The Florida Keys are some of the distinctive locations within the nation – and Marathon is correct within the middle of it. Marathon’s location makes it the proper place to base your self whereas exploring the Florida Keys. There are tons of issues to do in Marathon, and it’s a simple day journey to Key West from right here.
Unfold out over 13 islands, Marathon is thought for its glorious fishing, boating, calm waters, and diving alternatives. It’s additionally house to the well-known Seven Mile Bridge, one of many longest bridges on the earth.
After all, you don’t need to spend your whole trip on the water. Marathon can be house to a number of glorious museums, together with the Crane Level Museum and Nature Middle, which supply insights into the realm’s historical past and ecology. For one thing a little bit extra vigorous, try the Turtle Hospital, the place you may be taught concerning the work being achieved to guard these superb creatures.
It doesn’t matter what pursuits, Marathon has one thing to supply. So seize your swimsuit, and your sense of journey, and prepare to have an journey within the Florida Keys!
Alright, let’s dive into the very best issues to do in Marathon!
Is Marathon price visiting?
Sure! Don’t simply drive via. You possibly can simply spend a couple of days exploring all of the issues to do in Marathon. However when you don’t have days, we propose at the very least half a day. On our final journey, we spent three nights and that was a superb period of time to expertise most issues that Marathon has to supply.
If you’re staying in Key West or Key Largo, Marathon is a simple day journey.
What’s Marathon Florida recognized for?
Marathon is most well-known for all issues on the water – boating, fishing, snorkeling, and diving.
How far is it from Marathon to Key West?
If you happen to drive from Marathon to Key West, it’s about 45 miles. It’s a simple straight drive, however don’t simply drive proper via – there are many nice stops on a Florida Keys Street Journey. It may take as little as an hour or so, however take your time and see this stunning a part of the world.
Relying on the time of yr you go to the Florida Keys, staying in Marathon or one of many different Decrease Keys may be a superb possibility with pleasant resort costs. Among the finest accommodations in Key West guide out far prematurely and have a hefty excessive season price ticket.
Do you want a automotive in Marathon FL?
Sure. The one place within the Florida Keys that’s doable with out a automotive is Key West. All of the under issues to do in Marathon would require a automotive. If you happen to don’t have a automotive and are staying in Key West, we propose reserving this tour to all the highlights in Marathon.
The place is the very best place to remain in Marathon?
We stayed at Grassy Flats Resort & Seaside Membership in certainly one of their two-bedroom models, which is nice for households touring with kids. Having a separate bed room for youths is essential! Test costs right here.
One other excellent place to remain in Marathon is at Isla Bella Resort, we ate dinner right here one night time and the grounds had been attractive. It’s on the larger finish for positive, however the swimming pools, views, and eating places had been all nice and proper on the grounds.
1. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
You may’t go to Florida with out encountering some superb sea life! The Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters is the proper place to do exactly that. With this hands-on aquarium, you might come face-to-face with among the world’s most fascinating marine life creatures of the ocean.
This aquarium is a snorkeling, diving, and swimming journey multi function. They’ve quite a lot of applications that may can help you swim alongside marine animals. You may even be capable of feed them within the contact tanks! You may contact a stingray, feed a tarpon, and even pet a shark. If you’re in search of enjoyable issues to do in Marathon with children, this can be a must-visit.
Our son cherished it a lot that we went again twice. If you happen to had been to ask him what his primary issues to do in Marathon was, it might be feeding the stingrays.
If you happen to’re not trying to get moist, in addition they provide behind-the-scenes excursions. These excursions will present you the way they maintain all of the animals and what goes into making this place run. Ensure to cease by the present store and convey house a stuffed stingray!
If you’re staying in Key West and need to go to, you may be part of this tour that features a cease on the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters and several other different issues to do in Marathon on this listing.
2. Drive the Seven Mile Bridge
What has typically been referred to as the eighth marvel of the world, the Seven Mile Bridge, is likely one of the longest bridges in existence. It’s additionally some of the stunning, with beautiful views of the Florida Keys. The drive itself is an expertise, and also you’ll need to take your time to get pleasure from it.
There are two methods to get to the bridge; you may both drive or take a shuttle bus. The drive is about an hour from Key West, and the shuttle bus will take you proper to the bridge.
There’s additionally a pedestrian path on the aspect of the bridge for two.2 miles, so when you’re feeling adventurous, you may stroll or bike the Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key. You will need to take loads of water and sunscreen, as there’s little shade on the bridge.
In case you have been wanting on the mile markers on the street, Seven Mile Bridge is at Mile Marker 47. I personally like seeing the mile markers. It tells me how far to Key West we’re.
3. Sombrero Seaside
Probably the greatest seashores in Marathon is Sombrero Seaside, and it’s all the things you’d anticipate out of the Florida Keys. This seaside has all of it; gentle white sand, turquoise blue waters, palm bushes galore, and even a playground! It’s a fantastic place to spend a day with household or buddies.
There are many actions to maintain you busy at Sombrero Seaside. You may go swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, and even play a sport of seaside volleyball. If you happen to get hungry, there are additionally a number of meals vehicles on-site and a picnic space. With Marathon experiencing such stunning climate year-round, this seaside is the proper spot to flee the chilly winters up north.
There may be loads of free parking proper on the road too, which makes it straightforward to go to. There are picnic tables, so we propose bringing some snacks or lunch and having fun with the attractive views of the Atlantic Ocean. Of all of the sandy seashores within the Florida Keys, Sombrero Seaside is our favourite.
We discovered ourselves at Sombrero Seaside most mornings burning off some vitality and energy! Ensure to take a look at some finest breakfasts in Marathon. Our favourite was The Stuffed Pig.
Associated Article – Greatest Seashores in Florida
4. Turtle Hospital
Stand up shut and private with among the cutest sufferers on the Turtle Hospital. This distinctive facility is devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtles. The hospital homes over 200 turtles, and you may even undertake certainly one of your individual!
The hospital is doing an exceptional job of teaching the general public concerning the significance of preserving these magnificent creatures. They provide excursions of the power, the place you may see the turtles being cared for and be taught concerning the hospital’s work. The aim of the turtle hospital is to launch all of its sufferers again into the wild, and thus far, they’ve had a hit charge of over 80%.
Take into accout the excursions do refill quick, so remember to guide prematurely. You may guide prematurely or donate on-line right here.
Greatest Tour of Marathon from Key West
Brief on time? Checkout this tour that hits many highlights in and round Marathon all in at some point from Key West.
Greatest Tour of Marathon – Contains Seven Mile Bridge, Aquarium Encounters, Bahia Honda State Park, Nationwide Key Deer Refuge, lunch, and extra.
5. Curry Hammock State Park
Curry Hammock State Park is a nature lover’s paradise and a fantastic spot for a day journey from Marathon. This park has a nature path, mangrove forests, and loads of alternatives to see wildlife. There are additionally a number of seashores the place you may go swimming, sunbathing, or kayaking.
Probably the greatest issues about Curry Hammock State Park is that it’s so numerous. There’s one thing for everybody to get pleasure from, whether or not you need to hike via the woods or lounge on the seaside. This park can be nice for hen watching, as there are over 200 species of birds that decision this park house.
Curry Hammock State Park is positioned only a few miles from Marathon, and there’s a normal admission price of $4.50 per particular person.
6. Go Fishing in Marathon
Fishing is likely one of the hottest actions in Marathon, and for a superb cause. The waters round Marathon are teeming with fish, and plenty of constitution corporations can take you out for a day of fishing in Marathon.
Many individuals journey to Marathon to catch a trophy fish. With charters focusing on deep-sea fishing, you may head out into the Gulf of Mexico to catch an enormous one. E-book a non-public fishing constitution in Marathon right here. Ensure to guide this at the very least per week prematurely.
However there’s additionally loads of nice fishing available proper within the Florida Keys. One of the best time of yr to go fishing in Marathon is from November to April when the waters are calm, and the fish are biting.
7. Crane Level Museum & Nature Middle
The Crane Level Museum & Nature Middle is a 63-acre protect that’s house to a number of historic buildings, a museum, and loads of nature trails. That is the proper place to be taught concerning the historical past and ecology of the Florida Keys.
This museum is positioned in an outdated coral rock home, and it has displays on the early days of the Keys, the shipwrecking trade, and the endangered Key deer. Ensure to go to the Oldest Home, that was inbuilt 1904.
The character middle a part of the museum is house to a number of completely different species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. You can see a number of trails that wind via the mangrove forests, and you may even go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding within the bay.
We visited early within the morning, proper once they opened, and we obtained on the golf cart tour with one of many tour guides. This was a fantastic possibility for us, as for these touring with children and strollers (we had our Joolz Aer), it might be exhausting strolling on the paths. The paths weren’t stroller pleasant. The tour was a little bit on the lengthy aspect, nevertheless it was significantly better than strolling.
8. Sundown Cruise
A sundown cruise is my favourite option to finish a day in Marathon. Watching the sky change colours because the solar units over the water is an unforgettable expertise. There are various completely different constitution corporations that supply sundown cruises, and most of them embrace a buffet dinner and limitless drinks.
Sundown cruises are the proper option to calm down and unwind after a busy day exploring Marathon. There’s nothing higher than watching the sundown with a cocktail in hand, and also you’re positive to see some superb views of the town from the water.
After sundown, we propose dinner at certainly one of many waterfront eating places in Marathon. Our private favorites can be Mahina on the Isla Bella Seaside Resort. They’ve nice sundown views and actually good meals, and they’re one of many finest eating places in Marathon.
9. Go to Pigeon Key
Pigeon Key’s a small island positioned simply off the coast of Marathon. This island was as soon as house to a piece camp for the employees who constructed the Florida East Coast Railroad. At this time, Pigeon Key’s a museum that tells the story of the employees who lived and labored on this island.
You may take a guided tour of the museum, which incorporates the outdated staff’ barracks, the commissary, and the put up workplace. After the tour, you may discover the island by yourself or go swimming on the seaside. Click on right here for tour costs and occasions.
10. Sundown Grille and Uncooked Bar
The Sundown Grille and Uncooked Bar is likely one of the finest locations in Marathon to look at the sundown and revel in some oysters. This restaurant is positioned proper on the water, and it has an open-air deck the place you may benefit from the views. The menu options contemporary seafood, they usually have a full bar the place you may get cocktails and native beer.
This can be a must-visit restaurant in Marathon, particularly when you love contemporary seafood. The oysters are among the finest I’ve ever had, and the sundown views are unbeatable.
If you’re trying to go to the very best bars within the Florida Keys, be sure that to cease on the Sundown Grille and, ideally, for sundown.
11. Marathon Air Museum
Excellent for a wet day or only a break from the Florida warmth. The Marathon Air Museum is positioned in an outdated Navy hangar, and it has a group of classic plane and memorabilia. That is the proper place to be taught concerning the historical past of aviation within the Florida Keys.
Take pleasure in a leisurely stroll via the museum, and take heed to educated pilots concerning the plane on show. You may even sit within the cockpit of a classic airplane!
12. Helicopter Tour
See the gorgeous Florida Keys from above on a helicopter tour! This can be a nice exercise for the entire household, and it’s the proper option to get some distinctive views of the town of Marathon and the close by Keys.
Lots of the helicopter excursions embrace a cease at an uninhabited island the place you may get pleasure from untouched nature and pop some champagne.
This can be a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, and it’s the proper option to see the great thing about the Florida Keys from above
13. Eat Contemporary Fish at Keys Fisheries
If you happen to love contemporary seafood, then you want to eat at Keys Fisheries. This is likely one of the finest locations in Marathon (if not all the Florida Keys) to get your seafood repair, they usually have a market and a restaurant on-site.
The market sells contemporary fish you can take house and prepare dinner, or you may eat on the restaurant the place they’ll prepare dinner it for you. My favourite is the conch fritters… YUM! Try the Keys Fisheries menu right here.
The restaurant is informal, and it’s the proper place to get pleasure from a scrumptious meal of contemporary seafood. You may even watch the boats are available and unload their catch.
14. Dolphin Analysis Middle
Everyone knows somebody that’s obsessive about dolphins.. okay perhaps we’re ALL obsessive about dolphins. Both means, a visit to the Dolphin Analysis Middle is a well-liked Marathon exercise. This analysis facitily is devoted to dolphin analysis, schooling, and conservation. You may take a tour of the power and be taught concerning the work they’re doing to guard these superb animals.
The 90,000-square-foot facility is house to a number of bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions, guaranteeing that the animals have a contented and wholesome life. If this
For us, this exercise is on most individuals’s lists, however for the worth, we thought it was not price it. We solely stayed about 40 minutes. If you happen to don’t have a ton of time, we don’t counsel placing this as one of many high issues to do in Marathon in your Marathon itinerary.
15. Keys Cable Park
Keys Cable Park is the proper place to spend a day when you love wakeboarding, waterskiing, or kneeboarding. This man-made lake is particularly designed for these actions, and it has a cable system that pulls you across the lake.
If you’re a newbie, don’t fear! They provide classes for all ranges, and you may even hire all of the gear you want.
If you happen to aren’t up for getting up on a board your self, it’s nonetheless price visiting. Go to Bongos Beer Backyard, a cute little bar and restaurant the place you may seize a drink and watch others out wakeboarding. That is what we did as a result of we had each children with us.
Keys Cable Park is positioned on Grassy Key simply outdoors of the town of Marathon. We stayed at Grassy Flats Resort & Seaside Membership, which was proper down the street.
When making the drive from Miami to Key West, you can see your self driving proper via Marathon. However why simply drive via? Take into account staying a couple of nights. It’s one of the best ways to discover Marathon additional!
