DOWNTOWN
Edison and Ford Winter Estates are probably the most famous attraction in Fort Myers. The city was the home to Thomas Edison’s winter home, and one of Henry Ford’s winter homes was next door. Ford was Edison’s mentor and the properties house a wonderful museum, along with the Edison gardens. The properties are now open to the public, and are a “must stop” if you visit Fort Myers.
The Fort Myers River District is essentially the old downtown. It is home to shops, restaurants, the river waterfront, and various attractions. The Fort Myers’ Artfest happens in the river district on the first weekend of February. The Edison Festival of Light happens in late January downtown, as well.
STATE PARKS
Lee County’s Six Mile Cyprus Slough Preserve constitutes over 3,500 acres of wetlands, and is filled with wildlife, including alligators and a huge variety of birds in the winter. There is a huge boardwalk that runs throughout the wetlands, and a visitor center. It’s a great, cheap stop.
Lover’s Key State Park is 1,600 acres of oceanfront Florida real estate spread over four keys. It’s a great spot to see wildlife, and there are hiking paths and easy beach access.
The Koreshan State Historic Site is now a Florida state park, but was once the home to the Koreshan Unity, a colony of utopians led by Cyrus Reed Teed that came to Estero in 1894. Among other weird things, they believed that the universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. Now it’s a nice place to picnic and enjoy a little history.
NATURE
Babcock Ranch Eco Tours have become quite popular recently. Reservations are highly recommended, and the tour has excellent reviews. Just $25 per person.
We’re huge fans of Captain Brian on the Water. He does nature and shelling cruises on Pine Island Sound and the islands and keys. He’s great, very knowledgeable, and friendly.
Island Time Dolphin and Shelling Cruises also has a great reputation. You can’t go to Southwest Florida and not see dolphins and manatees! Sanibel Island Cruise Line does a similar thing.
The Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary in Punta Gorda also offers tours. The mission is to provide homes to abandoned and abused exotic wildlife. Just $10 for adults, the money goes to a good cause, and the tours are self-guided.
Captain Paul Hobby is a fishing guide that does charters for all sorts of skill levels throughout Southwest Florida. Captain Mike Wilson is another option.
The Sanibel Thriller is a huge jet boat that goes around the islands, and it famously attracts dolphins and other sea life. Great reviews, but you’ll get wet.
Adventures in Paradise does it all. They have many different sorts of tours and activities, and you can find something going on everyday.
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a 105 acre site that hosts a museum, nature trails, a planetarium, butterfly and bird aviaries, and a gift shop. In addition to various special monthly events, there is a regular calendar of nature-inspired activities in which to participate.
The Imaginarium Science Center is best for little kids, but makes for a good choice if you have them and they are in need of some entertainment. It is currently undergoing a “merger” with the Southwest Florida Museum of History.
The Lee County Manatee Park is a good choice for a visit, if the gulf is below 68 degree (because otherwise the Manatees will not travel up the river looking for warmer water). Plan a visit in December, January, or February.
ADVENTURE GOLF
Over closer to the ocean, you’ll find several really nice “adventure golf” courses. Our “favorite four” are Castle Golf, Jungle Golf, Smuggler’s Cove Adventure Golf, and Congo River Golf (Bonita Springs). If you navigate to their respective websites, you’ll find that you can download a coupon for a little savings from each of these courses.
Jungle Golf, in particular, is noteworthy as it has a Traverse City connection. Jungle Golf joins Ed Graft’s Pirate’s Cove and Pirate’s Island as early examples of adventure golf courses made available to the public. Our favorite is Congo River Golf.
BOAT RENTALS
If you’re going to come to Southwest Florida, then you’re going to spend at least some time on the water. Boat rental companies offer a nice way to get control of a boat for an afternoon at a reasonable cost.
Salty Sam’s offers reasonably-priced rentals for a few hours or a day,. Another option is Hurricane Bay Boat Rentals down on Fort Myers Beach. Snook Bight Marina also offers up a similar service.
A LITTLE WEIRD
Fleamasters Flea Market in Fort Myers has over 900 discount vendors spead over 400,000 square feet. There are over 20 food stands, live music, a farmer’s market, and part of it is air conditioned.
We always seem to find ourselves stopping at Sun Harvest Citrus, for some reason (probably because it is close to the airport). Fresh fruit and juices are always available, but they also have good ice cream (key lime, orange, and chocolate). It’s also a good spot for gifts to take home.
If you’re willing to do a little driving, Atlas Obscura’s Florida page has a number of links to things to see and do that are a little “weird” or at least unusual. And here is another list of some of the best things to do in Florida.
SANIBEL and CAPTIVA ISLANDS
Sanibel and Captiva islands were what brought us to the area. And we have spent weeks and weeks on the islands since then. Even though the islands are connected via bridges and are close enough to sometimes feel like “one” island, the reality is that Sanibel and Captiva have a very different “feel” to them. Sanibel is larger and has more amenities like grocery stores, gas stations, and services. There is quite a bit of wealth on the island, but it doesn’t feel quite as upscale, though, compared to Captiva, which feels like money. That difference is reflected in the cost of things, too. Sanibel can be expensive at times, but Captiva is basically always expensive.
Both islands are crowded at times, but Captiva in the village area is very crowded all the time, and parking can be a real challenge. Traffic can be difficult, too, but there are tricks. People come out to the islands in the morning intending to spend a day, and then drive off the islands around dinnertime. That means you can expect on-island traffic to be heavy in the AM and then off-island traffic to be heavy in the PM. And because almost all the accommodations on the islands are weekly rentals, check-in time (1PM to 3PM on Saturday) is going to be heavy traffic coming on the island and check-out time is going to be heavy traffic going off-island (9AM to 11 AM on Saturday).
Our favorite restaurants on Sanibel are Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille, The Island Cow, Bailey’s General Store, and the Over Easy Cafe (best brunch!). For beaches, we like Bowman’s Beach, Gulfside Beach, and Lighthouse Beach. And for things to do, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge (the drive), the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, and Islander Trading Post and Antiques, Gene’s Bookstore, and seeing the parrots at Jerry’s Supermarket.
GOLF
The Verandah is home to two 18-hole golf courses: Old Orange and Whispering Oak. As social members of the club we have limited golf privileges, but we do have the right to play several rounds per month in the fall up until December and then after April. This still requires round fees — but the point is that you get on the course.
Near The Verandah are a few other well-regarded courses that will play just as well. Try out River Hall (sort of next door), though it can be quite busy at times. Another nearby good option is a public course called Eastwood just off Ortiz Avenue.
There are also several other quality golf courses in the area, as well, including: Raptor Bay Golf Club, and Shell Point. I’m particularly fond of Raptor Bay, though it’s a 35 minute drive.
Kingsway Country Club up in Charlotte County is excellent, and although it is a bit of a drive, it is very reasonably priced, even in the season. Deep Creek Golf Club is another option in that area.
Cape Royal Golf Club in Cape Coral isn’t too far away and is affordable and interesting. Coral Oaks Golf Club is also in Cape Coral, and is an Arthur Hills designed course that feels a bit more like Northern Michigan in some ways. San Carlos Golf Club in Fort Myers is good, but it can get busy.
The city of Fort Myers maintains a well-regarded historic public course designed by Donald Ross — the Fort Myers Country Club — which is great.
Old Corkscrew Golf Club is a Jack Nicholas designed course with a reputation for being rather difficult. Lots of water. But it’s in a remote and beautiful area of the region, too.
Closer to Naples you’ll find Forest Glen Country Club, which I’m told is awesome. And check out The Mustang and The Flamingo Island down in Naples, too, at the Lely Resort.
Also a drive, but Panther Run is a super highly-regarded course, as well.
Out on Sanibel Island you’ll find the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club (lots of water) and then the Sanibel Island Golf Club, which I enjoy.
THEATER and SHOWS
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at Florida Southwestern State College features everything from Broadway shows to concerts. The Box Office phone number is (239) 481-4849
Located in Naples, Artis-Naples is home to The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic. Concerts and Broadway shows, though you have to drive to Naples to see them.
Located in Estero, Germain Arena features headliner music concerts, sporting events, and shows like Cirque du Solei and Disney on Ice. The Box Office phone number is (239) 948-7825.
Located at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers, the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater offers both dinner and lunch theater options. The Box Office phone number is (239) 278-4422.
The Florida Repertory Theater (the “Florida Rep”) hosts a full season of professional theater in Fort Myers every year. The Box Office phone number is (239) 332-4488.
OTHER PLACES TO GO
A short drive will take you to a number of other interesting destinations that are easy to reach in under two hours.
In Sarasota, just up the coast, pay a visit to The Ringling (history, art, and artifacts collected by John Ringling — an outstanding collection) and to the Ca d’Zan Mansion. In nearby Bradenton, stop to see the South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium, and Manatee Aquarium.
In Venice, check out the Ideal Classic Cars Museum and Showroom.
In Punta Gorda, check out Fisherman’s Village. And the Muscle Car City Museum is surprisingly interesting. And visit the Sandman Book Company, too.
In Naples, to the south, check out the Naples Botanical Garden and the Naples Zoo.
