The Top Things to Do and See in Fort Myers, Florida

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With some of the best beaches in Florida, Fort Myers offers a range of resort-lined or secluded locations. For spring break, visit Fort Myers Beach and Estero Island, where white sandy beaches are lined with waterfront restaurants – great for grabbing a fruity drink and something to eat. If you’re looking for a local vibe and spectacular views, head to visit Bowditch Point Park at the north end of the island. For a more secluded beach day, head to Lovers Key State Park, voted one of the best beaches in Florida.

With countless fishing tours operating out of the area, Southwest Florida is a top destination for sport fishing. Boca Grande plays host to some of the best tarpon fishing from April through August. Skip the more touristy outlets and book a charter from Whidden’s Marina on Boca Grande. A piece of old Florida, the rustic marina has faded white paint, fishing trinkets and memorabilia and a host of local characters that linger outside on the dock. Locals buy beer and bait at Whidden’s, and are happy to share fishing tips.

Fort Myers is home to the training complexes of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. In March, both teams conduct spring training, offering a great way to see major-leaguers up close. For a complete day at the ballpark, go early to see famous names and up-and-comers taking batting practice. Boston’s JetBlue Park is a mini replica of Fenway Park, complete with a Green Monster in left field.

The Gulfshore Grill on Fort Myers Beach is perfect for a night out. This locale has a beach bar on the sand, feet away from the water, and serves fruity tropical drinks. Have a piña colada before going inside to the Gulfshore Grill dining room. The quiet, air-conditioned seating area with gulf-front windows is well suited for enjoying some local grouper and watching the sun dip over the water. After dinner, the open-air deck of the Cottage Bar creates an intimate setting for local bands to play on the waterfront. Live music is offered every night from 9pm until 1am.

A short distance from Fort Myers proper is Sanibel Island, an east-to-west barrier island with pristine beaches. Sanibel is a drivable alternative to the resort-laden Fort Myers beach. Along one corner of the island is the JN ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a wild mangrove area that is home to 245 species of birds. A day trip to the reserve is bound to offer spectacular birdwatching and frequent glimpses of manatees and alligators. Countless other family-friendly tours can also be booked to explore the southwest Florida ecosystem.

Previously a fishing community, Matlacha is now known for its art galleries and small boutique shops. After commercial fishing was banned in the area to protect local marine populations, the residents took to reinventing the city by painting the buildings with bright colors and murals. Walk along the main drag and stop to look at the shops and galleries; Wild Child Art Gallery is a local favorite, and you’ll find it in a restored old fishing cottage.

For a truly secluded day at the beach, Cayo Costa offers the opportunity to camp on a bridgeless barrier island that is only reachable by boat. Take a shuttle boat and experience the 9mi (14.5km) secluded beach, perfect for shelling, walking and fishing. The island has been preserved as a state park, creating the potential for some great wildlife viewing. Stand on the shore of the gulf and watch the sun set before crawling into your tent. For around $42 (£31) you will get to and from the island, and this also includes the admission fee.

At the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, visitors can walk through the former grounds of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, who wintered in Fort Myers. The lush botanical gardens, huge estates and Edison Ford Museum – filled with trinkets and some of Edison’s small inventions – are highlights. For the ancient history of southwest Florida, visit the Randell Research Center and Calusa Heritage Trail, an archeological site of the Calusa people.

With the hot sun beating down almost all year round, a day inside with air conditioning is often a welcome refuge. The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers provides a pleasant afternoon or evening out of the beating sun. Located in a historic courthouse, the art center is easily recognized by its light sculpture that reflects off the old façade of the building. Inside, visitors can take in art exhibitions, musical series and guest lecturers. For a day at the movies, visit the Beach Theater on Fort Myers beach. The pink building on the main drag can’t be missed. They carry new releases and offer dinner service as an alternative to popcorn and candy.

The Great Calusa Blueway offers 190mi (306km) of water trails, one of the most extensive networks in the country. Southwest Florida includes many inlets and waterways, as part of the Blueway, making for incredible paddling. Countless outfitters and tours operate out of the area. Kayaks can be rented for as short as an hour or as long as a day, offering a relaxed way to see the water for the inexperienced, or a hardcore adventure for the veteran.

With pretty much everything under the sun for sale, the massive Fleamasters is a shopaholic’s dream. It’s open year-round, and there’s even a stage so you can enjoy live music as you browse. From fresh produce to arts and crafts, antiques to kitchen products, if it exists, it’s here. Clothes and accessories are a specialty, and there are 20 snack bars serving treats to keep hungry shoppers on their feet.

This award-winning playhouse, which has been running for 21 years has as its mission getting South Florida youth involved in theater, and 87,000 people pass through its doors annually and they have been reviewed in national publications. From classics such as Twelfth Night to more niche performances, they have a very wide program, so there’s something for everyone. There really is no other theater of this caliber in Southwest Florida – you’re guaranteed to see something good.

You don’t get more old Florida than this. Lush trees, a green and verdant landscape, countless palms and a fantastic, photoshoot-worthy lighthouse make this a place to remember. Mangrove trees create a natural boardwalk to the shore. You can sit on the spectacular shoreline and watch the fish and the birds, all in magnificent colors, and fish if that’s your thing. If you head out on the water in a canoe, you can see dolphins, manatees and even sea otters living in their natural habitat.

If you love history and science, you’ll love it here. More than 60 exhibits make up this hands-on interactive center. You can feed animals and even touch a stingray. Snakes, frogs and turtles romp around in the Living Lab. There’s an aquarium where visitors can view exotic and native Florida fish, a 3D reality experience where guests can virtually visit the original Fort Myers and a special children’s area. You’ll be exhausted when you leave!

Florida’s ever-warm weather means that there’s no excuse for not being outside and enjoying nature. In the canal next to the Florida Power Light Plant there are hundreds of manatees. The warm water from the plant creates ideal heated conditions for the animals to hang out. The water is quite murky, so your best bet is to head out on a canoe and spot them from there. They are most likely to be in the area from November through to March.

Additional reporting by Alice Johnston.

Why not make a weekend of it? Choose between a stay at one of the best hotels in Fort Myers or one at these perfectly-located beach hotels. There’s plenty to keep you busy too, from exploring the best beaches around to trying delicious food at one of the best restaurants in Fort Myers.