Spending time in this laid-back Florida destination offers everything from stellar seafood to the chance to “stoop” for seashells.

Breathe in the enticing nature and refreshing sea air that embrace Fort Myers and more than 100 barrier islands in the region’s tropical paradise. Time slows down here and the welcome mat that has greeted visitors for decades has been brushed off after last year’s hurricane. You can’t keep a great destination down and Fort Myers is back again and ready to give visitors everything it has to offer.

Fort Myers Beach

WATER-BASED FUN

Do as the area’s manatees do–frolic in the warm Southwest Florida waters and dine on the sea’s tasty treats. Visit the manatees in their non-captive natural playground at Manatee Park (it’s free). Numerous fishing, sailing and boat cruises are available for those seeking fun on the water. You can also rent a kayak or canoe and paddle along the scenic 190-mile Great Calusa Blueway, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024.

Manatee at crystal river in Florida

FOR THE BIRDS

Birdwatchers will delight at the chance to spot over 250 bird species, from great blue herons to reddish egrets, laughing gulls and white pelicans. The best place to view the region’s huge migratory bird population is the world-famous J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. Walk, bike or drive the four-mile-long Wildlife Drive. Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and even a tram tour are available to check out the Bailey Homestead Preserve or the 98-foot Sanibel Lighthouse.

HAVE YOU DONE THE SANIBEL STOOP?

You can’t visit Sanibel Island or Captiva Island (or the other islands in the area for that matter) without doing the Sanibel stoop. It’s not unusual to see legions of visitors bending over to retrieve seashells on these islands, hence the bent-at-the-waist moniker. These “Shell Islands” boast more than 400 species of shells where you’ll find conchs, whelks, scallops, clam shells and many more to keep you stooping.

Sand Dollar

FORT MYERS TURNS ON THE CULTURE

There’s plenty of nature around Fort Myers but history buffs and culture enthusiasts won’t feel neglected. A must-see is the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. This National Register Historic Site features more than 20 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens and an 1886 winter retreat that belonged to Thomas Edison and his wife, Mina. You can see many of his 1,000-plus inventions in his laboratory, as well as some of the first Ford cars in the 15,000-square-foot Edison Ford Museum.

Culture lovers can also check out the stunning 1901 Georgian Revival Mansion at Burroughs Home & Gardens and enjoy live theatre at The Florida Rep or cultural events at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. The Fort Myers downtown district is home to many public artworks as well as street art and murals.

Arcade Theatre

TIKI BARS, SEASIDE DINING & ROOFTOP COCKTAILS

Known for its “pink gold” Gulf shrimp and stone crab, Fort Myers serves up a cornucopia of tastes, styles and atmospheres. Tiki bars and seafood make a perfect pairing at the Yucatan Beach Stand, Phuzzy’s Boat Shack, Coconut Jack’s Waterfront Grille and others. For something more refined, the Wisteria Tea Room in Fort Myers for tea and sweets is a perfect choice. Many restaurants are located on First Street downtown. For rooftop views and craft cocktails check out the scene at Beacon Social Drinkery atop the Luminary Hotel & Co.

SWEET DREAMS

Take your pick of various types of accommodations here, from hotels and motels to bed & breakfasts, condos, cottages, RV parks and campgrounds. A welcome and most suitable addition to Fort Myers is the new Margaritaville Beach Resort, opening in December 2023.

Anyone who visits will fall in love with Fort Myers’ islands, beaches and neighbourhoods. As Jimmy Buffett famously said, “It’s a sweet life, living by the salty sea.”

GOOD TO KNOW

• Start planning your vacation at visitfortmyers.com.
• Post and share your stories and videos using #MyFortMyers.
• Ask about the Sun Saver Passport to save on accommodation, attractions, and more.

GETTING THERE

Fort Myers is easily accessible through the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) with these airline partners:

• Air Canada – daily direct, year-round service from Toronto.
• WestJet – daily direct year-round from Toronto and seasonally from Ottawa.
• Porter Airlines (NEW) daily direct from Toronto.
• Lynx Air (NEW) direct, four times weekly from Toronto (starting Dec.14/23)

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Chris Ryall

Chris loves to discover a destination's true character and charm. “Be a Local” is his passion and reason for travel – eat local, drink local and do a deep dive into the local culture. Chris has visited 80+ countries on six continents the past 25 years while observing, writing and photographing for many national print and online publications. A passion for animals, natural attractions, ethnic cuisine, local characters engage Chris. He has a special interest in spa/wellness and has visited hundreds of spas around the world, judges spas internationally, and experienced almost every imaginable treatment. Chris has an insatiable appetite for wellness, culture and people who make a difference in their community.

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