Marco Island is on the Gulf Coast, a 30- to 40-minute drive from Naples. It is truly a special destination, best known for its six miles of white sand beach. Whether you are staying at a hotel or renting a vacation home, your family will have a blast together - and if you’re lucky, the parents will even get to relax as well. The beauty of Marco Island is hard to capture in photos - particularly the beach and incredible sunsets - take my word for it!
My family has traveled to Marco Island twice in the past few years and have also visited nearby Naples many times. Read on for recommendations on getting to Marco Island from Boston, where to eat and stay, and what to do with your family once you’re there.
How to Travel from Boston to Marco Island
You can take a direct flight from Boston to Fort Myers, which is approximately 3.5 hours. From there, it is just under an hour drive to Marco Island.
Getting Around on Marco Island
We rented a car for both trips, but most of what you need is within walking distance, so you could get away without it if you prefer to use Uber, car service, or taxi. Having a car is nice to have for grocery trips, as there are two Publix locations less than 10 minutes away from the main stretch of hotels. We have lightweight car seats we travel with, but many car rental companies offer them once you land.
You can also take The Wave golf cart (call 737-THE-WAVE) or the Crabby Cabbie if you prefer not to drive yourself.
Where to Stay on Marco Island
The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort is the most popular for families. If you visit, you’ll see there are kids everywhere you look
Two years ago, we stayed at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, which is a few hotels down and shares the same beach as the JW Marriott, and had a wonderful experience there. I was expecting my second child at the time and loved treating myself to a morning at the The Spa at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort while my husband golfed. Another favorite at the Hilton was The Deck at 560, where we enjoyed happy hour appetizers and drinks while listening to live music.
On this most recent trip, we opted for a house rental through Marco Island Vacation Properties because we had six adults and four kids traveling together. The house we booked was right across the street from the strip of hotels and restaurants and a 5-minute walk to the beach. It was nice to have a post-beach pool dip at our own house and we also grilled a few times. This rental company also has a baby gear rental division, so you can seamlessly rent pack ‘n’ plays, strollers, and more.
What to Do on Marco Island with Kids
In my opinion, the best thing about a Marco Island vacation with kids is that you don’t have to do a whole lot thanks to the beautiful beach and convenient pool options. We mostly did combinations of beach and pool during the day, then either went out or ordered takeout for dinner, and walked on the beach during sunset many nights.
Be sure to check out the nightly fire show next to Quinn's at the JW Marriott. It takes place right at sunset, is free for anyone to join, and is short so you can still get the kids to bed.
If you need a break from the beach and pool, there are lots of boat tours available where you can go shelling, see dolphins, and enjoy being out on the water. Some of these include the Black Pearl Pirate Tour, Florida Adventures Dolphin Tour, Paradise Cycle Boat Cruises, and Marco Pedal Boat.
Other ideas include mini golfing at Marco Golf & Garden, visiting the gaming arcade (bowling and more) at 10K Alley at the JW Marriott, cooling off at the splash pad at Mackle Park, or doing yoga on the beach.
Where to Eat on Marco Island
Start your day off with breakfast and coffee from Doreen’s Cup of Jo. If you’re planning a beach day, Publix has great to-go sandwiches. Even if you are staying at a hotel and don’t have room for a full grocery shop, this was a great option for lunch.
There are a few good pizza places on Marco Island, with Joey’s Pizza and Pasta being the most popular. Grab a pie and head to the beach for sunset! For dining out, my favorites are The Oyster Society and DaVinci’s, both owned by the same restaurant group. Beebe’s Ice Cream is in the same plaza. And Snook Inn has a great dockside vibe with live music.
Other Tips for Marco Island
Take advantage of a Target pick-up order at one of their Naples locations on your drive from the airport to Marco Island. We like to grab beach toys, snacks, sunscreen, and other miscellaneous items we didn’t want to pack.
Rent your baby gear through Marco Baby Rentals or Marco Island Vacation Properties if you need a crib or pack ‘n’ play. Having a jogging stroller for beach walks and naps with a little one is also always a win.
