some some conk pritters or cock comp chowder. You and
I are from the same area Georgia. We love some
Brunswick stew. Most people ask me what is comp chowder like?
And I'm like, if you don't know what Bronswick stew
(10:17):
is like, I can't really give it a good comparison,
but a good it's uh, except you add add conk
to it instead of uh, instead of pork.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
So that's a tomato base.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Yeah, it's more of a chowder tomato base. Okay, some
true locals will get on to me if you're not
giving it the right recipe. But you got potatoes and
some different veggies and conk and you can spice it
up a little bit as much as you like, and
then it's got comp you know, from the conk shell.
It's not legal to take conk from the waters here,
but they still come in from the Bahamas and uh
(10:49):
they're protected now. But conk is a big dish in
places like this, the Caribbean, of course the Florida Keys,
so that conk can be cracked and made in a
more tenderized way for what they call conk fritters. Yep,
kind of like kind of like hush puppies. That's an
example with conk in I guess is a is a
loose example. And then the conk chowder. A lot of
(11:10):
pride goes into that. Who has the best chowder and
you can find you know, it's always throw a little
tabasco in there, and uh, just cool unique things like
that that you're not going to typically get in the
Panhandle and up and down the coast of Florida you
get down to the keys, things get a little different
and in a great way.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Yeah, I had conk fritters at least three times while
I was down there, based primarily on your suggestion. And
I have to tell you that was that was some
good stuff I had. And I can't believe I can't
remember the place. It was close to my brother's apartment,
but key lime honey mustard, which might have been the best.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
It was so good.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
In fact, I came back and I looked up like
how to make it, and I started making it and
I still am making it up here. It's it's kind
of like romolode, but it's it's got a key lime
flavor to it.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Oh. That was so good, so good, so good. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
And the key line, of course, the key lime in
every essence of the word, the lines are grill here
is become. You can go to your public so or
anywhere you go and get a key lime pie. But
that's the home of the key lime pie is here
in a place called Kermit's. Kermit's really known for that,
and uh, and there's plenty of other great places. And
who has the best key lime pie is always a
(12:21):
great argument, whether it's Key West. From talking about Kermit
all the way up, the Florida Keys Lobster another big
deal and that's another great and there's and that brings
up another good point, rob As I just sort of
ramble through this. I hope it's okay. But you talk
about family oriented things to do. There's so many different
events and seasons in the Keys that attract families, many
(12:46):
lobster seasons. One of those people can come down for
a couple of days before the commercial lobster folks get
out there and start doing their thing. A couple of
days for tourists and locals will like to go out
with the license and a limit, and you got to
do the right thing. But you go out and gather
gather your limited lobster in our lobster down here in
case you don't know or haven't been, don't have the clause.
(13:07):
So they're not the main lobster, but they are just
as good to eat in my opinion. So great lobster
and great events around that type of stuff. And uh so,
depending on the time of the year you come down
here at the seafood festivals, Marathon has one Key West
has a seafood festival Ala Morada and Tabineer up that
area has a huge event called the Nautical Flea Market.
(13:28):
So depending on when you're in town, there's plenty. There's
usually something rob going on in the Florida Keys, whether
it's family friendly or if you're the daughter. I went
to a comedy club last night saw TJ. Miller. It
was not family friendly, but it was pretty cool see
a guy like that in the comedy club. Louis c.
K was there last week. But there's always something going on.
If you want mainstream concerts, shows for kids, concerts that
(13:51):
are kid friendly. A lot of good country acts that
come through play. The art scene rob in the Keys
is hands down one of the most underrated scenes you'll
have from people doing shows and plays because we have
a lot of transplants and people who have done Broadway
and things like that. They come here and they put
on shows and uh, you know when kids come out
(14:13):
of that stuff is incredible. There's one called Passion Project
in Key West. A lady that heads that up with
professional dancers from Latin America and all over the country
and all over the world. Excuse me, and you know
I'm rambling, but I'm sitting here because I'm like, you
asked me the question about the Keys and kids, and
I know people say, oh, the Keys aren't kid friendly
and it drives me crazy because he couldn't be further
(14:34):
from the truth.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
All Right, well, let's let's try to let's try to
rein it in. We're going to get into some specifics here,
so let's talk about what are some must do activities
for families that are maybe visiting the Keys for the
very first time.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Now you've you've.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Mentioned a lot of them, but let's let's talk about
maybe the first time visit. What are must do activities.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Depend on where you're at. I highly suggest, depending on
where you're at, have bicycles for the family because you
want to bike around. And if you're in Key West,
get a golf part get some bikes. Those types of
things I think a must do if you can pull
it off. Let's get on a boat looking at the
Florida Keys from the from the water, there's a totally
different vibe, totally different experience than than necessarily looking at
(15:16):
it from the from the shore. However, you don't have
to do that, You'll still have a great experience. But
being able to get on the water with kids, to
see sea life, to get in the water, to feel
the difference of that salt water and float in that
water and see the reef and see the crystal emerald
looking water and see the different fish and see sharks
(15:38):
and you name it. It's just awesome to see. And
so the boat would be a must do for me.
Get on the boat one way or the other. If
you want to do a party cruise with the kids,
there's Danger Charters here in Key West and up and
down the Keys we have Fury and others. Uh, you
can get kids out on those. They have water slides
and sunset cruises and things like that to get the
kids out on whether you want to do fishing or
(16:00):
water activities with the paracel and jet skis. So those
to me with kids are kind of mustews to get
them out there. Every part of the Keys has a
different great tourist attraction, you know, attractions for kids where
there's marathon at quarium encounters where you can actually swim
with sharks and see all kinds of different things, and
the Dolphin Research Center. Here in Key West you have
(16:23):
the Butterfly Conservatory. Those are mustus. And if you like history,
depending on the age of the kid, rob I mean
you got the hemming Way House. You just spend hours
in there looking at the history nostalage of that place
and what took place in there. Yeah, I mean, I'm
just it really depends on the age of the kids,
but I think getting out and exploring and being part
(16:45):
of it is a lot more important setting that And
nothing wrong with the hotels from great hotels, but you know,
at some point you want to get out. You want
to get on those beaches, get on the water, to
go to these places. It's a NonStop activity a lot
of times.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
So the Dolphin Research Center, what is that like? What
are the different experiences that uh, you know, families can
can expect when they go to the Dolphin Research Center.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
I'm not going to give them the better plug than
they would with all the things they offer, but there's
there's opportunities depend on the packages you do that you
can get in and swim with the dolphins. Is a
huge area where they rehabilitate and raise dolphins and they're
trained and they take great care of them, and uh,
they you're able as a family to get in the
water with dolphins, swim with them. You can watch shows
(17:30):
there and learn about dolphins, learn about conservation and things
like that. They do a lot of great things too
with with veterans that come down different programs and particularly
those who have been wounded in different organizations like that,
like Wounded Warriors, and just something special about when they
(17:50):
get into water with dolphins and that that connectivity that
you get. So imagine our kids when they get in
there in that connectivity and you know, dolphins have a
sense that it's unexplaineda while. They're intelligent and they also
just really connect so with kids, kind of a neat
thing to see if they're able to get in the
water with them and just be a part of that
and the and you know, so once in a lifetime
talp opportunity. I think we're close to it. In it's
(18:11):
a deep place. They do a great job. It's been
around for a long time. That's up in Marathon just
above Marathon around the duck Key Grassy Key area, and
so if you're driving into the Keys, whether you're staying
in that area or driving through, that's that's worth the stop.
Anytime you got kids. Now, I really think it's for
all ages too. That's one of those that it doesn't
really matter if they're three years old or fifteen years old.
(18:32):
That's something you can do.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
You've mentioned a lot of food and we're talking about
the entirety of the keys here, so this you know, I.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Know this could be a long list, but in trouble.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
Yeah, I know, but any kid friendly restaurants that you
would call out just all along the keys.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
So they you get me in trouble because there's so
many great restaurants. So we work with a lot of them,
and they're so good. You know, I want to be
careful what you call kid friendly. I mean if you're
talking about do they have a slide out back or something,
or a rocket ship? Not a lot of that. A
few places, but kid friendly. I think most are kid
friendly because there's just so unique. You go out on
(19:13):
a patio, you go out on a deck, Sparky's landing
up in Marathon up and keep calling that's a great place.
Get out there on the water and sit on the
deck and you're kind of outdoors in a big tiki
hut type area down in Key West. I mean, it's
endless type stuff. Whether it's you know, two friends patio
and pep be some guys do that or over at
have Shell raw Bar or Louis's backyard or I'll get
(19:36):
myself in trouble because there's so many good ones. I
work at so many, but there's really not a play
I don't I don't think there's a you know, there's
Devall Street, and there's bars and places like that into
all streets. It's strange to make sounds fun. That's a
fun unique stroll with kids. Now there's different times of
the year rarely, but you may have fantasy fests that
people know about and hear about kind of our our
(19:57):
take on Marty Grass. That might not be the night
for the kids.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Yeah, probably not, Probably not all that way.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Throughout the year though, just getting out and bopping in
these restaurants, and particularly if the kids are open minded
and want something more than and I know I have kids,
I know how it works. But if if, if they're
in the mood for something more than chicken fingers and
a hot dog, and uh, if you get them there,
I think there's there's really not a bad place for
them to go to. And just I mean, that's one
(20:25):
thing we're known for. And there's no shortage of restaurants,
and there's no shortage of good food. You know, try
some strong crab out with some of that honey mustard sauce.
You're talking about with a key lime and doesn't get
any better.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
What are some local dishes or treats even and you
mentioned kermits, but what are some local dishes and treats
that families absolutely must try when they're in town?
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Oh man. I mean the seafood obviously is is hands
down some of the best in the world. And it's fresh,
so vich is great. If you get to a place
with some greats of beeches a I just mentioned stone crab.
Stone crabs one of our delicacies down here. If you've
ever had stone crab, so it's a different kind of
(21:08):
crab with one big claw and those things. Those things
are just beyond that. That's an experience within itself. Any
local cat shrob like I said, yellow tel wahoo, dolphin
which people you know mahi mahi or dolphins, so not flipper,
but the actual fish. Those are great local catches that
come in. Tile fish is always a great fish. Can't
(21:30):
beat Key West peaks. You somewhere and grab some some
pinks over here, like I said, hawk fish out on
Stock Island, you get this old nostalgia experience of Key West.
The docks out there is good too with those are
those are great places for Key West, pink shrimp. The
desserts up and down the Keys are great, sweet savannahs
up in marathons. A place that everybody has a stop
at and get a cupcake or ice cream or milkshake
(21:51):
and those types of things. And we know what tourists like,
and it's food a lot of times. So if you're
talking food and you're talking family, there's just not you
don't run out. You're gonna come to You're gonna come
to the Keys and run through your list of places
to eat, and you don't have to come back about
forty times if you want to try to get to
a lot of them, so you will not run out.
(22:11):
It's a great it's a great place for cuisine, cold
beverages and uh and good desserts. I mean so uh
you would you wouldn't know it. The weight fluctuates, but
when I came down here twenty years ago, it was
a lot skinnier than this rob. So we'll catch up
to you in the cholesterol.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
So yeah, I will have to say that I didn't
get to see a lot when I was there on
my visit, but I did get to eat very very well.
The pizza place that is gosh, it's totally escaping me.
Now over close to the hospital.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
Shoot, that's Rustica.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Oh my gosh, that was so good. That was so good.
And I did I did try the pink shrimp.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
That was good. I can't remember where I tried that from.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
But uh, but yeah, I can definitely attest that if
you want good food, the keys are your your stop.
So I don't Yeah, is there anything families tend to
overlook when they're playing the Keys vacation that maybe they
should play pay closer attention to.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
I don't know the overlooking. I mean, you know, it's
probably something that you'll bring up to Rob. I don't
want to jump ahead. I was kind of holding this one.
But getting on the water doesn't have to be a
half day or full day excursion. So one thing I'd say,
don't overlook just getting on some kayaks, be safe, do
the right things. But some kayak tours, the bicycle tours,
(23:33):
the eco tours that I know you asked about a
lot of times, those are all, you know, the keys
for all the sort of the stereotypical stigmas that come
with the Florida Keys. One of the one of the
biggest things the keys are we pride ourselves on is
ecotourism and taking and teaching kids mote marine in places
(23:54):
like that, how to take care of the water, how
to take care of the sea life and those types
of things. And that's a theme up and down the Keys.
A lot of our marketing is around that. So don't
overlook the opportunities to get involved in that kayaking, snorkeling.
You don't have to go out and scuba dive necessarily
with the family if they're not certified. That's hard to do.
But some of the snorkelings some of the best in
the world and just getting out and doing inexpensive things
(24:16):
like that. And I'd say don't overlook the parks. A
lot of state a lot of state parks in the
Florida Keys that are protected. Uh. Some have Civil War
forts that were there, but people don't realize the history.
But the Union the North had forts down here in
the Civil War to control the waterways the people and
(24:36):
coming through from the Gulf into the Atlantic. And so uh,
three or four forts alone down here in Key West,
and one is out called Fort Jefferson. It's about forty
fifty miles out from Key West that you can take
an airplane or catam ran out to and do half
in full days out there in Snorkel and be a
part of history and just see the brick work and
(24:58):
the beautiful waters around it. That's pretty cool too. So
you know, some of those things get overlooked by the
food and fun and that type of stuff, but I
highly sudjust those types of things. Nothing better than a
kayak tour with the family. I mean, you can't beat that.
I mean, jet ski's are fun.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
But one of the things that I noticed I didn't
get a chance to do it, but there was a
what was it a night kayak tour where I guess
the kayaks like had they were lit right, So I
can't remember where that was, but that looked like a
cool kind of fun thing for a family to do.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Yeah, some different places offer that, And again you can
look these things up and a lot of times those
those lights of the kayaks will attract sea life and
things coming up to you. You might see a manatee,
which is a great you know, that's pretty common to
see a manatee hanging around and uh and just different
sea life and it's and you don't hear the waters
(25:56):
tend to be extremely safe. Uh, the biggest thing to
look out for people you know, and being safe on
boats and those types of things. But things like that, Yeah, Rob,
that's a great point getting out in the evening and
doing something like that in a kayak, just being safe
about it and I know where you're at. I would
recommend being with somebody that does a tour on that
and you're with them and they know where to take
you and those types of things. But those experiences, I mean, again,
(26:20):
you don't really get that many places. And you can
be in the mangroves in the back country, you can
be going out towards the ocean. Some pretty neat things
and a lot of a lot of a lot of
hidden secrets and gems in the Florida Keys. And I
don't want to scare families. I mean a lot of
people don't realize we have our own saltwater crocodile. I
mean people think alligators and there's alligators all over Florida.
(26:43):
We have a saltwater crocodile that lives in the Keys.
And if you get to see one, it's a pretty
big treat because you don't most don't get to see
that while they're here they're not they're not as threatening
or they're not to my knowledge is there's no historic
record of a crocodile attacking the human here in South Florida,
and it's the only place in North America. They live
in the in the US, and and we have our
(27:06):
own saltwater croc And if you get to see one,
it's probably pretty cool and not scary because they don't
really attack you on that type of thing. Just don't
go tickle as nose. But you know, I don't want
people to hear this. And the takeaway as the keys
have prop from dials a just one of those unique things.
There's so many things like that. I saw bald eagle
flying around the golf course the other day. It was huge.
(27:27):
I couldn't believe how big it was up close. And
so we have so many birds that migrate through here
and things like that. Just you know, you never know
what day you're going to see a bald eagle, or
you're going to see Kenny Chesney hanging out a castaway
restaurant marathon about two days ago. And there's always somebody
coming through. You never know who you're going to see.
In the Florida Keys. The cool thing about Rob. One
thing I love And I'm sitting here giving you all
(27:47):
these plugs for the keys, but I love it and
I like talking about it. You can tell one thing
I love about the Keys is you and I Well,
you're worth a lot more money than me. But we
could be setting with, you know, a billion and we
could be setting with someone else that's got a penny
in their pocket, and everybody's going to look the same,
everyone's going to talk the same, everyone's gonna treat each
other the same. You never know who the billionaire is
(28:09):
and who the guy with the one penny is unless
he asks them. But I mean, it's just there's flip
flops and T shirts. So that part that conception is
probably true. That everybody's pretty laid back down here. If
you see a person in a tie here in the Keys,
they're probably either an attorney getting ready for court, or
they've got some uh maybe some religious pamphlets to give
out to you. But otherwise, you know, you don't see
(28:30):
a lot of ties down here and that type of thing.
So that's kind of cool. You had me thinking, Rob
off that topic, what is something you don't want to
miss when you come to the Keys? You and I
both love music. We love live music. There's a thought
and there's great live musicians. So many people move down here.
We've got a great Nashville influx to spin a part
of the Keys. After Katrina in New Orleans, there was
(28:53):
a nice there's a huge uh, New Orleans, louis Louisiana
influx and musicians the revivalists started out come down here
a lot before they blew up bands like that. The
music scene in the Florida Keys is top notch, and
that's from top to bottom. There's bars and restaurants and
you'll go in there and think, wow, why is this
guy or this girl playing at this bars because there's
(29:14):
just so many great musicians. Now again, I live in
Key West, so this conversation I keep kind of reverting
back down here. But there's such good Marathon Alamorada, Key Largo.
But here in Key West we've got some names that
have toured and are touring with big names. And Lee
Brice has a guy, Nick Norman, that tours with him
down here and they grew up together and he's a
big musician. But you say, well, that sounds good, that
(29:37):
sounds like bars and people playing, well, No, restaurants. If
kids like music, just to sit there and hear somebody
playing out on a pier at a restaurant or something
like that. Some of the best and I know across
the country we have preat musicians, but it's just like
every every block, everywhere you go, you got somebody really good.
And my kids love it. They love music because of
that when and I appreciate that about Key West. So
(29:59):
I think music scene, whether you go you come down
here and you hear live music at a different bar
or patio or whatever it might be, is something that's underrated. Uh.
There's people that talk about Key Wes rob in the
same vein as the Athens music movement and out of
Seattle and then Austin. Some big things happening here in
Key West right now with names coming through here and
(30:22):
the songwriters' festivals coming up. But in a week that's
fun for kids. See a lot of country stars, a
lot of names that you know from Nashville come down here,
either on there on the way up or they've made
it somewhat and they come down here and play at
Songwriter's festival and they'll there'll be a number one hit
on the radio that some guy wrote, you're sitting there
playing at a bar, and that's a lot of fun too,
And a lot of that stuff happens during the day,
(30:43):
so you know, there's not it's not necessarily night life
bar scene where you can take the kids and just
really listen to nice music. If you're a dad, then
enjoys a beer, that's great. If you don't do that,
get a soda. But those types of things. You know,
look at the event calendar in the Florida Keys and
you know there's usually an event or a show or
something going on in the arts that's going to be
intriguing for you to be a part of while you're
(31:04):
down here. And I know a lot of people leaving
in an area metro area might be getting away from that.
But there's a little different twists on it when you
do it in the Florida Keys.
Speaker 3 (31:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Yeah. So that's the cool thing is when you bring
that to an island like Key West for example, and
fifteen thousand people travel in town for that, it changes
the vibe of the island.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
Right.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
It's a lot of fun things. It's a positive. That's
one thing about the Keys In family is for everybody,
I would put this on there, but I think for
a family too that experienced this, you know, and I'm
not trying to overstate it or sound sappy, Rob, but
there's a positivity. There's a positive vibe in the Florida Keys.
And then bring your family into it and be a
part of it. And you don't necessarily have to plant
(31:45):
it out, you know. I know my wife's a planner,
and you're probably a planner, Rob, I know you, but
I'm not, and I think you could. I think it's
a place for planners and non planners because you can
have a day off the beaten path and find discover
things you want to do, and you can look at
some things before you come down to book and of
course and some of your excursions and things. But that's
that's the cool thing about it. Positive vibe, sort of
(32:06):
seek that off the beaten path. Phil a lot of history,
a lot of cool things we're down here, from Truman,
Capodi to Tennessee Williams to Hunter S. Thompson to Ernest
Hemingway and shel Silverstein. All these types of names have
written and played music and done things here and you
just kind of travel around see where movies were filmed
(32:27):
or somebody played a song, or you may run into
them playing a song. You never know who might be
hanging out, and that's what's fun about it. I mean,
you just never know what you're going to get into.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (32:37):
Well, Britt hey Man, thanks so much for coming back
on the show. And it's obvious that you're passionate about
the keys, and with good reason. It's a beautiful part
of the country, So thanks for coming on and talking
about it with us.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Rob. I appreciate you having me, and I hope that
the listeners listening to this took something away besides the crocodile,
because that's very rare. But I do hope if you're
listening you haven't done it, or have it done it
time you come back. By the way, shout out to
the Key West Airport down here. They just just redid it, Rob.
It is if you get a chance to go to
their web page or their social media page and check
(33:10):
it out. But it's the old days of walking outside
and getting rained on, and some people kind of miss that,
but it outgrew itself and now we've got a really
nice state of the art airport and restaurants and that
type of stuff. And I think they kept the cool
local restaurant, which is the comp Flyer, but there's some
other amenities there now, so it's a little easier and
bigger to get into the Key West Airport if you're
(33:32):
coming down from this side. Obviously, if you're flying to
Miami Fort Laudo, you can drive down into Key Largo
pretty quickly. But that's that's a cool amenity that just
popped up, and it's worth talking about on your show
that the Key West Airport is has changed tremendously and
some people kind of miss the old but man, I'm
excited about the news. It's nice to have it. Allegiant, Delta, American, United, Silver,
(33:57):
I'm missing a few, but they all fly in and
out of the Florida Key is a Key West airport
almost daily and in most of those with multiple flights daily,
and obviously Atlanta being a hub, Charlotte be in a
hub of American in Miami. Uh direct flights into Ashville, Nashville, Houston, Atlanta, Newark,
Boston a couple of days with Jet Blue. So there's
(34:17):
a lot of people don't realize how busy and how
many direct flights and jets coming in out of here too.
So that's probably another misconception on how you get here,
but a lot of opportunity and you can always you
can always book somewhere and get into in the Key
West and obviously Miami. So I missed so many things.
So for those listening down here and you say Britt
missed my restaurant, I know I did, and it was
(34:37):
and it was this is We could spend four hours
talking about the keys and where to go and what
to do, Rob and uh, and I love doing it.
But think we touched the service today and I hope
it was enough to get somebody. Uh, if you got
some kids and family or just in h or others,
come down here as a group or come down with
your family and have a great time. So thanks for
letting me share it, share it to do on the podcast,
and you do great work. I love the podcast, Rob,
(34:59):
thanks for letting me do it.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Well, we'll just have to have you back for the
for the third time. And don't worry.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
In the show notes, I'll put your email address for
any complaints for any of the restaurants that you miss.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
No worries.
Speaker 1 (35:10):
Before we forget. Let's let's do plug keys weekly, So
talk about keys weekly, real quick.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Well, I wasn't gonna do it.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
I didn't know no do it do it?
Speaker 2 (35:19):
So I am the proud co owner of a media
organization down here, and part of that there's two two companies.
One is Keys Weekly and there's a lot of great
so we're gonna plug it here. We go a lot
of great local Keys community information on there. We are.
We have three weekly papers that come out every week
and that's up in the Upper Keys, Marathon and Key West.
(35:40):
We produce a lot of magazines in house and published
for a lot of the local organizations, Real County Sheriff's
Department and chambers and so it's a it's a it's
a print media along with digital media outlets. So if
you want to, I guess that I'm gonna give a
real plug if you want to kind of keep up
with what's going on in the Florida Keys, whether it's
we'll interview Jelly Roll one day who's coming in to
play into a podcast with him them, and then the
next day we're interviewing a local character who it might
(36:04):
be in the Keys. So you get a little bit
of everything. So you can sign up for our sign
up for our newsletter. There local news and restaurants and
all that time. So you get a lot of this there.
And then we have Overseas Media Group, which is a
digital company that does marketing for the Keys and things.
It does a lot better job than me marketing the Keys,
talking about where to go, what to do, and social
media websites those types of things. But keyswekly dot com
(36:25):
gives you a lot of this information and where to
go and what to do. And I appreciate the plug
because we have fun doing it. We got about thirty
employees down here in the Keys, all locals, and they
and you can tell we love it. So when I
start talking about the Keys, yeah, and tell you everybody
loves it. That's a great thing about down here. It's
just one. It's a great family, and the Keys weekly
families one. I'm I have great people in this company
and we all love the Florida Keys. And so when
(36:46):
we start talking about it like this, like oh oh
there's this, and that's why you see us scattered everywhere.
There's so many things to do, and then we'll hang
up and I'll be like, oh, I forgot to tell
you these ten things. So if somebody's thinking about it,
please reach out to me, and I'm happy to tell
you more and probably in a more concise way. So
one human, one human family, rob, put your political swords
down and escape for a while, and everybody who's get
(37:08):
along for a good week and uh and have a
good time doing it. And you'll find that you you'll
find you'll get along with anybody and everybody because everybody
has one common gold on here, and that's smile, have
a good time and be laid back and come be
a part of that vibe. That's that's my pitch to you.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
Hey, I'm sold, all right, man.
Speaker 2 (37:25):
I appreciate it, all right, brother, thanks for having me on,
really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Thanks for being here. Take care.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
Another big thank you to Brett Myers for joining me
today and sharing such fantastic insights about the Florida Keys.
His passion for the keys is obvious, so whether it's
taking in the Dolphin Reserve, exploring the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
Or just kicking back on island time.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
It's clear there's more than enough in the Keys to
make it a memorable family get away.
Speaker 3 (37:55):
Now.
Speaker 1 (37:55):
If you want to learn more about Bread and Keys Weekly,
check them out at Keys Weekly or follow them on
social media for updates and local happenings throughout the Keys
and Hey. If you've enjoyed this episode, make sure to
subscribe to The Family Vacationer wherever you get your podcasts.
We're also on Instagram and now on substack, so you
(38:17):
can follow us there for extra travel tips, family destination guides,
and behind the scenes content. Until next time, remember, folks,
keep your hearts and your passports open. Save travels everyone.
Speaker 2 (38:31):
Thank you for listening to The Family Vacationer. Make sure
I like and subscribe to hear more from Robin Tracyracy
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