Things to do in Marathon, Florida Keys, for all the Family
Things to do in Marathon, Florida Keys – The Seven Mile Bridge inspired me to take my whole family to the Florida Keys, and Marathon offers a host of activities for all ages that exceeded our expectations.
Pigeon Key / Old Seven Mile Bridge / Tourist Train / Seven Mile Bridge / Turtle Hospital / Aquarium / Bahia Honda State Park / Sombrero Beach / Crane Point Hammock / Watersports & Cruises / Food & Drink / Where to Stay / Islamorada
Find a Great Base
We found our bungalow accommodation by the sea, at Seascape Resort & Marina, blissful and serene. Wonderfully heated outdoor pool, free adult bikes, outdoor grills and kayaks make life a breeze. Our bungalow had a kitchenette so we could self-cater by incorporating the outdoor grills. You can watch the sunset on chairs on the pier, and the kids even saw manatees at the shore. Bliss.
Tour Pigeon Key
To me, if you want to understand the Florida Keys you must visit Pigeon Key, which is only accessible from Marathon. It helps that Pigeon Key is also a little slice of paradise. The short island tour explains how the keys were linked by train thanks to entrepreneur Henry Flagler in the early 1900s. He connected 126 miles of open water by railway called the Over Sea Railroad, using the islands as stepping stones – what a feat of engineering! Visitors step inside the original and beautiful buildings where the workers stayed, such as the Section Gang dorms. One cottage now sells drinks, snacks and mementoes. And there’s also a cute Honeymoon Cottage. It’s a precious slice of history and fun to explore.
The pier is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. And don’t miss the marine pond, where the kids loved looking for fish and sharks. Island access includes tour – Prices currently $15 adults, $12 children.
Walk/Cycle/Jog the Old Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key
Pigeon Key can be reached under your own steam, but not by car. It’s easy to park nearby and cross the bridge on foot. My dream was to cycle the Old Seven Mile Bridge in the sun. We grabbed three free adult bikes from our hotel and rented a junior bike and kids’ helmets on the day at 0830 from Keys Vacation Supply Rentals. [I’m usually a stickler for helmets, but didn’t see much need here due to the absence of cars.]
It’s easy and acceptable to cycle on the pavements in town, as few people actually use or walk on them. Then you hit the bridge and it’s simply glorious, pedaling till you descend into Pigeon Key. Here, you can simply turn around, or pay to visit the island and enjoy the tour (which I thoroughly recommend).
Catch the Tourist Train to Pigeon Key via the Old Seven Mile Bridge
If you don’t fancy walking or cycling, the easiest way to visit Pigeon Key is by tourist train. These run frequently throughout the day, and make travel easy for young families, those with mobility issues and people who struggle to walk/cycle in the Florida heat. Prices currently adult $30, children $25.
Drive the Seven Mile Bridge
To leave Marathon and carry on towards Key West you’ll drive across the Seven Mile Bridge with its sparkling azure blue waters. But if, bizarrely, your final stop is Marathon do try to cross this iconic bridge. [I did see people walking and cycling on this bridge but I thought that looked madly dangerous, so hop in the car.]
Visit the Turtle Hospital – Things to do in Marathon, Florida Keys
Marathon’s Turtle Hospital is a huge hit. It’s quite pricey at $38 dollars for adults and $19 for children, but these monies help pay for the work done here.
Aquarium – Things to do in Marathon, Florida Keys
A reliable rainy day option is the Marathon Aquarium. Can’t go wrong!
Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is a 20 minute drive east from Marathon, but was on our bucket list. Basically you pay for your car and how many passengers onboard, but it’s cheap as chipsn – I think we were around $8 or $10.
Walk the very short Old Bridge Trail. The bridge was built between 1909-1912, and it’s now a protected ruin. The bridge originally crossed the 5055 foot Bahia Honda Channel for the East Coast Railway, as part of Henry Flagler’s masterplan. Admiring the bridge from different angles was more interesting than I expected.
Next hit the beach with the handsome bridge in the background. Americans set up here for the day with picnics etc. but we only spent a few hours with snacks! Need to know – Excellent clean toilets on site. Easy parking, but do arrive early-ish. We arrived at 10am and zoomed in. When we left at approximately 1300 there were cars queued back for some distance.
Sombrero Beach – Things to do in Marathon
If you wish to hit the beach closer to home, make it Sombrero Beach.
Crane Point Hammock – Things to do in Marathon
Walk the Hammock Trail and boardwalks, visit the museum, get a free fish pedicure, drop by the wild bird centre, look out for wildlife such as butterflies and osprey, sunbathe by the sea or go snorkelling.
Watersports & Cruises – Things to do in Marathon
Choose between snorkelling, sandbar excursions, sunset cruises, and more!
Islamorada
You’ll pass through Islamorada on your way to Marathon, but it makes for a great day trip. Read all about it here, but highlights include feeding the tarpon at Robbie’s, and saying hi to Betsy the Lobster at the Rain Barrel Village.
Read our full guide to Islamorada.
Food & Drink – Things to do in Marathon, Florida Keys
There are so many great palces to eat in Marathon. Here are our highlights.
Keys Fisheries
Desperately low-key, sitting by the water, with nursing sharks and pelicans metres away from you. Order at a counter, wait till your name’s shouted kinda vibe, collect your tray. The Lobster Reuben is their signature dish, and it’s fresh, hearty and generous. Do not miss it.
Porky’s
One for the meat-lovers, we tucked into ribs and pulled pork, but seafood is available too. Right by the water, colourful and delicious. Ideally situated near the Old Seven Mile Bridge if you’re looking for a pitstop. We loved it here.
Island Fish Company
Shaded and outdoor seating, right by the water, with its own pier. Our food took a while but it was great when it arrived. We LOVED the kids menu, good portions (even for tweenagers) served on frisbees, which the kids got to take home with them! Lovely touch.
Key Lime Pie on a Budget
Head to Publix supermarket and pick up an entire pie for around $10. Bargain! Many venues charge more than that for a slice.
Day Trip – Key West
Visit Key West – six-toed cats, beaches, cockerels! – more info right here.
We adored Marathon and I’d love to return. Enjoy your trip!
Things to Do in the Florida Keys
Read our guide to Islamorada here.
Read a free feature on Key West.
Discover Things to Do on Stock Island
Read all our free America content here.
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