I first traveled to Marathon in the Spring of 2005. Driving through the upper Keys, over the bridges and islands, was magical. I could barely keep my eyes on the road. I had never before seen such amazingly clear, blue water. From this first trip, I made it my goal to steal away to Marathon as often as possible! To date, I have made dozens of trips to this magical slice of paradise, even opting to live there for about six months in 2011.
Located in the Middle Keys, Marathon is sometimes passed over or zoomed through as people make their way to Key West. However, this island makes a great stop for a few days as part of a Keys vacation, or a nice long weekend from southern Florida. Quieter than Key West, don’t pass over the history, water sports, and delicious food that Marathon has to offer.
This three-day itinerary is the perfect combination of all that Marathon has to offer!
Day 1: La Nina, Turtle Hospital, Keys Fisheries, Crane Point Hammock & Hideaway Cafe!
First stop, Breakfast! On the main road, but not always talked about, we heartily recommend La Nina Cuban Restaurant. Don’t be put off by the outside appearance or the parking situation (you will be parking right along A1A and should plan to park about a block away and walk on the edge of the highway). Order breakfast from a small window and sit outside at shaded picnic tables to chow down (they do also offer indoor seating). Be sure to start with a Cafe Cubano or Cafe Con Leche- they are excellent! For food, the Cuban sandwich is always a hit, but the breakfast platter is also delicious! Be prepared, you will stand out as a tourist; this is part of the fun and charm of this roadside eatery!!!
After breakfast, head to The Turtle Hospital
for an up close look at sea turtles! The hospital rescues and rehabs sick and injured turtles. Their tour (book ahead of time!) introduces you to the variety of sea turtles that are in Florida waters and takes you through their exam and procedure rooms. Next, you head outside to their saltwater pool and tiny tanks to see turtles in various stages of rehab. They are so cute! Some are permanent residents, as they have injuries that prevent them from returning to the wild, but the Hospital’s goal is to rehab and release any turtles that they can.
From here, head to Keys Fisheries for lunch. They are famous for their Lobster Reuben, but we prefer the Keys Combo for the variety (Lobster, Shrimp, Scallops, Mahi), the Mahi Sandwich, or the Fried Shrimp. Of course Stone Crab Claws always win when they are available, but they’re seasonal, so we can’t always partake in those đ Happy Hour tip – during Stone Crab season, you can often get cheap claws at the Upstairs Bar at Keys Fish!
Time for an afternoon of exploring a hammock, but not the kind that you laze the day away in! Florida is home to a number of natural hardwood hammocks, areas of slightly higher elevation that support the growth of hardwood trees (not supported in lower lying areas). Crane Point Hammock has a museum and nature trail. The museum gives a quick overview of Florida Keys history and wildlife. From there, head outside and to the right for a short video on the history and features of Crane Point.
Now it’s time to explore (Be sure to take bug spray if mosquitos find you appetizing)!! There are butterfly gardens, wide open trails, tight winding trails, and an old Bahamian House, where the Adderly’s lived in the early 1900’s. Crane Point is also home to the Wild Bird Center, which rescues, rehabs, and releases wild birds. Once you get to the actual Point at Crane Point, you will see the Crane House, a pink house on the water, styled after Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural style. Around the corner from the Crane House, you can dip your toes in the water for a wild fish pedicure!!!! This experience is a highlight of a trip to Crane Point Hammock and not to be missed!
Head back to your hotel to clean up, and then it’s off for a wonderful dinner at Hideaway CafĂ©. Located just north of Marathon at Rainbow Bend Resort on Grassy Key, this restaurant is worth the drive! If you’re on a budget, check their Sunset menu with early bird offerings from 4:30 to 5:15, offering a number of regular menu items at smaller portions and smaller prices. While you can’t go wrong with any dish on the menu, the standouts here are the Hideaway Seafood Special, Rack of Lamb, and Roasted Duck! During your meal, don’t be surprised if you’re greeted by Chef Frida, who takes pride in every dish she creates!
End your first night with a stroll on the small beach and dock area in front of Hideaway Café. Watch the sun give off its last bits of light and marvel as the stars appear overhead.
Day 2: Marathon Bagel, Sombrero Reef Snorkeling, Burdines & Pigeon Key!
You’re staying on a very small island, surrounded by water! It’s almost mandatory to spend some time exploring the wetter side of the middle Keys! Start your day with a delicious and quick breakfast at the Marathon Bagel Company (they open at 6:30 a.m.). They have a great variety of bagel and cream cheese flavors or you can opt for a breakfast sandwich on any of those yummy bagels! This makes a great quick breakfast before you head out on the water for the day!
Better Than Most Watersports lives up to its name! They offer both morning (8 a.m.) and afternoon (1 p.m.) reef snorkeling trips to Sombrero Reef with friendly and personable captain and crew! We recommend the AM tour as the water is usually a little calmer and you should have some time at the reef before the bigger boats get there! Better than Most provides fruit, water, and reef safe sunscreen. If you’d like some adult beverages for your ride back in, you’re welcome to bring your own cooler!
Sombrero Reef Lighthouse 
Angel Fish at Sombrero Reef
Now that you’ve had a chance to see the beautiful underwater world of Sombrero Reef, it’s time to find some lunch! You’ve worked up an appetite, so head to Burdines for the great Keys atmosphere, delicious food, and friendly staff! Opt for a seat on the far side of the bar, if available; they offer the best views and breezes! Do not miss the French Fries or Key Lime Pie – we have honestly already gone for just these two things!!! Other highlights from their menu are the Mahi Sandwich and the 3 Keys Cheese Steak.
After lunch, take in some history, Florida Keys style! Head to the Pigeon Key Visitor Center and get tickets for the 2 p.m. tour. Pigeon Key is a 5 acre island about 2 miles south of Marathon, accessible only by boat, and once the home to hundreds of workers as they built the original railroad tracks and bridges through the keys. You’ll take a short ferry ride to the island, and then have the opportunity to take a guided or self-guided tour. We always opt for the guided tour. Afterwards, you can relax for a bit under a shade tree and try to imagine what life was like for those workers, living and working in such close quarters, on such a confined island, without electricity or air conditioning!
For dinner, get ready to be wow-ed at the Butterfly CafĂ©. This beautiful restaurant is located in Tranquility Bay Resort and offers a tropical cuisine that’s sure to please everyone! You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but current standouts here include the scallops with risotto, crab cakes, and mahi. Prices are a bit higher than some other options, but our opinion is that the food and environment make it more than worth it for this amazing night out!
End your evening with a walk on the Old Seven Mile Bridge (if it’s re-opened), watching the sun sink below the horizon and the stars start twinkling overhead.
Day 3: Stout’s, Keys Kayak, Sparky’s Landing, Sunset Sail & Dinner at Barracuda!
For your last morning, Stout’s is an excellent breakfast option. What they lack in water views, they make up for in flavor! We recommend the biscuits and gravy. Be aware that we deviated from the menu once, and had a number of additional charges on our check that we weren’t expecting. Even with that blip, we still heartily recommend this cute restaurant for breakfast!
After breakfast, it’s time to head out on the water! Keys Kayak provides a fun and educational Kayak Tour (book in advance, currently named “Island Tour”) in a remote area just north of Marathon. Explore the mangroves, and stop at a remote island beach and sandbar on this 2.5 hour trip! The guide points out wildlife – sponges, starfish, fish, rays, sharks – as they see them, and explains the different mangrove species. This is a super fun trip and a great way to learn more about the wild side of the Florida Keys!
For a casual, waterside lunch, stop into Sparky’s Landing on your way back into Marathon. Located behind The Fairfield Inn & Suites, this restaurant has a Caribbean waterfront vibe with a big tiki roof. Get a table by the water if you can! Our go-to’s here are the peel and eat shrimp, pizzas, and cold beers! They also have excellent fish tacos and sandwiches!
If time allows, head to Sombrero Beach for a few hours to relax by the ocean. Otherwise, head to your hotel pool, if it has one, and soak in the Florida sunshine!
On your last evening in Marathon, check out the sunset from a different perspective; from a sailboat! Sailing Catamaran “Sirius” holds 24 passengers and takes you out for a 2 hour sail, allowing you to enjoy the sunset while sipping complementary beer, wine, or soft drinks. This is a truly magical end to your time in Marathon!
After the sunset, enjoy a late dinner at Barracuda! While there are many highlights on this menu, the mantra of anyone who’s been there before is this, “Show up at 6, order the hogfish!” You really can’t go wrong with any of the seafood options, though, so take your choice!
That wraps up the perfect three days in Marathon, Florida! Please head over to our Facebook page, like it, and follow along on our adventures, which will help you to plan your adventures!!!!
Making the drive from South Florida through the Keys and want to know where you need to stop? Click here!
Wondering where to find the best Key Lime Pie in Key West? Click here!
Thinking about heading into Key West, check out our favorite things to do there! Click here!
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