Travel-loving grandparents looking to spend more precious time with their grandchildren, can combine their passions with an unforgettable vacation for the entire family. As multi-generational travel continues to grow in popularity, careful planning is crucial to keep all ages happy with the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, safety and self-contained privacy.
The family-friendly Florida Keys create the feel of a faraway paradise without the need to travel beyond a practical distance. Weather is beautifully warm year-round to explore the natural wonders of the island chain, in and out of the sparkling waters. In the Middle Keys at Tranquility Bay Resort, grandparents, parents and grandchildren can forge bonds over beach games, exploring nature, taking day trips and visiting local attractions.
Family fun for every age
Rated as one of the best resorts in the Florida Keys for families, Tranquility Bay is home to three pools, a private beach, spacious guestrooms and beach houses with calming views. The younger generation are swayed away from their screens, much to the delights of their elders. Together, all three generations can capture special moments and reconnect in a distraction-free natural setting.
Parents will find peace by the adults-only pool, while grandparents make memories with their grandchildren at the heated lagoon-style pool – then the grown-ups can swap places! The adventure starts right on the doorstep of each beach house, with pretty palm-lined paths meandering through the tropical gardens where iguanas sun themselves and pelicans glide above. Step into the shallows of the pool, where babies and toddlers can sit and safely splash, and older children can enjoy the freedom of the deeper areas in one of the largest pools in the Florida Keys. If kids are keen to learn the basics of snorkeling, our Adventure Concierge can arrange a bubble-blowing session in the pool, or even watch a scuba demo.
Seniors searching for soft adventures on their travels can rent a couple of kayaks from Tranquility Bay’s private dock, where the surrounding waters are a haven for local wildlife. For more action-packed adventure, the onsite Turtle Island Watersports operator can arrange Wave Runners, snorkel lessons, or scuba diving. Back on the beach, the gentle swimmable sea is the perfect place to safely practice water skills.
Home away from home
Grandparents can wake up on the waterfront in a spacious Beach House, the ultimate home away from home. Completely self-contained with a fully-equipped kitchen, all ages can gather to prepare meals and dine together, creating independence and flexibility – all necessary for a smooth-running multigenerational vacation.
Travel stress-free with the knowledge that all your baby and toddler gear needs are covered here, so you can pack light and have one less thing to worry about. BabyQuip delivers and sets up safe, insured, clean gear so everyone in the family can feel just like they are at home. Rental items include cribs, pack n plays, highchairs, booster seats, strollers, gates, toy packages, and even essential beach gear for visits to local beaches.
Together, the whole family can open the doors to their private porch, soak up the morning sun, and feel the soft touch of white sand just steps away. Crawlers will love zooming along putting green in the morning before the rest of the resort wakes up to practice their swing.
For an authentic taste of the Florida Keys, families can relax at Butterfly Café which features a Little Caterpillars menu for younger diners. Right on the beach, TJ’s Tiki Bar serves favorites from back home alongside the true flavors of the Keys with classics including fish tacos, mahi sandwich, and shrimp salad.
Family-friendly attractions
There is no need to venture far for further fun. Right next door to Tranquility Bay is one of Marathon’s most famed attractions, The Turtle Hospital. Together, all relatives can enjoy watching a variety of turtle species swim around their rehabilitation tanks during guided tours, with a behind-the-scenes look at the recovery of injured turtles. Beyond The Turtle Hospital just a short drive along the Overseas Highway, is the Dolphin Research Center. Guaranteed to become one of the many long-lasting vacation memories, the center offers families in-water encounters with dolphins and fascinating insight into their behavior.
Marathon is also home to the exciting Aquarium Encounters. From here, grandkids can return home with stories of petting starfish and handling conch in a tide pool. And then there’s the amazing story about the whole family feeding a nurse shark!
Popular among families on a Marathon vacation is Crane Point, a 64-acre protected park where visitors can tour the Museum of Natural History, Children’s Museum, Adderley Town Historic Site and Marathon Wild Bird Center. There is also an extensive nature trail system to keep everyone active.
Our helpful Planning Guide will give you top tips and event information for preparing the perfect time of year to bring all generations together in the Florida Keys. View our special offers and start planning.