Vacation Rentals in Marathon

Marathon sits halfway between Key Largo and Key West so stop off here on a Florida Keys road trip or make it a holiday destination in itself. With its white sandy beaches, scrumptious seafood, and historic heritage, Marathon is vacation heaven for families, groups of friends, and couples. Many vacation rentals can be found right on the waterfront while others are located in Marathon's historic neighborhoods. After a day spent on the beach or visiting local attractions, heading back to your comfortable vacation property is a real delight.

Island hopping is part of your holiday fun, as Marathon is actually a series of 13 keys, many of which have vacation accommodation. Whether you stay on one of the islands or in neighborhoods such as the historic Pigeon Key National Historic District, discover vacation property from romantic apartments for two to spacious rentals for families and groups of friends. Visit local attractions, dine out in nearby restaurants or shop locally for the BBQ in your own private garden. Just leave some time for fun in the heated swimming pool that many vacation properties have.

You're never short of something to do in Marathon whether it's playing around on the beach or exploring its historic attractions. Dive into Marathon's nature and history at Crane Point Natural History Museum or hop on a bicycle and tackle the Seven Miles Bridge. This engineering feat was made famous in the film [em]Mission Impossible III[/em]. A day spent in the open air guaranteed a healthy appetite, so tuck into fresh fish and seafood in the tiki-style dining area of the Brutus Seafood Market.

A definite Marathon highlight is Sombrero Beach with its white sand and safe water. Unlike many beaches in the Keys, Sombrero is mangrove free, making it perfect for both family fun and water adventures. Snorkel through shallow waters teeming with fish or, visit between April and October for a chance to see loggerhead turtles nesting and hatching. If you need to escape the sun for a couple of hours, visit Marathon Air Museum. It may be small, but it's packed full of exhibits including the chance to climb into a Beechcraft Model 18.

If you love the water, then Marathon is for you. A Deep Blue Dive Center offers snorkeling and scuba-diving for all levels, as well as whale and dolphin watching excursions. Get away from it all on an eco-kayak tour that will take you on a leisurely meander through mangrove swamps or on the Mangrove River. Along the way, your guide points out manatees, nurse sharks, and stingrays.

Entertain the kids for a few hours at Crane Point with its palm jungle and pirate exhibits. When their legs ache, hop on a trolley tour of the botanic gardens. Older kids can be as adventurous as they want at Keys Cable. Cable-wakeboarding, knee-boarding, and water skiing provide the thrills in this tidal lagoon. If this is all too energetic, take a family stroll through a butterfly trail or interact with friendly flamingos at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservancy.

Start your visit to the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters with the marine ecosystems tour. Then, enjoy the unusual experience of snorkeling in its fish-filled lagoon or coral reef aquarium full of gentle sharks and moray eels. The aquarium's fascinating exhibits also include a pig-nosed turtle and young alligators.

Turtles live a fragile life but when injured or ill, they're given a second chance at the Turtle Hospital. See how well these gentle sea creatures are cared for before being returned to their natural habitat. For a more in-depth experience, there are visitor workshops for all ages.

While Marathon is a peaceful resort, you can really get away from it all in Curry Hammock State Park. Huge swathes of seagrass beds and mangrove swamps are protected, playing an important part in preserving the Florida Keys ecosystem. Hike the trails or take to the water on a kayak or paddleboard.

Dolphins and sea lions are also at risk in busy waterways, but the Dolphin Research Center rescues and looks after injured animals. It also rears its own dolphin families, providing vital research into their lives and habits. Exhibits and teaching programs promote safe coexistence between marine life and humans.

Hike, cycle, canoe, or paddleboard your way around the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area. Covered in mangrove forests, tidal creeks, and bird-covered wetlands, this archipelago provides a rich habitat for endangered species such as Key deer and mud turtles.