Planning a week in Marco Island (on Marco Island?) this winter with 2 young children (2 and 6).

We have never been beofre and need restaurant suggestions (family friendly ones with good food) and activity suggestions.

Is the Caribbean Gardens worth a visit?

Thanks everyone!

I am new to this and I just realized that I posted this message earlier.

I went to check any reponses, and I couldn't find my earlier posting so I did it twice.

OOPS!

The only place that fits your needs is the Mariott

Marriott on Marco has good facilities. I haven't been for a while but their own restaurant Quinn's which was primarily outdoors on the beach was a great place for the little ones and offering some civilization for you and your spouse.

Caribbean Gardens is a throwback but kids would love it and I think it is a fun afternoon. This is no Busch Gardens but they have a monkey island and some other things that the little ones will love.

I say just give them pails and shovels and let them have at it on this lovely beach. You can take turns going to the spa which the Marriott has spent a fortune on this past year. It will be absolutely new, the only question is how they will staff it as it is a distance from any affordable housing.

lmf

Thanks LMF

Are there any other family friendly BUT good food retaurants. My kids love Japanese, Italian, Chinese and yes, American food. My only problem is finding places where they welcome children, not merely tolerate them.

Thanks.

P.S. The Marriot spa sounds like a GREAT idea!

I thought I had posted to this before, but I guess by your comment this is a duplicate thread. By all means, you need to make a trip to Cheeburger, Cheeburger. And the Snook Inn is a fun and casual place on the water. The kids can have fun watching the pelicans feed.

Has anyone heard of a service (I think that it is a ferry or airplane service) from Marco to Key West?

Actually there are both. There is a ferry service from Marco daily that costs about $79 round trip. But it leaves about 8:30 in the morning and doesn't arrive until after noon in Key West, then leaves about 5:30 to return about 9:30. To me it is too long a ride to make it a worthwhile day trip -- only about 5 hours in Key West. Also it is often cancelled and/or delayed.

There is also service by Cape Air from Naples airport. It leaves Naples at 8:30 to arrive in Key West at 9:15 and there is a flight leaving Key West at 8:30 at night, returning to Naples at 9:15. I'm not sure what the current price is, but you can call them at 1-800-352-0714. I'd suggest you make sure you're sitting down when you call.
We used to be able to fly Naples to Key West on the old PBA (Provincetown-Boston Airline) for $39 each way. Ah, the good old days.

Thanks Patrick!

You really should consider a second career in the travel business - but for now, I am VERY happy to be getting your wonderful advice gratis!!

If you are staying in Marco you might be better served by flying out of Marco Airport. Marco Aviation flys daily for around $160.00 rd trip, it is 1/2 hr flight. We flew with them last year and my brother and his family did the flight this year to Key West. Great way to go because you won't waste the whole day on the boat coming and going. Think of it 8-9 hrs on the boat. Also if you could find a flight in Naples I'm pretty sure it was around the same price. I could not find anything cheaper.
Thought I would just give you an alternative to driving up to Naples....Always options.....