ATTRACTIONS CRANE POINT HAMMOCK & NATURE CENTER The museum features several exhibits, a nature path to the gulfside shore, gift shop and a restored Conch home available for tour. It is also home to the Marathon Wild Bird Center. MM 50.5, gulfside / cranepoint.net / 305.743.9100 DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER. This facility offers visitors a variety of ways to enjoy dolphins. There are several exhibitions daily, plus packages to interact with the dolphins more closely. The center has about 25 dolphins, three sea lions and a splash park for kids. MM 59, gulfside / dolphins.org / 305.289.1121 FLORIDA KEYS AQUARIUM ENCOUNTERS Guests submerge in huge, saltwater tanks with a variety of reef fish and creatures, plus feed larger fish (like sharks!) through a small opening. Sting ray and nurse shark encounters are offered, plus a lagoon swim. MM 53, gulfside / floridakeysaquariumencounters.com / 305.407.3262 HISTORIC PIGEON KEY. Once used as a camp for workers constructing the 7 Mile Bridge, the tiny island in the center of the span is now a marine science camp, research facility and historical monument. Visitors can take a ferry from Faro Blanco Resort. MM 47, oceanside / pigeonkey.net / 305.743.5999 TURTLE HOSPITAL. This Middle Keys facility does many things — it rescues injured sea turtles, rehabilitates them and returns them to the wild when possible; and educates visitors about the animal and its plight. Visitors can tour the turtle pens and the hospital to learn about sea turtles indigenous to the Florida Keys. MM 48.5, oceanside / turtlehospital.org / 305.743.2552
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THE LAGOON ON GRASSY KEY. Reimagined in 2020, The Lagoon on Grassy Key has rapidly expanded its offerings for environmentallyconscious recreation and dining. The complex features a wakeboard park, full service board sports pro shop, mangrove trails, multiple gardens, and Bongos Cafe and Botanical Beer Garden. MM 59, oceanside / ridethelagoon.com / 305.414.8245 PARKS OLD SEVEN MILE BRIDGE. Reopened in January after a six-year closure, the newly renovated Old Seven Mile Bridge is a Marathon icon, perfect for walking, running and biking. Offering arguably the best sunset views in Marathon, the bridge is also the connection between the city and Historic Pigeon Key. It’s located on the south end of Marathon’s gulf side. MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK. This city-owned park features a playground, ball fields, a skate park, basketball and tennis courts. It also has an amphitheater and is the site of town festivals, such as the The Original Marathon Seafood Festival. It’s located at U.S.1 and 36th Street. OCEANFRONT PARK. Marathon’s newest passive park features a kayak launch and oceanfront boardwalk with information panels about our native habitat and marine life. It’s a perfect spot for fishing or simply enjoying an ocean breeze, plus there’s a fenced dog park, too. It’s located behind City Hall between 98th and 99th Street Ocean. ROTARY CHILDREN’S PARK. Kids love the Thomas the Train climbing apparatus plus all of the other multi-level climbing, swinging and sliding equipment for children of various ages and abilities. It features a shade pavilion and a restroom. It’s located on U.S. 1 between 75th and 76th streets.
BEACHES SOMBRERO BEACH. This city-owned beach is the jewel of the Middle Keys. It features a long, white beach, clear blue waters, restrooms, a playground, picnic pavilions, fishing pier and volleyball courts. Sombrero Beach Road (near MM 50). CURRY HAMMOCK STATE PARK. This state park is more popular among kayakers and paddleboarders than sunbathers. It’s within paddling distance of several beautiful mangrove islands and a pristine white sandbar. The park features a playground, restrooms and picnic pavilions. And, it’s been discovered by kiteboarders. Crawl Key, just north of Marathon, (near MM 56). COCO PLUM. This oceanside beach is left almost entirely in its natural state and facilities are minimal. It’s popular among dog owners and shell collectors. It has fewer visitors than other area beaches and is often deserted. Coco Plum Drive, Marathon, (near MM 54). DATES • March 12-13: Original Marathon Seafood Festival at Marathon Community Park. • March 17: Key Colony Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade starting at 5 p.m. from Sunset Park to First Street and East Ocean Drive. • March 24: “The Outsider” opens at Marathon Community Theatre; runs through April 16. • April 2: Seven Mile Bridge Run.
