The Florida Keys are probably the most distinctive locations within the nation – and Marathon is true within the heart of it. Marathon’s location makes it the right place to base your self whereas exploring the Florida Keys. There are tons of issues to do in Marathon, and it’s a straightforward day journey to Key West from right here.
Unfold out over 13 islands, Marathon is thought 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.
In fact, you don’t should spend your total trip on the water. Marathon can be dwelling to a number of wonderful museums, together with the Crane Level Museum and Nature Heart, which provide insights into the realm’s historical past and ecology. For one thing somewhat extra full of life, try the Turtle Hospital, the place you’ll be able to be taught concerning the work being carried out 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 by. You would simply spend just a few days exploring all of the issues to do in Marathon. However should you don’t have days, we propose no less than half a day. On our final journey, we spent three nights and that was a very good 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 straightforward 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?
When you drive from Marathon to Key West, it’s about 45 miles. It’s a straightforward straight drive, however don’t simply drive proper by – 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 lovely 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 very good possibility with pleasant resort costs. A few of the finest resorts 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 attainable and not using a automotive is Key West. All of the beneath issues to do in Marathon would require a automotive. When you 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 most effective place to remain in Marathon?
We stayed at Grassy Flats Resort & Seashore 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 excellent place to remain in Marathon is at Isla Bella Resort, we ate dinner right here one evening and the grounds had been attractive. It’s on the greater finish for certain, however the swimming pools, views, and eating places had been all nice and proper on the grounds.
1. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
You’ll be able to’t go to Florida with out encountering some superb sea life! The Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters is the right place to do exactly that. With this hands-on aquarium, you might come face-to-face with a number of the world’s most fascinating marine life creatures of the ocean.
This aquarium is a snorkeling, diving, and swimming journey multi function. They’ve a wide range of applications that may assist you to swim alongside marine animals. You would possibly even be capable of feed them within the contact tanks! You’ll be able to 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, it is a must-visit.
Our son beloved it a lot that we went again twice. When you had been to ask him what his primary issues to do in Marathon was, it will be feeding the stingrays.
When 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. Ensure to cease by the present store and produce dwelling a stuffed stingray!
If you’re staying in Key West and wish to go to, you’ll be able to be a part of this tour that features a cease on the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters and a number of other different issues to do in Marathon on this listing.
2. Drive the Seven Mile Bridge
What has typically been known as the eighth marvel of the world, the Seven Mile Bridge, is among the longest bridges in existence. It’s additionally probably the most lovely, with beautiful views of the Florida Keys. The drive itself is an expertise, and also you’ll wish to take your time to get pleasure from it.
There are two methods to get to the bridge; you’ll be able to 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 should you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll be able to stroll or bike the Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key. It is very important take loads of water and sunscreen, as there’s little shade on the bridge.
If 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 Seashore
Probably the greatest seashores in Marathon is Sombrero Seashore, and it’s every thing you’ll count on out of the Florida Keys. This seaside has all of it; comfortable white sand, turquoise blue waters, palm bushes galore, and even a playground! It’s an ideal place to spend a day with household or mates.
There are many actions to maintain you busy at Sombrero Seashore. You’ll be able to go swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, and even play a sport of seaside volleyball. When 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 right 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 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 Seashore is our favourite.
We discovered ourselves at Sombrero Seashore most mornings burning off some power 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 a number of 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 individual!
The hospital is doing an outstanding job of teaching the general public concerning the significance of preserving these magnificent creatures. They provide excursions of the power, the place you’ll be able to see the turtles being cared for and be taught concerning the hospital’s work. The objective 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%.
Have in mind the excursions do refill quick, so you should definitely guide prematurely. You’ll be able to 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 – Consists of 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 ideal 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’ll be able to 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 wish to hike by 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 only a few miles from Marathon, and there’s a common admission payment of $4.50 per particular person.
6. Go Fishing in Marathon
Fishing is among the hottest actions in Marathon, and for a very good purpose. 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’ll be able to head out into the Gulf of Mexico to catch an enormous one. Guide a personal fishing constitution in Marathon right here. Ensure to guide this no less than 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 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 right place to be taught concerning the historical past and ecology of the Florida Keys.
This museum is situated in an outdated coral rock home, and it has reveals 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 heart a part of the museum is dwelling to a number of completely different species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. You’ll discover a number of trails that wind by the mangrove forests, and you’ll even go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding within the bay.
We visited early within the morning, proper after they opened, and we obtained on the golf cart tour with one of many tour guides. This was an ideal possibility for us, as for these touring with children and strollers (we had our Joolz Aer), it will be laborious strolling on the paths. The paths weren’t stroller pleasant. The tour was somewhat on the lengthy aspect, nevertheless it was a lot better than strolling.
8. Sundown Cruise
A sundown cruise is my favourite solution 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 embody a buffet dinner and limitless drinks.
Sundown cruises are the right solution 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 certain to see some superb views of town from the water.
After sundown, we propose dinner at one in all many waterfront eating places in Marathon. Our private favorites can be Mahina on the Isla Bella Seashore 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 Secret’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 this moment, Pigeon Secret’s a museum that tells the story of the employees who lived and labored on this island.
You’ll be able to take a guided tour of the museum, which incorporates the outdated employees’ barracks, the commissary, and the put up workplace. After the tour, you’ll be able to discover the island by yourself or go swimming on the seaside. Click on right here for tour costs and instances.
10. Sundown Grille and Uncooked Bar
The Sundown Grille and Uncooked Bar is among the finest locations in Marathon to observe the sundown and revel in some oysters. This restaurant is situated proper on the water, and it has an open-air deck the place you’ll be able to benefit from the views. The menu options contemporary seafood, and so they have a full bar the place you will get cocktails and native beer.
It is a must-visit restaurant in Marathon, particularly should you love contemporary seafood. The oysters are a number of the finest I’ve ever had, and the sundown views are unbeatable.
If you’re 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 set of classic plane and memorabilia. That is the right place to be taught concerning the historical past of aviation within the Florida Keys.
Get pleasure from a leisurely stroll by the museum, and hearken to educated pilots concerning the plane on show. You’ll be able to 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 right solution to get some distinctive views of town of Marathon and the close by Keys.
Most of the helicopter excursions embody a cease at an uninhabited island the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from untouched nature and pop some champagne.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, and it’s the right solution to see the great thing about the Florida Keys from above
13. Eat Contemporary Fish at Keys Fisheries
When you love contemporary seafood, then it is advisable to eat at Keys Fisheries. This is among 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 contemporary fish which you could take dwelling and prepare dinner, or you’ll be able to eat on the restaurant the place they’ll prepare dinner it for you. My favourite is the conch fritters… YUM! Take a look at the Keys Fisheries menu right here.
The restaurant is informal, and it’s the right place to get pleasure from a scrumptious meal of contemporary seafood. You’ll be able to even watch the boats are available in and unload their catch.
14. Dolphin Analysis Heart
Everyone knows somebody that’s obsessive about dolphins.. okay perhaps we’re ALL obsessive about dolphins. Both manner, a visit to the Dolphin Analysis Heart is a well-liked Marathon exercise. This analysis facitily is devoted to dolphin analysis, training, and conservation. You’ll be able to 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 dwelling 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 value, we thought it was not price it. We solely stayed about 40 minutes. When you don’t have a ton of time, we don’t recommend placing this as one of many prime issues to do in Marathon in your Marathon itinerary.
15. Keys Cable Park
Keys Cable Park is the right place to spend a day should 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’ll even hire all of the gear you want.
When 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’ll be able to 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 situated on Grassy Key simply exterior of town of Marathon. We stayed at Grassy Flats Resort & Seashore Membership, which was proper down the street.
When making the drive from Miami to Key West, you will discover your self driving proper by Marathon. However why simply drive by? Take into account staying just a few nights. It’s one of the simplest ways to discover Marathon additional!