Imagine waking up to the smell of sea & sand, hearing seagulls and seeing nothing but palm trees and ocean as you throw back the curtains of your coastal resort. Welcome to paradise in the Florida Keys! Plan your perfect January babymoon in the USA by escaping the cold and heading south to explore the southernmost point in America.
If you are planning a babymoon, that probably means you are pregnant and congratulations are in order! Pregnancy brings lots of stress, both mental and physical. I think a babymoon is a brilliant idea to get away from it all for a while and focus on the relationship between you and your partner one last time, just the two of you.
If you are anything like me, pregnancy can also bring about a lot of “what ifs” and uncertainty. We would have loved to pull out our passports and traveled abroad one more time, but part of me worried I wouldn’t be able to fully relax and enjoy myself while in another country (at 28 weeks pregnant).
So we decided to stay in the U.S. And after spending 2 weeks in the UK earlier that year, our PTO would not allow another trip until the following year. So January it was! Which somewhat limited my dreams of a warm, tropical beach vacation… until we decided to go all the way south. Read on to learn how to plan the perfect babymoon in the Florida Keys!
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The Florida Keys are made up of 150 isles, but the 5 main islands are Key Largo, Marathon, Islamorada, Big Pine Key and Key West. As a first timer, I wanted to experience a little bit of everything without committing to just one place. I planned the perfect weeklong itinerary, complete with a rented convertible to drive down U.S Route 1 oversees highway from the airport in Ft. Lauderdale to Key West.
Did you know? The overseas highway is 113 miles of road (part of U.S. Route 1) through the Florida Keys. Large parts of it were built on an existing railroad, and it was completed it 1938. This drive is a bucket list item for sure! Route 1 is actually the longest north-south road in the U.S., spanning from Florida to Maine. We have traveled the north part on our incredible long weekend trip through New Hampshire & Maine, and excited to drive the southern part as well.
The Florida Keys Travel Guide Bonus
To save time, download my whole trip map with all the places I recommend already marked for your convenience!
Where to Stay in the Florida Keys: Nights 1-3
Is there anything better than a beachfront stay in Florida? We chose to spend three nights at Coconut Palm Inn in Tavernier, Florida on the southern tip of Key Largo. The intimate inn has only 19 rooms, and is one of few US recipients of Travel and Leisure’s annual “40 Secret Hideaways” in the world. While it is true that there are very few traditional “beaches” in the keys, Coconut Palm Inn offers 450 feet of private sand on the Florida Bay, which is about as close as you’ll get to your dreams of a white sand vacation.
Where to Stay in the Florida Keys: Nights 4-7
Ok, so this key isn’t “technically” included in the Florida Keys, but its south and has arguably the best beach for relaxing in the area! After we explored the Florida Keys for 3 days, we drove north to relax at the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne, Miami for 4 nights.
This resort is the closest you’ll get to an all inclusive feel in the states. Key Biscayne is a barrier island just south of Miami and South Beach. The Ritz is a luxury beachfront resort complete with a golf course, tennis courts, resort spa and restaurants.
Want an inside tip? The Ritz has some units that are privately owned and rented our through VRBO. We booked a room this way at a cheaper price! You forego daily housekeeping, but get a parking space so you don’t have to spend on valet, and get to enjoy the rest of the perks of the resort.
January Babymoon in the USA: What to Do
Quick Itinerary: Here is a breakdown of how we spent each day during our weeklong January babymoon
Day 1: Arrive & drive to Tavernier, Florida
Day 2: Spend the day relaxing and exploring Coconut Palm Inn
Day 3: Day trip to Key West, Florida
Day 4: Day trip to the Everglades National Park, and stay at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
Days 5-7: Enjoy the beach and pool at the resort
They say opposites attract, and this couldn’t be more true when it comes to my husband and I’s vacation styles. I prefer to veg and could lay on the beach all day, while he enjoys staying active, going and doing. We planned to be more active and explore on the front end of the trip, and end with some R&R at the Ritz on the back end. It made for a perfect mix of both travel styles, and the best January Babymoon in the USA.
How to Get Around
If you plan to explore the Keys and surrounding areas, I think renting a car is necessary. A convertible may have been a splurge, but hey YOLO. Having your own car gives you the flexibility to go, see and do on your own schedule.
Guide to Your January Babymoon in the USA & Beyond
If you enjoyed this guide, check out some other city guides to get ideas for more trips within the U.S.:
Northeast
Southeast
Midwest
West
For a quick guide to save for later, discover all the hidden gems & download your custom trip map to save and keep everything in one place.
So what are you waiting for? The Florida Keys are calling. So much to do, see, experience and explore.
Enjoy the journey,
