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Marathon, Florida Attractions

Marathon, Florida attractions start with its central location and airport access.  As the "Heart of the Keys," it anchors the Middle Keys of Conch Key, Duck Key, Grassy Key, the Crawl keys, Key Colony Beach, Key Vaca, Fat Deer Key, Knight's Key and Pigeon Key.  Spanning from Key Vaca to Sunshine Key is the area's most noted attraction, the Seven Mile Bridge, one of the longest segmented bridges in the world.

The Old Seven-Mile Bridge (MM47), running parallel to the modern span, was the final installment of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railway and a turn-of-the-century marvel that took four years to construct. 

Dotted with quaint cottages, the historic Pigeon Key (MM47) formerly served as a camp for laborers erecting the Seven Mile Bridge. The island's museum contains artifacts from the Florida Keys railroad era, along with an antique postcard exhibit and photos depicting early life on Pigeon Key.  Today the bridge provides a historic and scenic spot for fishing, cycling, rollerblading and sunset viewing.

Sombrero Beach (MM 50) is an immaculate, picturesque Marathon, Florida attraction.  Pleasant, shaded picnic kiosks overlook a grassy stretch and the Atlantic Ocean. Separate areas allow swimmers, jet boats, and windsurfers to share the beach. There are lots of facilities, as well as a grassy park with barbecue grills, picnic kiosks, showers, rest rooms, plus a baseball diamond, a large playground, and a volleyball court.

Marathon's reefs offer great variety in coral formations and fish life.  The crystalline waters of the Atlantic Ocean reveal a marine wilderness comprised of an extensive spur-and-groove coral complex and numerous well-developed patch reefs. Each reef is populated by a vast array of Caribbean tropical fish and invertebrates, with the fascinating addition shipwrecks increase the dive appeal of the region.

Marathon's dive and snorkel sites lie within the boundaries of the National Marine Sanctuary. Divers can dive from 20 feet to 120 feet and explore pillar coral, great ledges and the Wreck of the Thunderbolt.  Water temperature ranges from 88 degrees in the summer to 75 in winter.  

Interested in a hike?  Explore the nature trails by the beach at Curry Hammock State Park (MM 56) or at Crane Point Museums & Nature Center (MM 50) that wind all the way to Florida Bay and a small sunning beach.  Crane Point is a 63.5-acre tract that is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys. This Greater Marathon, Florida attraction was once the site of an entire Indian village.

The Museums of Crane Point include the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys and the Florida Keys Children's Museum.

At Curry Hammock State Park, you can fish, swim and picnic along the waterfront.

Marathon Garden Club provides opportunities to wander through a rain forest inhabited by more than 126 varieties of ferns, palms and other plants indigenous to the Florida Keys. The grounds are a prime spot for birdwatchers.

The Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key, Dolphin Connection and Hawk's Cay Resort have opportunities to interact and even swim with dolphins.  World-class sport fishing is available offshore, on the reef and flats, along the bridges and in nearby Everglades National Park. (See fishing section.)

Four golf courses service the area.  (See Marathon, Florida golf section.)

The islands of Marathon also offer opportunities to charter a boat or kayak, tool around on mopeds, visit a sea turtle hospital, take water-taxi tours and visit a traveling pirate museum.Marathon has a commercial airport, served by American Eagle with connecting flights from Miami International Airport. Two fixed-base operators offer private aircraft accessibility.  The region is approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Miami International Airport, and a one-hour drive from Key West International Airport.

For more information on Marathon, drop by the Chamber of Commerce at mile marker 53.5 or call 1.800.262.7284.

Be sure to check out Marathon, Florida vacation rentals by owner houses, villas and condos for luxurious, yet affordable accomodations - many times less than the cost of a cramped, stuffy, less-than-clean hotel room.

DIRECTORY OF GREATER MARATHON, FLORIDA ATTRACTIONS:

Aquaculture Center of the Florida Keys
59300 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.6135

Boot Key Harbor
Sombrero Boulevard
MM 50 oceanside
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.664.6595

One of the United States' rare protected harbors can be toured via the Conch Water Taxi.

Coco Plum Beach
MM 54.5 oceanside
Marathon, Florida attraction

This small, natural beach is an enjoyable and quiet spot.

Curry Hammock State Park
MM 56 oceanside
Little Crawl Key, Florida attraction

Dolphin Connection
MM 61 oceanside
Duck Key, Florida attraction
305.734.7000

Dolphin Research Center
MM 59 bayside
Grassy Key, Florida attraction
305.289.1121

Florida Keys Council of the Arts
P. O. Box 717
Key West, Florida attraction
305-743-0079

Key Colony Beach Golf & Tennis
8th Street at MM 53.5
Key Colony Beach, Florida attration
305.289.1533

A nine-hole, par-3 public course is open seven days a week, along with two lighted hard courts.

Key Largo Princess Glassbottom Boat
99701 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, Florida attraction
305.451.4655

Marathon Garden Club
MM 50 Bayside
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.4971

Provides opportunities to wander through a rain forest inhabited by more than 126 varieties of ferns, palms and other plants indigenous to the Florida Keys. The grounds are a prime spot for birdwatchers.

Marathon Wild Bird Rescue
P. O. Box 501328
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.8382

Sombrero Beach
Sombrero Boulevard
MM 50 oceanside
Marathon, Florida attraction

Turtle Hospital
2396 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.6509

ART GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS - Directory of Marathon, Florida Attractions:

Artist In Paradise
221 Key Deer Boulevard
Big Pine Key, Florida attraction
305.872.1828

Crane Point Museums & Nature Center
MM 50
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.9100

The Crystal Loft
30136 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, Florida attraction
305.872.9390

BOAT RENTALS - Directory of Marathon, Florida Attractions:

Captain Pip's Marina & Hideaway
1410 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.4403

Fish 'n' Fun Boat Rentals, Bait & Tackle
12501 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida attraction
305-743-2275

Florida Keys Sailing
2470 Dolphin Drive
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.289.9519

Jerry's Charter Service and Watersport Rental
525 82nd St. Ocean
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.289.7298

Marathon Kayak
19 Sombrero Boulevard
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.0561

Ray's Outboard
57560 Morton Street
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.9995

DIVING AND SNORKELING - Directory of Marathon, Florida Attractions:

Abyss Dive Center
13175 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.2126
Email:

The ABYSS Dive Center ... welcomes the opportunity to take you diving! Marathon lies in the very heart of the Florida Keys, with some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world! Our underwater sights are a true wonder to be seen.

Captain Morgan's Dive Tours
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.289.0905 

Discount Eco Divers
10800 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.2400 

Discover The Reef
Docked at Rainbow Bend Resort
Mile Marker 58 Oceanside
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.766.3668

Discover all our living reefs have to offer.  Daily trips for snorkeling, scuba, hooka diving and fishing.

Hall's Diving Center
1994 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.5929 

First class, full service diving with all the amenities. Diving diversity from marine life interaction to deep wreck on Nitrox. Halls Has it all. With access to the largest sheltered coral reef system in the U.S. Halls provides the most diverse diving

Keylypso Charters
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.7655 

Middle Keys Scuba
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.2902

Sombrero Reef Explorers
19 Sombrero Blvd
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.0536 

Sombrero Reef Explorers is a full service dive shop which focuses on the free diver and snorkeler from beginner to expert. When you dive with us, we provide absolutely everything...instruction, top quality mask, fins, wet suit and snorkel. We run two trips daily with never more than six passengers to the beautiful Sombrero Reef National Marine Sanctuary . 

Spirit Catamaran
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.289.0614 

Starfish Swim and Snorkel
1248 Overseas Highway (MM 47.5)
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.8255

Tilden's Scuba Center @ Duck Key
Duck Key, Florida attraction
305.289.4931 

Tilden's Scuba Center @ Marathon
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.7255

Two Conchs Dive & Fishing Charters
10800 Overseas Hwy.
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.6253 or cell 305.872.8528
www.twoconchs.com

ENTERTAINMENT - Directory of Marathon, Florida Attractions:

Coconuts Lounge
Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
305.872.3795

Looe Key Tiki Bar
Little Torch Key, Florida Keys
305.872.2215

No Name Pub
North Watson Blvd.
Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
305.872.9115

PERFORMING ARTS AND THEATRES - Directory of Marathon, Florida Attractions:

Marathon Community Theatre
5101 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida attraction
305.743.0994

Comedies, musicals, dramatic presentations and readings are offered at the theater.

Theater of the Sea
84721 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, Florida attraction
305.664.2431