Photo by Taryn Manning
Fort Myers is a gulf-coast city with a small-town vibe. The locals are laid-back, the pace is a little slower, and the sunsets will knock your socks off!
Whether you are coming for vacation, work, or just seeing the sights and getting out for some fantastic seafood, the city has something for everyone. From visiting historical attractions to making a splash with family-friendly outdoor activities, boredom isn’t an option!
Who knows, maybe you will even be compelled by the beauty and the carefree lifestyle and might just start looking for a Fort Myers apartment to make this city your home for a while. If you are working remotely, this city is the perfect destination for you.
So, stick with us, as in this post, we’re here to help you find the best things to see and do in Ft. Myers, FL.
Explore the Gorgeous Beaches
Of course, one of the area’s biggest attractions (literally!) is its sugar-sandy beaches. Here are some of the most popular things to do on the seashore:
- Go shelling
Shell collecting is a huge pastime for beachgoers here! You’ll find great shelling around Fort Myers Beach as well as a little bit to the south on Bonita Beach. If you feel like island hopping, head out to Sanibel and Captiva islands for more pristine specimens!
- Get active
Kayaking and paddle boarding are great ways to get moving on the water or play volleyball in some of the softest sand Florida has to offer. If you like to do more land-based exploring, hop on a bike and head over to the Fort Myers pier to cruise its shops and restaurants.
- Slow down
There are plenty of opportunities to kick back and relax on the beaches of Fort Myers, but one of the most popular places to chill out is at Lovers Key State Park.
Whether you head over on the trolley to picnic on the southern beach or hoof it to the more secluded mid-beach area, it’s a beautiful spot to enjoy the sounds of crashing waves and calling seabirds.
Get Out on the Town
Nothing works up an appetite like a day in the sun, and luckily, there are plenty of places to grab a cocktail and some fantastic grub in Fort Myers:
- The Farmers Market Restaurant
Open for breakfast and lunch, Farmers Market Restaurant has been helping beachgoers start their day out the right way since 1952. You can get southern breakfasts staples like grits, biscuits and gravy, eggs cooked just the way you want them, and more until 10:30.
If lunch is what you’re after, they’ve got a good selection of sandwiches, salads, and burgers, but locals would say the specials are where it’s at! You’ll find comfort dishes like meatloaf, southern fried fish, and shrimp and grits, the perfect fuel for an afternoon nap.
- The Veranda
This is the perfect date place! One of the more upscale restaurants in Fort Myers, The Veranda is located in two fully renovated, turn-of-the-century houses and features outdoor garden courtyard seating.
The menu features fresh seafood dishes like pan-seared scallops and Atlantic salmon and fine-dining favorites like escargot and beef tenderloin tournedos served with specialty bearnaise sauce. Be sure to check out the extensive wine list, too!
- Millennial Brewing Co.
For people who take their brew seriously, the Millennial Brewing Company doesn’t mess around. For everyone else, you’re invited, too!
They’ve got a great food truck with a menu that anyone would love (kids too!) and an extensive tap beer menu catered to people with a passion for suds of all kinds.
They host vegan brunches, trivia nights, and Sundays are bring-your-dog-to-the-brewery days. If beer’s not your thing, they also have a full cider, wine, and cocktail menu.
Check Out Some Local History and Culture
Fort Meyer isn’t all beaches and food! It’s also home to plenty of fascinating cultural centers and historical sites, just perfect for spending a day out learning about the area and its people.
- Mound House and Mound Key Archaeological Sites
For more than 2,000 years, the Calusa thrived as the indigenous people to southwestern Florida and the Ft. Myers area. Calusa remains were found on the sites where Mound House and Mound Key Archaeological State Park stand now.
Both offer fantastic tours showcasing the natural beauty of what was once the home of the Calusa and revealing some of the artifacts found there that shed light on their day-to-day lives.
- The Edison and Ford winter estates
Tour the restored winter homes and properties of two of America’s most prolific creators for a fascinating history lesson!
The homes and gardens give us a glimpse into the daily lives of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and their families. You’ll see much of the original furnishings used to decorate the homes, including those in Edison’s study, just as he left it after his death in 1932.
The laboratory tour spotlights the building where Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone formed the Edison Botanic Research Corporation to find a US-based source of rubber. There, you’ll see the machine shop, grinding room, chemical processing area, and darkroom where they did their research.
Fall in Love with Fort Myers
It’s not just the beaches and sunshine that make Fort Myers such a wonderful place to be. The people here are warm, too, and are more than happy to welcome visitors from all over the world to their beautiful city.
So, whether you’re an outdoorsy person or prefer to spend your time at the shops and restaurants, we hope we’ve given you some great ideas for things to do. The only problem will be deciding what to do first!
Article Written & Contributed by:
Heather Vargas
heather@writtennook.com
Creative Writer
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