As some of you may know, I grew up in Southwest Florida,, and as I kid, I definitely always felt there were a lack of fun things to do in Fort Myers. Now, as an adult, however, I’ve come to the realization that I actually grew up in paradise! And that, perhaps, I just didn’t appreciate it enough as a kid. I came back to visit my parents for the 4th of July (and to see them and spend some time with them before I left!) and while here, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite places with you guys. So, here’s a native Floridian’s list of some of the best things to do in Fort Myers!
1. The Beaches
This one is a bit of a “duh,” but if you aren’t local to the area, you may not know that the best beach isn’t Fort Myers Beach! Although Fort Myers Beach is really touristy and can be a fun place to hang out, if you’re looking for some relaxed time at a pristine beach, try the beaches around the barrier islands of the city. Although these might not be properly within Fort Myers, they are close enough (and gorgeous enough!) to be worth the drive. Specifically, I’ve always loved the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva – they are beautiful, peaceful and a great place to spend the warmer Southwest Florida days!
2. The Edison & Ford Winter Estates
Did you know that Thomas Edison and Henry Ford used to winter in Fort Myers? If you didn’t, don’t worry – neither did a lot of people! The Edison/Ford Estates are one of the coolest tourist attractions in Southwest Florida – their old property has been made into a museum, complete with a gorgeous, maintained botanical garden. There are tours given frequently and you can also just roam the property at your leisure. Definitely a cool thing to do if you are ever in this area.
3. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
Stay with me, because while I know trudging through wet dirt doesn’t sound like a fun vacay activity – at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, it really is! The preserve has over 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem, and there are walking tours through it where you can see various kinds of plant life as well as animals. I did it once for a field trip in high school (maybe it was middle school?) and while it was dirty and muddy, it was always awesomely fun!
4. J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
The Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge was named after a political cartoonist and is now about 8,000 acres of, essentially, mangroves. The refuge was founded first to preserve those mangroves, but now is home to several varieties of wildlife, including birds and alligators. Like many activities in Southwest Florida, this is an outdoor one that involves sunshine and animals, and it’s a gorgeous, educational place to take the whole family!
5. The Bell Tower Shops
Okay, okay, so this is just a strip mall. But, it’s a very Southwest Florida-esque strip mall, with a cute design, live music, and pretty walkaways where you can take your furry friend. There’s also a movie theater across the street and a lot of locals really love the area. The Bell Tower Shops are a fun place to just have a relaxed evening while still enjoying the beauty of Fort Myers.
Next time you are in Fort Myers, definitely check out some of these places! And check out my Youtube video (and subscribe here!) of my weekend there, below. 🙂