Florida

17 Things to Do on Marco Island

Florida is one of my favorite beach getaways because it’s so easy to get there and there are so many adorable beach towns and beautiful resort areas to explore. This past spring break, I headed to a new part of Florida (as far south as I’ve get to go!)…Marco Island.

Photo from Clark Maxwell via Flickr

Just south of Naples on the Gulf Coast (the southwest part of Florida), Marco Island is known for its laidback vibe, beautiful beaches, and close proximity to the Everglades.

To get to Marco, you’ll most likely fly into Fort Myers, rent a car, and make the hour or so drive south.

Things to Do on Marco Island

Here are 17 things to do on Marco Island:

1.Go shelling: Though not as well known as Sanibel Island to the north, Marco is pretty famous for its shelling. Sand dollars aren’t uncommon. I found over 30 small conch shells on a walk one morning and it’s easy to spend hours beach combing. Pack flip flops to walk near the water as the beaches are usually filled with shells and broken fragments. And remember…the early bird finds the sand dollars!

2.Take an eco tour: This is probably the most popular thing to do on Marco. Dozens of companies run boat tours through the 10,000 islands to spot dolphins and manatees and many make stops at uninhabited islands for world class shelling. Marco Island Water Sports runs tours on the Calusa Spirit which leaves from the JW Marriot.

3.Tigertail Beach & Sand Dollar Spit: This is the most popular beach on Marco, because it’s beautiful and it has great amenities. There’s plenty of public parking, a cute café, and it’s the perfect place to kayak and paddleboard. If you wade across the inlet (or paddle!), you’ll be on Sand Dollar Spit, which…you guessed it…is a great place to find sand dollars.

25 Reasons to Stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

If you’re planning a Disney vacation, you’ve probably come to realize that there’s a LOT of decisions that go into it but one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where to stay. I won’t even debate with you if you should stay on or off Disney property (On! Always on!) but I will give you 25 reasons why you should pick Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

1.It’s close to the Magic Kingdom. It’s actually on the monorail loop which means best access to the Magic Kingdom. Period. There’s only 3 resorts that can brag about that and the Poly is one of them.

2.Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. This is one of the hottest tickets in Walt Disney World right now and if you’re staying at the Poly, it’s right in your hotel lobby. So when they give you a pager and tell you it’s an hour and a half wait, it suddenly doesn’t seem to bad.

10 Spots for the Perfect Photo of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

Ahhh…Magic Kingdom. My favorite place in the world. All magic, pixie dust, flying elephants, and castles! If you’re going to Disney, you HAVE to get your picture in front of the castle…it’s a tradition! And there’s no shortage of photographers lined up on Mainstreet USA waiting to take that iconic shot with Cinderella Castle in the background, but you know what else is in the background? People! Thousands and thousands of people swarming around like little ants in your picture. The horror! Just kidding. But it does kind of put a damper on an otherwise fairytale-like photo.

What’s a princess to do? Don’t drop your tiara…here are 10 alternative spots to take a picture with Cinderella Castle in the background besides Mainstreet USA. Don’t get me wring, stop and take that classic photo in front of the partner’s statue, but trust me, a picture at one of these other locations will be the one you frame.

Walking Tour of Seaside, Florida

One of my favorite beach towns EVER is Seaside, Florida (read all about my favorite places to eat and shop here), which is known for its colorful cottages and powdery white sand beach. When I’m there, my priority is usually straight up beach bumming but I also love to go on early morning walks through the town and along the beach. If you’re staying in Seaside, or even just visiting for the day, there are three iconic sights that you must see: 1) the colorful beach cottages that made Seaside famous, 2) its airstream food truck row which has made it a destination for foodies, and 3) its whimsical beach pavilions that line that beautiful stretch of sand.

Whether you’re on foot, riding a bicycle, or tooling around on a golf cart, slow down to notice the crazy colorful beach houses around town. Here are a few of my favorites from my last trip:

Things to Do in Seaside, FL: Where to Stay, Eat & Shop

Florida has always been one of my favorite beach destinations and if you’re looking for a perfect beach set beside a charming town just a few hours drive from many Southern states, then Seaside is the perfect destination for you!

Located on the Florida panhandle between Destin and Panama City (on a little stretch of scenic highway called 30A), there’s plenty of things to do in Seaside and the charming little town offers all of the amenities and activities to keep you occupied while still providing the perfect place to chill out and unwind.

Florida

Things to Do on Marco Island

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