MARATHON & THE MIDDLE KEYS

Spend your vacation exploring the islands surrounding Marathon in the Florida Keys, and your memories of modern life’s hectic pace will swiftly melt away. The sparkling sea meets clear skies nearly every morning, and the warm sun shines down upon the white sand beaches. Refreshing ocean breezes rustle through palm fronds while you lie by the shore and soak up the sun.

For those who prefer to dive into the water, beautiful Sombrero Reef lies just south of Boot Key, Marathon’s primary port and harbor. Any of the charter companies located in the City Marina will whisk you over the waters to Sombrero Key, where you can explore the centuries-old coral formations and the brilliantly-hued tropical fish that inhabit them.

Calmer than Key West but more tropical than northernmost Key Largo, Marathon is ideal for singles, couples, and families alike. Spend the sunshine hours swimming, snorkeling, fishing, golfing, shopping, learning, or lounging, and finish with an evening of world-class dining – or a couple hours at a poolside tiki hut. From parasailing to glass bottom boat tours, sunset cruises to dolphin encounters, the possibilities are as endless on Marathon as the horizon.

ATTRACTIONS

The Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key allows visitors up-close experiences—swim with dolphins, or work with them and their trainers for a day. Kids will enjoy being photographed with sea lions and painting t-shirts with dolphins. Home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions, the Dolphin Research Center is a not-for-profit education and research facility that educates visitors and works to preserve our oceanic environments. www.dolphins.org or (305) 289-0002.

Volunteers at The Turtle Hospital rescue and release injured marine turtles and hatchlings, including Loggerhead, Green, Hawksbill, and Kemp's Ridley species. Reservations are required for one of the three daily tours and presentations. Located at 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon; www.theturtlehospital.org or (305) 743-2552.

Another eco-attraction is Crane Point, a 63-acre preserve featuring an engaging Museum of Natural History, a pirate-themed Children's Museum, and a nature trail leading to Florida Bay through tropical hardwood hammocks. Follow the trail to the Adderley Town Historic Site, a Bahamian village built in the 1890s from shell-and-sand tabby (like concrete). The rescue and rehabilitation efforts of the Marathon Wild Bird Center have saved countless injured and orphaned birds, allowing them to be re-released into the wild. Watch a feeding, look for hatchlings, and learn how you can help reduce dangers introduced into the environments of Florida’s wild birds. www.cranepoint.org

Daredevils might consider taking to the air behind the controls of a fighter jet and executing acrobatics and combat maneuvers—whether they’ve got a pilot’s license or just a strong stomach. Tropical Fighters at Marathon Airport also offers sightseeing flights; call (305) 289-0007.

The hardwood hammocks and pristine twin beaches of Curry Hammock State Park are the perfect spot for a day of swimming or exploring the mangroves. Bring a picnic basket and fire up the provided grills while the kids try out the playground. The entrance to Curry Hammock is located at MM 56, oceanside on Little Crawl Key, but the beaches run along both the Gulf and the Atlantic. All of Florida’s State Parks are open year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset.

Be sure to spend an afternoon at Sombrero Beach, one of the most beautiful in the islands. Facilities at the recently renovated beach include a playground, picnic shelters, and bathhouses. Pet-friendly; located at MM 50, oceanside.

Often used as a productive fishing pier, the old Seven Mile Bridge also leads to the village of Pigeon Key. A National Historic Site, Pigeon Key served as home to the railroad workers under Henry Flagler’s command during construction of the old Seven Mile Bridge. Visit the railroad museum or snorkel off the coast.

EVENTS

There’s always something going on in Marathon, from judged art exhibitions to opera performances. Outdoor concerts, local art shows, community theatre productions, home and garden tours, seafood festivals, and many fishing tournaments add excitement throughout the year. In May and June, high-speed powerboats gather for offshore races. Check with the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce for an updates schedule of events: (305) 743-5417.

MARATHON BASICS

The city of Marathon sits in the middle of a chain of islands running from Duck Key south to the Seven Mile Bridge. The largest island, Vaca Key, was so named for the area’s resident manatees – manatees are also known as “sea cows,” and vaca is Spanish for “cow.” Other incorporated islands include Conch Key, Grassy Key, Crawl Key, and Fat Deer Key; all are collectively called the Middle Keys, and run from MM 63 to MM 46.

The Florida Keys enjoy a mild tropical-maritime climate year-round, thanks to the warm Gulf of Mexico waters and temperate Gulf Stream breezes. An ideal mid-winter escape, Marathon maintains average temperatures between 89 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the seasons.

Marathon lies 90 miles south of Miami and 45 miles north of Key West; both cities accept international airline flights. The Florida Keys Marathon Airport receives domestic and private or charter aircraft.

No matter what you want to get out of Marathon and the Middle Keys one way to make sure your vacation is perfect, is quality accommodations. Around the keys you will find quaint bed and breakfasts, great hotels and cottages as well as campgrounds. Not to be overlooked however, is vacation property ownership. Combining quality lodging and affordability, timeshares are a great way to make the most of your Florida Keys getaway. Timeshare resales are properties that are for sale by owner. They are the same properties offered by the all the best Florida Keys resorts, but for much less. You can even find timeshare rentals from owners who are not using their property. Vacation property real estate is great for a hassle-free experience so that you can just relax and enjoy the wonderful weather.

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