Marathon and the Middle Keys

Whether you travel a little farther south during your Key Largo day trip or squeeze in a visit on your way to Key West, Marathon in the Middle Keys is worth a stop. In fact, it'd be easy to spend the best part of a day exploring its top wildlife-related attractions: the Dolphin Research Center, the Turtle Hospital, and Aquarium Encounters. And exploring Marathon and the Middle Keys is one of the best day trips from Miami.

The Dolphin Research Center is probably the facility you'll want to spend the most time at as there's so much to see here. In addition to its importance as a rehabilitation center for injured Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, the center does a superb job of educating the public about these incredible creatures through informative talks, question-and-answer sessions, and, perhaps best of all, unique opportunities to interact with them through feedings and even swim sessions. Marathon is also a popular sport fishing center, so consider booking an excursion while here. If possible, pay a visit to Bahia Honda State Park for its spectacular natural beaches.

Address: Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

Official site: fla-keys.com

Phone: 305-743-0033

Entrance fee: Children · $19.50 · Adults · $27.50 · Annual Pass · $75

Google rating: 5.0/5.0