Christmas vacation

Hey All!

Have written before about being in Marathon Dec. 22-29 with 10 people ages 9-75. Staying at the White Sands Inn. Haven%26#39;t read much on it. Has anyone heard anything about it? I have also read some restaurant reviews. Any idea on if there will be any places open Xmas eve or day? Also wondering about a private boat charter for some or all of us to go out snorkling. Are there any companies that do that that you all recommend? How is the weather at this time of year? I would assume it will be warm enough to get in the water. Is that correct? Any info on holiday events would also be appreciated. Any info at all would be great! Thanks. Susan

Christmas vacation

usually not many restaurants open on christmas day. you need to make advance reservations if you want to get in to anyplace on christmas day. annettes lobster house is one place that is open or was open last year i should say so call early for info as last year we shared bag of popcorn, 2 candy bars and one tv dinner lol. i have not been inside the white sands but it is on the ocean side of the water it is on grassy key a little ways out of downtown marathon so it will be pretty private that is good. there are lots of boat charters, you may want to get a reservation now as it is very busy christmas. we also have the turtle hospital in marathon, thats good for a tour but again advance reservations are highly recommended last xmas we didnt get in. weather is always great that time of year. if it is not what you want there is always the princess glass bottom boat ride out of key largo, it is an alternative to being in the water and still getting to see the sea life. we go on that every chance we get too. they started a new tour here this year in marathon, it is swim with the cobia, my grandkids did that and thought it was the best thing they ever did here. they are about four foot long fish, they feed them, they let you snorkel there for the day if you swim with the fish, its a pretty cool little place. the water is protected so if its not as great would be a nice place for snorkel. there is a great restaurant at the rainbow bend inn which is almost next door to white sands it is hidden away on the second floor but is our favorite, they do everything from scratch and is it good food. it is called hideaway cafe. i dont know much about snorkel boats, you may want to call captain hooks they seem to have that sort of thing, sometimes the water gets down to about 60 degrees that time of year so some days they recommend wet suits but my grandkids still snorkel anyway at sombrero beach park right at the beach. there is also bahia==it is a state park and they have all kinds of things to do there. you could rent kayaks by the hour and take them out in the water. i would also suggest going to http://www.fla-keys.com/listing.cfm?id=179

its the visitors guide for the florida keys. call the folks on the list. they are usually all good. burdines is usually best for lunch it has great food, franks grill got restaurant of the year but i have not eaten there. keys fishery is a place to eat not to be missed they have lobster reuben i had never heard of it before. so hope you love it here. post me a note if any of this was helpful. maybe i will see you while youre here.

Christmas vacation

Christmas Dinner - try Butterfly Cafe at Tranquility Bay

Snorkeling - A Deep Blue Dive at the Key Colony Beach Marina

Swim with the Cobia - Aqua Ranch on Grassy Key not far from White Sands. Also, Dolphin Research Center across the road for your dolphin encounter

Other great restaurants - Sparky%26#39;s Landing at the KCB Marina, Castaway and Burdine%26#39;s on 15th Street, Barracuda Grill (upscale), Frank%26#39;s Grill for Italian

Breakfast spots - go where the locals go - Wooden Spoon, Stuffed Pig, Stout%26#39;s (don%26#39;t bother with IHop, although all the tourists seem to go there, must be the name-brand thing)

Weather will be wonderful. Possibly a little cool (70%26#39;s) at night.

Have a wonderful time!

I think you will enjoy White Sands Inn. The people that own it are very nice and the property is always kept up.

I would skip the Annette%26#39;s suggestion - touristy place and food just ok. Butterfly Cafe and Hideaway (that%26#39;s closer to you) are very good suggestions for Christmas dinner. Yes, make reservations. I think Key Colony Inn might be open Christmas day (Italian) Sparky%26#39;s Landing is open for lunch Christmas EVE, closed Christmas day. %26#39;Alma%26#39; in Hawk%26#39;s Cay is good too for Christmas or Christmas Eve dinner.

Franks is good, I don%26#39;t think they are open for Christams - not sure though - make reservations for ANY night you want to be there, small Italian place.

Again - A Deep Blue Dive is the choice for snorkeling.

Water is too cool for me - but I like it in the 80%26#39;s. Water temps are about 77 right now and should dip some more, to like 70, by the time you get here. Still warmer than your lakes:%26gt;) Air temp should be in the 70%26#39;s.

There is a boat parade in Key Colony Beach and another in Boot Key Harbor. (don%26#39;t know dates) Florida Keys Electric has a great light show. As does San Pablo church.

And I know Im just repeating - but do be sure to visit Aqua Ranch in Grassy Key.

bluewater - the KCB boat parade is 12/14, so smilesep will miss it (too bad). But, the San Pablo display is a must-see even for those of us less religious types and the FL Keys Electric Co-Op is also worth a drive-through.

Thanks for all of the great advice! It was mentioned about the Fl. Electric Co-op drive and also San Pablo. What are these events and were do they take place? Thanks again for all your helpful info. Can%26#39;t wait to get there!

San Pablo church is located at the corner of 122nd Street and US1 oceanside near the Vaca Cut bridge. They have an outdoor display you can walk through. Quite lovely. The electric co-op is located on US 1 at about 39th Street oceanside, across from Upper Crust Pizza (great place when you need a break from fish). Splashy display - drive through.