20 Best Things to Do in Marathon, FL

Pristine beaches, fantastic wildlife, and blue waters are three factors that define the beauty of Marathon in the Florida Keys.

The city is not that old and has a low population, making its sights more beautiful.

Curry Hammock State Park enhances the place's natural beauty.

Are you looking for some water activities?

You can do almost everything in Marathon's warm blue waters.

Here are the best things to do in Marathon, Florida:

Go on a Kayaking Trip around Marathon

The best thing about Marathon is its waters.

Kayaking is one of the most eco-friendly ways to enjoy the city's rivers and scenic shorelines.

Many tour operators organize kayaking day trips where the guide takes you through different water trails all over Marathon.

If you want to see all of the Mangrove Rivers, you might have to choose a one-hour trip.

On the other hand, if you want to see some of the Florida Keys and the different mangrove swamps along the way, a tour can take up to three hours.

See the Historic Seven Mile Bridge

You might have heard of the Seven Mile Bridge.

You may have even seen it in the movies.

In case you can't remember, it appeared in incredible films like Mission Impossible III.

Did you know there was a time when people deemed the Seven Mile Bridge the eighth wonder of the world?

The spot is exceptionally picturesque.

Want to stand afar and watch it?

It will look incredible.

Do you know how to enhance its beauty?

Take a drive!

It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you mustn't miss it.

Connecting Knight’s Key to Little Duck, the Seven Mile Bridge is just one of the Florida Keys miracles you shouldn't miss at any rate.

Try Out Some Deep-Sea Fishing

Did you know fishing is another way to enjoy the luxurious waters of Marathon?

Fishing is already a common activity in the Florida Keys, but in Marathon, there are companies that deal entirely with fishing and deep-sea fishing options.

Most of these companies have a “No Fish, No Pay” policy.

So, you can make sure that you don’t go back empty-handed.

Sounds like a deal, doesn’t it?

Explore the waters for some of the best fishes.

You can get your hands on a large variety of fish, too.

You can go scuba diving or snorkeling, too.

Go Hiking at Crane Point Hammock

If you are looking for some hiking trails, Crane Point Hammock Area deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Nature lovers love this place because there are vast stretches of undisturbed landscapes with lots of trails.

The trails are filled with natural beauty spots, and there are a lot of local species that you may be able to see while hiking.

There is also a national history museum that showcases the history of this place.

Explore Curry Hammock State Park

Want to get away from the city crowd for a bit? Curry Hammock State Park is the perfect retreat for you.

There are absolutely no inhabitants here in this state park.

You won't find any unpopulated places like this in Big Pine Key and Key Largo.

You'll see large beds of seaweed and unruly mangrove forests.

Nature is truly incredible when untouched, and this will help you achieve some much-needed peace of mind.

The park is well-maintained, and the coastline is pretty.

There are a lot of camping grounds here, too.

So, if you are up for some camping, you can spend the night here!

Check Out Some Local Delicacies at Brutus Restaurant & Seafood Market

When on vacation, it is essential that you get to taste the best local flavors.

In Marathon, Brutus Seafood Market & Eatery is one of the top-rated places to experience the local cuisine.

This restaurant is particularly unique since it also has its own fish market.

You can find the freshest fish along with a variety of seafood options.

The shop even serves fine wines that you can pair with gourmet bread.

Visit the Crane Point Museum

If there is anything you wish to know about the city of Marathon in the Florida Keys, it's at the Crane Point Museum that you'll get the answers to your queries.

Located in the Marathon shopping district, the place seems too beautiful to just be a museum.

There are trails here, too, where you can walk and enjoy some good scenes.

The museum is spread across 63 acres of land.

It is used entirely for educational purposes, to teach kids about the historical significance of Marathon.

There is also a botanical garden here.

Meet Dolphins at Dolphin Research Center

Dolphins are creatures that have faced many forms of torture in the past decades, and yet they love humans and vice versa.

The Dolphin Research Center was established to take care of abused, tortured, and sick dolphins.

It opened its doors to the public in the 1980s, and since then, countless dolphins have been brought here to receive some much-needed care.

There are also sea lions here at the research center.

When you visit, you get to meet some of these friendly creatures, too.

Go to Sombrero Beach

Want to enjoy a perfect beach day?

Sombrero Beach is one of the finest ones in the Florida Keys and is open to the public.

If you want to have a nice day with your family and little ones, this beach is the ideal spot to have some fun and relax.

You can swim around and enjoy the calm blue ocean waters.

The beach is pristine with white sand—perfect for sitting and sunbathing.

When you go swimming in the waters, you might even find some fish coming to swim along with you!

Take Your Kids to See Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

Marine life is given great importance in Marathon.

Because of this, you get to see a lot of new aquatic species here.

If you'd like to interact more closely with these animals, you have to visit the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters.

Aquarium tours are given by guides who tell you all about Marathon's aquatic life.

There are species native to the region, along with those from other parts of the globe.

Kids love visiting the aquarium as they can learn about different marine animals and interact with them, too!

There is also a shark bay here provided with a coral reef tank.

You can book a private aquarium tour here as well.

Have a Fun Day at the Otherside Adventure Park

One of the best ways to have some fun with your kids is to check out the Otherside Adventure Park.

The place is the perfect attraction to check out if you want to have some fun with the waters.

You can get into a lot of activities here.

There is even a huge tidal pool that kids can enjoy.

Interested in water skiing?

You can do it here, too.

There are many adventurous water activities that you can pursue at this adventure park.

Visit the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area

You probably already know that the Florida Keys is a picturesque location, but wait until you get to see the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area.

The area is filled with mangroves and wetlands, and for these reasons, you get to see a lot of birds there.

It's a slice of paradise for all nature lovers.

The views are splendid here.

There are over 6,000 different species of wildlife in this environmental area.

You can spot deers and turtles while you are hiking.

There are campsites in this location, too.

Interact with Turtles at the Turtle Hospital

To help the turtles, which are facing a serious crisis, the Turtle Hospital was established.

Its main priority is to take care of sick turtles.

There are a lot of injured turtles out there whose lives are in danger, and the hospital tries its very best to rescue them and nurse them back to health.

They play another important role, and that is educating the public.

It shows people why they should keep the waters clean to save such species.

Visit the Marathon Air Museum

The Marathon Air Museum is located in the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport.

Apart from gracefully displaying the history of Marathon's aircraft, it also has some of the best exhibitions.

You get to see some of the best airplane models, too.

The EAA of the USA operates this interesting museum.

If you are interested in the different aircraft models, this will be a haven for you.

Their exhibit includes an impressive Cessna model and a Beech 18.

There are a lot of memorabilia, too, and the history behind these is beautifully portrayed.

Go on a Snorkeling Tour

If you are on a trip to Marathon, the one thing you must not miss is snorkeling.

Pirate’s Cove is one of the best places in the city to enjoy this activity, but there are other spots, too.

Sombrero Reef is another good location.

Several snorkeling tours take place during the sunset, and the scenes are extra beautiful at that time.

While you are around the Pirate’s Cove area, do not miss out on the Sombrero Lighthouse, as it is one of the best places to check out while you are in the waters.

Learn How to Explore Underwater with A Deep Blue Dive Center

Do you want to learn something new while enjoying the waters of the Florida Keys?

Scuba diving and snorkeling excursions, courses, lessons, and whale and dolphin watching cruises, are all available at the A Deep Blue Dive Center.

It is located at Key Colony Beach.

In addition to the three fully-equipped boats, it offers daily cruises on the Turtle, the Sea Diver (a 30-foot, 22-passenger catamaran), and the Tortuga (a 45-foot Corinthian catamaran).

Rentals and sales of equipment, air station, scuba diving, snorkeling training, and water-based children's programs are available daily.

See Florida Keys in a New Perspective with Ultimate HeliTours

These flights departing from Marathon Airport will give you a bird's eye view of the Florida Keys.

Taking a helicopter ride above the city is an experience you'll never forget.

This one-of-a-kind excursion will provide you with breathtaking views of the Florida Keys, taking you from downtown Key West to the vast ocean.

This is one of the most thrilling and romantic things to do in Marathon if you're a couple!

In terms of tour packages, tourists may choose from a variety offered by Ultimate HeliTours.

You may spot the Seven Miles Bridge, Piego Cay, and Bahia Honda State Park.

Don't miss out on the breathtaking sunset tour!

Enjoy Wind Sports at Keys Cable Park

This adventure park on Grassy Key, open since 2011, is a popular location for outdoor activities.

People of all ages and backgrounds may learn to enjoy board, paddle, and wind sports at Keys Cable Park.

Do you need a sudden burst of energy?

Keys Cable Park is a solid bet for a good time.

This park has a wide variety of thrilling water, wind, and board activities for adventurous guests.

The more exhilarating water sports you may experience at the park are knee-boarding, waterskiing, and cable wakeboarding.

Explore the Area on Bike from Marathon Bike Rentals

These bike rentals are available all year long and are a great way to discover the countryside around Marathon.

Rental bikes from this outfitter are the best way to see the city on your own terms.

If you're looking for a low-cost, high-calorie workout, this is it.

It's also a great place to see a wide variety of beautiful surroundings and marvel at awe-inspiring natural wonders.

Map out the area's most scenic bike routes, then set off on your journey.

Grassy Key Trail and Coco Plum Beach are just two of the many sites in Marathon that you may see while on your journey.

Shady Palm Art Gallery and Photography

Located at MM 48.5, this unique attraction features the work of over 50 local artists.

This gallery is worth a trip on the Overseas Highway because of its diverse paintings collection.

In addition, the gallery sells a wide variety of lovely souvenirs, such as paintings, sculptures, and jewelry.

Selfies with the gallery's shark sculpture are a must-do while visiting.

You may then purchase a piece of Florida Keys heritage made by a local artist once you've finished your walk.

Final Thoughts

Marathon, Florida, is the ideal remedy to your hectic schedule.

This city is a great place to get away from it all and recharge your batteries.

The coolest part is that you won't have to deal with Florida's tourist hotspots' crowds and busy atmosphere to take in its breathtaking beauty.

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