Plus, it gets approximately 300 days of sunshine per year.

she toldTravel + Leisureabout what makes Marco Island so special.

There are spas, museums, a theater, great restaurants, and plenty of water sports.

The white sandy beach of Marco Island, with hotels in the background

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When you cross the Jolley Bridge, you feel like you are on holiday.

Amenities include a waterfront pool, boat docks, and common areas for gathering.

Crane noted, The proprietor is charming and it puts you right on the water.

Beach and pool area at JW Marriott Marco Island

Courtesy of Marriott

Be sure to check out the sunset fire dance show, weather permitting.

Best Things to Do

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Go fishing.

Surrounded bythe perfect mix of fresh and saltwater, Marco Island is afishermans paradise.

Marco Island Aerial

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Anglers can expect to hook snook, grouper, tripletail, snapper, redfish, tarpon, and more.

Explore the Marco Island Historical Museum.

One room is transformed into a replica of a Calusa village and its inhabitants' daily lives.

a mussels dish from Marco Prime

Courtesy of South Made Marketing

Check out the Marco Island Center for the Arts.

Marco Island Center for the Artsencompasses a working artist gallery, studios for classes, and a community theater.

The Arts Center Theatre, located on North Collier Boulevard, produces six shows each season.

Bird observation tower at the end of a boardwalk at sunrise on Tigertail Beach, Marco Island, Florida

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Head to the beach.

Crane recommendsTigertail Beach Parkif you collect shells Florida fighting conch and lightning whelk are just a couple found here.

Plus, it’s a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail for all the bird-watching enthusiasts.

Sunset over the boats in Esplanade Harbor Marina in Marco Island, Florida

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Join Rising Tide Explorers.

It’s the only biologist-owned-and-operated ecotour company in the area.

Expect a wide variety of fresh local seafood, wagyu steaks, and uncommon offerings like Siberian caviar.

The restaurant is open for dinner only, seven days per week.

Mangos Dockside Bistro

Cranes favorite meal is brunch, andMangos Dockside Bistrogets her number-one spot.

They have the best bloody mary.

It’s right on the water, and family-friendly, she said.

Fur babies are also welcome on the patio so the whole family can join.

Snook Inn

Can you say youve been to Marco Island without dining atSnook Inn?

She added, The food is casual at this 30-year-old island staple.

There’s live music and an exceptional happy hour.

The breakfast and lunch hot spot is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The menu features local products like Bradleys Country Store sausage patties from Tallahassee and freshly squeezed Florida orange juice.

The weather is temperate, hurricane season has passed, and businesses are fully open.

It’s also the pricier time to visit.

Great deals can be found during theshoulder season(June through September).

Local chefs provide tasty bites to enjoy while perusing pieces and meeting artists.

With eight miles of untouched white sand, this barrier island is a quiet spot for some uninterrupted shelling.

You may even catch a bald eagle soaring over the open water or an alligator observing the scene.

Once on Marco Island, there are several bike, golf cart, and scooter rental shops.

Generous bike lanes surround the island, making it easy to navigate without a car.

Uber also services the island for those who prefer to avoid driving.

Another popular option isCrabby Cabbie.

Crane described the destination as a drinking village with a fishing problem.