Come to Marco Island, Florida for the sun, the fun, and everything to do with the beach and sea life. Being the largest of Florida’s 10,000 Islands, Marco Island stretches across southwest Florida in the Gulf of Mexico and features a long and sandy beach. Its network of inland waterways has made all kinds of water activities possible in safe waters. Planning your next Florida adventure to Marco Island? Keep reading to learn about the best things to do in Marco Island, Florida.
1. Frank E. Mackle Community Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Offering a variety of classic park activities that we all grew up with, Frank E. Mackle Park is a popular place for locals to hang out in Marco Island. This free park is very well maintained by the parks department, and there are lots of great amenities including clean and well-maintained washrooms, parking, plenty of well-manicured lawns for kids to run around and play in, picnic facilities, and sports courts such as a basketball court and a volleyball court. In addition, there is a pond in the park where you can go fishing.
Frank E. Mackle Community Park
Address: 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island, FL 34145, United States
Website: Frank E. Mackle Community Park
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 9pm; Sat: 8am - 6pm; Sun: 9am - 5pm
2. Otter Mound Preserve
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Conservation Collier on Wednesday, April 3, 2019
This wildlife preserve is a great place to take your kids and get them interested in the lovely flora and fauna in Florida. This little shady oasis in the midst of the city is a lovely place to spend a free Sunday and it has a range of activities that you can enjoy, such as bird-watching, shopping for potted plants, well-groomed pathways for you to take a walk in, and more. During your walk, you can easily come across a cute tortoise trying to cross the path, or a gopher burrowing in the grass. This is sure to be a very enjoyable trip.
Otter Mound Preserve
Address: 1831 Addison Ct, Marco Island, FL 34145, United States
Website: Otter Mound Preserve
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
3. Xtreme Escape Game
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Jeff Miville on Saturday, July 13, 2019
Escape rooms can be an amazing way to spend a boring afternoon if the weather is not favorable for outdoor activities. This place offers incredible escape rooms that are designed to make you think and work your way out of the room using intelligent puzzles, clue-finding, and code-solving required. You can go with your partner or a group of friends up to eight people. You must try the cell block version of the escape room. The staff is extremely helpful and accommodating, and will joke around with you and put you at ease as the stress mounts as the hour passes.
Xtreme Escape Game
Address: 909 N Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145, United States
Website: Xtreme Escape Game
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 4pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 11:30pm; Sun: 1pm - 10pm
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4. Horr's Island
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Horr’s Island, also known as Captain Horr’s Pineapple Plantation, is a historic archaeological site located in a beautiful gated community. If you are interested in old ruins and run-down places, then this is an amazing place to check out. There is plenty of moss and other plants growing all over the buildings and the whole farm has a very rustic and ruined look. It is a great place for a wedding photoshoot for an offbeat couple, and you can also see the beautiful homes within the gated community as you drive past them.
Horr's Island
Address: 930 Bluehill Creek Drive, Marco Island, FL
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
5. Residents' Beach
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Residents' Beach on Saturday, September 26, 2020
This unique beach is only open to people who have rented or bought land within Marco Island. It is one of the most beautiful beaches, complete with modern amenities and useful pathways all over that lend the beach a very modern and developed look. There is a grilling facility available to you called Paradise Grill, shaded picnic tables, plenty of great well-maintained restrooms and shower areas, a playground for children and so much more.
Residents' Beach
Address: 130 N Collier Blvd Marco Island, FL, US 34145
Website: Residents’ Beach
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
6. Seashell hunting
One of the first things you will find on Marco Island is an abundance of shells. Marco Island has some of the best seashell-collecting beaches in the world. If you fancy shell collecting, you will be fascinated by its range of choices. You will likely find conchs, olives, tulips, whelks, scallops, sand dollars, and hundreds more. Pay attention when you stroll along the beach and be prepared to collect some, but remember to leave the live ones alone! Shells are hidden on the sandbars around Marco Island, and you may find many in the tidal lagoon at Tigertail Beach.
Tigertail Beach
Address: 430 Hernando Dr, Marco Island, FL 34145, USA
Website: Tigertail Beach
7. Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
This 35,000 acre (14,164 hectare) refuge provides a major mangrove habitat for native wildlife in Florida. If you take a kayaking tour around the refuge, you will find brackish marshes, ponds, oak trees, cabbage palms, and tropical hardwoods in the refuge.
Take a closer look, you may be able to spot a wide diversity of fish and birds here; there are about 200 species of fish in the refuge and over 189 species of birds use the refuge such as wading birds, shorebirds, diving water birds, and raptors. You should also pay attention to the raccoons, river otters, and bottle-nosed dolphins. Don’t miss the endangered species like West Indian manatees, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Wood Storks, and the Atlantic loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles.
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Address: 12085 State Road 29 South Immokalee, FL 34142
Website: Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Marco Island 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour
Website:
8. Marco Island Historic Museum
Calusa Village Mural by Paul Arsenault
Posted by Marco Island Historical Society on Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Other than beaches and sea, Marco Island has more to see on land. Did you know that Marco Island is home to several ancient burial mounds and artifacts dating back to the Calusa Native Americans? You need not pay a dime to see how this vanished civilization came to life in a recreated village in the Marco Island Historic Museum. Check out some of the 3,000-year-old exhibits and other turn-of-the-century trading posts, cowmen, and cattle ranches. Not to mention that you will get to learn about Florida’s most adventurous and colorful characters here.
Marco Island Historic Museum
Address: 180 S. Heathwood Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145
Website: Marco Island Historic Museum
9. Marco Island Center for the Arts
Posted by Marco Island Center for the Arts on Friday, 16 January 2015
For the artistic, visit Marco Island Center for the Arts and see how the sea, the beaches, and the wildlife inspired local artwork. This centre advocates artistic creation from Marco Island, Goodland, and the surrounding areas. It has monthly art exhibitions, musical concerts, film series, and many more events.
You may take home some artwork as a souvenir from the gift shop, which sells items made by their very own southwest Florida artists.
Marco Island Center for the Arts
Address: 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island, Florida, 34145, United States
Website: Marco Island Center for the Arts
10. Shop till you drop for great deals
You may be surprised by the variety of shops that Marco Island offers. While you kiss your money goodbye, remember that you are bringing home great bargains and unique souvenirs from the boutiques and outlet stores like Miramar Outlets and Naples Outlet Center. If you cannot go on any trip without shopping, Marco Island is an ideal place for you to travel! If you do not want to bring an empty suitcase, then shop for a bargain one and bring that home as well!
Miramar Outlets
Address: 10801 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 33928, USA
Website: Miramar Outlets
Naples Outlet Center
Address:6060 Collier Blvd, Naples, FL 34114
Website: Naples Outlet Center
11. Seafood and stone crab
Posted by Marco Island Seafood Festival on Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Every March, you may join over 10,000 visitors to the Seafood & Music Festival. It is a three day entertainment and seafood extravaganza organised by three service clubs and over 200 volunteers for the purpose of fundraising. Many seafood vendors will have their specialties featured, and you will have the opportunity to try out Marco Island’s best seafood, steaks, crab, and more. Be ready to rub shoulders with a big crowd craving seafood and fun.
If you miss the festival, just try the stone crab, which is a delicacy special to Marco Island. You will not regret it!
Seafood Festival in March
Website: Seafood Festival
Old Marco Lodge Crab House
Address: 401 Papaya St, Goodland, FL 34140, USA
Website: Old Marco Lodge Crab House
12. Farmers' market from November to April
Posted by Marco Island Farmers Market on Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Come to the farmers’ market for a great selection of Marco Island produce, be it fruits from the farm to handiworks created by local artists, you will not leave this place empty-handed.
Get ready to buy fresh fruits, garden vegetables, herbs, fresh flowers, seafood, baked goods, honey, sauces, kettle popcorn, chocolates, fresh flowers, soaps, exotic jewelry, and even works from local artists. The farmers’ market is open every Wednesday from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm between November and April.
Farmers' Market
Address: Veterans Community Park, 901 Park Avenue, Marco Island, FL
Website: Farmers Market
13. Community events: Christmas Island Style
Get in the holiday spirit and come watch the Marco Island Christmas Island Style Boat Parade next Saturday, December 10th from 6pm - 8pm. Hope to see you there! http://ow.ly/weUL306FNaB
Posted by Port of the Islands Everglades Adventure Resort on Friday, 2 December 2016
Join the Marco Island community in celebrating Christmas in island style. There are events lined up representing the best of Marco Island to bring joy to the participants; each year’s celebration is unique, drawing out the best from local talent and performers. Plan your visit Marco Island this Christmas – it is never too early!
Christmas Island Style
Website: Christmas Island Style
14. Pirate's Treasure
Posted by Pirates of Marco Island on Friday, 18 November 2016
Dress like a pirate, climb on a pirate ship, hunt for treasure, fire high-power water cannons… these need not be only in movies. You can now climb aboard the Black Pearl pirate ship for an interactive adventure. How awesome is that? You’ve got to experience it yourself. This latest addition to the Marco Island will bring you and your family down to the sea with fun memories that stick – be prepared to get wet!
Pirate's Treasure
Address: 951 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145
Website: Pirate’s Treasure
15. Bottlenose dolphins and bird watching (from USD 97.95)
Posted by The Marco Review on Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Posted by The Marco Review on Saturday, 15 July 2017
Some wildlife deserve a closer and longer look. Take this 2-hour tour around the Ten Thousand Islands area to have an intimate experience with the wildlife, especially the manatees, dolphins, and birds. A certified naturalist guide will explain the sights while you are on captain’s style seats. Sea turtles, Bald Eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets, pelicans, alligators, and Rosette Spoonbills may show up occasionally to welcome your visit; be ready with your camera, binoculars, sunglasses.
Marco Island: 2-Hour Dolphin, Birding, and Shelling Tour
Duration: 2.0 hour
Go to Marco Island for endless adventures
Search for seashells, eat seafood, set sail on a pirate ship, and watch the ocean come to life on Marco Island. But don’t limit yourself to just these options – there are many more things you can do on the largest island of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands!
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