2-Week Florida Family Itinerary: Everglades, Florida Keys, Miami and Theme Parks

Florida is one of those trips that can either feel like the holiday of a lifetime… or completely exhausting. The difference isn’t how much you do — it’s how you pace it.

This two‑week Florida family itinerary combines the best of South Florida, Everglades, the Florida Keys, Miami and a full week in Orlando, built from our own experience travelling with a school‑aged child. It balances wildlife, road‑trip adventure, beaches and world‑class theme parks — without turning every day into a logistical challenge.

Throughout this guide, we share what worked brilliantly for our family, what we’d do again, and what we’d change if we were planning it now. We’ve also linked to detailed follow‑on guides with deeper advice on parks, tours, accommodation and planning decisions, so you can adapt the itinerary to suit your own family.

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hotels, tours and experiences we’ve personally used and genuinely loved.

If you’re planning Florida from the UK and want something ambitious but still enjoyable, this is the structure that worked for us.

Who this is for: UK families, school-age children, 14 nights, comfortable with driving and a multi-stop road trip.

Is it rushed? There are enough stops that the pace does move — but the itinerary is deliberately built with flexibility. Miami can be shortened or cut entirely if you want more time in the Keys or a slower arrival into Orlando. We'll flag the natural adjustment points as we go.

South Florida + Orlando Family Itinerary at a Glance

• Day 1: Fly into Tampa (or Orlando), drive south

  EVERGLADES

• Day 2: Big Cypress & Everglades airboat tour, continue on to Key Largo

  FLORIDA KEYS

• Day 3: Key Largo — snorkelling at John Pennekamp

• Day 4: Key West day trip with Overseas Highway stops

  MIAMI

• Day 5: Drive to Miami — Raccoon Island boat tour, explore Miami

• Day 6: Aventura/Miami beach day

  ORLANDO

• Day 7: Transit day Miami > Orlando, visit Outlet malls

• Day 8: Islands of Adventure / Universal Studios Florida, overnight Hard Rock Hotel (for express passe access)

• Day 9: Islands of Adventure / Universal Studios Florida, move into Storey Lake villa

• Day 10: Rest day at the villa

• Day 11: Volcano Bay

• Day 12: Epic Universe

• Day 13: Discovery Cove

• Day 14: Flex day — favourite park, shopping or villa

• Day 15: Fly home

The Driving Route at a Glance

Fly into Tampa → Drive south → Everglades/Big Cypress → Florida Keys (Key Largo, Islamorada, Key West) → Miami/Aventura → Drive/fly to Orlando → Universal Islands of Adventure → Universal Studios Florida → Rest day → Volcano Bay → Epic Universe → Discovery Cove → Flex day → Fly home

Total driving across the fortnight is manageable — the longest single day is the Tampa arrival drive south, and after that each leg is relatively short. Key distances to know:

• Tampa to Everglades area: approximately 3-4 hours

• Everglades to Key Largo: approximately 1.5 hours

• Key Largo to Key West: approximately 2 hours (longer with stops — and you should stop)

• Key West to Miami: approximately 2-3 hours

• Miami to Orlando: approximately 3 – 3.5 hours

Day 1: Arrive Tampa, Start Driving South

You will land tired and probably later than planned. The priority is getting out of Tampa and making some southward progress so that Day 2 isn't entirely swallowed by driving. We recommend booking a roadside inn or budget hotel somewhere along the I-75 corridor — somewhere practical rather than exciting. This is a transit night, not a destination, we opted for Roadside Inn Sun City.

For a more detailed day by day for our South Florida leg, see: 5 day Everglades, Florida Keys and Miami itinerary for families

Day 2: Big Cypress & the Everglades.

We spent time in Big Cypress National Preserve, stopping at:

• Oasis Visitor Center

• Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk

• Roadside pull‑outs where we saw alligators up close

Originally, we planned to include Everglades National Park and the Shark Valley tram. But with non‑US entry fees rising to $100 per adult, we made a conscious decision to skip it and focus on Big Cypress instead. We explain that choice in detail here: Big Cypress vs Everglades National Park: Which Is Better with Kids?

That afternoon, we did an Everglades airboat tour, which was a standout moment for our son. Fast, exciting, and educational without feeling forced. If you’re unsure about safety or age suitability, this will help: Everglades Airboat Tours: Are They Safe for Kids?

From there, we headed on to Key Largo and stayed for three nights. In reality, one full day is plenty for exploring the Everglades; beyond that, you start to see much of the same.

Day 3: Key Largo & Snorkelling at John Pennekamp

Key Largo is perfect after a heavy travel day — calm, compact, and family‑friendly. We booked a snorkelling tour at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park using Viator, which we regularly use for tours with clear reviews and flexible cancellation. Clear water, tropical fish, and even turtles — memorable without being overwhelming.

We break down whether it’s worth it here: Snorkelling Tours in the Florida Keys – Are They Worth It with Kids?

Where We Stayed in Key Largo

We stayed at Kawama Yacht Club, a brilliant option for families thanks to:

• Apartment‑style space

• Kitchen facilities

• Private beach and swimming pool on site

• No reliance on restaurants every night

Full review: Kawama Yacht Club Key Largo Review: Beachfront Family Accommodation

We stayed in Key Largo, but if you're weighing up other options across the Keys — Islamorada, Marathon or Key West — our guide to Where to Stay in the Florida Keys with Kids covers the full picture.

Day 4: The Overseas Highway and Key West

Allow a full day for this. The drive itself is long at round 2.5 hours but part of the experience if you include stops.

Stops we'd recommend:

• Robbie's Marina, Islamorada — feed the tarpon. It costs a couple of dollars for a bucket of fish and the kids will absolutely love it

• Long Key State Park — a short walk through the Golden Orb Trail with good scenery and a chance to stretch

• The Overseas Highway — 42 bridges, Atlantic on one side, Gulf of Mexico on the other — is genuinely one of the most scenic drives in America.

There are plenty of other activities you can stop for with kids beyond what we opted for, you can read more about those here : Fun Things to Do in the Florida Keys with School-Aged Kids

In Key West:

• Southernmost Point

• Old Town

• Mallory Square at sunset

• Kermit's Key Lime Pie — non-negotiable

The attractions are spread out so we'd recommend using the hop-on hop-off tram or sightseeing bus rather than walking everywhere. If your timing allows, staying overnight in Key West is worth considering — it's a lot to take in on a day trip. For families visiting for the first time, a day trip from Key Largo works, but don't rush it.

There are plenty of other activities you can stop for with kids along the way, we break this down in our guide: Key Largo to Key West: One day road trip Itinerary and activities with kids

Days 5–7: Miami and Aventura

Day 5 : Raccoon Island Miami

We booked a Raccoon Island boat tour at 9:45am through Get Your Guide. It's a half-day excursion into Biscayne Bay — wild raccoons on a natural island, a boat ride through calm water, and optional swimming. It's informal, memorable and genuinely fun for school-age children. Full review: Raccoon Island Miami with Kids: Is It Really Worth It?

Important: Miami traffic is no joke, especially on weekdays. Leave considerably more time than the map suggests, and park at Trinity Church near the harbour ($15/day, easy, right next to the water). It took us 3 hours to get to Miami from the Keys, the journey should have taken half that without traffic.

In the afternoon, explore Miami at your own pace — South Beach, Wynwood, or simply a relaxed lunch and a wander.

Where to stay: We based ourselves in Aventura at Hampton Inn by Hilton — quieter than central Miami, easier to park, and around 40–50 minutes from the city. It works well as a family base for these two nights. For more on Where to Stay in Miami Florida with Kids

Day 6: Enjoy Miami

We spent the day doing Joshua’s pick, an indoor activity park with trampolining, mini golf and VR machines and a visit to Hallandale beach. There are loads of options in Miami, for the full picture: Fun things to do in Miami with kids

Day 7: Miami to Orlando transit day

Was a transit day, we travelled the 3.5 hours from Aventura to Orlando. Spent the afternoon visiting the Orland Premium Outlets. We checked into our hotel La Quinta, another stop of convenience as at this point we were awaiting the arrival of our extended family to join us.

Days 8–14: Universal Orlando

Where to Stay

Our strategy — and we'd recommend it to any family — was one night at Hard Rock Hotel to start, then a villa at Storey Lake for the remainder.

Hard Rock gives you Early Park Admission and Unlimited Express Pass included in your stay. On Day 1 at Universal that combination is worth more than almost anything else you can do — it changes the entire experience of the morning.

For our full overview see: Hard Rock Hotel Universal Orlando Review: Is the Free Express Pass Worth It?

After the first two park days, we moved into our villa at Storey Lake — and honestly, it felt like a second holiday beginning. Ten bedrooms, every kids' room individually themed, a games room with a pool table, PlayStation and retro arcade games, and our own private pool. The kids didn't know where to start. After two days of being directed from ride to ride, having that space to just roam freely was exactly what everyone needed.

For our full overview of facilities, including a video walk round of the property, see: Storey Lake Kissimmee Villa Review

Day 8: Islands of Adventure & Universal Studios Florida - Park-to-Park

Start here, and start early. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the priority — queues build fast and during March–April 2026 it was included in Early Park Admission for Hard Rock guests.

Morning ride order:

• Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

• Flight of the Hippogriff

• VelociCoaster (Jurassic Park area)

Afternoon: Hogwarts Express across to Universal Studios Florida, Escape from Gringotts, watch the dragon breathe fire, grab a cheap lunch from the potato hut, then stop by 4pm. Pool, hotel dinner, early night.

For a more detailed day by day, including ride recommendations, see: 7-Day Orlando Itinerary for UK Families (Universal parks, Discovery cove and pool villa)

Day 9: Islands of Adventure & Universal Studios Florida - Park-to-Park

Start back at Islands of Adventure — it opens earlier, and re-riding the best rides while the morning is still fresh is a much better use of your time than queuing at Universal Studios Florida from the off.

Mid-morning, take the Hogwarts Express across and spend the afternoon at Universal Studios:

• Minions

• Transformers

• Simpsons area

• E.T. Adventure

Universal Studios is more simulator-heavy and never quite matched the impact of Islands of Adventure for us — but it's still a solid day when combined with a strong Islands morning.

That evening, move into your Storey Lake villa. Walmart run, BBQ, private pool. And breathe!

For everything you need before visiting Universal, see:

• Universal Orlando with Kids: What Parents Should Know Before Visiting

• How Universal Orlando Park Tickets Work (What UK Families Should Know)

• Is Universal Express Pass Worth It for Families?

Day 10: Rest Day (With Optional NBA Game)

After two full Universal park days, everyone needed to decompress. This is where having a villa really paid off. The kids swam whenever they wanted, drifted in and out of the games room, and just were children again — rather than being marched to another attraction. We could eat easily, move slowly, and stop the whole trip feeling like a military operation. The rest day is not wasted time. It’s what makes the other days work.

If you do want to add something light, this is the perfect day to do it. We considered an NBA game in the evening, which works well after a relaxed villa day and doesn’t overload tired kids. We break down whether it’s actually worth doing with children (and when it isn’t) here:
Is an NBA Game Worth It for Kids? A Family Guide for School‑Aged Children

Day 11: Volcano Bay

A completely different kind of park day — and the right one at this point in the week.

Arrive early and hit the priority rides first:

• Krakatau Aqua Coaster (107cm minimum height)

• Ko'okiri Body Plunge

• Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Slides

• Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

Once the big slides are done, stop treating it like a checklist. Repeat favourites, use the beach, drift in the pools. Volcano Bay is more enjoyable when you slow down.

For everything you need for a great trip to Volcano Bay, see: Volcano Bay Tips for Families

Day 12: Epic Universe

Epic Universe requires a different mindset to the other parks — and that's not a criticism. It's built around five immersive worlds rather than a traditional ride lineup, and the experience reflects that.

Priority rides to tackle early:

• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

• Stardust Racers

• Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge

• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

• Mine-Cart Madness (Donkey Kong)

Then slow right down. The best parts of Epic for us were the slower ones — letting the kids explore the worlds properly, take in the detail, and enjoy the environment without rushing to the next queue. This park rewards patience in a way the others don't.

For everything you need for a great trip to Epic Universe, see: Epic Universe Tips for Families

Day 13: Discovery Cove

One of the standout days of the entire fortnight — and the calmest.

Everything is included: breakfast, lunch, unlimited snacks and drinks, parking, lockers, towels, snorkel gear. After two weeks of Florida park pricing, the all-inclusive format feels almost surreal.

Arrive between 7:00am and 8:30am. Dolphin swim slots are assigned at check-in on a first-come, first-served basis, so early arrival matters even if you plan a slower morning.

How our day looked:

• Flamingo walk and breakfast

• Dolphin swim mid-morning

• SeaVenture underwater walk

• Snorkelling with rays and tropical fish

• Lazy river and animal encounters

Calm, organised, and genuinely restorative after the pace of Universal. A very easy yes for families.

For everything you need for a great trip to Discovery Cove, see: Discovery Cover tips for families visiting with kids

Day 14: Flex Day

Keep this open if you possibly can.

Options depending on your family and energy levels:

• Return to your favourite park

• Spend more time at Epic Universe if you wanted another day

• Orlando Premium Outlets for last-minute shopping

• Villa day — pool, games room, proper wind-down before the flight home

We chose to slow down, and by that point in the trip it was exactly the right call.

Practical Planning Tips for UK Families

Best Time to Visit: Florida's winter and spring months — roughly November through April — are the sweet spot for this kind of trip. Temperatures are warm without being overwhelming, humidity is manageable, and you avoid the peak hurricane season. We visited in April over Easter, which was busy but very enjoyable. Read more: When Is the Best Time to Visit Florida with Kids?

Driving: You'll adapt to driving on the right faster than you expect — the challenge is usually roundabouts and car park exits. For everything you need to know, including how to navigate the tolls before you arrive (don’t get caught out here), see: Driving in the USA: What Europeans Need to Know

Car Hire: You will need a car for this entire itinerary — there is no realistic alternative. Book in advance through a reputable provider; like Holiday Autos or Trip. One thing that genuinely surprised us: petrol in Florida is remarkably cheap compared to the UK. What we didn't fully anticipate was how much the toll roads add up over two weeks. Budget for this separately — it's not huge, but it catches people out.

Costs & Budget: Florida is not a cheap family holiday, you can definitely manage the spend depending on what you want to do but expect to budget at least £1,500 - £2,000 per person excluding the international flights. Full breakdown in our How Much Does 2 Weeks in Florida Cost for UK Families?

Tipping: Budget for tipping across the board — restaurants, tours, hotel housekeeping, boat trips. Roughly $10–15 per person per tour is standard. For everything you need to know, see: Tipping in America Explained for British Families

Food: Florida is excellent for families — portions are generous, menus are varied, and most children find plenty they'll eat. Inside the parks, look for the cheaper quick-service options rather than sit-down restaurants.

Heat: April was warm but very manageable. Summer visits are significantly hotter and more humid — factor this into your planning, particularly for the Everglades and Keys days. Pack high-factor sunscreen, hats, and reusable water bottles.

ESTA: Every member of your family, including children, needs an ESTA before travelling to the USA. Apply well in advance — it's straightforward but don't leave it until the last minute. Full details in our guide: ESTA, Visas & Entry Rules for UK Families Visiting the USA

Jet lag: The time difference from the UK to Florida is five hours. Starting in Orlando suits jet-lagged families because the theme park energy carries you through. Starting in South Florida is gentler but slower — either works.

Travel Insurance Do not skip this. Medical costs in the USA are significant, and a family trip of this length with this many activities — airboating, snorkelling, theme parks, water parks — needs proper cover. Get a quote from Just Travel Insurance here. More on why this matters: Travel Insurance for the USA: Why You Cannot Get This Wrong

Flights: Most UK families can fly into either Tampa or Orlando airport for this itinerary. Direct flights from the UK to Tampa run from around 9–10 hours. Orlando is similarly served. Check both when pricing. We opted for Tampa from London Gatwick as the flights were cheaper and direct.

Final itinerary thoughts

Two weeks in Florida works brilliantly for UK families — but the version that works best is the one that doesn't try to do everything.

This itinerary gives you real Florida alongside the theme parks: wildlife, marine life, open highway driving, key lime pie, and genuinely world-class attractions. The pace moves, but there's enough breathing room built in that it doesn't feel relentless.

If you want to adjust it — drop Miami, add an extra night in Key West, spend more time in the Keys — the structure supports that easily. Use the articles linked throughout as your deeper guides for each stop, and build the itinerary around your family rather than the other way around.

Ready to start planning? Copy and adjust our exact trip with: How to plan a 2 week trip to Florida with kids

Planning a Family Trip to the USA

If you’re planning a family trip to the United States, we’ve created a collection of practical guides based on our own experiences travelling there with a child. In our USA Travel Hub, you’ll find advice on everything from ESTA requirements and travel insurance to driving, healthcare and managing jet lag with kids, alongside destination guides for places we’ve explored including New York, Colorado, South Dakota and Florida. It’s a useful starting point for parents researching how to plan a smooth and enjoyable family trip to the USA.