Our daily lives can at times seem very stressful. Day in and day out so many things need attention like taking care of the house, kids, yard, bills, shopping, and cooking. Then there are the everyday stresses of traffic and work all week from Monday through Friday. It is easy to get burned out when burning the candle at both ends. It is easy to lose focus, energy, and drive if you don't take the opportunity to recharge every now and again.

Instead of having to find their passports, worry about language barriers, and book extensive travel plans, many American families are opting for a vacation a little closer to home. For tropical vacations, many are choosing Key West, Florida. Even in the current economy, people are making the trip because a vacation is less about spending money and more about taking a break from your everyday life. This article explores three activities on the island that will help you relax and unwind.

Key West Tours

On the island, there are tons of Key West tours for people of all interests and age groups. Many museums on the island cater to all kinds of people. From museums that allow you to explore the history of the town once known as America's richest city to the Pirate Soul Museum and Mel Fisher Museum that curate artifacts chronicling the island's pirate past, it is easy to find a daylong excursion on the island. Don't forget to stop in at the Shipwreck Historium Museum for a look at the history of the area's shipping trade.

If you are a nature buff, the Butterfly Conservatory, Audubon House, and Tropical Gardens are interesting choices for learning more about life above and on the ground. For those interested in local fish and sea life, the Aquarium boasts a 50,000-gallon aquarium and interactive touch tank.

Snorkeling

Of course, one great way to learn more about the region's marine life is to jump into the water and experience it for yourself. For those with a larger interest in sea life, a trip snorkeling or scuba diving is one of the many wonderful tours designed to let you experience the flora and fauna of the Atlantic Ocean for yourself.

While scuba diving and snorkeling may seem similar on the surface, there are some things you should take into account before booking your trip to do either. In order to scuba dive, you need to be certified. Becoming certified usually takes three to four days and can be completed during your stay on the island. Snorkeling requires no certification, making it a popular activity for families, friends, and novice swimmers.

Dolphin Swim

If scuba and snorkeling have made you more interested in interacting with sea life, one of the most popular tours is the dolphin swim. During these adventures, you will not only learn about dolphin physiology, habitat, behavior, anatomy, and biology from a trainer and instructor, you will also get to experience being a part of the pod firsthand.