Florida has been part of my DNA since I was 14 years old when I started spending a lot of time with my cousins in the Daytona Beach area. Since then I manifested having a home in Florida and 6 years ago that dream came true when we found She Shells, our Sanibel Island beach home. It is located just across the bridge from Fort Myers, Florida. This all being said today I am sharing the top 5 reasons you should visit the Fort Myers Florida area.
This post is sponsored by Visit Fort Myers. All opinions are my own.
1. HISTORICAL RIVER DISTRICT | FORT MYERS
What would a city be without a rich cultural history? Shauna and I spent some time in the old downtown River District of Fort Myers, Florida. The more I spend in this area the more I learn about it. Just wander down First Street and see for yourself. The old Florida charm still resonates and you just might find some cute shops to browse through. We loved The Franklin Shops. It is a boutique that is home to many small shops under one roof. We both snagged some cute mementos for our trip.
We stayed at the Luminary Hotel and Autograph Collection by Marriott. It’s modern industrial architecture actually blends in with the renovated downtown buildings. It has a coffee shop, 3 restaurants and the coolest rooftop bar with the most amazing water views. Right across the street is the Firestone Restaurant and it too has a fabulous rooftop bar. We had breakfast at the cutest diner, Ella Mae’s and just let me tell you how delicious our avocado toast was.
THE EDISON & FORD WINTER ESTATES
After breakfast, we took a very short Uber ride to The Edison & Ford Winter Estates located on the river. There you can book a tour with a live knowledgeable guide or do an audio guided tour. Either way, you will learn so much about these two inventors who were also very good friends.
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates date from 1885, when Thomas Edison first visited Southwest Florida and purchased the property to build a vacation home. Please read the entire story on their website here–> https://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/what-to-see/historic-homes/ Walking through the estate takes you back in time over a hundred years.
BOTANICAL GARDENS AND MUSEUM
Before you leave the estates be sure to stop by the Botancal Gardens, shop, and the museum housing so many of their inventions. Did you know that Edison has 1,093 US patents and 2,332 total patents when foreign patents are included? Can you name some of his inventions? Find out more here –> https://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/what-to-see/museum/
2. SUGGESTED RESTAURANTS | FORT MYERS
Every time I spend time in the Fort Myers area I discover more restaurants. I am a foodie at heart for sure. I mentioned the Firestone Restaurant & Martini Rooftop Bar, Ella Mae’s Diner at the Luminary and you should also check out The Oxbow located right on the water by the Luminary Hotel. I have Veranda on my list to try. It has been recommended so many times.
Be sure to head over to Fort Myers Beach Fisherman’s Wharf and eat at the Dixie Fish Company. It is that traditional beach town restaurant with the best food and service. Also, you can get great food at Doc Ford’s.
As we left the Fort Myers River District we drove through a couple of miles of Royal Palms lining McGregor Blvd. The original trees were a gift to Fort Myers from Thomas Edison and were planted along the boulevard near his estate. He so dearly loved these trees and Fort Myers that he expanded his gift.
3. MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES~RESORTS AND LANDSCAPES | FORT MYERS
Our next stop takes you into a different kind of paradise, Fort Myers barrier islands Sanibel Island, Captiva, Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Cayo Costa State PARK Island, and more. On this trip, you will see the most beautiful beaches, blue-green waters, tropical plants like you have never seen, and amazing wildlife.
It is no secret that the beach is my happy place, so the beaches of South West Florida stole my heart. This survey has this list as the top 15 best beaches in the Fort Myers Area.
The sugary white sands of Sanibel Island are at the top of most lists as the best shelling beaches in the world. Do the “Sanibel stoop” on this small island west of Fort Myers, Florida. That’s what locals call the bent-over position visitors take as they search for coquinas, scallops, olives, tulips, conchs, and lightning whelks.
Check out Bowman’s Beach, Light House Beach Park, and Tarpon Bay Beach. These are all public so go for the day and look for the most prized shell. The Junonia is one of the most coveted shells you can find on Sanibel Island. That’s because it’s rare to come across one. I am always on the hunt. Maybe one of these days.
RESORTS | SANIBEL ISLAND | CAPTIVA ISLAND
There are so many wonderful resorts in the Fort Myers area. Some have re-opened since Hurricane Ian, some are planning to re-open in the months ahead, and the ones we lost forever will soon be purchased and built back as new beautiful properties. This is an area that loves its God–given natural resources and wants to share it with the world.
3 of my favorite resorts re-opening soon are Casa Ybel Resort & Sundial Resort on Sanibel and South Seas Resort . Tween Waters Resort & Spa on Captiva has been open all year. There are so many more plus a lot of vacation rentals (homes & condos)
TWEEN WATERS RESORT & SPA
For 2 nights we stayed at Tween Waters Resort & Spa. Perfectly nestled between the pristine, private beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and the natural beauty of Pine Island Sound, Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa uniquely combines historic charm, luxury amenities, pure relaxation, and adventurous recreation in the best Captiva Island vacation destination.
You have the choice of a cutie, colorful, old Florida beach cottage or a 2 bedroom suite. Shauna and I were in the suite and it was the perfect size for us to spread out our stuff without compromising our space. It has a little kitchen for those who love to cook or they just don’t want to eat out every meal.
Most of the rooms either face the Gulf of Mexico or the 2 large swimming pools on the property. There is also an outdoor bar & grill and cabanas by the pool that you can rent. Oh, and treat yourself to a spa service at their on site location.
For the private beach, just walk across the street and grab your own Tween Waters beach chairs with umbrella and enjoy. At dusk there are sunset views that are some of the best in the world..
Restaurants I Love | Sanibel
Doc Ford’s~
Grandma Dots~
Cielo~
Sanibel Grill~Timbers~
Traders~
Over Easy~ breakfast
Restaurants I Love | Captiva
My favorite is The Old Captiva House~ (photos above)
Shipwreck~ (Photos above)
Mucky Duck~
The Green Flash (photos below)
More opening soon…………….
TWEEN ISLAND MARINA
4. WATER SPORTS & ISLAND HOPPING
This is not the hoity-toity landscape of the east coast of Florida. I love the glitz and glam on occasion but when it comes down to it, I am an outdoor girl. So, Shauna and I booked a trip with Sanibel Sports Fishing Charter with Captain Nathan Wider Phone: (508) 808-2988 to take us out on a boat up the Pine Island Sound to Cabbage Key and dolphin watching.
CABBAGE KEY INN RESTAURANT & CREAMERY
Did you know that Cabbage Key is supposedly where Jimmy Buffet wrote Cheeseburger in Paradise? The island is about 100 acres and has a few residences and a famous restaurant on it. The island is only accessible by boat and its historic Dollar Bill Bar is papered with more than $70,000 in signed dollar bills from patrons. I put my signed dollar bill up about 5 years ago. (see photo below)
See if you can find Cabbage Key on the map. It is just west of the north end of Pine Island and east of the middle of Cayo Costa Island. Have you found it yet? (map below) Respond ‘Found It’ in the comments if you see it on the map. If you don’t see Cabbage Key then can you point out Sanibel Island and Captiva Island? No worries if you can’t find it, but know that you can get to these places within 25-35 minutes from the Fort Myers River District and about 45 minutes from RSW International Airport.
CABBAGE KEY CREAMERY
The Cabbage Key Creamery is a new seasonal addition to the island and boy oh boy they serve up the best ice cream cones and they even come with a chocolate turtle.
MANATEE & DOLPHIN WATCHING
We watched a huge manatee right off the dock at Tween Waters. He was so ugly that he was cute. Ha Ha!! What a great way to start our day in the great outdoors.
After a delicious lunch, we were hoping to find some dolphins to play with us and Captain Nate did not disappoint. We found 3 different schools of dolphins that had the best time showing off for us. We were squealing like little girls. There is just something about dolphins that is so loveable.
5. EASY TO TRAVEL TO
By air RSW Fort Myers International Airport. Norman and I can fly non-stop from Houston 3 times a day. All the major airlines and even Southwest and Jet Blue.
I-75 from Atlanta – Orlando – Sarasota, Tampa St Pete Just 2 1/2 hour. Those on the East side of Florida ( Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Bocca, etc.) could easily drive over to this area for a long weekend staycation.
Have I presented enough evidence to lure your to the Fort Myers area of Florida? You will love it here.
SHESHE’S TIDBITS
So far this has been an active travel year. Shauna and I have 1 more trip leaving June 10th. We are headed to Punta Cuna in the Dominican Republic. I was thrilled when we got this opportunity because I have had it on my bucket list for a while. I am taking my niece and Shauna is taking her daughter-in-law. Stay tuned.
Coming soon our recent Caribbean Cruise with Celebrity Cruises. If you missed My Greek Islands blogs you can read Part 1 Here and Part 2 Here.
As always, we would love to hear your feedback!!
*CHECK OUT MY LTK INSTAGRAM SHOP TO SHOP ALL OF MY INSTAGRAM LOOKS
*YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD THE LIKETOKNOW.IT APP AND FOLLOW ME ON IT BY CLICKING HERE. Go here for our LiketoKnow.It tutorial.
* STAY IN THE KNOW: SUBSCRIBE HERE to receive exclusive sale alerts, helpful style tips, and fabulous giveaways, AND GET ACCESS TO MY VIP ONLY FOR SUBSCRIBERS!
