Sunny Southern Florida -  It's one of the most popular areas in the U.S. for baby-boomers planning a winter-long escape from chilly Northern winds.  Marco Island is located on the Southwestern tip of the state, and it's a perfect place for a relaxing vacation, any time of year.

The most unique aspect of Marco Island is that it's filled with water both inland and coast side - the town is surrounded by the Gulf, and also criss-crossed with dozens of waterways and lagoons.  That makes Marco Island a great place for those who love a temperate climate and abundant natural beauty.  

Enjoy Nature
So what low-key activities are available in this island town?  There are lots of great spots for nature walks and birdwatching.  For example, at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, you can take your pick of three short nature walks that will bring you closer to the natural beauty of Marco Island.  The trails are all less than a mile long, and they'll take you through a tropical hardwood forest, a mangrove forest, and various historical sites.
Also located in Rookery Bay is Briggs Nature Reserve, a great place for serious bird watching.  You can tour the reserve by foot or by boat, and get a glimpse of Bald eagles, ospreys, red-shouldered hawks, and woodpeckers.  Or, stop by the Butterfly Garden to see native plants and twenty-seven species of butterflies.

A Day at the Beach
It goes with out saying that an island is a great place for sand and surf.  The quietest beach on Marco Island is South Resident's beach.  This beach is open to the public, but it's only accessible via walkway, so it tends to be less crowded.  There are also absolutely no amenities - no beach-side bars, no volleyball courts. So if you'd like to spend the day relaxing with a book on the sand, this is the place to go.

Play Ball
If golf is your thing, head to the Island Country Club, where you can play a mean game of golf in spectacular surroundings.  The course was designed by Arnold Palmer, and is located right on Marco Island.  If your game is not yet up to par, you might consider the Hideaway Beach Golf Course, a smaller course which is good for beginners as well as more advanced players.
Another great place for sports is the Collier Country Racquet Center.  It's open every day during daylight hours - you can take your pick from racquetball or tennis.

Go By Boat
One of the biggest advantages to staying on Marco Island are all of the incredible opportunities to make your way on water.  You can fish off the dock into one of the island's interior waterways, or head to the Gulf on a chartered fishing boat.  Many boat trips guarantee that you'll come back with a catch, and they'll even help you pack it up for the ride home.
If you'd rather not spend your time fishing, you can go on a guided boat tour or a yacht cruise.  Some boat tours will take you all the way through the Everglades, where you can get up close and personal with dolphins, manatees, turtles, and even alligators!  Or go on a candlelit sunset cruise of the Gulf for a relaxing experience you'll never forget.

From the sunshine to the sounds of the ocean, Marco Island is a perfect retreat for adults who are past the Disney World phase of life.  Plan your next trip to this beautiful South Florida town and experience low-key fun and incredible nature that you won't find anywhere else.

This guide to Marco Island vacations was brought to you by Susannah Schild

Aren't you glad that retirement doesn't mean knitting on your rocker all day, anymore?  And if you DO want to knit and rock that you can do it on the beach after a full-day of golf?  And that after your golfing, knitting, and rocking, you can entertain all night in your gorgeous vacation rental home, right on the water?  Man, we can't wait to retire!