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 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.
Spread out over 13 islands, Marathon is understood 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 this planet.
Of course, you don’t should spend your complete trip on the water. Marathon can also be house to a number of glorious museums, together with the Crane Point Museum and Nature Center, which provide insights into the realm’s historical past and ecology. For one thing a bit of extra vigorous, try the Turtle Hospital, the place you’ll be able to study concerning the work being performed to guard these wonderful creatures.
No 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 perfect issues to do in Marathon!
Is Marathon price visiting?
Yes! Don’t simply drive by. You might simply spend a number of days exploring all of the issues to do in Marathon. But in case 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 superb period of time to expertise most issues that Marathon has to supply.
If you might be staying in Key West or Key Largo, Marathon is a simple day journey.
What is 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 drive from Marathon to Key West, it’s about 45 miles. It is a simple straight drive, however don’t simply drive proper by – there are many nice stops on a Florida Keys Road Trip. It might take as little as an hour or so, however take your time and see this lovely a part of the world.
Depending on the time of yr you go to the Florida Keys, staying in Marathon or one of many different Lower Keys may be a superb possibility with pleasant lodge costs. Some of the perfect 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?
Yes. The solely place within the Florida Keys that’s attainable and not using a automotive is Key West. All the beneath issues to do in Marathon would require a automotive. If you don’t have a automotive and are staying in Key West, we recommend reserving this tour to the entire highlights in Marathon.
Where is the perfect place to remain in Marathon?
We stayed at Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club in certainly one of their two-bedroom models, which is nice for households touring with kids. Having a separate bed room for youths is vital! Check costs right here.
Another excellent place to remain in Marathon is at Isla Bella Resort, we ate dinner right here one evening and the grounds have been beautiful. It is on the greater 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 can’t go to Florida with out encountering some wonderful sea life! The Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters is the proper place to just do that. With this hands-on aquarium, you could 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 have quite a lot of applications that may mean you can swim alongside marine animals. You may even have the ability to feed them within the contact tanks! You can contact a stingray, feed a tarpon, and even pet a shark. If you might be on the lookout for enjoyable issues to do in Marathon with youngsters, this can be a must-visit.
Our son liked it a lot that we went again twice. If you have been to ask him what his primary issues to do in Marathon was, it could be feeding the stingrays.
If you’re not seeking to get moist, in addition they supply 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 certain to cease by the reward store and convey house a stuffed stingray!
If you might be 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 several other different issues to do in Marathon on this listing.
2. Drive the Seven Mile Bridge
What has usually been referred to 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 gorgeous 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 facet of the bridge for two.2 miles, so in case you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll be able to stroll or bike the Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key. It is vital to take loads of water and sunscreen, as there may be little shade on the bridge.
If you might 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 Beach
One of the perfect seashores in Marathon is Sombrero Beach, and it’s all the pieces you’d 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 buddies.
There are loads of actions to maintain you busy at Sombrero Beach. You can go swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, and even play a recreation of seaside volleyball. If 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 proper spot to flee the chilly winters up north.
There is loads of free parking proper on the road too, which makes it simple 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 Beach is our favourite.
We discovered ourselves at Sombrero Beach most mornings burning off some power and energy! Make certain to take a look at some finest breakfasts in Marathon. Our favourite was The Stuffed Pig.
Related Article – Best Beaches in Florida
4. Turtle Hospital
Get 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 may even undertake certainly one of your individual!
The hospital is doing an outstanding job of teaching the general public concerning the significance of preserving these magnificent creatures. They supply excursions of the power, the place you’ll be able to see the turtles being cared for and study concerning the hospital’s work. The objective of the turtle hospital is to launch all of its sufferers again into the wild, and to date, they’ve had a hit price of over 80%.
Keep in thoughts the excursions do refill quick, so make sure you e book prematurely. You can e book prematurely or donate on-line right here.
Best Tour of Marathon from Key West
Short on time? Checkout this tour that hits many highlights in and round Marathon all in sooner or later from Key West.
Best Tour of Marathon – Includes Seven Mile Bridge, Aquarium Encounters, Bahia Honda State Park, National 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’ll be able to go swimming, sunbathing, or kayaking.
One of the perfect 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 also be nice for chicken 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 basic admission charge of $4.50 per individual.
6. Go Fishing in Marathon
Fishing is among the hottest actions in Marathon, and for a superb 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 specializing in deep-sea fishing, you’ll be able to head out into the Gulf of Mexico to catch an enormous one. Book a non-public fishing constitution in Marathon right here. Make certain to e book this at the least every week prematurely.
But there’s additionally loads of nice fishing available proper within the Florida Keys. The finest 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 Point Museum & Nature Center
The Crane Point Museum & Nature Center is a 63-acre protect that’s house to a number of historic buildings, a museum, and loads of nature trails. This is the proper place to study concerning the historical past and ecology of the Florida Keys.
This museum is positioned 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. Make certain to go to the Oldest House, that was inbuilt 1904.
The nature heart a part of the museum is house to a number of totally different species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. You will discover a number of trails that wind by 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 acquired on the golf cart tour with one of many tour guides. This was a fantastic possibility for us, as for these touring with youngsters and strollers (we had our Joolz Aer), it could be exhausting strolling on the paths. The trails weren’t stroller pleasant. The tour was a bit of on the lengthy facet, but it surely was significantly better than strolling.
8. Sunset 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 many alternative constitution firms that provide sundown cruises, and most of them embrace a buffet dinner and limitless drinks.
Sunset cruises are the proper approach 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 certain to see some wonderful views of town from the water.
After sundown, we recommend dinner at certainly one of many waterfront eating places in Marathon. Our private favorites can be Mahina on the Isla Bella Beach Resort. They have nice sundown views and actually good meals, and they’re one of many finest eating places in Marathon.
9. Visit Pigeon Key
Pigeon Key is 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. Today, Pigeon Key is a museum that tells the story of the employees who lived and labored on this island.
You can take a guided tour of the museum, which incorporates the outdated staff’ barracks, the commissary, and the publish workplace. After the tour, you’ll be able to discover the island by yourself or go swimming on the seaside. Click right here for tour costs and occasions.
10. Sunset Grille and Raw Bar
The Sunset Grille and Raw Bar is among the finest locations in Marathon to observe 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’ll be able to 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 is a must-visit restaurant in Marathon, particularly in case you love contemporary seafood. The oysters are a number of the finest I’ve ever had, and the sundown views are unbeatable.
If you need to go to the perfect bars within the Florida Keys, ensure that to cease on the Sunset Grille and, ideally, for sundown.
11. Marathon Air Museum
Perfect 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 set of classic plane and memorabilia. This is the proper place to study concerning the historical past of aviation within the Florida Keys.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll by 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 is a good exercise for the entire household, and it’s the proper approach to get some distinctive views of town of Marathon and the close by Keys.
Many of the helicopter excursions embrace a cease at an uninhabited island the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from untouched nature and pop some champagne.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, and it’s the proper approach to see the great thing about the Florida Keys from above
13. Eat Fresh Fish at Keys Fisheries
If you like contemporary seafood, then you should eat at Keys Fisheries. This is among the finest locations in Marathon (if not the entire Florida Keys) to get your seafood repair, they usually have a market and a restaurant on-site.
The market sells contemporary fish that you would be able to take house and cook dinner, or you’ll be able to eat on the restaurant the place they are going to cook dinner it for you. My favourite is the conch fritters… YUM! Check out 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 in and unload their catch.
14. Dolphin Research Center
We all know somebody that’s obsessive about dolphins.. okay possibly we’re ALL obsessive about dolphins. Either approach, a visit to the Dolphin Research Center is a well-liked Marathon exercise. This analysis facitily is devoted to dolphin analysis, schooling, and conservation. You can take a tour of the power and study concerning the work they’re doing to guard these wonderful 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 value, we thought it was not price it. We solely stayed about 40 minutes. If you don’t have a ton of time, we don’t recommend 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 in case 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 supply classes for all ranges, and you may even hire all of the gear you want.
If you aren’t up for getting up on a board your self, it’s nonetheless price visiting. Visit Bongos Beer Garden, a cute little bar and restaurant the place you’ll be able to seize a drink and watch others out wakeboarding. This is what we did as a result of we had each youngsters with us.
Keys Cable Park is positioned on Grassy Key simply exterior of town of Marathon. We stayed at Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club, which was proper down the street.
When making the drive from Miami to Key West, one can find your self driving proper by Marathon. But why simply drive by? Consider staying a number of nights. It is one of the simplest ways to discover Marathon additional!