Family Insider

Dustin, Devon and cousin Derek bowl at the Fish Bowl in Islamorada. Credit: Jill Martin, Family Expert, VISIT FLORIDA

This past weekend was Big Brother's Day in our household. (If you've read my previous blogs, you might have seen that we celebrated Little Brother's Day back in June!) 

Although just an invented holiday, of sorts, these are dates that my boys look forward to all year. Dustin, a.k.a. Big Brother, and my eleven-year-old, wished to start the day with a country breakfast at his favorite corner diner, Sam's. Then it was off to the Florida Keys to spend the day in Islamorada. For his gift, he wanted a new fishing shirt so we headed to World Wide Sportsman by Bass Pro Shops. This place has everything for outdoor enthusiasts, including Ernest Hemingway's boat, Pilar, which kids and adults can explore - inside the store. You can't miss it, it's the centerpiece of the place, along with the enormous saltwater fish tank with tarpon, redfish, snook and more. Right next door, you'll find the Islamorada Fish Company, where you can dine by the water on fresh fish sandwiches and other Florida seafood. Delicious!

Next stop,The Fish Bowl. Is that the coolest name for a bowling alley or what? They have 12 lanes, a full menu, and even those fancy black lights that make your teeth and the bowling pins glow. The game room is fun, too. The boys loved it - and I loved the mini chicken tacos...

For the grand finale, Dustin choose the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at Whale Harbor. Kids five and under are free, and 12 and under are only $14.95. You'll find oysters, snow crab, shrimp, beef, pork, salads, sushi, a stir fry station, all kinds of fish cooked every different way (we enjoy mango grouper), and lots of desserts including mini key lime pies. If you're never been, you should definitely put it on your list of things to do in the Florida Keys. We got there early and walked around the marina to see what the boats caught that day. Captain Skip Bradeen of the Blue Chip Too charter boat told me mahi mahi were running good and that his prices have dropped big time for summer fishing.

I hope you're enjoying your summer and Happy Big Brother's Day!

Jill Martin, Family Insider, VISIT FLORIDA