The fastest way to get to the house (outside of the Marathon Airport) is to fly into Key West. From Key West, you are looking at a 1-hour door-to-door drive/Uber/Lyft.
If you are driving down from up north, however, here are some must-stops along the way in order from north to south. You can also view our Marathon crawl on Google Maps too.
- Alabama Jacks – 58000 Card Sound Rd, Key Largo, FL 33030
Located off of Card Sound Road this is a great restaurant bar to be your first stop. Featuring the best Conch Fritters in the Keys, fantastic fish dip, and some other really great menu items it is the place to officially adjust your mode to “Keys”. - Tiki Bar at Holiday Isle – 84001 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
The “Home of the Rum Runner” the tiki is the latest incarnation of the Tiki Bar after it was wiped out by a hurricane. Get a photo next to the giant rum runner and if you aren’t the one diving, be sure to get a floater on it. - Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar – 96 Madeira Rd, Islamorada, FL 33036
A great Tiki bar that offers great views of the water and sunset. If you are hungry, you can also get some delicious food here and sit at a table on the beach. If you aren’t driving, try the Bushwacker. - Bass Pro Shops – World Wide Sportsman – 81576 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Even if you are in the Keys to eat fish and not to fish this is a great stop whether by yourself or with the family. Pick up some appropriate gear, clothes, or sunglasses and also check out their fish tank that has many of the local gamefish just inches from your face. - Islamorada Fish Company – 81532 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Walk out the back of World Wide Sportsman and you will find a great bar and restaurant 30 yards next door. Grab a seat at the bar and get something to pick on or if you aren’t driving grab yourself a tasty drink and enjoy the view. - Robbie’s – 77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
You can’t miss Robbie’s and if you’ve never been you don’t want to either. Driving over the bridge you will see the docks full of people taking photos of or feeding (yes, feeding) the tarpon in the water by hand. Keep your nerve as you hold the bait close to the water and the tarpon will take the bait right from your hand. More recently Robbie’s now has annoying pelicans that you have chase away from your bait bucket, so be on the lookout.
Robbie’s is also a great stop to pick up some souvenirs from now (you will forget later) or if you aren’t driving to grab another drink.
After stopping at Robbie’s you are no a mere 40 minutes from our house in Marathon. So sit back and enjoy the gorgeous views of the blue water all around you because your days of sitting by the dock or on the deck in the great town of Marathon are so close now.
Did you discover any other places on the way? If so, let us know so that we can add them to our list!