Day Trips From Marco Island

One of the greatest things about living anywhere in Florida is the rest of Florida.  You can drive to the best of what the state offers in just a few hours or less.  As long as your passion isn't snow skiing, you have it in Florida.  World-class cities with all the accoutrements, incredible adventures, wildlife encounters - it's all here in Florida.

If you want a break from the relaxed and cozy vibe that Marco Island is famous for, just drive two hours east and you're in one of the World's most dynamic cites.  Miami has everything.  It is probably the antithesis of Marco Island in every way.  It's intense. It's crowded.  It moves at 100 miles per hour, but it can be a lot of fun to visit.  Take a stroll down the beach past the famous art-deco hotels and then stop in to one of the open-air cafes for lunch.  Take a duck boat tour of the homes of the rich and famous.  Miami is always a fun day or weekend and it's also a relief to cross the bridge back to Marco when the weekend is over.

If you really want adventure or your bucket list needs a little attention,  Florida is the skydiving capital of the world.  Incredible facilities dot the landscape.  The nearest dropzone to Marco Island is probably the one in Punta Gorda, an hour and a half away.  One of the biggest and best in the world is Skydive City in Zephyrhills and the best views are over in Sebastian.

On the quieter side, there is so much wildlife in Florida and so many opportunities to observe our feathered and furry friends, it's difficult to recommend one.  Of course there's SeaWorld in Kissimmee but there are a lot more.  We have manatees here but a great place to observe them up close is up in Homosassa. The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park has black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters, too.  The park is a great day trip for the whole family.