Sombrero Beach Live Cam

Marathon, in the very heart of the Florida Keys, was named by a railway worker who commented to a fellow worker that building the railroad was a real "Marathon". Henry Flagler had been pushing the workers very hard to complete his Railroad to Key West before he died. The several Keys which make up the Greater Marathon area are now known as the Marathon Keys.

Pigeon Key

Marathon has a number of attractions that should not be missed. Historic Pigeon Key, which was a major railroad workers encampment during the construction of the world famous 7 Mile Bridge is a must for any visitor. The Island has a number of buildings dating back to the turn of the century. These buildings are the favorite subject of local artists. The buildings are being restored by the Pigeon Key Foundation and is on the registry of historic places. A miniature train carries visitors over the old 7 Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key. The Train can be boarded at Knights Key on the west end of Marathon.

The Museums of Crane Point Hammock are located in a 69 acre original Florida Keys hammock that has been preserved over the years. In addition to the Natural History Museum, there is a wonderful Children's Museum, nature trails and a restored old "Conch House' called the "Adderly House" named after the black family who came from the Bahamas and founded a small community on this location in the early 1900s. The Hammock is under the care of the Florida Keys Land & Sea Trust who have a continuing program to open up more trails. There are some very interesting old Indian mounds fresh water wells and certain types of vegetation that can no longer be found in Florida.

Grassy Key

Marathon is very proud to be the home of the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key, just to the east of Marathon. The D.R.C. is open to the public and tours enable you to visit the dolphins, see them perform and to learn more about this magnificent mammal. This is a must see attraction in the Marathon area.

Marathon has one of the nicest public beaches in the Keys. A public par 3 executive golf course in Key Colony Beach and an 18 hole private country club that offers reciprocal playing opportunities to other country club members. We have a great selection of fine accommodations that range from elegant resorts to mom and pop motels. This island is noted for its fine restaurants many of them offering water view dining and specializing in fresh seafood caught right in Marathon waters. There are many nice shops and lots of things to do, like deep sea or back country fishing, diving on Sombrero Reef, which is just off our shore, swimming, sailing, boating or just plain relaxing in the sun and doing nothing at all.

Sombrero Reef

The very best way to reach Marathon, or any of the Keys, is via our modern airport. The new 7.5 million dollar terminal building has won national awards for its design. Local artists display their paintings and sculpture throughout the terminal giving it a wonderful feeling of warmth and grace. The airport is served by American Eagle and US Air Express. Call your Travel Agent for special through fares from your city, so you can avoid the busy Miami area highways and fly right into Marathon, We are just a short drive to Key West or the Upper Keys.