The 13 best shopping and stores in Marathon

The Dolphin Research Center was absolutely amazing! They have around 26 different dolphins, each with their own personality, and it was so fun getting to learn about them up close. The experience was incredibly informative — you can tell the staff truly love what they do and care deeply for the animals. Everyone we interacted with was so friendly, helpful, and eager to share their knowledge. I’d definitely recommend going first thing when they open so you have plenty of time to explore and enjoy everything without feeling rushed. Such a fun and educational experience — highly recommend!

Last minute stop for me that turned out to be well worth the time! The dolphins here are well trained and there are several programs throughout the day that offer different types of learning opportunities and chances to see the dolphins doing tricks. I just did general admission and was able to experience a lot, but there are opportunities to meet the dolphins upclose as well!

We did general admission which is $35. There are 27 dolphins to see. We only saw 2 seals and one bird. Bring water! The only vending machine, we could not get it to accept our money. There was a food truck that said open but no one came to the window. There is a water fountain. Very educational! The workers were very friendly and eager to answer questions. There was some kind of program every hour. The dolphins were also just playing and jumping around. If you love dolphins, I highly recommend this place. You can pay extra to interact with the dolphins, which we saw a lot of people doing this.

We have been to the keys many times and for some reason never visited here. We LOVED IT! Man those dolphins are cool. RANGER WAS THE SWEETEST!! All the staff were very friendly and helpful too. We had a great time.

Very Disappointing Experience! We drove over 3 hours from and back to Miami on the same day of our flight, excited to give our kids what we thought would be an unforgettable, magical dolphin experience. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the exact opposite. We booked the Dolphin Splash session and paid $450 for three people, since adults are required to be in the water with their child — you can’t simply watch from the deck. The session was supposed to last 20 minutes, but we soon realized that two other families were part of the same session. It was not private as we expected. You’re also not allowed to bring your phone or camera near the deck, so the only photos you can get are taken by their photographer at $20 per picture — another disappointment. But the real issue was the condition of the water. It was extremely dirty and murky, with a terrible smell. You couldn’t see anything below the surface — only the parts of your body and the dolphins that were above the water. It felt completely unsanitary, but since the tickets were non-refundable, we had no choice but to continue. We ended up sharing the 20-minute session with the other families, taking brief turns interacting with the dolphins in this unpleasant environment. Overall, this was a huge disappointment — a waste of time and money. I would not recommend this experience to anyone. Update, This is and update to Reply on your response , Thanks for the reply but regarding that your team is there to help making choices, we did ask on the front desk if each of us will have his own 20minute session or all three of us will be in the same session together because after all it is 3 tickets and they said that we will be together in the same session and didn’t mention that other families will be there too!! About the deck being cleaned.. absolutely no!! The stairs we were so slippery that one lady from the other family slipped on her way down and they caught her even my kid slipped on his way down it looked like it haven’t been scrapped in years!! The trainer her self suggested to just sit down on the deck and jump in water instead of using the stairs!! I understand that water is part of the ecosystem but the minimum amount of maintenance and cleaning is supposed to take place for the sake of guests’ and Dolphins’ safety as well. Before the session they brought a broom and tried to scrap some of the algae off the stairs and the underwater deck but it was so much that they couldn’t.. about the photographer if it was for the safety of guests and dolphins then it should be included in the package not to be sold by picture !! Also no one told us it was for a separate fee until we asked !!

The dolphin research center was an really great and worth experience. A lot of rescue animals and an awesome crew. Main focus is to take care of the animals. The staff is awesome as well. We got a lot to see during the hourly activities which are free to join, like an „How is the life as an trainer for dolphins, etc.

🇺🇸 Dolphin Research Center, Florida Keys ✨⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A place where science meets magic 🐬🔬 — saltwater lagoons, dolphins, and sea lions, all part of fascinating research and education. You can see live behavior sessions, swim with dolphins, and really feel how much care goes into their world. A must-visit spot for anyone who loves marine life and wants an unforgettable experience! #DolphinResearchCenter #FloridaKeys #MarineLife #Dolphins #TravelVibes

Woah! What a cool place. This dog-friendly nature preserve is perfect for stretching your legs and enjoying some of Florida’s native species. I loved getting to learn about all of the different kind of trees with the placards they have on their path. Staff is super friendly and passionate about the area. Definitely think this is worth making time for even if you only have an hour or two.

The fish pedicure here is really cool. My wife wanted to come just for it and we spent almost an hour just having the fish go at it on our feet. Definitely a unique experience. Also got to see a Bald Eagle up close and personal. That was super neat as well. Lots of other animals that they are trying to help out. Lots of interesting plants as well. Highly recommended for a family friendly activity.

It's difficult to describe this place adequately. It has such a variety of different things to see that it has to have grown organically. It's a mangrove swamp with lots of walking paths that also contains a Frank Lloyd Wright House, an old Bahamian House that's apparently the second oldest house in the keys, and recreation of an old Florida cabin. They also have random sculptures, a bird sanctuary, two random tortoises, a butterfly garden, a museum about the keys and a lot of other stuff. Well worth a stop and take time to explore.

We had a very enjoyable afternoon exploring the Crane Point nature area … we were bummed because our snorkel trip was cancelled due to wind/weather! But, we learned so much about the “hammock” nature system of the Keys! The nature trail takes you through about 1-1/2 miles of mangroves, it’s mostly crushed rock trails, so wear decent walking shoes. “The Point” takes you to the bayside of the key, and there are several points to stop and enjoy the water and aquatic life! Plenty of benches to rest along the way! The Crane and Adderly houses on site are historic. Fun place to stop and put your feet in the water to let the small fish give you a pedicure! Nice bird rescue/sanctuary area by the main office, resident bald eagle Rita is a beautiful bird! Well worth a couple of hours to walk through and enjoy nature!

One of our favorite spots in the Keys. It boasts one of the first homes in the Keys. There is much history to take in here. The wildlife, both rescued and natural is breathtaking as are the beautiful views and vegetation. I highly recommend buying some of their local honey, no matter the current flavor available. I haven't had one we didn't love!

Beautiful, But Not Magical You come to a place like this hoping to be moved — by history, stunning views, or the quiet peace of nature. While Crain Point is undoubtedly beautiful, it doesn’t quite deliver the magic. The butterfly garden was underwhelming, with little variety. The raw honey, though advertised as local, is not made on-site — it’s produced elsewhere using plants from the property. The fish pedicure pond is more of a lagoon, home to a mix of wildlife (yes, snakes included). The trails were difficult to enjoy due to spiderwebs and swarms of mosquitoes — I only managed one. On the bright side, the grounds are expansive, and the views are lovely — especially if you’re simply looking for a quiet stroll. Is it worth a visit? Only if you have time to spare during your vacation. Pro tip: If you go in the summer, come prepared. Bring water, mosquito repellent, and plenty of sunscreen — the heat is no joke.

The Crane house is really cool. History for all to enjoy, drop your feet in the small lake and let the little fish nibble away with the fish pedicure, sounds weird, it is..totally worth it? Absolutely. The views are great and seat is abundant, just relax and hang out a while.

So glad I didn't pass up this shop! I was in search of a dress for dinner. I found two! Very boutique, very classy, very Keys! I picked up a beautiful ring. They carry mens, womens, and childrens clothes, gifts, jewelry and more!

Bayshore Clothing is a must-stop shop when in Marathon. They have a great selection of ladies, men’s and children’s apparel. They also have a large selection of local merchandise, including Fred the Tree apparel and lots of FL Keys tees. I especially loved the selection of sea glass, which includes jewelry, ornaments and home decor. I found national brands such as Brighton, Life is Good, Spartina and Coolibar. Teri was very knowledgeable and gives great customer service. I highly recommend this boutique whether shopping for yourself or a gift.

I want to share that I LOVE my Fred the Tree shirt. The shipping was fast & I'm excited that I also got 2 "I'd Rather Be In The Keys" stickers. If you like Key Lime, they have the best Key Lime hard candy. Quality merch! I can't wait to swing past the store on my next trip. Amazing customer service! Don't hesitate to do business with them. 💯

Bayshore clothing had exceptional service & I will be ordering from them in the future. They were so kind and quick with responses. Also I LOVE my manatee pajamas.

I’ve ordered twice this year from Bayshore Clothing and have had excellent service both times! I ordered a total of 5 Fred the Tree t shirts AND won a Fred ornament in a recent giveaway! The merchandise is excellent quality and as described on the web page. My orders arrived quickly, well packaged and with sweet notes from the owners! Please shop local and support this wonderful family store!

Nice jewelry but the workers could be friendlier. My boyfriend wanted to buy me something nice, and when I opted for a cheaper chain you could feel the judgment. Almost made us want to go elsewhere.

I have shopped here several times when visiting the Keys. I always enjoy finding a new piece of jewelry!

I love this shop! The clothing is fantastic quality and the jewelry is beautiful. Even my finicky husband who's been searching for that perfect hat for years found exactly what he wanted right here. If that doesn't say enough already, the ladies are wonderful!

BEST boutique in the keys!!! Stayed in Key Colony, but hadn’t yet stopped by. Was bummed that I hadn’t found any fab earrings yet, two days before leaving. Stopped in 10 min before close and WOWZERS. The shop windows don’t do justice to the variety of the items available inside. Will be ordering from them online!! 🤩

Great boutique. Very unique pieces and upscale brands. Nice mix of home and fashion. My boyfriend and I stopped in this afternoon and we both enjoyed our time. Nice selection of Men’s items and beer offered to him, so the ladies could enjoy their time. We both walked away with items we will wear frequently. The service was polite and attentive. What a gem in Marthon/key colony beach, I wish I would’ve come sooner!

I walked up to this boutique from the home I’m renting and I’m so glad I did. The owner was amazing. I took my time, and looked comfortably at all this gem has to offer. She was very attentive, but thankfully not overly so! I enjoyed my time to myself and found so many bobbles and items of my liking. They wrapped my treasures in tissue and tied it and I was easily able to carry them on my stroll back to my vacation home away from home. I hope to stop again.

So fun! Plan to spend more than a few minutes in here because they have so many great items to see! Everything is beautiful AND affordable. Lots of great clothes, pretty dresses, jewelry, and so much more. They also have tropical decor that is priced really well! I will probably go back before my week vacation is over and will definitely be back again next year. 😁

I can’t say how fabulous the owner and her staff is here. We spent a month in KC and my daughter was truly inspired and welcomed by the owner and her entire staff. We love shopping here for our gifts and cute things that we needed during our stay. They are honest and incredibly helpful. Not to mention their selection is high-quality and really unique. Thank you so much for making some of our favorite shopping memories here at the boutique! 🥰🥰

Our favorite clothing store/boutique for the last 7 years we've been coming to Marathon. Donna & Mia have a very cool store going here. They are great local shop owners to have in the community. Thanks for the help shopping ladies and for all the unique items you keep bringing in!

This place is amazing! Lucy introduced us to the sea turtles, and her enthusiasm made the experience even more special. She’s such a well-prepared and fun guide. Beyond her, the entire hospital and its residents are a must-see when passing by. Definitely worth a visit!

What a fantastic place. Somehow it manages to blend a 1950s era roadside attraction with vital conservation work. They do an incredible job of rehabing and releasing turtles and are also quite willing to show you how they do it. It was an incredibly cool experience and we were glad to support the efforts of the staff. Lots of turtles to see, clearly expert care.

We loved The Turtle Hospital!!!! The tour was very educational! Our tour guide Richard was enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgeable! You can tell him and the rest of the staff love what they do! Don’t miss this if you are down in Marathon! Visit and donate, it’s for a good cause!

Back in January of 2025 we went to the Florida Keys for a week’s vacation. We took our camper and stayed at a campground in Marathon Florida. We stayed at Sun Outdoors campground. It was a nice campground with full hookup right on the ocean. The campsite were pretty big for a campground. We visited the Turtle hospital in Marathon. It was a few miles away from the campsite. It was well worth the trip and money to be able to see all of the sick or injured sea turtles some of which will never be released into the ocean again. Because of their injuries they can function in the ocean again. The hospital was an old motel that was converted into the turtle hospital sanctuary. It has a huge natural saltwater pool that is fed by the ocean. The doctors and other medical staff do an amazing job caring for these turtles. There is also an internship where young people in the veterinary or science medical field can come and learn how to care for these amazing creatures. It is definitely my all time favorite place to visit. You get to tour the facility and see up close how the turtles are cared for. Try to go in the peak season so it’s not so hot then and you can have a better experience.

What an incredible place! The staff is very attentive, and the work they do is indescribable! Congratulations to the entire team for doing such beautiful and careful work with the turtles! I highly recommend a visit!

Excellent time this week visiting The Turtle Hospital on Marathon Key. Staff cares for sea turtles injured in the wild, seek to rehab for release, but in many cases turtles become residents because they cannot be returned to the wild… hate to say it but in most cases it’s human causes…. the tour is very educational, very helpful to understand the who/what/why of sea turtle rescue and rehab! Highly recommend a visit… adoption opportunities available!

We stopped in here while traveling south, the turtle hospital was suggested by the GuideAlong App. It was nice learning about the mission and work these fine folks are doing for these precious turtles. We “adopted” Bender, happy to support this place! Stop by and take the tour!

We visit Marathon every August and the trip is not complete until we buy a piece of original art from Shady Palm! Best local artwork!

So so happy we stumbled upon this place! From cute gifts for kids to gorgeous hand painted canvases, this was a fun spot to visit. They had options in every price range. The woman who was working there was absolutely a sweetheart, she had so many nice things to say about the place, and although she said she was new there, she was very knowledgeable about the artwork and we throughly enjoyed our experience. Purchased a few gifts for our kids to take back home, and found out they shop the artwork for you if you can’t take it home with you on the plane. Recommend this local shop!

Everyone very nice. Lovely items there. Decided on a nice one and brought it back to our motorhome with us. Nice too just stop look too. No pressure from employees. Two cute dogs. Sophie actually helps you sleep. The other greeted us then headed out for a nap. Both so cute. Thanks for you time and your Patience!!!

Nice selection of artwork by local artists. The last working there (owner?) Was kind enough to stay open for us when we showed up a minute before closing. Fun manateess outside :)

The owner is incredibly helpful! I highly recommend this place for any framing needs you may have.

Amazing selection! The variety of artists under one roof made shopping easy and fun! I got two big wall peices, some note cards, a wooden spoon and some coasters!

We were in the area in vacation and stopped in to ask about custom framing for a painting I made for my husband for Valentine's day. Not only did we get a super cool lobster trap frame, the framing was done quickly while we waited and at a great price! Beautiful local artwork here also. Definitely stop in!

We loved this shop. The owner was very nice and had the cutest, most unique shirts we got on our whole trip through the keys. I wish I would have bought more. They are great quality as well.

Incredible large gift shop with lots of wonderful authentic and unique gifts for anyone on your list. They had food treats, baby clothes, sandals, art, towels, glassware, cigarettes and so much more. Also the best ice cream shop Couch Custard is right next door. So it is the perfect shopping and eating opportunity.

Super cute tourist gift shop in Marathon! The staff was friendly and helpful and they had a cute little dog in the store! I would definitely come back to get a trinket or souvenir

Inconsistent business hours both online and on Facebook. My money may not have been a huge sales day but I bring freinds and relatives every visit to Marathon. I arrived a few weeks ago to a maybe open by eleven sign on way back to south Florida . Meanwhile, the businesses website states that the shop opens at ten.

Not the nicest looking on the outside and the parking lot is in bad shape. But, super cute inside. Lots of amazing tropical finds. Need some time to go through the store as there is stuff everywhere.

Great little gem of a place for souvenirs and nautical knick knacks. The owner was very welcoming, the store was super tidy and organized. There are tons of decorations and beach related decor. Great addition to the area. We will definitely stop in again and tell friends and family both local and back home.

The lady was very friendly and super helpful. We felt the prices were reasonable for the merchandise. Nice selection of souvenirs and shirts.

Really cute and unique gifts! A little pricey but worth it if you don't want the same old ,same old.

Very cute gift shop and lady wa super Nice and friendly. We were there half an Hour before opening but she let us in kindly :)

Cute shop with not your typical souvenirs. On a side not I highly recommend the cook book. For foodie's like me.

Everything in there is amazing. Prices are just right! Great place for any gift you may need. I know I love this store and could spend a million in there. Not to mention owner are super people. Makes it better to go shop!

It’s a cute shop and the lady is nice but the selection is limited. They had some cool wine bottle holders though.

Super cute store with very affordable prices! I purchased a few items at the store then once I was home (900 miles away) decided I wanted more. They were so nice to ship me more items and only charged me standard shipping rates! Would highly recommend if you are lucky enough to visit!

As the employee, maybe owner, not sure ...was awesome; very friendly and sweet things were a little pricey, but I'm willing to spend the money, there wasn't enough to choose from. Cute shop, but I wouldn't go back. Apologies to the small buisness owner, I do love small businesses and and always love to contribute if I can.

Great place for a small wedding. Tables and chairs available. Very nice.

Love this place!

Never returned my phone calls

(Translated by Google) The staff is friendly and the gardening club seems like a good place to participate. (Original) 직원들이 친절하고 원예클럽 활동하기에 좋아보임.

What a great selection! The folks there are super helpful and patient and have helped me find the parts I have been looking for. Plus they are dog friendly.

Excellent hardware store. They have a great selection of inventory at reasonable prices. Their sales people are also very knowledgeable and helpful with customers. I called for 50ft of poly propylene rope and they had it set aside for me. These smaller mom & pop stores are a dying breed and much better than Home Depot. Will shop here again. Thanks.

Bought a little Rubbermaid trashcan with little which will fit perfectly with my camper. Wish I had more time to poke around in there. Did a fast walk through, they do have a lot of things of interest that other places do not. On my next visit I will plan on carving out more time to look around. I’m sure they have things I don’t know I need until I see in person. Didn’t know I needed this little trash can with lid until I drove by and saw it.

Jim super amazing at helping me figure out my plumbing puzzle! Great place and super friendly people here!!

Has everything you need, friendly staff and cheaper than big box stors.

Very friendly staff! They were able to help us get a odd job done! (Very odd job) Thanks for the help! SM3

This place has everything. Staff is so helpful

A totally charming shop with lovely items, at all different price points. Looking for special, beautiful art, jewelry, home decor, gifts? Make a beeline for this delightful shop and owner!

Nice shop—interesting finds. It’s hard to believe you can check out without a word spoken. We made two purchases and the cold nature of the person checking us out was very noticeable.

We stumbled upon this lovely shop the end of July while visiting the keys. I can't say enough about the fabulous customer service Maria and Catherine gave us and how many truly "unique" things you will find here! My friend purchased a locally made frame for a gift and Maria wrapped it beautifully (as you can see:) These two made us all feel as if our visit and purchase mattered, and if we lived there, I'm sure it would be my go-to place to shop! PS...I'm still wearing my bracelet "gift" everyday:)

This is a really cute shop with lots of different unique gifts! Should definitely check it out! My gift to me.

Great store for unique gifts at fair prices. Maria, the owner, wrapped the present I bought. Definitely a great place to shop

Cute shop, lots of nice gifts!

Love this shop! The owner has done a wonderful job acquiring unique items that you don't see in all the shops around town. I always find something I love!

This is a good store. We came here after visiting another store like this ... only to find that Bealls is cheaper and it's better quality. We picked up a couple of T-shirts which were almost half the price of the ones at Sandal Factory. It has a great selection of home products, shoes and accessories. I would recommend this place.

Went today, had an item from clearance rack area in men's pajamas and bed shorts 2 pajamas no price on .I asked a lady for price working nearby she did not speak much English but let me know what I already knew, No price....but take to check out area and check...no way did I I put it back simple lazy employee, not helpful. Why would I want to tie up a check out line to ask a price.i know retail she could of checked while I shopped. I did buy other things sadly this is the stores loss, check your cameras management. I purchased a purse, a set of sheets and ladies 2 pc pj's set and would of the men's pj's but...poor help on the floor.

The Marathon store was decent. It had a reasonable selection of clothes, shoes, and had clean floors and dressing rooms. The home goods section was lacking, but getting shipments in this year has been unpredictable. I didn't give it 5 stars because it was just underwhelming. I wish there was more stock. I hauled a travel bag, 2 pairs of sandals, 3 tops, 3 shorts, and some dog toys.

I’ve been to many other Bealls with great experiences. Unfortunately this was not today’s experience . Store very untidy . Extremely messy and Diana at the register just cranky and rude . It wasn’t even the long weekend .

Nice selection, but the floor help needs to come run registers when line is long.

It is the only option to buy some beach supplies at the last hour at a good price, it could be better.

Excellent store, great customer service. Enough things to visit!!