Lee County Dec 2024 Canada

Outdoor adventure | beaches & islands | arts & culture | family fun | dining & nightlife

Fort Myers

The islands, beaches and neighbourhoods of Fort Myers beckon to nature-seeking travellers. The clock seems to tick at a different cadence at the area's white-sand beaches, where lounging, playing and seashell hunting are the main agenda items. More than 11,000 hotel rooms invite visitors to stay and get in on a buzzing activities scene. Live entertainment, family-friendly museums and adventures at serene nature preserves are all in easy reach. The local craft beers, just-caught seafood and beloved laid-back vibes are all waiting to be discovered, too. So get ready to indulge in unhurried days where the only must-do on your schedule might just be catching the scene-stealing sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Here’s more about what to see and do on your next getaway.

Parks and preserves As you traverse trails that wind through nearly four square kilometres of seasonal wetlands, palmetto oak scrub and pine flatwoods at Hickey Creek Mitigation Park, turning off the outside noise suddenly becomes easy. You may spot lumbering gopher tortoises, alligators, small lizards, armadillos and wading birds (ibises, herons or snowy egrets) along the way. The Four-Mile Cove Ecological Preserve in Cape Coral is a nice choice for nature-seekers of all fitness levels, with an easy two kilometre loop hike that weaves through a forest of mangroves along the Caloosahatchee River. If you're very quiet as you navigate the park's wooden boardwalks, you may spy a variety of wildlife, including raccoons or eagles. Or for a look at the elephant's beloved swimming cousin, pay a visit to Manatee Park. The preserve's namesake animal is most likely to inhabit the waters from late December through February.

Prime paddling As a place bounded and shaped by its waterways, paddling the rivers, bays, sounds and Gulf waters is an essential part of getting to know the Fort Myers area. There are countless put-ins for starting an exploration by kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board, but the Great Calusa Blueway is an especially bucket-listy option to consider. The 300-kilometre marked paddling trail covers all manner of waterways, from open Gulf waters to sheltered mangrove creeks to the bays of Sanibel and Captiva. You can spend anywhere from an hour to a week pursuing this nature-rich path, thanks to campsites and hotels set close to trail access points. If you aren't bringing your own gear, at least half a dozen outfitters can help you with equipment and watercraft rentals, plus expert guidance. Keep an eye out for slow-moving manatees and curious dolphins as you go.

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Easy island hopping Without spending a fortune, visitors to Fort Myers can try on an island-hopping lifestyle fit for the rich and famous. Small-group cruises, tours and private boat charters are easy to book for days spent exploring, fishing or soaking in the utter serenity. Cabbage Key makes a postcard-worthy day trip; gopher tortoises wander the grounds and the island's historic inn and restaurant serves fresh seafood, tasty cocktails and a famously delicious frozen key lime pie for dessert. For a getaway with a laid-back castaway feel, book a vacation rental on car-free North Captiva Island. You can reach this beautifully unplugged beach community by ferry.

White-sand beaches Of course, the local beaches are good for more than hunting nature-made souvenirs. On the northern tip of Fort Myers Beach, Bowditch Pointe Park is a peaceful, nature-rich spot to swim, picnic and catch an unreal sunset. The waters are relatively shallow, making it a family-friendly option. With its charcoal grills and sheltered pavilions, Bonita Beach Park on the region's south end is another favourite for families. Sanibel Island's Bowman's Beach Park is a picturesque oasis on the island's northwest shore. Ample parking (short walk required) and amenities like restrooms, showers and a playground make for beach days as convenient as they are idyllic. All Sanibel Island's beaches allow leashed dogs, so you can enlist your furry sidekick to help sift through the abundant shells at your feet. For those who'd like to work up an appetite before enjoying a beachy picnic lunch, the park's short hiking trails will do the trick.

Seashells As an adult, you may not think of seashell collecting as an activity you would plan a vacation around, but that's probably because you haven't set foot on the islands and beaches around Fort Myers. Each wave washes up a staggering new bounty of treasures from the glittering Gulf, and the pursuit of perfect olive shells, conical lightning whelks, prized sand dollars and rare spotted junonias soon becomes an absorbing form of meditation. For the richest selection, head to Sanibel Island, known unofficially as the Seashell Capital of the world, or its northern neighbor, Captiva Island. Bring a bucket and hit the sand in the morning, while the tide is low. In the early hours, you'll have the added benefit of sharing the shoreline with only a few other dedicated collectors.

History The area's earliest inhabitants, the Calusa, lived off the bounty of the waters, used the abundant shells for everything from tools to jewelry and travelled the waterways in cypress log canoes. Visitors can learn more about this indigenous culture at Randell Research Center, an expansive outpost of archaeology, history and ecology set on the western shore of Pine Island. Walk the Calusa Heritage Trail (portions under repair), reading interpretive signs along the way to gain insight on the people who once inhabited the island. The trail features an observation platform perched atop a shell mound created by the Calusa centuries ago. Dive into the area's Black history with a visit to the Williams Academy Black History Museum. Or wander through historic buildings and gardens steeped in eccentric pioneer lore at Koreshan State Park. At the turn of the 20th century, the land was home to a religious sect that believed the universe existed inside of the earth.

More arts & music The Fort Myers art scene is alive and well in the River District, where the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hosts art exhibitions, community art-making events and concerts ranging in theme from reggae to chamber music. The rooftop sculpture garden is also the site of many soirees, including dance parties and karaoke nights. The vibrant arts activities continue at Alliance for the Arts, a hub of culture and creativity in downtown Fort Myers. Set on a scenic campus, the centre hosts diverse musical performances, theatre productions, art exhibits and community classes. Bonita Springs has its two interconnected arts centres, as well—one dedicated to the visual arts, and the other performing arts. Whether you're looking to take a class on tap dancing or creating fused glass art, you'll find it there. And there are many more local events to get in on across the region, from art fairs to foodie festivals. Check out the events calendar for the full lineup.

Live entertainment You can balance all this blissful peace and quiet with engaging live music and theatrical performances put on regularly at local venues. Downtown Bonita Springs is home to Riverside Park, with a bandshell set on a lovely green space. Each month, local bands and other live acts take to the stage to put on free community concerts in the park. The site also hosts a wide variety of events, from movies in the park to art festivals. If your visit falls on a Sunday, take some time to browse locally created jewelry, paintings and sculptures at the six onsite artist cottages. The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra performs regularly at the Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers, delighting fans of classical music with Beethoven, Brahms and many more. Theatre lovers, meanwhile, will want to check out Florida Rep. The regional theatre company's current season features themes ranging from murder mystery to time travel to retirement community comedy.

Family attractions The nature preserves, beaches and museums of the Fort Myers area are all easy fits for a family vacation. That said, there are certain attractions that are especially delightful for little ones—and The Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs tops that list. The park is home to a variety of rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable animals, including alligators, pythons, tortoises and birds—macaws, cockatoos, flamingos and peacocks included. Guests will also get up close with colourful orchids, majestic kapok and cacao trees plus many other intriguing plant species. For yet more outdoor family fun, consider a visit to Lakes Park in Fort Myers. In addition to canoeing, kayaking and picnicking around the nature-rich recreation area, kids will delight in the chance to take a ride on an adorable mini train at the onsite Railroad Museum.

Roseate Spoonbill

Outdoor adventure

Beaches & islands

Arts & culture

Family fun

Baby alligator

White ibis

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Dining & nightlife

Scotty's Bierwerks

Waterfront restaurants If seafood is king here (and it is), then enjoying the fresh catch in the salty air and watching the sun make its graceful descent can only be described as divine. You can—and you should—try a new alfresco dining spot each night, for example the Boathouse Tiki Bar and Grill in Fort Myers. The grouper bites come highly recommended, as do the housemade crab cakes. Wash it all down with rum-infused Liki Tiki cocktail and you won't be left wanting. Or head to Cape Coral's marina-view High Tide Social House, where refined pizzas (try "Figs in Pear-adise" with ricotta and caramelized onions), proscuitto-wrapped seabass and fried gator bites—yes, gator bites—all have a prized place on the menu. If you're out on the boat, don't miss the chance to experience the Florida-favorite tradition of docking and dining—that is, pulling your boat right up to your restaurant of choice. Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island is a prime place to try it, offering upscale surf and turf fare, plus enticing choices for both vegetarians and kids.

The freshest seafood Digging into just-caught seafood is as much a part of the Fort Myers experience as the sunshine, sands and Gulf breezes. Don't leave without trying as many of the local specialties as possible: pink gold Gulf shrimp, oysters, snook, grouper, snapper, tripletail and—from mid-October to May—succulent stone crabs. Catching your own dinner is an option as well. There are plenty of places to cast a line, whether from a dock, a pier, a kayak or a chartered boat. Cook up the spoils of your excursion in the comfort of your vacation rental. Many area restaurants will cook your catch for you, too; give a call in advance to be sure they can accommodate you.

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Kayaking on the Great Calusa Blueway (left); Baby manatee in the Estero River, Estero (right)

Randell Research Center

Breweries There's an impressive number of breweries in the Fort Myers area—13 to be exact. Sip and sample your way across them all for a taste of local talent and creativity. The newest hotspot on the scene is Chubby Mermaid Brewing in Bonita Springs. The veteran-owned brewery serves a wide selection of IPAs, lagers and pilsners (including gluten-free options) with flavour profiles ranging from traditional to experimental. A passionfruit-laced sour and a few barleywines are also on offer. Or try one of Scotty's Bierwerks' 15 brewed-in-house creations, potentially timing your visit to coincide with the trivia nights, food truck visits and happy hours that pepper the events calendar at this Cape Coral locale. Fort Myers Brewing Company also has a strong lineup of special events, but you'd do well to visit for the award-winning house brews and the friendly vibes (even pets are welcome) alone.

Great Calusa Blueway

Sanibel Island

Coconut Jack's Waterfront Grille, Bonita Springs

Manatee

Four-Mile Cove Ecological Preserve

Hickey Creek Mitigation Park

Bowditch Pointe Park

Bonita Beach Park

Bowman's Beach Park

Cabbage Key Inn & Restaurant

Boca Grande Causeway

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The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra

William Academy Black History Museum

Boathouse Tiki Bar and Grill - Fort Myers

Miceli's Restaurant, Matlacha

Tarpon Lodge

Alliance for the Arts

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

Lakes Park

Mini train at Lakes Park | credit: Seth Warren

The Wonder Gardens

Outdoor adventure | beaches & islands | arts & culture | family fun | dining & nightlife

Parks and preserves As you traverse trails that wind through 952 acres of seasonal wetlands, palmetto oak scrub and pine flatwoods at Hickey Creek Mitigation Park, turning off the outside noise suddenly becomes easy. You may spot lumbering gopher tortoises, alligators, small lizards, armadillos and wading birds (ibises, herons or snowy egrets) along the way. The Four-Mile Cove Ecological Preserve in Cape Coral is a nice choice for nature-seekers of all fitness levels, with an easy 1.2-mile loop hike that weaves through a forest of mangroves along the Caloosahatchee River. If you're very quiet as you navigate the park's wooden boardwalks, you may spy a variety of wildlife, including raccoons or eagles. Or for a look at the elephant's beloved swimming cousin, pay a visit to Manatee Park. The preserve's namesake animal is most likely to inhabit the waters from late December through February.

Prime paddling As a place bounded and shaped by its waterways, paddling the rivers, bays, sounds and Gulf waters is an essential part of getting to know the Fort Myers area. There are countless put-ins for starting an exploration by kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board, but the Great Calusa Blueway is an especially bucket-listy option to consider. The 190-mile marked paddling trail covers all manner of waterways, from open Gulf waters to sheltered mangrove creeks to the bays of Sanibel and Captiva. You can spend anywhere from an hour to a week pursuing this nature-rich path, thanks to campsites and hotels set close to trail access points. If you aren't bringing your own gear, at least half a dozen outfitters can help you with equipment and watercraft rentals, plus expert guidance. Keep an eye out for slow-moving manatees and curious dolphins as you go.

White-sand beaches Of course, the local beaches are good for more than hunting nature-made souvenirs. On the northern tip of Fort Myers Beach, Bowditch Pointe Park is a peaceful, nature-rich spot to swim, picnic and catch an unreal sunset. The waters are relatively shallow, making it a family-friendly option. With its charcoal grills and sheltered pavilions, Bonita Beach Park on the region's south end is another favorite for families. Sanibel Island's Bowman's Beach Park is a picturesque oasis on the island's northwest shore. Ample parking (short walk required) and amenities like restrooms, showers and a playground make for beach days as convenient as they are idyllic. All Sanibel Island's beaches allow leashed dogs, so you can enlist your furry sidekick to help sift through the abundant shells at your feet. For those who'd like to work up an appetite before enjoying a beachy picnic lunch, the park's short hiking trails will do the trick.

Live entertainment You can balance all this blissful peace and quiet with engaging live music and theatrical performances put on regularly at local venues. Downtown Bonita Springs is home to Riverside Park, with a bandshell set on a lovely green space. Each month, local bands and other live acts take to the stage to put on free community concerts in the park. The site also hosts a wide variety of events, from movies in the park to art festivals. If your visit falls on a Sunday, take some time to browse locally created jewelry, paintings and sculptures at the six onsite artist cottages. The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra performs regularly at the Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers, delighting fans of classical music with Beethoven, Brahms and many more. Theater lovers, meanwhile, will want to check out Florida Rep. The regional theater company's current season features themes ranging from murder mystery to time travel to retirement community comedy.

More arts & music The Fort Myers art scene is alive and well in the River District, where the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hosts art exhibitions, community art-making events and concerts ranging in theme from reggae to chamber music. The rooftop sculpture garden is also the site of many soirees, including dance parties and karaoke nights. The vibrant arts activities continue at Alliance for the Arts, a hub of culture and creativity in downtown Fort Myers. Set on a scenic 10-acre campus, the center hosts diverse musical performances, theater productions, art exhibits and community classes. Bonita Springs has its two interconnected arts centers, as well—one dedicated to the visual arts, and the other performing arts. Whether you're looking to take a class on tap dancing or creating fused glass art, you'll find it there. And there are many more local events to get in on across the region, from art fairs to foodie festivals. Check out the events calendar for the full lineup.

History The area's earliest inhabitants, the Calusa, lived off the bounty of the waters, used the abundant shells for everything from tools to jewelry and traveled the waterways in cypress log canoes. Visitors can learn more about this indigenous culture at Randell Research Center, a 67-acre outpost of archaeology, history and ecology set on the western shore of Pine Island. Walk the Calusa Heritage Trail (portions under repair), reading interpretive signs along the way to gain insight on the people who once inhabited the island. The trail features an observation platform perched atop a shell mound created by the Calusa centuries ago. Dive into the area's Black history with a visit to the Williams Academy Black History Museum. Or wander through historic buildings and gardens steeped in eccentric pioneer lore at Koreshan State Park. At the turn of the 20th century, the land was home to a religious sect that believed the universe existed inside of the earth.

Family attractions The nature preserves, beaches and museums of the Fort Myers area are all easy fits for a family vacation. That said, there are certain attractions that are especially delightful for little ones—and the The Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs tops that list. The park is home to a variety of rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable animals, including alligators, pythons, tortoises and birds—macaws, cockatoos, flamingos and peacocks included. Guests will also get up close with colorful orchids, majestic kapok and cacao trees plus many other intriguing plant species. For yet more outdoor family fun, consider a visit to Lakes Park in Fort Myers. In addition to canoeing, kayaking and picnicking around the nature-rich recreation area, kids will delight in the chance to take a mile-long ride on an adorable mini train at the onsite Railroad Museum.

Breweries There's an impressive number of breweries in the Fort Myers area—13 to be exact. Sip and sample your way across them all for a taste of local talent and creativity. The newest hotspot on the scene is Chubby Mermaid Brewing in Bonita Springs. The veteran-owned brewery serves a wide selection of IPAs, lagers and pilsners (including gluten-free options) with flavor profiles ranging from traditional to experimental. A passionfruit-laced sour and a few barleywines are also on offer. Or try one of Scotty's Bierwerks' 15 brewed-in-house creations, potentially timing your visit to coincide with the trivia nights, food truck visits and happy hours that pepper the events calendar at this Cape Coral locale. Fort Myers Brewing Company also has a strong lineup of special events, but you'd do well to visit for the award-winning house brews and the friendly vibes (even pets are welcome) alone.