Fort Myers Beach. Photo courtesy of paulhami.
Located about two-and-a-half hours from Miami, Fort Myers is an easy day trip offering much to do and see. Along with an array of attractions, golf courses, museums, parks, trendy restaurants and a vibrant nightlife scene, the city boasts numerous beautiful beaches within a few miles of its downtown. To help you make the most of your time in Fort Myers, here are some suggestions.
Hit the beach
There are many outdoor activities near Miami, one of the best of which is visiting the beaches of Fort Myers. One of the most popular beaches is the white-sand Fort Myers Beach. While families enjoy playing in the sand along the quieter stretches of the beach, thrill-seekers can rent paddlesboards and water sport equipment or go parasailing. Nearby, Town Square is filled with boutiques and cafes and is a popular people-watching spot. Other great beaches near Fort Myers include Bonita Beach and Lover’s Key, as well as beaches accessed by day trips to the barrier islands.
View local wildlife
It’s not everyday you can see a sea cow up close. At Lee County Manatee Park, those who visit the park between November and March — and sometimes even in the warmer months — will have the chance to view manatees in their natural habitat, as the park is a no capture zone. While you can view the creatures from viewing platforms, a more adventurous idea is to get right in the water with kayaks. Onsite you can also explore their extensive native plant and butterfly gardens. Another place in Fort Myers to view wildlife is the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which features over 3,400 acres (1,740 hectares) of a wetland ecosystem with chances to see alligators, otters, turtles, wading birds, migrating birds, butterflies and more. There is a boardwalk with wildlife viewing platforms, as well as signs offering tips for spotting. Other nearby places near Fort Myers that offer optimal animal spotting include the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Caloosahatchee Regional Park and Matanzas Pass Preserve.
Get creative
Downtown Fort Myers/The River District is littered with interesting art galleries and creative artist cooperatives. While the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center mix theater, live music and rotating art exhibits, Art of the Olympians gives patrons the chance to view and own works created by Olympiads. Additionally, the Arts for ACT Gallery is run by Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. and features eclectic pieces and exhibits. These are just a few of the many galleries worth exploring.
If you’re visiting during the first Friday of the month, don’t miss their Fort Myers Art Walk. This is a free art walk where galleries around the area host special receptions and programing, live music fills the streets, after parties keep people up late and free shuttles make it easy to go from gallery to gallery. The Fort Myers Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of every month from 6pm to 10pm, rain or shine, in the Fort Myers River District.
Visiting Fort Myers is one of the many great Miami day trips, and one of the many great things to do when visiting Miami.