Southwest Florida is a vacationer’s dream. That comes as zero surprise to anyone who’s had the pleasure of digging their toes into the warm, white sands that stretch from Fort Myers to Sanibel Island and beyond. You could happily spend your vacation trawling for seashells and building pint-sized castles, but there’s a lot more to this region than its beaches — including some unique experiences that you might only find here.
Whether you’re into camping, murder mysteries, or high-flying helicopter rides, Southwest Florida is nothing if not memorable. Here are seven activities to help you turn up the adventure during your next unforgettable visit to the islands, beaches and neighborhoods of Fort Myers.
1. Get your glamp on.
Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
If you love the outdoors, consider a weekend glamping trip to see Fort Myers in all of its natural glory. You can camp in style at Koreshan State Park with Timberline Glamping. The extra spacious tents are decked out in sleek furnishings, with either a king bed and two bunk beds or matching queen beds. Each safari-style abode also comes with a fridge, coffeemaker, and air conditioner for optimal comfort. When you’re not lounging in your tent, get to know the property the exciting way by going biking, paddleboarding, kayaking, or fishing.
Another perk of Timberline is that its state park setting allows you to learn more about Florida’s history. The park gets its name from Dr. Cyrus R. Teed, who relocated from Chicago and established a utopian community here in 1894, calling it Koreshan. While on site, be sure to visit the Koreshan Unity Settlement, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and features 11 immaculately maintained historic structures.
2. Visit the mother of all shell museums.
Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
There’s exactly one museum in the entire country that’s officially recognized for its collection of roughly half a million shells and myriad living mollusks. It’s called the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, and it’s located on Sanibel Island — the “Seashell Capital of the World.”
Among the museum’s permanent and rotating exhibits are special exhibitions that’ll really open your eyes to the wide world of shells. Themes range from how seashells have been used in fashion to spotlights on specific shell families, starting with glittery abalone. You’ll also learn a lot about mollusks over at the aquarium displays and two touch pools, which collectively hold more than 60 different species. Fun fact: The mollusk classification not only includes shelled sea creatures like clams and scallops but also some larger marine animals.
3. Cruise to Cabbage Key.
Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
Cabbage Key, a tiny island off Pine Island with 100 scenic acres, is one of Southwest Florida’s best-kept secrets. Book a day trip with Captiva Cruises to get there, then spend the afternoon strolling the island’s winding nature trails. The four- to five-hour cruise includes a stop for lunch at the Cabbage Key Inn restaurant, which sits atop a Calusa Indian shell mound. Expect far-and-wide views from the outdoor seating area. The restaurant has been serving boaters for 60 years — commemorate your visit by adding a signed dollar bill to the hundreds that hang from the restaurant’s walls and ceilings.
Then again, you might not be ready to leave after lunch. No worries — you can always book one of the inn’s six newly remodeled guestrooms or reserve one of the cottages spread across the property.
4. Take a helicopter tour.
Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
Want to see Southwest Florida like the seagulls do? Check out a heli-tour from Str8 Up Aviation. Flights come in three different durations: 30 or 45 minutes for a shorter tour or one hour for the full experience. All include aerial scenes of the region’s mangroves and beaches. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some frolicking marine life like manatees and dolphins. It’s a splurge, sure, but just imagine the memories you’ll make during a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.
For the ultimate workout, the company can also arrange heli-yoga for you and four friends. During the 2.5-hour experience, you’ll be transported to a beautiful, remote location for a blissful private session with a yoga instructor.
5. Snuggle up to a goat.
Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
Speaking of yoga, don’t skip goat yoga at Dim Jandy Ranch in Fort Myers. The family-owned farm hosts 1.5-hour stretching sessions on Saturdays and Sundays, so you can quite literally turn your downward-facing dog into a downward-facing goat. After the class, you’ll have plenty of time to feed your new friends and snap some photos.
If you’re planning a weekday visit, sign up for goat snuggling instead. The 30-minute sessions are offered seven days a week, except for major holidays, and the experience is open to anyone aged four and up. (You have to be at least 12 for goat yoga.) Once you’re cuddled out, feel free to roam the farm, visit the chickens, and feed the donkeys.
6. Ride a murder mystery train.
Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
For a killer activity in Southwest Florida, beeline it to the Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Not only will you score a nice meal, but between the five courses you’ll also witness a whodunit performance play out in the train’s aisles. Armed with a playbill and clue sheet, you’ll be tasked with figuring out who, in fact, did it (and hopefully walk away with a prize).
The shows take place Wednesday through Sunday, excluding holidays, and the train leaves from Colonial Station in Fort Myers. Best of all, the program rotates its themed shows every few months, so you can take part again the next time you’re in town with zero spoilers.
7. Spend the day in an adventure-filled lagoon.
The newly opened Brightwater Lagoon in North Fort Myers promises a day (or more) of fun in the sun. Be among the first to snag a day pass, which includes unlimited access to water-based activities like slides, a floating obstacle course, kayaks, and paddleboards. You can also rent a poolside cabana or tiki hut on the sandy shores of the human-made lagoon and take advantage of the swim-up bar, The Sandbar.
For a unique VIP experience, upgrade your day pass to include access to Cabana Cove, which has its own private bar and swim area. Inside Cabana Cove, you can also rent an “aquabana” — a floating cabana for you and your seven closest friends — where you can enjoy frozen cocktails on the water. When the sun goes down, there are outdoor movies and live performances scheduled throughout the week.
Venturing beyond Southwest Florida’s beaches is no easy feat. But if you do, you’ll be rewarded with a whole slew of activities that find unique ways to capitalize on the area’s beautifully warm weather. If you’ve been looking for a sunny destination where you can also have some out-of-the-box fun, it’s time to check out Fort Myers’ islands, beaches and neighborhoods. 