Marvelous Marco

Marvelous Marco

The Top 10 Reasons to Cross the Jolley Bridge

Whether you are looking for a daylong outing or a weekend getaway, Marco Island offers an alluring atmosphere full of world-class resorts, gorgeous beaches, and scrumptious seafood. A short distance from the Ten Thousand Islands, the island is also your gateway to outdoor adventures and eco-tours. Plus, Marco is steeped in Southwest Florida history, giving even locals an excuse to explore. Here are 10 reasons to take a trip south, across the Jolley Bridge.

The Marriott

The Marriott opened even before the Jolley Bridge was four lanes, and recently became the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, after a $250-million renovation that is still underway. Stay at this beachfront resort in one of its redesigned guest rooms and dine at the new restaurants, but should you want a weekend sans kids, soon you can stay in the adult-only tower with a roof-top pool and 12,000-square-feet indoor entertainment room. The renovations, which have taken more than two years, feature a redesigned and expanded main pool deck. Don’t fret, the multimillion dollar views remain the same.

Marco Museum

Come learn that Marco Island was home to some of Florida’s earliest settlers, the Calusa Indians. Inside the Marco Island Historical Museum, you can see a replica of a Calusa Indian village, complete with exhibits that showcase how these natives lived in the 1500s when Spanish explorers first discovered them. A new exhibit, “What’s Old is Not Forgotten,” opened in June and features local photography works of famous landmarks, such as the famous Cape Romano Dome House and the Horr Plantation House. While visiting, look at the building’s unique architecture and outdoor mural, and use both to educate your children. The museum is free to tour and is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

The beaches

Don’t forget your Collier County beach parking sticker before going to Marco Island, or it will cost you to park at its two major beach access points: Tigertail Beach and South Beach. The former, situated near Big Marco Pass, offers beachgoers plenty of reasons to stay for the day, including beach rentals, a children’s playground, food vendors, and restrooms. Since it’s a designated wildlife area, Tigertail is home to many shorebirds and has a unique tidal lagoon. Every winter, there are wildlife birding talks on select days. South Beach allows beachgoers to access the Gulf of Mexico and is nestled between several plush, luxury resorts. Many athletic enthusiasts begin their outdoor adventures here. There are also restrooms.

The parks

Mackle Park has one of the nicest outdoor playgrounds in Collier County. It has a pavilion for shaded play, and the splash pad beckons those who need a cooldown after exploring the castle-style play area. Take a walk around the lake for a nice shaded stroll. Or visit Veterans Community Park where a farmers market is held every Wednesday from early November to late April. The wide-open space is where numerous community events are hosted year-round.

The YMCA

Fitness enthusiasts can work out in The Greater Marco Family YMCA’s state-of-the-art fitness center, but families are the ones who really benefit from the facilities. Kids can compete on the Y’s swim team, learning from one of the best swim coaches in Collier County, Coach Kamal. Or snag a deal on swim lessons this July – three lessons for just $10 (restrictions apply). Summer camp is another draw to the Marco Y, featuring theme weeks and fieldtrips for campers. And kids can take cooking classes in the teaching kitchen. Best of all, members of the Greater Naples YMCA receive reciprocal benefits.

The golf

Add some friendly family competition with a visit to Marco Golf and Garden, where you can enjoy a round of miniature golf. A garden, complete with native plants and trees, is the backdrop to this fun course where even “pro” golfers will find entertainment. Or see if you can play at the Island Country Club, where invited guests can play 18 holes on this championship course originally designed by pro golfer Gene Sarazen in 1966. It was reconfigured in 1991 with new bunkers and water features.

The food

Get a glimpse of Marco’s beautiful inland waterways while eating at the Snook Inn. It’s known for its outdoor dining and live music, but the food is why locals call it a place-not-to-miss. The fried shrimp basket is a crowd-pleaser, and since every meal comes with trip to the salad bar, even kids will get a vegetable. If you’re in the mood for Italian, try Joey’s Pizza. Whether you choose the Sicilian or the regular crust pizza, your kids will love every bite, and their prices won’t take a bite out of your wallet, especially when you eat their lunch specials. At breakfast, you can visit Doreen’s Cup of Joe (next door to Joey’s) where the omelets are mouthwatering. Another favorite (from the lunch menu) is the Oven Roasted Turkey Breast with Brie Cheese croissant.

The entertainment

If your island adventure is plagued by rain or cold temperatures, head indoors to the Marco Movies. Showtimes are very regular at (close to) 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock hour with matinees on weekends for select shows. Every seat offers optimal viewing and has a place to enjoy the full menu. Or choose one of the two playhouses: the Island Theater Company and The Marco Players Theater. The community playhouses put on several productions a year, and the Island Theater Company produces a children’s show in the summer.

Adult adventures

It doesn’t need to be October to get a fright on Marco Island. Take a historical ghost tour with Marco Murder and Mayhem, where tour-goers begin their adventure at Marco’s oldest building, the Olde Marco Inn, which is haunted by ghosts from Marco’s early pioneer period. Or test your wits at Xtreme Escape Games, where you and seven others will be trapped in a room, left to solve the puzzle to get out. Parents, it is recommended that no one under 14 take part in the game.

The events

Marco Island is possibly best known for its holiday events and parades. Every year, the Fourth of July festivities and fireworks show attracts about 12,000 people. The daylong event has contests, live music, and food vendors making it a fun-filled day on Marco’s beautiful beaches. The island’s parades – St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas – are lively and navigate through most of the island’s major roadways, where parade-goers can watch the floats pass by. But the Marco Island Seafood and Music Festival, held in March, is the island’s largest event of the year. The three-day festival overtakes Veterans Community Park and features some 60 food vendors and has a dedicated kids zone. Buy a VIP ticket which comes with a lobster meal! And every December, visitors can celebrate the season at Christmas Island Style events throughout the month. One popular attraction is the Christmas light house decorating contest, where many of the island’s homes and businesses are decked out in holiday regalia. Or watch Santa Claus arrive by helicopter as a kick-off.

LEIGH TAHIROVIC is a wife and mother who loves traveling and Civil War History. She moved to Naples in 2001 and began a career in journalism. She is a freelance writer for magazines and newspapers in South Florida.