The Florida Keys are some of the distinctive locations within the nation – and Marathon is correct within the heart 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 understood for its wonderful fishing, boating, calm waters, and diving alternatives. It’s additionally dwelling to the well-known Seven Mile Bridge, one of many longest bridges on the planet.
After all, you don’t need to spend your complete trip on the water. Marathon can be dwelling to a number of wonderful museums, together with the Crane Level Museum and Nature Heart, which supply insights into the world’s historical past and ecology. For one thing just a little extra energetic, try the Turtle Hospital, the place you may study concerning the work being completed 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 most effective issues to do in Marathon!
Is Marathon price visiting?
Sure! Don’t simply drive via. You would simply spend a number of days exploring all of the issues to do in Marathon. However for those who don’t have days, we advise no less than half a day. On our final journey, we spent three nights and that was an excellent period of time to expertise most issues that Marathon has to supply.
In case you are 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?
Should you 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 might take as little as an hour or so, however take your time and see this lovely a part of the world.
Relying on the time of 12 months you go to the Florida Keys, staying in Marathon or one of many different Decrease Keys could be an excellent choice with pleasant resort costs. A number of the finest inns in Key West ebook 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 beneath issues to do in Marathon would require a automotive. Should you don’t have a automotive and are staying in Key West, we advise reserving this tour to all the highlights in Marathon.
The place is the most effective place to remain in Marathon?
We stayed at Grassy Flats Resort & Seaside Membership in one in all their two-bedroom items, which is nice for households touring with youngsters. Having a separate bed room for teenagers is vital! Examine costs right here.
One other great spot to remain in Marathon is at Isla Bella Resort, we ate dinner right here one evening and the grounds have been attractive. It’s on the greater finish for positive, however the swimming pools, views, and eating places have 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 just do 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 functional. They’ve a wide range of packages that may let you swim alongside marine animals. You would possibly even have the ability to feed them within the contact tanks! You may contact a stingray, feed a tarpon, and even pet a shark. In case you are on the lookout for enjoyable issues to do in Marathon with youngsters, it is a must-visit.
Our son cherished it a lot that we went again twice. Should you have been to ask him what his primary issues to do in Marathon was, it could be feeding the stingrays.
Should you’re not trying to get moist, in addition they supply behind-the-scenes excursions. These excursions will present you ways they handle all of the animals and what goes into making this place run. Make certain to cease by the present store and produce dwelling a stuffed stingray!
In case you are staying in Key West and wish to go to, you may be a 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 checklist.
2. Drive the Seven Mile Bridge
What has usually been known as the eighth surprise of the world, the Seven Mile Bridge, is likely one of the longest bridges in existence. It’s additionally some of the lovely, with gorgeous views of the Florida Keys. The drive itself is an expertise, and also you’ll wish to take your time to take pleasure in 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 facet of the bridge for two.2 miles, so for those who’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 may be little shade on the bridge.
When you’ve got been wanting on the mile markers on the highway, 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 pieces you’ll count on 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 an amazing 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. Should you get hungry, there are additionally a number of meals vans on-site and a picnic space. With Marathon experiencing such lovely climate year-round, this seaside is the proper spot to flee the chilly winters up north.
There’s loads of free parking proper on the road too, which makes it simple to go to. There are picnic tables, so we advise 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! Make certain 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
Rise 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’ll even undertake one in all your personal!
The hospital is doing an exceptional job of training the general public concerning the significance of preserving these magnificent creatures. They provide excursions of the ability, the place you may see the turtles being cared for and study concerning the hospital’s work. The aim of the turtle hospital is to launch all of its sufferers again into the wild, and to this point, they’ve had successful charge of over 80%.
Consider the excursions do refill quick, so make sure to ebook prematurely. You may ebook 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 an amazing 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 take pleasure in, whether or not you wish to hike via the woods or lounge on the seaside. This park can be nice for fowl watching, as there are over 200 species of birds that decision this park dwelling.
Curry Hammock State Park is situated just some miles from Marathon, and there’s a basic 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 an excellent motive. The waters round Marathon are teeming with fish, and plenty of constitution firms 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. Guide a non-public fishing constitution in Marathon right here. Make certain to ebook this no less than every week prematurely.
However there’s additionally loads of nice fishing available proper within the Florida Keys. The very best time of 12 months 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 Heart
The Crane Level Museum & Nature Heart is a 63-acre protect that’s dwelling to a number of historic buildings, a museum, and loads of nature trails. That is the proper place to study concerning the historical past and ecology of the Florida Keys.
This museum is situated 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. Make certain to go to the Oldest Home, that was in-built 1904.
The character heart a part of the museum is dwelling to a number of completely different species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. You will see a number of trails that wind via the mangrove forests, and you’ll even go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding within the bay.
We visited early within the morning, proper once they opened, and we bought on the golf cart tour with one of many tour guides. This was an amazing choice for us, as for these touring with youngsters and strollers (we had our Joolz Aer), it could be onerous strolling on the paths. The paths weren’t stroller pleasant. The tour was just a little on the lengthy facet, nevertheless it was a lot better than strolling.
8. Sundown Cruise
A sundown cruise is my favourite method to finish a day in Marathon. Watching the sky change colours because the solar units over the water is an unforgettable expertise. There are lots of completely different constitution firms that supply sundown cruises, and most of them embrace a buffet dinner and limitless drinks.
Sundown cruises are the proper method to loosen up 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 advise dinner at one in all many waterfront eating places in Marathon. Our private favorites could be Mahina on the Isla Bella Seaside Resort. They’ve nice sundown views and actually good meals, and they’re among the finest eating places in Marathon.
9. Go to Pigeon Key
Pigeon Key’s a small island situated simply off the coast of Marathon. This island was as soon as dwelling to a piece camp for the employees who constructed the Florida East Coast Railroad. Right now, 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 luxuriate in some oysters. This restaurant is situated proper on the water, and it has an open-air deck the place you may benefit from the views. The menu options recent seafood, and so they have a full bar the place you may get cocktails and native beer.
It is a must-visit restaurant in Marathon, particularly for those who love recent seafood. The oysters are among the finest I’ve ever had, and the sundown views are unbeatable.
In case you are trying to go to the most effective bars within the Florida Keys, be sure that to cease on the Sundown Grille and, ideally, for sundown.
11. Marathon Air Museum
Good for a wet day or only a break from the Florida warmth. The Marathon Air Museum is situated in an outdated Navy hangar, and it has a group of classic plane and memorabilia. That is the proper place to study concerning the historical past of aviation within the Florida Keys.
Get pleasure from a leisurely stroll via the museum, and hearken 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! It is a nice exercise for the entire household, and it’s the proper method to get some distinctive views of the town of Marathon and the close by Keys.
Most of the helicopter excursions embrace a cease at an uninhabited island the place you may take pleasure in untouched nature and pop some champagne.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, and it’s the proper method to see the fantastic thing about the Florida Keys from above
13. Eat Contemporary Fish at Keys Fisheries
Should you love recent seafood, then you should 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, and so they have a market and a restaurant on-site.
The market sells recent fish you could take dwelling and cook dinner, or you may eat on the restaurant the place they are going to cook 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 take pleasure in a scrumptious meal of recent seafood. You may even watch the boats are available in and unload their catch.
14. Dolphin Analysis Heart
Everyone knows somebody that’s obsessive about dolphins.. okay possibly we’re ALL obsessive about dolphins. Both method, a visit to the Dolphin Analysis Heart is a well-liked Marathon exercise. This analysis facitily is devoted to dolphin analysis, schooling, and conservation. You may take a tour of the ability and study concerning the work they’re doing to guard these superb animals.
The 90,000-square-foot facility is dwelling to a number of bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions, making certain that the animals have a cheerful 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. Should you 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 for those who 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.
In case you are a newbie, don’t fear! They provide classes for all ranges, and you’ll even hire all of the gear you want.
Should you 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 youngsters with us.
Keys Cable Park is situated on Grassy Key simply exterior of the town of Marathon. We stayed at Grassy Flats Resort & Seaside Membership, which was proper down the highway.
When making the drive from Miami to Key West, you will discover your self driving proper via Marathon. However why simply drive via? Think about staying a number of nights. It’s the easiest way to discover Marathon additional!
