Spring Break | Recap of Islamorada

If you’re a longtime follower, you know my family loves visiting the Keys each spring! If you’re new here, let me reiterate – my family LOVES enjoying spring break in Florida! Last year we visited Marathon, FL and jam-packed our schedule to accommodate what everyone wanted to do on that trip. We visited the Theater of the Sea, watched a dolphin show and visited the Southernmost point of the Continental USA. You can read all about last year’s trip here. While that trip was an absolute blast, we chose to do something different this year. And that was to relax!

Last year we did all the touristy things and were constantly on the go. This year was all about relaxation and hardly leaving the resort (which is my kind of vacation)! We stayed at Cheeca Lodge & Spa which, to be honest, was AMAZING! I highly recommend staying at this resort. The staff was exceptional, our stay was great, and most importantly the property was absolutely breathtaking.

I mean, does it get much better than this? The trip was nearly perfect! The only thing I would recommend if you choose to emulate this trip is to fly into Key West. Last year we flew into Key West but we decided to fly into Miami this time around. Looking back, I much preferred traveling to Key West over Miami, especially since the drive was about the same distance. Other than that, let’s get into all the details! First up, food!

Truthfully, we ate at the resort a lot! The food was exceptional and they had several gluten free items for us to choose from. When we didn’t eat at the resort, we revisited some old favorites and tried some newer places too! Here were a few of the family’s favorites:

• Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar
  This restaurant sits right on the water and they’ve been voted for showcasing the best sunset year after year! If you’re a big seafood eater, look no further. Plus, they have a great kid’s menu.
• Lazy Days
  We love restaurants that have an ocean view and this restaurant did not disappoint. If the temperatures are favorable, you can even sit on their porch!
• Islamorada Fish Co
• Square Grouper Bar and Grill
  We loved this place on our last trip and wanted to visit it again! It’s one of the most popular destinations for fresh, local seafood. Highly recommend!

It would not be right for me to write this blog post and not mention doing a fishing charter. Last year, this was the highlight of Ryder’s trip and he was dying to do it again this time around. The boys did the fishing charter with All Keys Charters while Milly Kate and I had a girl’s day. They had an amazing time with Michael Schofield, who happened to bring him around last year too. This is starting to be a family tradition! Eric and Ryder fished, learned about different types of bait, and once again got to keep their catch of the day. It is such a fun adventure if you’ve got boys in your family! Fishing on the Cheeca dock was also a must-do!

For all the other to-do’s, I have an “Islamorada” highlight on my Instagram page that I’d love for you to visit! Truthfully this trip was all about beach days, lounging by the pool and eating good food. When you travel it doesn’t always have to be go, go, go and being busy sightseeing. We loved this laidback way of traveling! Here’s a video recap of our trip in 30 seconds!

Regarding what to pack – that’s simple! All you need is lots of swimsuits and coverups. The sun there can be pretty strong, so make sure you lather on the sunscreen. I’ve linked my favorite suits below and some fishing necessities for the boys! Have you been to the Florida Keys before? I’d love for you to share with me your favorite things to do while visiting! We are already looking forward to planning our trip for next spring! Does your family mix up travel spots or revisit the same places over and over again?

Mens Xtratuff Boots | Boys Buoy Boots