Marathon Key/Florida
 

Some of my friends and I are debating on a trip to Marathon Key in April. Can anyone provide some information on this area? Our concerns are the beaches, night life, accomodations, etc... Please help!!!!

Beth, <BR> I'm sure somebody will be quick to point out that there are no real beaches in the Keys. Well, that's true, but if you like swimming and relaxing by the water with a cold drink, the Keys can't be beat. As for Marathon, it's more of a diving/fishing community, and although there are a few good bars most of the nightlife in the Keys is concentrated down at Key West or up in Islamorada. If this is a "spring break" trip you might have more fun at those two places rather than Marathon. However, I can't bash Marathon; IMHO the worst place in the Keys is better than anywhere on "mainland" Florida.

Spring Break? Key West!!!! No GREAT beaches ther BUT just a little north of KW is Bahia Honda SP...rated the 2nd best beach in the cont. US.

I'd head to Key West. Or, possibly, Islamorada if you like things a little more sedate. Marathon, to me, is not much of a Key. It's highly developed, somewhat commercial, and just flat out ugly (IMO). There's a greater variety of accomodations, restaurants, bars, shopping, in Key West. Islamorda is lovely. Great place to chill. But not as much fun at night as is Key West. (yes, yes, there are fun partying spots, but c'mon ... it's no Key West.) Bahia Honda does have a great beach but it's small, and it's also a State Park. Have fun.

can only really confirm the above...marathon is very developed as the keys go...second only to K. west...but without the abundant night life that K west has. yes, there are plenty of "tiki-bars" and such on marathon but they are not centrally located as in k west.i got turned off of marathon somewhere between the construction of the publix supermarket strip mall and the home depot super center. we usually stay at one of the more "primitive" keys (ex. ramrod key) and drive down to K west if we need excitment. we also avoid the beaches there.....i don't like stepping in that rotting vegetation sludge that covers the ocean floor. on the positive side, you'll find more in the way of accomodations in marathon than you will on other keys ('cept k west of course)

Thank you all for the info. on Marathon Key/Florida. I think my questions have been answered. <BR> <BR>Thanks again, <BR> <BR>Beth

Go to Key West, you won't be disappointed.