Local Activities & Attractions

Fort Myers Beach is best known for its beautiful emerald waters with sugar white sand, but there are plenty of other fun and exciting things to do throughout the area or near the beach!

Attractions

Chamber of Commerce

Stop in and grab a Visitor Guide, ask for the latest coupons and get advice on what the locals like to do! Ask for your free ‘goodie bag’!

Mound House Museum and Grounds

Built on a Calusa Indian shell mound, The Mound House is the oldest structure on our island. It offers a unique cultural and environmental experience.

Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise

Offering both family and adult pirate cruises. Step into a 90 minute interactive comedy adventure aboard the Pieces of Eight, a 65ft replica Spanish galleon. Ye will be sworn in as pirates, have live cannon rounds, a mutiny against the Captain, games & nautical nonsense!

Estero Island Historic Society Museum & Nature Center

  • 161 Bay Rd.
  • Temporarily closed

Housed in the Davison Cottage built in 1921, the museum is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am until noon.  It holds countless treasures and memorabilia showcasing life on this barrier island.

Fort Myers Beach Library

Stop in and see what our fantastic island library is up to! The ride in the elevator and the view from the 3rd floor is worth the trip alone. An ever changing set of exhibits, talks, classes, and meet ups are just a few of the things you’ll find in our island jewel. Check out the upcoming events tab to see what is scheduled each day!

Smuggler’s Cove Adventure Golf

Voted best mini golf in Florida, Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf features 18 holes of adventure style golf in which you’ll navigate through caves, pirate ships, waterfalls and live alligators! 

Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Historical buildings, gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Edison For Museum featuring hundreds of inventions, artifacts and special exhibits.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater

Live theater with great dinner buffet and drinks made to order.

Everglades Wonder Gardens

Botanical jungle filled with native trees and plants, as well as species from all around the world. Natural History Museum showcases specimens collected by the founders of the gardens. Visit with rescued birds and reptiles that have found their home there.

Shell Factory

Large gift shop and museum featuring tons of shells and other items found here in Florida. Fun park featuring a rock climbing wall, trampolines, a zip line, bumper boats, paddle boats and mini golf. There’s also a restaurant on site. 

Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

Over 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem with a boardwalk trail and an interpretive center. Find a myriad of animals like otters, alligators, turtles, wading birds and more. Guided walks are scheduled throughout the year.

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife refuge featuring a variety of hiking trails, bird watching, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, fishing and boating. Check out the free Visitor & Education Center offering interactive exhibits on refuge ecosystems.

C.R.O.W. (Center for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife)

A teaching hospital and visitor education center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, research, education, and conservation medicine.

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

Environmental and educational center featuring a museum, 3 nature trails, a Planetarium, butterfly and bird aviaries, a gift shop and meeting and picnic areas.

Bailey Matthews Shell Museum

  • 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel Island
  • 239-395-2233
  • Temporarily Closed
  • shellmuseum.org

Museum dedicated to shells and mollusks, exhibiting beautiful shells from around the globe.

JetBlue Park

  • 11500 Fenway South Drive, Fort Myers
  • Ticket Info: 239-226-4700
  • Event Info: 239-226-4783

The spring training facility for the Boston Red Sox. 

Hammond Stadium

  • 14100 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy
  • 239-768-4210

Home of the Fort Myers Miracle minor league baseball team, as well as the Minnesota Twins spring training facility.

Germain Arena

Indoor ice hockey stadium, home of the Florida Everblades, also featuring a variety of shows, concerts and events throughout the year.

Beaches & Parks

Dog Beach

  • 8800 Estero Blvd

Great place to take your 4-legged friends! Sandy beach & dog run with shallow water, plus free parking, restrooms & canine showers.

Bowditch Point Park

  • 50 Estero Blvd

Serene location featuring great views, picnic tables, grills, nature trails, swimming areas and more! Walking trails offer an excellent opportunity for bird watching, highlighted by panoramic views of Estero Bay. Free day docks are open for boaters.

Lynn Hall Memorial Park

  • 950 Estero Blvd

Main public beach area, with restroom facilities near downtown Fort Myers Beach, opens from dawn to dusk. Features a kid’s playground area, fishing pier and picnic huts.

Crescent Beach Family Park

  • 1100 Estero Blvd

Beachfront park along a 400-ft. stretch of beach featuring two modular restrooms, two handicap parking spaces, four access points to the beach, a landscaped picnic area, two sand volleyball courts and plenty of open space.

Beach Access Points

  • Along Estero Blvd.

There are numerous beach access points all along Estero Blvd. The spots allow access to the full 7-miles of white sugar sand to everyone. Look for the beach access signs. Access points are under construction due to the hurricane – Use caution.

Mantanzas Pass Preserve

  • 199 Bay Road

60 Acres of protected preserve with trails and a paddle craft landing. Located along the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail.

Lovers Key State Park

Untarnished 2-mile stretch of beach, accessible by boardwalk or tram, perfect for swimming, shelling or sunbathing. Enjoy hiking trails or kayak the canals of this genuine tropical paradise.

Newton Park

  • 4650 Estero Blvd

Newton Park is a beachfront property and historic home rich in island history associated with Jim and Ellie Newton. Parking, picnic tables, restrooms and disabled access to the beach are available.

Causeway Islands Park

  • 19931 Sanibel Causeway, Sanibel

Narrow palm-lined park & beach on a man-made island, great for fishing, kayaking, windsurfing and swimming.

Lighthouse Beach & Fishing Pier

  • 110 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Located on the Eastern tip of Sanibel Island, this park features the Sanibel Lighthouse, a fishing pier, nature trails and more.

Bowman’s Beach

  • 1700 Bowman’s Beach Rd, Sanibel

Popular beach for shelling and swimming. Picnic areas available.

Great Calusa Blueway

A 100-mile marked paddling trail that meanders through Estero Bay then to Sanibel, Captiva, Matlacha Pass and Pine Island Sound. Dolphin and manatee sightings are common.