We want to see as much as possible in 4 days, and don't mind driving to places for up to 2 hours.
2007-03-07 09:39:27 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Other - United States
Yes, do visit Sanibel/Captiva Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the world. After you have had your fill of that, try to take in the Tom Edison museum. A fun trip would be the Shell Factory so you can pick up those shells you couldn't find on the beach.
2007-03-07 10:19:59 · answer #1 · answered by Arthur 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go out to Estero Island (Ft. Myers Beach). It's great. At the far end of the island is a great state park. Ft. Myers beach is outstanding - sugar white sand. Drive over to Sanibel & Captiva also. Go shelling on Sanibel near the lighthouse. Be sure to visit Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve on Sanibel.
2007-03-07 09:42:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you like shell collecting then you *must* go to the point where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. This is one of the best spots in the world for shelling!
2007-03-07 09:44:09 · answer #3 · answered by tngapch 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh My God! I'm jealous! We went there for vacation last year and it is beautiful! Definitely visit sanibel island! It has adorable shops that are so fun and a lot of gorgeous beaches! I don't know much about the surroundings....but we did a dolphin boat tour and got so close and saw a ton! Have fun and let me know how it goes!
2007-03-07 10:13:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people come to the Ft. Myers area to visit Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Sanibel is one of the few "barrier islands" in the world that is East/West, rather than North/South. Because of this, and combined with the currents, tides, and weather, it is one of the best places in the world to go Shelling. Ideally, the best shelling is on the western tip of the island, near Blind Pass between Sanibel and Captiva. This is where you find the big Conch shells and Junonias. This is also the best spot from which to watch a sunset (I personally prefer the Captiva side of Blind Pass, Turner Beach). The eastern tip near the Lighthouse is also a good spot for Shelling.
Sanibel is a very environmentally-sensitive island. The entire island is incorporated as the City of Sanibel. By doing this, they prevent the island from excessive commercial development, and do an outstanding job of protecting the environment for all species.
At the "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, they have a large number of bird species, including Spoonbills, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and many others. You can see alligators there, as well. And there is one crocodile on the island. You can also take guided tours, including tram and kayak tours with Tarpon Bay Explorers through the Refuge, and also go on Sunset and wildlife cruises.
Across from "Ding" Darling refuge, you will find the Center for Rehabilitated Wildlife (CROW), as well as the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum (the only shell museum in the world).
Because of city ordinances, you cannot find any water motorsports on Sanibel. However, if you go to Captiva Island, you will find Jim's Rentals and Yolo Watersports where you can rent jetski's and go parasailing.
Sanibel and Captiva is home to some WONDERFUL restaurants. You have Beaches Restaurant at the Sundial Resort, Rassa at the Dunes Country Club, Ellington's Restaurant and Jazz club at the Sanibel Inn, as well as Mermaid Kitchen & Cake Factory (best desserts on all the islands), Dolce Vita, Matzaluna's, Island Cow, Lazy Flamingo, Jacaranda, and many others on Periwinkle. You also have the Thistle Lodge at the Casa Ybell Resort. On the west end of the island near Blind Pass, you have the Sunset Grill, and Mad Hatter's. On Captiva, you have to visit The Bubble Room, Green Flash, Mucky Duck, Keylime Bistro, R.J. Otter's and Redfish Bluefish.
On Captiva Island, the South Seas Plantation Resort occupies the northern 1/3 of the island and is accessable to guests only. But the rest of the island is available to see, including the wonderful restaurants mentioned above, as well as the Chapel By The Sea and other sites. Captiva Cruises conducts wonderful shelling, dolphin and sunset cruises, as well as cruises to the northern islands that are accessable by boat or plane only.
If you're interested in a party atmosphere, with lots of shopping, the Ft. Myers Beach is the place to go. The beaches aren't as nice here. But they do have great shopping. I also recommend fishing from the Pier on Ft. Myers Beach.
The islands can be quite pet friendly, as well. On Sanibel and Captiva, you can walk your dog on the beach, as long as the dog is on a leash. SouthEast of Ft. Myers Beach is Lovers Key State Park where there is a pet beach for dogs and dog owners, where a leash isn't required!
If you're looking for places to stay on the islands, South Seas Plantation Resort and Tween Waters Inn on Captiva, or Sundial Beach Resort, Casa Ybel Resort, Sanibel Inn, Song of the Sea, and Holiday Inn-Sanibel on Sanibel are ideal.
Recommend visiting http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/ and http://www.fortmyersbeach.org/ for information about the islands.
In Fort Myers, you can visit the Spring Training camps for the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox major league baseball teams. You also have the Edison-Ford Winter Estates, Imaginarium, and the Calusa Nature Center. You also have the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers, and Sunsplash water park in Cape Coral.
If you like to gamble, you have Big M Casino sailing from Ft. Myers Beach, or the Seminole Indian Casino in Immokolee, as well as the Greyhound Dog Track in the Bonita Springs/Estero area.
Best place for visiting the Everglades is Everglades City. Everglades Day Tours and Airboat Everglades (Totch's Island Tours) are the two best companies.
Naples can be fun if you prefer upscale shopping. Marco Island can be fun, but only if you're going to actually stay there.
2007-03-08 06:28:05 · answer #5 · answered by Shane C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋