If you’re looking for a laid-back family vacation, the Florida Keys quickly comes to mind, and one of the best places to stay in the Florida Keys with kids is Marathon FL. Marathon is located in the middle of the Florida Keys, so you’re positioned perfectly to see everything the Keys have to offer. And you’ll get more of a ‘locals’ feel than you would at some of the more touristy keys. There are so many family friendly things to do in Marathon Key. Here’s a list of the top things to do in Marathon FL and then we’ll share how we would plan a 3, 5, and 7 day Florida Keys family vacation itinerary.
Where to Stay – Marathon Florida Hotels & Home Rentals
Many families looking for hotels in Marathon Florida will want something with a pool. You’ll find everything from Marathon FL hotels from nationwide brands (where you can use hotel rewards) to resorts with onsite spas and restaurants. If you want a little more space and privacy, skip the Marathon FL hotels and book one of the many home rentals. Whatever you end up booking, you’ll be surrounded by so many things to do in Marathon FL. You’ll be set up for an amazing Florida Keys family vacation.
25 Things To Do in Marathon FL on a Florida Keys Family Vacation
- Go snorkeling – We’d highly recommend booking a Florida Keys snorkeling excursion with a local company to go out to a reef but you can also snorkel along the beach. Be sure to research current diver flag laws and regulations.
2. Watch the sunset – And if possible, the sunrise too. During our visit, the sunrises had the best skies, but the water at sunset is my favorite color!
3. Eat key lime pie – You’ll find it on just about every menu!
4. Visit Bahia Honda State Park – Walk the old railroad bridge, book a snorkeling tour, or visit one of 3 beaches. This state park is one of the best things to do in the Florida Keys.
5. Visit Curry Hammock State Park – Enjoy the beach, go fishing, paddle around the mangroves, or hike some trails.
6. Check out Seven Mile Bridge – This path is great for walking or biking, and it’s also a great place to hang out and watch the sunset.
7. Enjoy fresh seafood – Eating your favorite type of seafood is one of the best things to do in Florida Keys. Mahi, conch, stone crab, hogfish, lobster, shrimp… you can’t really go wrong!
8. Visit Sombrero Beach – This beautiful beach and park is a great place to enjoy the day.
9. Rent kayaks or paddleboards – Both Curry Hammock and Bahia Honda offer rentals, but you can find them in town as well.
10. Visit the Turtle Hospital – Take an educational guided tour to learn more about turtles and the important work this rehab center does.
11. Eat Cuban food – We tried a guava empanada for the first time!
12. Tour Pigeon Key – Learn the history of Seven Mile Bridge on this little island.
13. Rent a boat – Getting out and enjoying the water is one of the most popular things to do in the Florida Keys.
14. Visit Cocoa Plum Beach – Walk this long stretch of beach to find a quiet spot to relax.
15. Take photos at fun murals through town – There are several fun photo spots, so keep your eyes peeled while driving around! Spotting these murals was one of my favorite things to do in Marathon Florida.
16. Book a fishing excursion – Group fishing trips are cheaper than you might think, although private fishing charters are also available. Go out and catch yourself some dinner!
17. Eat something key lime flavored – Ice cream is an obvious choice, but you’d be surprised how creative some of the key lime treats are.
18. Stop by the library – Taking the kids to the library is a great way to enjoy a little air conditioning or spend a rainy afternoon. And the Marathon Key library is top tier!
19. Visit Sunset Beach – No swimming here, but this little beach has gorgeous sunset viewing!
20. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters – A great way to experience the marine life up close!
21. Go fishing – We saw so many people fishing off of the walking bridge on Little Duck Key. It’s definitely one of the most popular things to do in Marathon Key.
22. Horseshoe Beach – A bit south of Marathon and Bahia Honda, this swimming area was a great place to see tropical fish.
23. Take a day trip to Key West – If you’re in Marathon FL, you’re already halfway there!
24. Take the kids to a playground or the community park – Children’s Rotary Playground and Marathon Community Park are both great places for kids to play.
25. Look for ocean life – We walked along docks, waded at secluded beaches, went snorkeling, and took boat rides. And everywhere we went, we saw different ocean life. Try to experience as many different things as possible while in the Keys and hopefully you’ll get as lucky as we did!
Best Restaurants in Marathon FL
If you’re visiting the Keys with young children, finding family-friendly restaurants is probably high on your priority list. The best restaurants in Marathon FL for families will have casual outdoor seating… and the good news is that describes tons of restaurants in Marathon! Many even have garden patios or a small strip of beach where kids can play while waiting for their food. Here are some of our favorite options for families in Marathon:
Burdines Waterfront – This casual burger spot is right along a waterway, making this one of the best restaurants in Marathon FL for kids who want to watch boats. I don’t know if they set out extra tables during peak season, but when we visited in January, there was also some empty space overlooking the water where kids could wiggle and wave to boaters.
Porky’s Bayside BBQ – This restaurant has a fun quirky interior, which gives kids lots to look at. It’s also next to a marina and often has live music.
Paradise Cuban Restaurant – We always look for Cuban food when we’re in Florida and kids will love the outdoor garden seating and all the fun decor.
Keys Fisheries – If your kids are interested in trying seafood, we highly recommend this casual marina-side restaurant. After ordering at the counter, you can watch the fish swimming around the dock and even see the fishing charters come in. Our kids were so entertained by the fishmonger preparing that day’s catch (some of which is sold at this restaurant) and all the pelicans swarming around.
The Stuffed Pig – Familiar breakfast foods and another fun outdoor garden space with lots to look at adds this to the list of best restaurants in Marathon FL for families with young kids.
Upper Crust Pizza – Can we make a list of the best restaurants in Marathon FL for families without sharing a pizza restaurant?
Sunset Grille has a pool, a dock, and a beach area, with casual tables scattered all around.
3 Day Florida Keys Trip Itinerary in Marathon Key
Day 1
We’re going to start our Florida Keys family vacation itinerary with a tour of Marathon FL. Enjoy a morning at the beach. If you’re not staying at a resort with its own beach, Sombrero Beach and Cocoa Plum Beach are two great options.
Walk around the Seven Mile Bridge at the southernmost point of the key. Eat some fresh seafood and key lime pie and finish out the day by watching the sunset. And be sure to call and book your Florida Keys snorkeling tour today if you haven’t already!
Day 2
Take a Florida Keys snorkeling tour. There is nothing that says ‘The Keys’ to me quite like really good snorkeling. And as much as we enjoyed snorkeling around the beaches, it did not compare to the snorkeling excursion. Snorkeling tours tend to take a lot longer than you think they will, so we’re leaving the rest of the day open for showers and beach chair lounging. Then get some key lime ice cream and have dinner at a Cuban restaurant.
Day 3
Visit Bahia Honda and enjoy some more beach time. Take the nature trail to the Old Bahia Honda Bridge or view it from the beaches on that end of the key. If you’d like, you can rent snorkel gear or kayaks. Bring a picnic lunch.
Try another type of seafood for dinner. Or order your favorite again. It’s your vacation.
5 Day Trip Itinerary – Things To Do Marathon FL
For a 5 day Florida Keys family travel itinerary, I’d recommend adding:
Day 4
Head out early on a day trip to Key West. If a photo at the Southernmost Point is on your list, you’ll probably want to start there and arrive as early as you can for a short line. Then wander through the West Martello Tower and Key West Garden Club and walk out on the Higgs Pier. Enjoy a picnic lunch here at the beach or at Truman Waterfront Park if your kids would enjoy the splash pad. If the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center is open, don’t miss this amazing free visitor center. And if you still have time, stop by the Hemingway House for a 30 minute guided tour and meet the famous 6 toed cats.
There are no shortage of places to eat in Key West, so have fun browsing menus and picking out a spot that sounds fun for your family.
Day 5
Get out on the water again. Rent kayaks or paddleboards and wind through the mangroves at Curry Hammock State Park. Or if you’re looking for more adventure, rent a boat or jet skis from the local marina.
7 Day Florida Keys Trip Itinerary in Marathon
For a 7 day Florida Keys family vacation itinerary, I’d add on:
A day trip to Key Largo – Visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and take a glass-bottom boat tour or rent kayaks and paddle through the mangroves. Make sure to also check out their visitor center exhibits. I also highly recommend getting the Key Lime Freeze from Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen and stopping for more key lime goodies at Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory.
A final day in Marathon – Spend your final day in the Keys on the water. Try a new beach or book another boating excursion. If you have time in the afternoon, consider visiting Curry Hammock State Park or the Turtle Hospital.
As you can see, Marathon FL is one of the best places to stay in the Florida Keys with kids. There are so many things to do, Marathon FL certainly won’t disappoint!
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Things To Do Marathon FL – 3 Day Itinerary for Florida Keys Trip
