Marco Island, Florida, Is Simply 6 Miles Lengthy and a Gateway to Everglades Nationwide Park — Easy methods to Go to

At simply six miles lengthy, Marco Island is the most important and solely inhabited of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, in addition to a gateway to Everglades Nationwide Park, the most important subtropical wilderness within the U.S. It’s laborious to consider strolling on the alabaster seashores, watching dolphins frolic within the waves, that only a few miles away lies a mangrove wonderland, black-whiskered vireos serenade the alligators and crocodiles, and a tangle of coastal hammocks teem with wildlife. Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, with roughly 300 days of sunshine per yr, Marco Island presents a respite of luxurious tucked into the wilds of Previous Florida.

Hyla Crane, govt director of Marco Island Heart for the Arts, traded New York Metropolis for the small barrier island and by no means seemed again. “It is a tropical trip with out leaving the nation — the seashores are lovely, the tempo of life is calm and stress-free, and the artwork scene is vibrant.” she instructed Journey + Leisure about what makes Marco Island so particular. “There are spas, museums, a theater, nice eating places, and loads of water sports activities. Whenever you cross the Jolley Bridge, you’re feeling like you might be on vacation.”

Finest Inns & Resorts

The Boat Home

On the banks of Collier Creek, The Boat Home exudes Previous Florida attraction at an inexpensive worth. With 20 visitor rooms, three rental models, and one rental dwelling, lodging right here present a comfortable, pet-friendly ambiance. Facilities embrace a waterfront pool, boat docks, and customary areas for gathering. Crane famous, “The proprietor is charming and it places you proper on the water.”

Hilton Marco Island Seaside Resort and Spa

“In case you want a extra upscale expertise, the Hilton Marco Island Seaside Resort and Spa presents an outstanding govt chef and opulent spa, and you might be proper on the seaside,” added Crane. Along with the king and queen rooms, the property additionally has 4 eating choices, a heated out of doors pool, a sundeck, and a show-stopping white-sand seaside.

JW Marriot Marco Island Seaside Resort

For the Cadillac of lodging, in accordance with Crane, the one selection is the JW Marriott Marco Island Seaside Resort. A perfect household resort in Florida, the property has 4 swimming pools, together with one with a slide, plus 13 meals and beverage ideas, 10 acres of pristine seaside, entry to 2 golf programs, three health facilities, and a 20,000-square-foot spa. Paradise by Sirene is a separate wing of adults-only suites that includes complimentary breakfast, rooftop pool entry, seaside butler service, your personal trip planner, and extra. Crane added, “No keep is full and not using a go to to 10K Alley, an incredible arcade that features a bowling alley, mini golf, in addition to a taproom with craft beers and bourbon.” You’ll want to take a look at the sundown fireplace dance present, climate allowing.

Finest Issues to Do

Go fishing.

Surrounded by the right mixture of contemporary and saltwater, Marco Island is a fisherman’s paradise. Anglers can count on to hook snook, grouper, tripletail, snapper, redfish, tarpon, and extra. Crane added, “In case you take pleasure in consuming what you catch, a number of eating places on the island will take your fish and put together it for you.”

Discover the Marco Island Historic Museum.

Excessive on Crane’s must-stop listing is the Marco Island Historic Museum, which explores southwest Florida’s Calusa Indians by artifacts unearthed from archeological digs, some relationship way back to the 1800s. One room is reworked into a duplicate of a Calusa village and its inhabitants’ every day lives. It is also the place guests can see the famed Marco Cat, an artifact that traveled from Marco Island to the Smithsonian and now could be dwelling.

Try the Marco Island Heart for the Arts.

Marco Island Heart for the Arts encompasses a working artist gallery, studios for lessons, and a neighborhood theater. The Artwork Heart, positioned on Winterberry Drive, showcases music, movie, and shows by dynamic month-to-month exhibitions, lessons, and workshops for adults, free academic packages for kids, and occasions, together with wine-tasting nights and stay music. The Arts Heart Theatre, positioned on North Collier Boulevard, produces six reveals every season. It additionally presents a theater camp, which culminates in a full-scale manufacturing — this summer season, it’s “Discovering Nemo,” full with digitized animated artwork that makes you’re feeling such as you’re swimming underwater with Nemo, Dory, and buddies.

Head to the seaside.

Marco Island has a number of the finest seashores in Florida, because of its sundown views, entry to wildlife, and water sports activities. Crane recommends Tigertail Seaside Park for those who gather shells — Florida preventing conch and lightning whelk are only a couple discovered right here. Plus, it is a cease on the Nice Florida Birding Path for all of the bird-watching fans.

Be a part of Rising Tide Explorers.

There is not any higher technique to see this a part of the nation than on a tour with a biologist who understands the ecosystem, can navigate the meandering waterways, and educate you in regards to the historical past of the world. Rising Tide Explorers presents a number of boat and kayak excursions, in addition to rental choices. It is the one biologist-owned-and-operated ecotour firm within the space. You’ll want to carry insect repellent, sunscreen, and your curiosity as you discover Collier County’s 110,000 acres of protected shoreline.

Finest Buying

The Outlets of Olde Marco

Situated on Royal Palm Drive on the northern tip of Marco Island, this assortment of boutiques, artwork galleries, working artist studios, and eateries is considered one of Crane’s favorites. Guests will discover the Native Shade Artwork Gallery full of items created by native artists, Sage & Sand Magnificence Co., Leebe Fish Restaurant and Seafood Market, and extra.

Finest Eating places

Marco Prime Steak & Seafood

Situated on South Collier Boulevard, Marco Prime Steak & Seafood is a perennial Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner and Crane’s go-to for upscale eating. She added, “The meals is great and so they have a powerful wine listing, together with wonderful wine occasions.” Anticipate all kinds of contemporary native seafood, wagyu steaks, and unusual choices like Siberian caviar. The restaurant is open for dinner solely, seven days per week.

Mango’s Dockside Bistro

Crane’s favourite meal is brunch, and Mango’s Dockside Bistro will get her number-one spot. “They’ve one of the best bloody mary. It is proper on the water, and family-friendly,” she mentioned. Open seven days every week from 11 a.m. till 9 p.m., the restaurant serves breakfast between December and April. Fur infants are additionally welcome on the patio so the entire household can be part of.

Snook Inn

Are you able to say you’ve been to Marco Island with out eating at Snook Inn? Crane thinks not. She added, “The meals is informal at this 30-year-old island staple. There’s stay music and an distinctive pleased hour.” Boat slips abut the again of the restaurant for straightforward docking, and a plethora of indoor and out of doors seating gives full waterfront views. The lavender lemonade is simply the ticket on a sweltering South Florida day, and the enduring salad bar with an unlimited pickle barrel brings a lot of Previous Florida nostalgia. The grouper sandwich, blackened with crispy fries, is the specialty right here and for good cause — it’s a beneficiant portion of fish served on a mushy brioche bun.

The Oyster Society

This elegant dinner-only spot offers off Prohibition-era vibes with its moody colour palate, leather-based loungers, and vigorous jazz trio enjoying for the gang. The Oyster Society‘s intensive uncooked bar contains classics like shrimp cocktail, caviar service, and, in fact, oysters from across the nation. A sushi bar stationed within the middle of the eating room, a collection of chef specialties just like the Slash’N Burn Native Snapper, and a Recent & Easy part with a wide range of steak and seafood choices (along with your selection of cook dinner preparation, sauce, and facet) spherical out the menu. Be certain to depart room for dessert — the carrot cake with heat, spiced cream cheese frosting and candied carrot hay is the stuff of legend on Marco Island.

Doreen’s Cup of Joe

Set in a small strip mall, Doreen’s Cup of Joe has a heat farmhouse really feel: chalkboards with specials, rooster statues, and handwritten missives adorn the partitions and cabinets. The breakfast and lunch scorching spot is open seven days every week from 7:30 a.m. till 2 p.m. The menu options native merchandise like Bradley’s Nation Retailer sausage patties from Tallahassee and freshly squeezed Florida orange juice. However the star on the menu is the Crunchy French Toast coated in cornflakes with a young cinnamon inside and served with pure Vermont maple syrup.

Finest Time to Go to

Marco Island’s excessive season runs from October by Could, coinciding with stone crab season, when the native delicacies are harvested and served in eating places across the Paradise Coast. The climate is temperate, hurricane season has handed, and companies are absolutely open. It is also the pricier time to go to. Nice offers might be discovered in the course of the shoulder season (June by September).

Go to in March to catch Crane’s favourite annual occasion, the Marco Island Nationwide Nice  Artwork Present, a two-day occasion full of work by greater than 90 artists from across the nation, together with portray, jewellery, sculpture, glasswork, and ceramics. Native cooks present tasty bites to take pleasure in whereas perusing items and assembly artists.

Easy methods to Get There

Roughly two hours from Fort Lauderdale and three hours from Tampa, Marco Island is well reachable by automotive. If flying, Southwest Florida Worldwide Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers is the closest — 48 miles — and has service from all main airways every day. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Worldwide Airport (FLL), Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA), and Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA) are additionally choices, although would require an extended commute.

Areas to Go to

Keewaydin Island

Situated between Marco Island and Naples, Keewaydin Island is accessible solely by boat. With eight miles of untouched white sand, this barrier island is a quiet spot for some uninterrupted shelling. It is the one pet-friendly seaside within the Naples/Marco Island space, and the Hemingway Water Shuttle departs from Marco Island seven occasions every day; well-behaved, leashed canines are welcome on board. Although no facilities can be found on the island, a meals boat known as Simply Beachy Burgers & Extra parks simply offshore between 11 a.m. and three p.m. most days for hungry beachgoers desirous to strive burgers, grouper sandwiches and tacos, scorching canines, fries, and different snacks.

Ten Thousand Islands Nationwide Wildlife Refuge

Simply 12 miles down Freeway 41 from Marco Island, Ten Thousand Islands Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is finest accessed by boat. The refuge mainland might be reached by way of the Marsh Path, a mile-long mountaineering and biking route that additionally options canoe and kayak areas, a two-story commentary tower overlooking the marsh, and an adjoining car parking zone. Guests are handled to a wealth of organic range, together with hundreds of water birds, loggerhead sea turtles, and manatees feeding inside the estuary. It’s possible you’ll even catch a bald eagle hovering over the open water or an alligator observing the scene.

Easy methods to Get Round

There’s no getting round it — it’s essential to hire a automotive to get the complete expertise on Marco Island. Fortunately, Southwest Florida Worldwide Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers has all the key corporations like Enterprise, Avis, and Finances. As soon as on Marco Island, there are a number of bike, golf cart, and scooter rental retailers. Beneficiant bike lanes encompass the island, making it simple to navigate and not using a automotive. Uber additionally companies the island for individuals who want to keep away from driving. But when experiencing the ample nature only a stone’s throw from Marco Island is on the agenda, go for a rental.

One other well-liked possibility is Crabby Cabbie. For simply $5, you will get a experience anyplace on Marco Island, and for 3 {dollars} extra, you possibly can go to close by Goodland, dwelling to a inhabitants underneath 400. Crane described the vacation spot as a “consuming village with a fishing downside.”