For our family and friends from out of town, we want you to enjoy the area as much as possible. Here are some things to do in Southwest Florida! :)
Plus some things to do/go see that aren’t in the immediate area.
Outdoor Activities/Beaches
All in the SWFL area (Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral)
Everglades Air Boat Tours:
Captain Jack’s is a favorite!
Located outside of Everglades City off Alligator Ally. Most captains will also try to find manatees on your tour
Clam Pass Beach
Located in Naples, $10 parking and free tram to the beach. Or a nice mile(ish) walk along the boardwalk to the beach. (This is Haley’s favorite beach in the area so shhhhhh)
Also has a snack bar with food and drinks.
Manatee Park:
If you’d like to see manatees this is probably one of the easiest places to do so. (It’s not guaranteed unfortunately, but you have a good chance!) $2 an hour for parking or $5 a day pass. They also have kayaks and canoes available for rent.
Things To Do In SWFL
Unfortunately there is very little to no public transportation in the SWFL area. So to be able to do most of this stuff you will have to rent a car/uber everywhere. Please see the transportation tab above for more information about that.
I am just putting things on here that we (mostly Haley who grew up here) have done and enjoyed. Including specific companies if you want a recommendation for who to choose. There is still plenty of stuff to look up for yourself. All just suggestions!
Shopping/Museums/etc
All in the SWFL area (Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral)
Miromar Outlets Shopping Center
Right off highway 75, located in Bonita Springs. It’s an outdoor mall. Lots of shops and restaurants.
Coconut Point
Located in Estero, also an outdoor mall. Shops and restaurants and a movie theater.
CMON Golisano Children’s Museum
Located in Naples. For those of you with little ones. This is a more hands on museum than most.
Outside of SWFL Attractions
Walt Disney World
I feel like this one is self explanatory. EXCEPT for those of you who haven’t visited in the last decade. A LOT has changed. Fast Passes are not free anymore… If you’d like me (Haley to explain, I can), but you’re probably better off googling it.
Naples Botanical Gardens:
Located in Naples, it’s on the pricier side at about $30 a ticket for adults and $15 for kids. They have several themed gardens that are beautiful all year long. Plus lots of walking trails and a children’s garden with a butterfly exhibition.
Revs Institute (Car Museum)
Calling this just a car museum is an understatement. Seriously, if you like old, new, weird, fast, whatever kinda car this is the place for you. It’s $25 a ticket for adults, but if you have a student ID, (even if it’s been ten years), a veteran, or you’re an educator, it’s $20. Kids under 4 get in for free. They have weird hours, but you can get more info on the sight. Anyway, I highly recommend it!
Universal Studios FL
I feel like this one is self explanatory. EXCEPT for those of you who haven’t visited in the last decade. A LOT has changed. Fast Passes are not free anymore… If you’d like me (Haley to explain, I can), but you’re probably better off googling it.
The Weird Sh*t
One of my favorite websites to browse before I travel anywhere is called Atlas Obscura. A website where people add the strangest attractions/experiences that are located in whatever city/town they live in. It’s how I found out about the penis museum in Reykjavik, Iceland. So here is a small list of weird places in the SWFL area. You’re all welcome :)
Bonita Wonder Gardens:
It’s a smaller, more intimate kind of zoo. You can (pay) for animal encounters and stuff. It’s pretty cute! Not too expensive either especially for the little ones. $17 per adult ticket.
Budget Friendly/Smaller Activities in the SWFL Area:
Top Golf Fort Myers
Mini Golf - Golf Safari (Bonita), Congo River Golf (Bonita), Popstroke (Fort Myers)
Fast Trax (Indoor Go-Karts)
Legoland Orlando
Much more affordable than Disney & Universal. Plus legos and roller coasters sound pretty cool.
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge: Located on Sanibel Island, this is a wildlife center that has over 245 bird species, several walking trails and you can hear Pistol Shrimp as they snap their claws. (Google Pistol Shrimp if you don’t know what they are. They're so cool!)
Mound House:
Located in Fort Myers, this mound was constructed by the Calusa natives and also occupied for over 2,000 years. I like learning history so for me this place was pretty cool, but it may be boring to some. I also got to throw a javelin here.
Bailey-Matthew National Shell Museum & Aquarium:
Located on Sanibel Island. Calling this an aquarium might be a bit of a stretch, but if you like interesting sea shells this is probably the place for you.
Skunk Ape Research Headquarters:
I’m not joking, this is a real place. The research headquarters of the supposed elusive “Skunk Ape”. If someone does go here, please let me know your thoughts.
Edison & Ford Winter Estates:
Located in Fort Myers, it’s on the pricier side at about $30 a ticket for adults, $20 for teens (13-19) and $15 for kids (6-12). It’s in the name essentially, an (indoor and outdoor museum) about those two guys. Plus there’s a garden filled with native plants.
Fort Myers Beach:
Probably the closest beach to the venue. It’s also a more crowded beach. Parking depends on what part of the beach you go to. Most places you will not be able to park for free.
Barefoot Beach:
Located in Bonita Springs, $10 parking, but there’s limited parking spaces. There’s also a restaurant nearby called Doc’s if you wanted to grab lunch. (I think they are cash only though)
Lowdermilk Park Beach:
Located in Naples, pay-by-space parking, but there’s limited parking spaces. There’s also a restaurant nearby called Doc’s if you wanted to grab lunch. (I think they are cash only though)