Marco Island, Florida has roots stretching back to 500 CE, when the Calusa people thrived along its mangrove-lined shores. The famous Calusa carved the delicate wooden “Key Marco Cat,” now housed in the Marco Island Historical Museum. Spanish explorers arrived in the mid-1500s, naming it La Isla de San Marcos. Fast-forward to 1870, Captain W.D. "Bill" Collier founded the village, building the Olde Marco Inn in 1883. The 1960s development boom—led by the Deltona Corporation and finalized with the Jolley Bridge in 1969—transformed Marco Island into a chic resort and retirement community.

These days, Marco Island is a tropical playground for every mood. Sink your toes into the soft sugar sand of Tigertail and South Beaches, and scour the shoreline for shells on Sand Dollar Island. Adventurers can kayak or paddleboard through the Ten Thousand Islands and Rookery Bay, spot dolphins on a Dolphin Explorer eco‑tour, or even chase sunset views aboard a local cruise.

When your appetite calls, Marco Island musters some serious flavor. For a classic waterfront evening, Snook Inn is a local favorite with fresh seafood and live music. Craving something upscale? Marek’s Collier House, set in Captain Collier’s 1882 home, delivers award‑winning cuisine in a historic, romantic setting. For casual bayside fare, CJ’s on the Bay offers pizza, coconut shrimp and sunset views. Oyster Society is one of our favorites with unique martinis and live jazz music many evenings. Plans sweet tooth tingling? Swing by Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour for giant scoops or arcade fun. And don’t miss the annual Marco Island Seafood & Music Festival in March—stone crab claws, live tunes, and beachside vibes galore.

Marco Island brilliantly blends fascinating history, laid-back coastal charm, and scrumptious eats—a sunshine-drenched escape you won’t forget!