Ah, southwest Florida. My mom and I were lucky enough to spend Mother’s Day weekend together in Marco Island, Florida – soaking up sunshine, eating seafood and relaxing by the water. Not a bad 3 day getaway. When we first booked the extended weekend, we wondered whether the trip would be long enough. Vacation days away always seem to slip by in a hurry and we knew this would be no different. But when flights are cheap and you need a quick place to escape to, the perfect solution lies in a place like Marco Island. I’ve traveled there many times with T’s family and my mom had been there once, so we had our spots and to-dos picked out rather quickly. And if you’d like to know how to spend 3 days in Marco Island, keep on reading.
A small island situated right on the Gulf of Mexico, Marco Island combines laid-back beach bum life with vibrant commotion of a little fishing village. The surrounding communities of Isle of Capri and Goodland definitely cater to the latter. Any visitor can expect friendly locals, amazing seafood and expansive white sand beaches with a small town vibe. If you’re looking for anything else in a beach vacation, I’d love to know – Marco Island truly delivers it all.
How To Spend 3 Days in Marco Island
The time did go fast, yes, but we also felt like we covered a lot of ground in the 3 short days. We arrived at the Fort Myers airport early Thursday morning and were able to squeeze in lunch at one of our favorites – Dolphin Tiki Bar – right on the water. My mom claims they have the best boom boom shrimp and I love their seared tuna. Yes, our trips revolve a lot around food. And after a beer to shake the early travel off, we got set up in the condo and headed straight to the beach for a walk. Dinner awaited us at Snook Inn, a must-go for any visitor. Also right on the water, the outdoor patio and live music is the atmosphere you travel to Florida for.
Day 2 and 3…
…we mostly spent down at the pool and the beach. It’s easy to let time slip by while listening to the waves roll in with sand on your toes. However, we spent Saturday morning in The Esplande eating brunch at Mango’s, walking through shops and admiring all the boats tied up. You can also have a cocktail right on the marina, so it’s a must. For dinner, we drove to Isle of Capri to listen to more live music on the water at Island Gypsy where the food is seriously good. We focused on relaxing as that was the main reason for the girl’s getaway, but Marco Island offers something for everyone. The island has become increasingly popular after being tagged as one of the best beaches in Florida but it still remains a quaint spot for time on the beach and in the salt water. I’ve listed our favorite restaurants, things to do and my recommendation on places to stay below.
Have you ever traveled to Marco Island?
Where to Eat
Snook Inn
Island Gypsy – Isle of Capri
Dolphin Tiki Bar
Joey’s
Nene’s Kitchen – breakfast option
Mango’s
Little Bar – Goodland
Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream – dessert, of course!
What to Do
Bike the island
Rent kayaks or paddle boards at Tigertail Beach
Enjoy the beach
Parasail
Take a boat tour
Pool time at your condo
The Esplande
Where to Stay
AirBnB or VRBO rentals
Since the island has grown in popularity over the last few years, more hotel options are popping up. But, as in most cases anymore, I recommend checking out AirBnB and VRBO rentals. We’re lucky enough to have a condo to stay in and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Most are situated right along the beach and also have a pool and other amenities to use.
xoxo. B
