My husband and I will be spending 5 days at Marco Island in 10 days. We'll be at the Marriott Resort.

Do any of you have suggestions as to great restaurants, things to do, etc.????

Thanks in advance,

Carol

Check out www.flausa.com.

A trip to Naples is a definite. Lots of nice shops and great restaurants (my favorite is Terra). A day trip into the Everglades, visit the Indian reservation, and, of course, there are the beach and the pool. Have a great time!

Hi Carol: We too will be visiting Marco Island in just 8 weeks! I would also love to get more info on Marco such as great restaurants and even good deal restaurants. We will be staying at The Charter Club of Marco Island...has anyone here stayed there? Is it a great place etc.? I hope you and your husband have a great time!

Cindy, I used to work at the Charter Club (Finance Director). It is a very nice, well run operation. The Resort Manager, Kelly Lycos, is a top notch person and makes sure the resort operates at its best. Ask her, or one of her staff, for directions to Pelican Bend. It's a great, casual, local, on the water, seafood restaurant that's just over the bridge, on the mainland. You won't see it advertised anywhere - it doesn't need to, it's that good. Also, check out The Little Bar. It's another great, local, seafood restaurant in Goodland, a small community on the other side of Marco Island. If you will be there on a Sunday, you MUST go to Stan's for the weekly Sun afternoon party. It's also in Goodland. Stan will sing his signature song "What Kind of Fish is That?" which pokes fun at tourists - it's a hoot! Queen Mary is usually there every week doing the Buzzard Lope. Marco is full of nice, slick resorts and shops, but for local color and great seafood go to Pelican Bend, Little Bar, and Stan's. Have fun!!

Hi Betty Ann! What a coincidence eh? Thank you soooooo much for all your fantastic information! You have given me alot to look forward to. I have written everything down that you have posted and will do everything you have advised on! Again thanks so much! Can't wait..only 7 weeks to go!!!!!

I second the Little Bar in Goodland. We also enjoyed Quinn's,at the Marriott. If you are interested in the environment you could head Northeast a little and visit the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. It is a unique environment, take the short walking tour through this ancient cypress forest. After this you could continue East into Imokalee to Lake Trafford. This is no disney style place, very old Florida but the marina owner, Ski can take you out bass fishing or just nature watching. 100's of alligators who have no interest in you, thousands of birds just make sure you get the hotel or somewhere to pack a lunch, it's kind of primitive still but definitely something different. As far a restaurants go: Naples: Tommy Bahama where you can dine outside in a magical tropical setting with superb food and drinks, entertainment too. Across the street is a fantastic new Italian restaurant Campiello. Both in the Third Street South shopping district. These suggestions are the polar opposites of each other, but that is Florida: flash and nature trying to live together. Sharon

Cindy, Me again. Be sure to take Sharon's advice and go to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Morning is the best time - you'll see more wildlife. It'll probably take close to an hour to get there and you can easily spend 2 hours or more there. It's the real Florida. Kelly's staff can give you good directions. May I assume from your e-mail address that you're Canadian? I am, although I have lived in the U.S.for several years.

Betty Ann: You assumed right! We are from Ontario Canada and I will surely take ALL advice given! We will be meeting up with my cousins from Scotland and have never been that far south in Florida. We will be staying at Cypress Pointe in Lake Buena Vista for a period of 2 weeks and then 1 week in Marco. One of the girls that will be with us has never been to Florida so she will be in for quite a treat I'm sure! I love the nature part of Florida...so I will surely be looking forward to all of the "Real Florida" country! Thanks again for everyones help! Nice to meet another fellow Canuck! LOL

Thanks to all of your for your great responses!

Am really looking forward to the trip and checking out your recommendations...

Carol