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Cottons
 United Kingdom
71 Posts
Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Status: offline |  Posted - 21 Mar 2008 : 22:16:36  
| | We are staying in Marco Island for 10 days. We have 4 children aged 5 8, 11 and 13. Does anyone have any ideas of where to visit? We like beaches, swimming, shopping, fishing, nature and eating out. We would very much appreciate any help as we have never been to this area before. | | Report this post to a moderator |
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jolliffee
 United Kingdom
2835 Posts
Joined: 10 Jun 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 Mar 2008 : 08:57:08
| quote:
Originally posted by Cottons
We are staying in Marco Island for 10 days. We have 4 children aged 5 8, 11 and 13. Does anyone have any ideas of where to visit? We like beaches, swimming, shopping, fishing, nature and eating out. We would very much appreciate any help as we have never been to this area before.
Our Family stayed there a few years ago, when were touring the West coast. Other than shopping I think it has all your outdoor activities covered. It goes without saying you will need a car!
Google Marco Island for a list |
Dave
http://www.orlandovillas.com/villas/1483.aspx |
Edited by - jolliffee on 22 Mar 2008 08:57:56 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Katys Grandad
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1106 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 Mar 2008 : 09:10:38
| Hoping I'm not stating the obvious by saying that Naples is on your doorstep. Beautiful beaches, very upscale shopping and restaurants and the usual chains. You're not far from the Everglades and even Miami isn't out of the question for a day trip. There's an excellent Visitors' Centre in downtown Naples.
Nice part of the world down there. |
Edited by - Katys Grandad on 22 Mar 2008 09:11:03 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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fiona
 United Kingdom
6402 Posts
Joined: 21 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 22 Mar 2008 : 10:10:20
| Marco is one of those islands where you can get away from the mainland if you want to, although unlike Sanibel and Captiva there is a fair amount of business there that is obvious. However there are some lovely beaches and great restaurants, The Snook Inn for one - you can eat a meal and watch for the dolpins and otters swimming in the dock area. There is are some nice shops there and plenty of restaurants, food is usual stuff of good burgers, grouper (which is excellent everywhere we ate it), clams, shrimp etc. We stayed there 10 years ago and at the time the boat to the Keys was not running, but if it is and you have not been to the Keys I would do that if you think the children could cope with a very long, hot day!
Here's a guide of activities in the Marco area.
Marco Island Florida Activities & Attractions
Marco Island has retained much of the natural beauty of its beginning when the Calusa Indians inhabited the island over 5,000 years ago. Lush tropical foliage and over 200 species of birds including the American Bald Eagle are found here providing opportunities for birdwatching as well as outdoor enthusiasts. The azure waters of the Gulf invite boaters to spend endless hours in the sun, whether to fish or just relax! In addition to boating and fishing, there is shelling snorkeling, windsurfing, ecotours and shopping - something for everyone!
Marco Island Beaches
Locations of Marco Island beaches, hours, facilities available - including Tigertail Beach, Residents Beach and South Beach
Cedar Bay Yacht Club
Fishing, Boat Rentals (Reserve a boat online! at Cedar Bay Rentals), Airboat Tours, Charters, Sunset Cruise
Dawn Patrol- Charter Fishing
Spend a day with Captain Bill Walsh, fishing, shelling, sightseeing -- families and children are welcome.
Everglades Adventures
Canoeing, Kayaking, Boat Tours, Camping Trips
Everglades Island AirBoat Tours
and Totch's Island Boat Tours - airboat trips that take you deep into the vast and silent Everglades jungles.
Fishing
Resource center for fishing in Southwest Florida. View information on fish species, food quality, tide charts, charters guides and much more
Golf
Florida Golf Guide provides information about upcoming golf events, golf courses, resorts, communities and photo album.
Hiking at Rookery Bay Reserve
Trails Through Time... Located near the end of Shell Island Road, the Trails Through Time is a series of three trails each approximately ¼ mile long. Botanical signage has been installed along the trails to assist visitors in identifying the various native trees and ecosystems.
Captain Bill Koupa
Fishing Charter & Guide Service - Everglades, Naples, Marco & Ten Thousand Islands Florida.
Local Parks
Locations of Marco Island Parks with information about facilities and hours
Marco Island Sea Excursions
Charters, Beach Parties, Sailing, Airboat Tours, Fishing, Dinner Cruises, Shelling, Corporate Events, Weddings - Individuals and Groups - For over 10 Years, Sea Excursions (Marco Island Sea Excursions) has served the Southwest Florida area. Planners of large and small meetings depend on Sea Excursions to handle the details for a wide variety of activities. A long list of return clients enjoy the efficient, cost effective, personal and responsive service available through Sea Excursions.
Sail Kahuna
Our crew are not only highly trained professionals, they’re also expert guides in tracking down fun. Whether you’re just relaxing or looking to scour the beaches for treasure, you’ll find more fun in the Marco Island Gulf, with KAHUNA!
Sail Marco
Learn to sail program provides sailing instruction to novice and experienced sailors alike, and is dedicated to promoting the most rigorous, safety-first education and providing the best sailing instruction available.
Satisfaction Guaranteed - Charter Fishing
Specializing In Light Tackle Inshore And Offshore Fishing: Snook, Redfish, Trout, Tarpon, Pompano, Snapper, Shark, Cobia, Grouper, Permit And King Mackerel.
Enjoy fishing the scenic backwaters of the 10,000 Islands and Everglades National park. Captain Brien will guide you through your fishing adventure every step of the way!No experience necessary!
Say What Fishing Charters
Deep Sea Fishing with Capt. Sean Black. Say What Charters concentrates on the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico from as close to shore as a few miles, to as far out as 40 miles. Such a vast range opens our fishery to such great game fish as the Tarpon, Sea Trout, Snook, Permit, and Cobia in the near shore areas with excitement of Snapper, Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Scamp Grouper, Shark, Large Amberjack and the mighty of the reef, The Goliath Grouper weighing up to 600 pounds.
See Manatees
Take the whole family on this exciting 1½ hour private boat trip into a remote Everglades manatee hideout. Trips are by appointment only. Captains Barry and Carol Berger offer guaranteed private manatee sightseeing trips (for a maximum of 6 passengers), giving you the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing gentle creatures . . . and if you don’t see a manatee you don’t pay for the trip!
Shelling
Shelling can be a wonderful experience if you plan for it and are prepared. There are several things you should do before you start:
Check the tides. While low tide is best because more shells will be exposed as the water recedes, you should allow time for gathering your treasures. If you plan to walk across an inlet to a sand bar, start earlier so you won't find yourself on the sand bar at high tide. Incoming tide currents can be strong and pose a problem for your safe return to shore.
Six Chuter Charters - Charter Fishing
Sport fishing the waters from Naples, Marco Island, the 10,000 islands and in to the Gulf of Mexico with Florida native Captain Shaun Chute. Six Chuter Charters is located on Marco Island, within minutes of Naples in southwest Florida.
Speedy Johnson's Airboat Rides
A Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure Like No Other!
State and National Parks/Sanctuaries
Canoeing & Kayaking
The main attraction for paddlers is Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, which encompasses Rookery Bay, its namesake, and 110,000 acres of uplands, islands, and estuaries from Gordon Pass at Naples to Everglades National Park. Some 150 species of birds live in the estuarine research reserve, including bald eagles, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, black skimmers, and least terns...Rookery Bay opened a 16,500-square foot visitors center and marine laboratory in 2003. To reach the visitors center and headquarters, located between Marco and Naples, turn right off CR 951 south of US 41 on Tower Road. You can also access a canoe trail through Rookery Bay and visit The Conservancy's Briggs Nature Center by turning right off CR 951 on Shell Island Road, just south of the Rookery Bay headquarters.
What time of year are you going? |
Fiona
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heathercobbett
United Kingdom
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Joined: 30 Mar 2004
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Albert the Frog
 United Kingdom
329 Posts
Joined: 18 Jun 2006
Status: offline | Posted - 22 Mar 2008 : 16:21:55
| | we were at resident's beach last week-it is beautiful-the dolphins were swimming right amongst the bathers-if i'd had my cossy i'd have been in there- i'm not sure if you are familiar with the beaches or not but there aren't a shed load of booths/drinks places etc so go prepared with your drinks and sunscreen | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Cottons
United Kingdom
71 Posts
Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Status: offline | Posted - 23 Mar 2008 : 22:30:47
| | Wow thanks for all the information! Do you know what the trip is like to the Florida Keys? We will have a car and don't mind driving. I was just wondering if it would be any different to going to any of the beaches near Marco. With regards to shopping( for clothes, gifts etc do you think Naples is the best bet? Again we don't mind driving as we would make a day of it, sightseeing and food (especially food!!)To get to Marco from Orlando we thought we would make our way down the west coast. On the way back from Marco we are going on a cruise from Port Canaveral. Do you think it will be better to travel back up the east coast. I thought it would be a change in scenery as we have never been to the east side that far down. Sorry for the lengthy reply but you seem to know much more than we do!! | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Albert the Frog
United Kingdom
329 Posts
Joined: 18 Jun 2006
Status: offline | Posted - 23 Mar 2008 : 23:05:20
| I'm sure that others with a more detailed knowledge will advise on the trips and driving. Although we travelled from Ft Lauderdale to Naples across the Tamiami Trail (Alligator Alley was closed due to an accident)and it was excellent-112 miles or so of pretty straight easy drive road. We stopped and took in one of the Everglade air boat rides and 'gator shows.
We love Naples-it is beautiful. However, it is what I would describe as affluent and because of that that the shops are high quality, high prices. In my humble opinion I would get my bargains/gifts elsewhere- the Designer shops in Naples aren't outlets-they are the front line. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Cottons
United Kingdom
71 Posts
Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Status: offline | Posted - 23 Mar 2008 : 23:15:13
| | Thanks for the reply- What is alligator alley? Do you know anywhere to shop for bargains around Marco? We don't mind a drive. We are only in Orlando for 3 days and although we know the area reasonably well I don't think our 4 little angels will appreciate spending the start of their holiday shopping too much!! | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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fiona
United Kingdom
6402 Posts
Joined: 21 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 24 Mar 2008 : 01:06:55
| There's a Bealls outlet on Marco, and a Prime Outlets between Marco & Naples. There is also the Waterside Shops @ Pelican Bay at Naples which are very upscale, along with The Village on Venetian Bay, and Tin City which is in a different area of Naples but also on the waterfront and has a selection of shops and restaurants. Plus a mall that had good shops but is not an outlet called Coastland Center.
If you put in a search in google for Marco Island you will find plenty of sites which will give you ideas for days out - mainly boating, fishing etc. You can visit the Everglades, if you do take plenty of mosquito deterrent if you are travelling in the summer months.
Have found the following on trips to the Keys:
Getting There Is Half The Fun! A safe, fun and fast way to Key West. Non-stop departures from Marco Island with a travel time of only 3 to 3 ½ hours! Marco Island is just 16 miles from Naples, FL. Heated and air-conditioned cabins. Hi-Speed jet drive vessels. Visit America's Southernmost city. Depart from Marco Island at 8:30 am and arrive in Key West by Noon!
Ferry passengers from Marco Island off Florida's southwest coast can arrive at the Key West Bight Ferry Terminal in approximately 3-3.5 hours, beating the traffic on the highways. The 12,500-square-foot terminal is equipped with an Information desk to help you start your trip off to the Keys, a gift shop specializing in local products and a café offering local fare.
The interior is decorated with works of local artists to lend an Island flair. The terminal is the gateway to the island's Historic Seaport District.
Passengers can stroll along a Harbor Walk lined with charter boats, restaurants and shops and arrive on the fabled Duval Street in 15 minutes. Rental cars are available for those who wish to drive to other areas of the Keys.
Look up Keywest Tours and you can see all the info. Adult prices are $119.95. To drive down to Key West is approx 5½hrs so you would need to stay away at least 1 night. Think this might be a tad ambitious with children!
When going to Sanibel, Naples, Marco etc. we go down the Gulf Coast which is a very pleasant drive. The route up from Miami along the coast can be slow and for some areas you see very little of the Atlantic Coast. We now come up the turnpike which can be monotous.
Island life is a much slower pace than on the mainland and you can enjoy a relaxing family holiday searching for shells, fishing etc. |
Fiona
www.orlandovillas.com/Villas/148.aspx | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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cook22uk
58 Posts
Joined: 22 May 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 24 Mar 2008 : 17:54:23
| Alligator Alley (also known as Everglades Parkway[2]) is a section of Interstate 75 (Florida State Road 93) and Florida State Road 84 extending from Naples on the west coast of Florida to Weston on the east. First opened in 1969,[3] most of the highway traverses the Everglades.
The name was given by the American Automobile Association during planning; they believed it would be a useless road, an "alley for alligators." However, since alligators often frequent the waterways beside the road, the nickname has a somewhat literal meaning.
History
It was originally built as a toll two-lane freeway connecting the two coasts of Florida, and was later connected to Interstate 75 as an east-west continuation of the highway, which otherwise ran north and south. It is still a toll road, with automobile drivers paying $2.50 each way to use the road. Before the completion of its re-engineering, Alligator Alley was signed as State Road 84; it is now I-75 but it still has a concurrency with SR 84 until just east of US 27 . The Interstate 75 signs on Alligator Alley were not erected until 1993, and the SR 84 designation was made concurrent with the I-75 designation , I-75 and SR 84 split again in Naples . Today, Alligator Alley is only one of two sections of Interstate 75 that has a toll , The other tolled section is the Mackinac Bridge in Northern Michigan.
Between 1986 and 1992 it was widened to four lanes, with many bridges designed to let water and wildlife pass underneath. This helped to reduce the environmental impact of the highway somewhat, especially upon the severely endangered Florida Panther, as well as reducing the danger of the highway, which is notorious for high-speed accidents.
Rest Areas
Broward County Rest Areas between Exits 23 & 49
Collier County Rest Areas between Exits 49 & 80
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Cottons
United Kingdom
71 Posts
Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Status: offline | Posted - 24 Mar 2008 : 21:58:29
| | Thankyou again for all your fantastic advice! I knew I could count on this site for good info. I think you are right about the trip to the keys I didn't realise it was such a drive. The drive from Orlando to Marco will be long enough! | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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atush
![]() United Kingdom
76 Posts
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 06 Apr 2008 : 16:04:46
| there is a shopping center with outlets not far frm Marco just towards Naples.
I think it will be a long drive to KW, but Key Largo miight be doable (5 hrs to KW, 3 to Largo).
You might find a boat trip in your area? Ther is a catamaran service from Ft Myers that is 3 hours. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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michellemaxted
 United Kingdom
924 Posts
Joined: 14 Apr 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 19 Jun 2008 : 22:26:22
| There is a fantastic cinema in Marco Island, it is located in a shopping centre and is family run, with four screens. It is rather like a drive in movie - although you do sit down rather than drive in! in that you are served wine/beer, snacks, ice cream and there are tables in there to sit at if you like. Very novel! Great to visit one evening or do as we did and watch a film during the day, when the temperature was very high outside (we were there in August).
Go and visit the Hilton Hotel too, there is a good bar there and it is located right on the beach (just opposite this hotel is the shopping centre where the cinema is located plus lots of great restaurants). The Hilton also has a great swimming pool!
The public beach at Marco Island is called Tigertail and is located at one end of the island. There is a great cafe there which serves snacks, ice creams, muffins etc. Very clean. The beach is nice too, very clean and you can hire little boats, canoes, umbrellas, sunbeds etc.
The villas in the nearby Tigertail beach area are fantastic and worth a drive around the roads, lots of them back onto waterways and you can see their boats in their backyards!
In nearby Naples there is a new water park. It is very clean and very quiet and is not at all touristy more for the locals.
We all enjoyed Marco Island and would have no hesitation in returning again. |
Michelle
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taylona
 United Kingdom
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ncmurray
United Kingdom
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Katys Grandad
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1106 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Jun 2008 : 10:38:05
| quote:
Originally posted by ncmurray
I have eight nights to spare in late July, and we were thinking of staying on Marco Island.
From all that has been written here, it sounds absolutely fabulous, but the only worry I have is the drive from Tampa airport, especially after a long flight that includes one stop over.
Has anyone driven this after landing at Tampa? How long does it take, and are the directions easy?
thanks in advance
Nuala
It must be getting close to 200 miles but it is straight down I75. You'll know how doable that is for you but 1 driver might get very tired after all that travelling.
I have done a similar drive after the flight and found it OK but I did know exactly where I was going. It would have been a very different story if I'd had to look for an address in the dark after travelling all day.
Your call, but I'd suggest checking into a Tampa Airport hotel (I like the Hilton there) or getting part way down I75 and stopping in a chain motel enroute when you are feeling ready for some sleep. The usual affordable chains are well situated all along that route. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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ncmurray
United Kingdom
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Pookie
 United Kingdom
791 Posts
Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Jun 2008 : 11:47:49
| Hi Nuala
From Tampa it is 1 hour 30 minutes to Rotonda so will take about 3 to 31/2 hours to Marco Island, depending on traffic. There are stretches of I75 around Naples where they are widening. It is a very easy route,
the other option would be 41 the business route which takes you through the towns so perhaps more interesting than the interstate but much longer as you will have traffic lights etc.
Lynne |
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ncmurray
United Kingdom
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Katys Grandad
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1106 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Jun 2008 : 12:44:07
| What time do you arrive in Tampa? I use airport hotels in the US regularly and find them to be great value for money considering they are good quality, have free shuttles and, often, free breakfast. You'll feel refreshed to take on the drive the following morning and the hotel shuttle will take you to the car rental depot.
If you need any advice on somewhere to stay overnight at Tampa airport, just DM me. It's easy to fnd a very nice double room for under £50. |
Edited by - Katys Grandad on 20 Jun 2008 12:48:25 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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