25 Unique Things to Do in Marathon FL

If you are planning a visit to the Florida Keys and Key West, do not pass up an opportunity to visit Marathon FL. There are plenty of activities in the local area, including snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, and fishing charters for a variety of day trips.

What are a few of the top activities you can't afford to pass up? Take a look at the list below, and get ready for an amazing adventure.
 

1. Take In The Seven Mile Bridge

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Of course, one of the top activities you need to take advantage of is the seven-mile bridge. This bridge connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys and really is a feat of engineering. This is a free activity, one of the iconic attractions of Marathon, and it will give you an unparalleled view of the blue water.

You can also drive across the bridge from Little Duck to Knight’s Key, taking beautiful photos along the way. It’s one of the best parts of the popular road trip from Miami to Key West.
 

2. Visit the Marathon Air Museum

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• Website: https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa1241/museum
• Address: 9850 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

The Marathon Air Museum is close to the Marathon Airport, and it is a great way to learn about the history of flying. Regardless of whether it is raining or sunny, spend a couple of hours wandering around the museum! You can take a look at plenty of aircraft and learn about human flight.
 

3. Swing By The Turtle Hospital

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• Website: https://www.turtlehospital.org/
• Address: 2396 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

If you love sea turtles, the Turtle Hospital is the place to go. This is housed in one of the many former hotels in Marathon, and you can see where this nonprofit organization nurses injured sea turtles back to life.

This is a particularly great activity to entertain young children, as there are numerous eye-opening tours and educational exhibits from which to choose.
 

4. Take In Crane Point Museum and Nature Center

• Website: https://cranepoint.net/
• Address: 5550 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

This is a tropical oasis that is home to some plants and animals that you cannot find anywhere else. It is more than 63 acres in size, will allow you to learn about the culture, history, and nature of the area, and is a great activity for children.

There is a trolley tour throughout the botanical gardens, and you can take advantage of nature trails, bird rescue centers, and plenty of marine touch tanks. Don’t miss out on Crane Point Hammock either — there are 63 acres of hardwood hammock to explore here!
 

5. Grab a Bite at Brutus Seafood Market

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• Website: https://www.brutusseafood.com/
• Address: Mile Marker 51 Bayside, 6950 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

As you pass along the Overseas Highway, don't miss out on an opportunity to try Brutus Seafood Market! There are outdoor and indoor dining options available, and you can try a wide variety of fresh seafood dishes at the same time! Don't forget to try some of their wine and beer as well!

It’s regularly regarded as one of the best seafood restaurants in the area.
 

6. Relax on Sombrero Beach

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No trip to Florida is complete without a trip to the white sandy beaches, and one of the top locations in The Keys is Sombrero Beach. The white sand is soft, the turquoise waters are ideal for splashing around in, and there are plenty of kid-friendly amenities from which to choose.

There are also plenty of opportunities to try out a variety of watersports, rent a kayak, go fishing, grab a snorkel, or even try your hand at beach soccer. There is also plenty of live music that takes place throughout the year.
 

7. Take a Helicopter Tour

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• Website: https://www.keyshelicoptertours.com/
• Address: 9850 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

If you want to see the beautiful keys from a new perspective, consider booking a helicopter excursion! There are plenty of options from which to choose, and you can take a look at everything from downtown Key West to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Regardless of whether you are traveling alone or with a small group, this is an activity you should not pass up. You can even see Bahia Honda State Park as well as Piego Cay from the air.
 

8. Go For a Bike Ride

• Website: https://www.bikemarathonbikerentals.com/
• Address: 2994 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

Don't miss out on the opportunity to go bike riding as well! You can rent a bike from Marathon Bike Rentals and explore the surrounding area without having to worry about parking your car somewhere! This is an affordable way to get some exercise and check out some of the most picturesque bike trails in the country.

You can even make your way over to Grassy Key Trail and Coco Plum Beach!
 

9. Go Snorkeling at Spirit Snorkeling

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• Website: https://www.captainpips.com/snorkeling/
• Address: Inside the gift shop 1480 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

If you want to take a look at everything that lives underneath the surface of the waves, you definitely need to check out the Sombrero Reef Marine.

Spirit Snorkeling will give you a guided tour of the entire area. Marathon is home to the world's third-largest barrier reef, and you can take a look at the Symphony of colors underneath the water!
 

10. Visit Keys Cable Park

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• Website: https://ridethelagoon.com/
• Address: 59300 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

Located on Grassy Key, this is a great opportunity for those who love outdoor pursuits. You can get your adrenaline boost for the day, try a variety of board sports and wind sports, and relax on the water. You can try wakeboarding, water skiing, and kneeboarding!
 

11. Satiate Your Sweet Tooth at Sweet Savannah’s

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• Website: https://www.sweetsavannahs.com/
• Address: 8919 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

Are you ready to bite into something delicious? If so, you will definitely want to check out Sweet Savannah’s Bake Shop!

This is home to delicious cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and more! You can even dive into some homemade ice cream, fresh coffee, and delicious tea.
 

12. Sign Up For a Fishing Charter

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• Website: https://catch-em-all.com/
• Address: 71 Coco Plum Dr, Marathon, FL 33050

During your time in Marathon, you should also sign up for a fun fishing charter! For example, you may want to sign up for Catch Em All, which is famous for having a no-fish, no-pay guarantee! 

You will check out the deep-sea fishing opportunities along the Deep Waters near the Florida Keys, and you will have an opportunity to catch some Barracuda, Tarpon, tuna, selfish, and more!
 

13. Take a Day Trip To Miami

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During your time in South Florida, don't forget to take advantage of a day trip to Miami! This is one of the top fun things to do during your getaway, and it isn’t hard to get to Miami from Marathon Florida.

Miami is home to some amazing shops and restaurants, the Miami Dolphins, numerous Tiki bars, and plenty of aquatic attractions. Consider adding Miami to your road trip!
 

14. Swing By the Dolphin Research Center

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• Website: https://dolphins.org/
• Address: 58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050

If you want to check out some marine mammals, the Dolphin Research Center is the place to go. The dolphins are always friendly, and you can learn more about Bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and numerous other animals!

There are plenty of workshops, programs, and classes to help you learn more about these amazing creatures.
 

15. Visit the Florida Keys Aquarium

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• Website: https://floridakeysaquariumencounters.com/
• Address: 11710 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

If you are in the mood to see some marine life, you'll want to swing by this amazing establishment. It is situated near the Overseas Hwy in the heart of the Florida Keys, and there are plenty of interactive activities for you to learn more about animals.

Don't forget to take advantage of the family-friendly touch pools, as there are thousands of amazing species housed here.
 

16. Sail a Catamaran

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• Website: https://www.oceansailinginc.com/
• Address: 725 11th Street Ocean, Marathon, FL 33050

Do you want a new way to explore the Florida Keys? Consider booking a catamaran through Catamaran Sirius! This is a great white to enjoy the sunrise or sunset, smell the fresh sea breeze, and bask in the tropics. This is a laid-back tour that is a perfect way to relax.
 

17. Swing By the Shady Palm Art Gallery

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• Website: https://www.shadypalmartgallery.com/
• Address: 2888 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

If you want to enjoy some of the art and cultural scenes in the local area, then you need to swing by Shady Palm Art Gallery and Photography. You can find it at mile marker 48, and artwork by more than fifty artists is proudly on display. It isn't that far off the Overseas Highway!
 

18. Spend Some Time at Pigeon Key

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• Website: https://pigeonkey.net/
• Address: 1090 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

You could also take advantage of an opportunity to check out Pigeon Key. This is a relatively small island that has a lot of amazing buildings that land on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can not only learn about the Henry Flagler-related history of the area but also check out the amazing plants and animals that live in the region.
 

19. Swing By San Pablo Catholic Church

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• Website: https://www.sanpablomarathon.org/CatholicChurch.php
• Address: 550 122 Street Ocean, Marathon, FL 33050

You should also consider swinging by San Pablo Catholic Church. It was dedicated in 1959, and it was the first church to be dedicated in the Florida Keys in more than 100 years.

The architecture is amazing, the surrounding scenery is beautiful, and this is definitely an amazing photo opportunity.
 

20. Visit Curry Hammock State Park

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• Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/curry-hammock-state-park
• Address: 56200 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

This is one of the best opportunities for nature lovers. You can check out seagrass beds, mangrove swamps, tropical forests, and numerous other wildlife attractions.

This is a great place to go paddleboarding and kayaking, and there are plenty of opportunities for cycling, camping, and fishing as well.
 

21. Take a Dive

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Regardless of whether you are scuba certified or not, you should take advantage of some amazing scuba diving opportunities. Located at nearby Key Colony Beach, you can try free diving, scuba diving, snorkeling, and more. You can even sign up for a few lessons! Keep an eye out for the local stingrays, they are incredible!
 

22. Swing By the Sombrero Lighthouse

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This is one of the oldest lighthouses still in operation, and it is very easy to get to from Marathon. The Sombrero Lighthouse was built before the Civil War, has a tremendous amount of history behind it, and gives you some great photo opportunities. You can also stand on the edge of the coast and take in a beautiful view that you might not find anywhere else!
 

23. Take a Day Trip To Key Largo

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If you really love scuba diving, then you should consider taking a day trip to Key Largo. Many people call this the diamond capital of the world, and it is situated between the Everglades National Park and the only living coral barrier reef in the United States.

This is a great opportunity for some sport fishing, dolphin encounters along the coral reef, and nature hikes to explore the local ecosystem.
 

24. Visit Islamorada

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This is another fun day trip you can make from Marathon. It is only 30 miles away, and you can take advantage of scuba diving, tours, and fishing opportunities. Don't forget to swing by the Theater of the Sea along the way!

This is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with some amazing marine wildlife.
 

25. Visit Island Fish Company

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• Website: https://islandfishco.com/
• Address: 12648 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

This is one of the top restaurants in Marathon, and there is always something fresh on the menu. Many of the fish they serve have been caught fresh off the docks and fishing charters that day, so it is as fresh as it gets!

You should always ask about the specials, and make sure you bring your appetite! If you leave hungry, it is your fault!
 

Where To Stay in Marathon, FL

Of course, you will need a beautiful place to stay during your vacation, and there are a few exceptional options available.

For example, you may want to check out Pier Pressure. Located in the heart of Marathon, this is a large house that can comfortably sleep up to 10 people. It features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and just about every amenity you could possibly imagine. You will even have access to a private pool to help you wash the sand away at the end of the day!

If you are looking for luxury during your stay, then you will certainly want to check out Reel Relaxin’! You will be situated close to some of the best fishing, snorkeling, and diving opportunities. This is a large, luxury locale that can sleep up to 12 people. It has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and is pet-friendly! That way, you don't need to worry about leaving your furry friends behind!

There is always something fun to do in Marathon, FL, so make sure you take a look at some of the top vacation rentals available! Then, do not hesitate to reach out to a professional who can help you plan your vacation. That way, you don't miss out on any of the aquatic fun!