The Florida Keys are one of the vital distinctive locations within the nation – and Marathon is correct within the middle 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 glorious fishing, boating, calm waters, and diving alternatives. It’s additionally dwelling to the well-known Seven Mile Bridge, one of many longest bridges on this planet.
After all, you don’t should spend your whole trip on the water. Marathon can be dwelling to a number of glorious museums, together with the Crane Level Museum and Nature Middle, which supply insights into the world’s historical past and ecology.
For one thing slightly extra vigorous, take a look at the Turtle Hospital, the place you possibly can 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 very best issues to do in Marathon!
Is Marathon price visiting?
Sure! Don’t simply drive by means of. You may simply spend a number of days exploring all of the issues to do in Marathon. However should you don’t have days, we recommend at the least 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 straightforward 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?
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 means of – 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 great choice with pleasant resort costs. A few of the finest inns in Key West e-book 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 no automotive is Key West. All of the under issues to do in Marathon would require a automotive. When you don’t have a automotive and are staying in Key West, we recommend 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 & Seashore Membership in certainly one of their two-bedroom items, which is nice for households touring with youngsters. Having a separate bed room for teenagers is essential! Verify 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 beautiful. It’s on the increased 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 may’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, it’s possible you’ll 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 quite a lot of applications 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. 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. When you had been to ask him what his primary issues to do in Marathon was, it might be feeding the stingrays.
When you’re not seeking to get moist, additionally they provide behind-the-scenes excursions. These excursions will present you the way they handle all of the animals and what goes into making this place run. Be sure that to cease by the reward store and convey dwelling a stuffed stingray!
If you’re staying in Key West and wish to go to, you possibly can 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 record.
2. Drive the Seven Mile Bridge
What has typically 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 one of the vital 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 possibly can 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 possibly can 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 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 the whole lot you’ll anticipate out of the Florida Keys. This seaside has all of it; smooth white sand, turquoise blue waters, palm bushes galore, and even a playground! It’s a fantastic place to spend a day with household or mates.
There are many actions to maintain you busy at Sombrero Seashore. You may go swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, and even play a recreation of seaside volleyball. When you get hungry, there are additionally a number of meals vehicles 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 straightforward to go to. There are picnic tables, so we recommend 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 Seashore is our favourite.
We discovered ourselves at Sombrero Seashore most mornings burning off some vitality and energy! Be sure that to take a look at some finest breakfasts in Marathon. Our favourite was The Stuffed Pig.
Associated Article – Finest 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 personal!
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 possibly can 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 fee of over 80%.
Bear in mind the excursions do replenish quick, so make sure to e-book prematurely. You may e-book prematurely or donate on-line right here.
Finest Tour of Marathon from Key West
Quick on time? Try this tour that hits many highlights in and round Marathon all in in the future from Key West.
Finest 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 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 possibly can 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 by means of 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 common admission payment of $4.50 per particular person.
6. Go Fishing in Marathon
Fishing is likely one of the hottest actions in Marathon and for a great purpose. 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 specializing in deep-sea fishing, you possibly can head out into the Gulf of Mexico to catch an enormous one. Guide a personal fishing constitution in Marathon right here. Be sure that to e-book this at the least per week prematurely.
However there’s additionally loads of nice fishing available proper within the Florida Keys. The most effective 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 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 displays on the early days of the Keys, the shipwrecking business, and the endangered Key deer. Be sure that to go to the Oldest Home, which was in-built 1904.
The character middle 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 by means of the mangrove forests, and you may even go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding within the bay.
We visited early within the morning, proper after they opened, and we bought on the golf cart tour with one of many tour guides. This was a fantastic choice for us, as for these touring with youngsters and strollers (we had our Joolz Aer), it might be laborious strolling on the paths. The paths weren’t stroller pleasant. The tour was slightly on the lengthy aspect, however it was a lot better than strolling.
8. Sundown Cruise
A sundown cruise is my favourite approach to finish a day in Marathon. Watching the sky change colours because the solar units over the water is an unforgettable expertise. There are numerous completely different constitution corporations that provide sundown cruises, and most of them embrace a buffet dinner and limitless drinks.
Sundown cruises are the right approach 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 recommend dinner at certainly one of many waterfront eating places in Marathon. Our private favorites could 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 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. 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 employees’ barracks, the commissary, and the publish workplace. After the tour, you possibly can 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 likely one of the finest locations in Marathon to observe 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 possibly can benefit from the views. The menu options contemporary seafood, they usually have a full bar the place you will get cocktails and native beer.
This can be a must-visit restaurant in Marathon, particularly should you love contemporary seafood. The oysters are among the finest I’ve ever had, and the sundown views are unbeatable.
If you’re seeking to go to the very best bars within the Florida Keys, make certain 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 outdated Navy hangar, and it has a group 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 means of 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 attractive Florida Keys from above on a helicopter tour! This can be a nice exercise for the entire household, and it’s the right approach to get some distinctive views of town of Marathon and the close by Keys.
Most of the helicopter excursions embrace a cease at an uninhabited island the place you possibly can take pleasure in untouched nature and pop some champagne.
This can be a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, and it’s the right approach to see the fantastic thing about the Florida Keys from above
13. Eat Contemporary Fish at Keys Fisheries
When you love contemporary seafood, then it’s worthwhile 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 could take dwelling and prepare dinner, or you possibly can 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 right place to take pleasure in a scrumptious meal of contemporary seafood. You may even watch the boats are available in and unload their catch.
14. Dolphin Analysis Middle
Everyone knows somebody that’s obsessive about dolphins.. okay possibly we’re ALL obsessive about dolphins. Both manner, a visit to the Dolphin Analysis Middle is a well-liked Marathon exercise. This analysis facility is devoted to dolphin analysis, training, 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 dwelling 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. 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.
Associated: Issues to do in Key West
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 may 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 possibly can 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 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’ll find your self driving proper by means of Marathon. However why simply drive by means of? Take into account staying a number of nights. It’s the easiest way to discover Marathon additional!