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.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">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.
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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
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.
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 an
Fiona
We loved the zoo in Naples; lots of animal encounters and monkeys live on small islands and you see them during a boat trip. Money off coupons in the shops or even in the entrance to the zoo.
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
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!!
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.
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!!
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
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