Need advice - visiting Miami and Keys for work/pleasure in late March

[MiamiRob]

Stone I have to agree with the others if you are going to do the Keys go all the way down to Key West and be sure to be at the pier at sunset were all of the performance artists come out. It is a long drive but well worth it.
As for places to stay South beach should be fine even with kids! You have the beach, restaurants , Lincoln Road mall, there is plenty to do in south beach.

[Marlin331]

The drive down Overseas Highway is a very beautiful one. Here are some of my favorite things to do in the Keys that your family may also enjoy:

1) Stop at an authentic waterfront tiki bar (don't be scared away by the word "bar;" many of them are simply restaurants with a bar and during the day they will be family-friendly). Feel the cool breezes, order some conch fritters as an appetizer, have a slice of key lime pie for dessert- heavenly!

2) If you want to see what may be the most beautiful "natural setting" beach in Florida (South Beach is good for an "urban setting"), stop at Bahia Honda State Park. It's about 10 minutes south of Marathon right on Overseas Highway.

3) Walk around downtown Key West. It's pedestrian-friendly and has a lot to see and do. If you want to have some of the best Cuban food around, eat at El Siboney. If you want a place with a good view of the Duval Street (Old Town Key West's shopping street) for people watching and Keys/Caribbean food, try Mangoes.

Miami to Key West is a three and a half hour drive in normal traffic. However, I wouldn't recommend driving straight there. Make the trip down to Key West a day's activity in itself, and build in a stop at a tiki bar in the Upper Keys and a visit to Bahia Honda State Park before continuing on to Key West. In Key West, you can stay at a large hotel in New Town (newer, more suburban area further from Old Town) that has a free downtown shuttle, or in a small hotel or guesthouse in Old Town where you can walk everywhere.

[FBoet]

SoBe and Key West are not family friendly anymore. If you must go to either city, do not go at night.The freaks and gangs come at sunset.

I would recommend you explore Key Biscayne. Very family friendly. Visit the lighthouse. Explore the bike trails. Visit the Seaquarium. Crandon Park beach. Beaches and Parks on Key Biscayne

Head over to Matheson Hammock Beach/Park. Visit Fairchild's Tropical Gardens on Old Cutler Road.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

BTW, while staying in Coral Gables, spend the day at historic Venetian Pool(although the water may be cold as ice now lol). Coral Gables Venetian Pool
Also check out Miracle Mile. Maaaaaaan, there's so much for a family to do in Miami other then the overated SoBe sceen.