My husband & I will be spending a few days in Marco Island in early April (Easter/Passover week). I'm getting concerned cause I've read a posts elsewhere in this forum that say that MI is strictly for retirees. We're in our early-mid 40s but are very youthful & active (we have two small kids...leaving them home with my parents for this trip). With all due respect to seniors, are we really gonna feel like the only ones under 60?

No, there will probably be a lot of conventioneers there also, some your age. If you want to just relax on the beach and go to mediocre restaurants, you'll be fine. Just don't expect anything even approaching "trendy". Most restaurants there are stuck in the 70's time warp -- standard mid-western sort of fair -- fish and french fries, spaghetti, pizza, salad bars, that sort of thing. For anything upscale, trendy, or exciting food wise you'll need to drive 30 minutes to an hour to get to Naples.

Hi, Robin! We go to MI in Oct & May
& have since our children were infants.
They are now 10 & 12. Obviously we are
<60! And, there are many others just like us who enjoy Marco. So, you will absolutey not be the only ones <60!
One restaurant we frequent on MI is Cafe de Marco but you will need reservations
well ahead of time for the weekend
you are considering!

Oh yes, the wonderful Cafe de Marco, the epitome of 70's time warp. Their seared tuna sashimi is incredible as is their arugala salad with grilled calamari. Or am I thinking steak and baked potato, or choice of a side of spaghetti?

I visited Marco Island in September with my partner, both in our 40s too.By day on Marco the Snook Inn is a must visit for a sunset view, wide ranging menu and perhaps a sight of dolphins in the river - otherwise very little for our ages but Naples has plenty even if it does shut around 9pm! Try sunset at the Beach Hotel and Golf Club, a meal by the harbour at Charley's Crab or Tommy Bahamas verandah and a walk around Third Street. Also in Naples the Sugden Community Theatre has some very polished amauter musicals and drama. Carry on to the start of the Everglades and visit Smallwoods Trading Stores for a step back in time - you'll find plenty, just not in Marco.

Robert, thanks for the compliment! As a long standing member of the Naples Players, I'm getting ready to play Col. Pickering in our 5 week long production of My Fair Lady opening next week. Yes, we're very proud of ourselves and our beautiful new theatre. But what do you mean Naples closes up at 9 AM? You certainly weren't on 5th Avenue where we can now actually get food and drink till midnight! The brand new Macedonian oriented Virgina (or is that Vergina?) is really packing them in and spilling out into the courtyard and the sidewalk with great food and a super atmosphere. That's our new restaurant this week! Seems like we're getting a new one nearly weekly.
For Robin: as to Marco, "been there" may be coming on a little strong, but frankly he's not that far off base about the restaurants there. On the other hand, you'll see lots of vacationeers (but not many residents) your age. Have fun, but do come up to Naples for a visit too.

My fiancee and I stayed at the Marriott Resort on Marco Island. Yes, it is a very "calm" place to be - not alot to do, nothing particularly great about anything. **But** honestly it was the best vacation we've had in years! The beach is extremely nice & it was the definitely the most relaxing vacation we have ever had. We did head into Naples for some shopping, about a 35-minute drive. Snook Inn at Marco is great too, very cheesy-Jimmy-Buffetish but fun! We've actually considered going there again. If you just want a nice place to enjoy the weather/ocean and a peaceful stay, it's the place to be. By the way, we're in our late 20's