Olde Marco - Marco Island's Great Neighborhoods

Welcome!  This is our first article in a series that will showcase each of Marco Island's great neighborhoods.  It's typical for newbies to Marco to see the island as one big, homogeneous, tropical paradise.  After you've spent a little time here, though, you begin to see nuances of various areas that give each its own personality.  Today, we'll look at Olde Marco.

Four thousand years ago, the Calusa Indians made Marco Island their home.  These hardy people prospered on Marco and southwest Florida.  Many of their artifact have been recovered in Old Marco including the Marco Cat, a panther-like carving that is, today, housed in the Smithsonian.  In the late 1800s, William (W.T.) Collier was credited with founding Marco Island when he settled on the north end.

Today, Old Marco is characterized by the Snook Inn, a favorite, casual, seaside restaurant loved by locals and tourists alike.  It is surrounded by some of Florida's best boating condos.  Riverside Club is a huge development running with immediate access to the Gulf of Mexico by way of the Marco River.  On the other side of Snook Inn, you'll find idyllic condos like Ville de Marco, Model Village and of course, Old Marco Condo. 

Old Marco has lots to do.  You can go scuba diving, rent a boat if you don't have one, go jetskiing or kayaking.  The restaurants in the area are some of the best around.  Check out Marek's or cruise down the street to the Esplanade, a fantastic montage of fine restaurants, an ice cream parlor, a Starbuck's and some of the nicest condos anywhere. 

Besides condos and restaurants, Olde Marco has some of the most desireable homes on the island.  The lots up here are "water-direct" which means you don't have to travel under a bridge to get to the Gulf.  This, of course, has attracted owners of big boats and sailboats.  The vibe on this end of the island goes all the way from big, mediterranean to vintage and casual - just pick your street.

While you explore the island looking for that perfect home or condo,  take note of the nuances that make each part unique and you'll be sure to choose the property that suits you the best.