The Florida Keys are one of the distinctive locations within the nation – and Marathon is true 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 house 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 also be house to a number of wonderful museums, together with the Crane Level Museum and Nature Middle, which supply insights into the world’s historical past and ecology. For one thing just a little extra full of life, take a look at the Turtle Hospital, the place you may study in regards to the work being accomplished 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 means of. You possibly can simply spend a number of days exploring all of the issues to do in Marathon. However if you happen to don’t have days, we advise a minimum of half a day. On our final journey, we spent three nights and that was a great 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 identified 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 by means of – there are many nice stops on a Florida Keys Highway 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 12 months you go to the Florida Keys, staying in Marathon or one of many different Decrease Keys is likely to be a great possibility with pleasant lodge costs. A number of the greatest motels 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 attainable with out a automotive is Key West. All of the beneath 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 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 every of their two-bedroom models, which is nice for households touring with kids. Having a separate bed room for teenagers is essential! Test costs right here.
One other excellent spot to remain in Marathon is at Isla Bella Resort, we ate dinner right here one night time and the grounds have been beautiful. It’s on the larger finish for certain, however the swimming pools, views, and eating places have been all nice and proper on the grounds.
1. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
You possibly can’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 permit you to swim alongside marine animals. You would possibly even be capable of feed them within the contact tanks! You possibly can contact a stingray, feed a tarpon, and even pet a shark. If you’re searching for enjoyable issues to do in Marathon with youngsters, it is a must-visit.
Our son beloved it a lot that we went again twice. If you happen to have been to ask him what his primary issues to do in Marathon was, it will 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. Make sure that to cease by the reward store and convey house a stuffed stingray!
If you’re staying in Key West and wish 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 checklist.
2. Drive the Seven Mile Bridge
What has usually been referred to as the eighth surprise of the world, the Seven Mile Bridge, is among the longest bridges in existence. It’s additionally one of the stunning, 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 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 if you happen to’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 trying 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
Among the best seashores in Marathon is Sombrero Seaside, and it’s all the things you’d count on out of the Florida Keys. This seashore has all of it; smooth 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 possibly can go swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, and even play a sport of seashore volleyball. If you happen to get hungry, there are additionally a number of meals vans on-site and a picnic space. With Marathon experiencing such stunning climate year-round, this seashore 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 advise bringing some snacks or lunch and having fun with the beautiful 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 sure that to take a look at some greatest 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’ll even undertake one in every of your personal!
The hospital is doing an exceptional job of teaching the general public in regards to the significance of preserving these magnificent creatures. They provide excursions of the power, the place you may see the turtles being cared for and study in regards to 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 price of over 80%.
Be mindful the excursions do refill quick, so you should definitely ebook prematurely. You possibly can ebook prematurely or donate on-line right here.
Greatest Tour of Marathon from Key West
Quick on time? Checkout this tour that hits many highlights in and round Marathon all in someday 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 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.
Among the best 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 means of the woods or lounge on the seashore. This park can also be nice for hen watching, as there are over 200 species of birds that decision this park house.
Curry Hammock State Park is situated just some miles from Marathon, and there’s a common admission price of $4.50 per individual.
6. Go Fishing in Marathon
Fishing is among the hottest actions in Marathon, and for a great motive. The waters round Marathon are teeming with fish, and lots 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 a giant one. E-book a personal fishing constitution in Marathon right here. Make sure that to ebook this a minimum of per 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 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 study in regards to the historical past and ecology of the Florida Keys.
This museum is situated in an previous coral rock home, and it has reveals on the early days of the Keys, the shipwrecking business, and the endangered Key deer. Make sure that to go to the Oldest Home, that was in-built 1904.
The character heart a part of the museum is house to a number of completely different species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. You can find a number of trails that wind by means of 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 obtained on the golf cart tour with one of many tour guides. This was an amazing possibility for us, as for these touring with youngsters and strollers (we had our Joolz Aer), it will be arduous strolling on the paths. The paths weren’t stroller pleasant. The tour was just a little on the lengthy aspect, however it was a lot better than strolling.
8. Sundown Cruise
A sundown cruise is my favourite strategy to finish a day in Marathon. Watching the sky change colours because the solar units over the water is an unforgettable expertise. There are a lot of completely different constitution corporations that provide sundown cruises, and most of them embrace a buffet dinner and limitless drinks.
Sundown cruises are the proper strategy to chill out 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 the town from the water.
After sundown, we advise dinner at one in every of 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 one of many greatest 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 house 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 possibly can take a guided tour of the museum, which incorporates the previous employees’ barracks, the commissary, and the submit workplace. After the tour, you may discover the island by yourself or go swimming on the seashore. Click on right here for tour costs and occasions.
10. Sundown Grille and Uncooked Bar
The Sundown Grille and Uncooked Bar is among the greatest locations in Marathon to look at 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 may 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 if you happen to love contemporary seafood. The oysters are among the greatest 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, make 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 situated in an previous Navy hangar, and it has a group of classic plane and memorabilia. That is the proper place to study in regards to the historical past of aviation within the Florida Keys.
Get pleasure from a leisurely stroll by means of the museum, and take heed to educated pilots in regards to the plane on show. You possibly can even sit within the cockpit of a classic airplane!
12. Helicopter Tour
See the attractive Florida Keys from above on a helicopter tour! It is a nice exercise for the entire household, and it’s the proper strategy 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.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, and it’s the proper strategy to see the fantastic thing about the Florida Keys from above
13. Eat Recent Fish at Keys Fisheries
If you happen to love contemporary seafood, then it’s essential eat at Keys Fisheries. This is among the greatest 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 you can take house and prepare dinner, or you may eat on the restaurant the place they are going to 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 possibly can 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 approach, 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 possibly can take a tour of the power and study in regards to 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, making certain 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 if you happen to 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.
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 youngsters with us.
Keys Cable Park is situated on Grassy Key simply outdoors 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 can see your self driving proper by means of Marathon. However why simply drive by means of? Think about staying a number of nights. It’s one of the best ways to discover Marathon additional!