Beaches & Outdoor Gems

You will find no nature-deficit disorder in Southwest Florida, where the great outdoors ranges from gorgeous, award-winning beaches to the raw wilderness of the Everglades ecosystem.

Around Naples and Everglades City, a number of state and federal parks and preserves safeguard fragile Everglade habitats—home to a host of birds and fish, deer, Florida panthers, bobcats, manatees, alligators, crocodiles, turtles and river otters. Big Cypress National Preserve, the most massive of the public lands, provides inimitable opportunities for recreation among wildlife. Everglades National Park and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge protect the seas and wetlands of the so-called River of Grass.

Beach glamour begins in Marco Island and Naples with award-winning strands that cover the gamut from the municipal beach and historic fishing pier in Naples to the wild Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

What do travelers, and particularly families, find so endearing about local beaches? The soft, white sand, gently sloping sea bottom and tot-friendly waves win raves. Certain beach destinations, furthermore, have reputations for distinctive characteristics, such as the seashell overload on Sanibel and Captiva islands. Captiva Island and Lovers Key State Park are often listed in the most romantic category. The best shelling beaches around Sanibel include Bowman’s Beach and offshore Cayo Costa, which is accessible only by boat. A number of charters will take you there to collect shells, but call ahead to confirm openings.

In Venice, head to the fishing pier at Brohard Beach or to Caspersen Beach to sift for sharks’ teeth in the sand. In Sarasota, Siesta Key’s sand is famously soft and blindingly white, so don’t forget to pack the shades. This beach continues to be listed as the second best in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.

Entertainment & Sports

The nightlife in Naples—particularly downtown and in North Naples—is lively. Hit the live theaters around Fifth Avenue South, then stay to party at late-night clubs downtown. Or take in a show at Artis–Naples in North Naples and later head to the clubs and pubs in the Mercato shopping and entertainment district. You can do both dinner and a movie at its Silverspot Cinema or at the Paragon Theaters at The Pavilion across the street. North Naples also has its own comedy club-restaurant complex—Off the Hook Comedy Club. For quirky spectator sport entertainment, you can’t beat the Swamp Buggy Races held four times a year. It involves big-tired Everglade vehicles, lots of mud, and a festival queen who ends up in the deepest mud hole. East of town in Immokalee, the Seminole Casino Hotel hosts gaming and big-name entertainment.

To the north, Bonita Springs is building a reputation for comedy, live music, dining, performing arts and indie films.

Downtown Fort Myers has the hottest nightlife and special events scene in town. Fort Myers is also home to two Major League Baseball stadiums that host the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox during spring training.

The Tampa Bay Rays train in Port Charlotte to the north.

The Sarasota-Bradenton area is home to three spring training teams as well—the Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves. The Atlanta Braves spring training takes place in the new state-of-the art complex, CoolToday Park in North Port, south of Sarasota.  

Much of Sarasota’s entertainment and nightlife is of a higher brow ilk, with a reputation for fine theater, symphony and opera. Downtown Sarasota sparkles at night with sophisticated clubs, and Siesta Key has a beachy party atmosphere in the village.

Don’t miss the beach clubs of Bradenton Beach for more laid-back entertainment options. Bradenton’s Manatee Performing Arts Center infuses energy into downtown, as does its dynamic Riverwalk.

Road Trips

Head east of Naples along Tamiami Trail (Highway 41) to immerse yourself in the region’s wild side and Old Florida culture. For glimpses of wildlife, try Janes Memorial Scenic Drive in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park or Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve. Backroad Route 92 takes you from 41 to the time-stilled fishing community and seafood restaurants of Goodland.

Views along the Sanibel Causeway and Captiva Drive star in many commercials, but all of the coastal islands promise glimpses of sea and local color. The drive through Bonita Beach, Lovers Key and Fort Myers Beach and another from Lido Key through Anna Maria Island in Sarasota and Bradenton are particularly representative of island life.

From Fort Myers, head east along Route 80 to visit the small towns of riverside Alva and Labelle, and lakeside Clewiston. Glimpse the region’s rural, agricultural personality along the way. Or plan a trip to Pine Island to the northwest. Its four communities are known for exotic fruit farming, ancient Calusa shell mounds, an artists’ village and fishing.

In the Port Charlotte area, a road trip to Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island scores for historical intrigue and lovely beaches. To its north, Sarasota lays claim to a number of small organic and other farms you can visit. Cross the Manatee River from Bradenton to reach the attractions of Palmetto, a riverside beauty also known for its agricultural heritage.

Shopping

If you’re looking for unique buys, there’s plenty of that in Southwest Florida.

In the Everglades territory, visit the Big Cypress Gallery in Ochopee, home to Clyde Butcher whose large-format art photography captures the Everglades and other natural treasures.

In Naples, art galleries fill the downtown Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South districts. At the latter, buy your designer labels at Marissa Collections. Other popular outdoor shopping venues include The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, Waterside Shops and Mercato.

To the north in Bonita Springs, visit DeRomo’s Gourmet Market & Restaurant in the Promenade at Bonita Bay. It is an excellent place to dine and shop for food. Coconut Point lays out a huge spread of big box stores and fashion boutiques.

Sanibel Island is known for its shell shops, nature art galleries and resort wear boutiques. Hit the Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers, where wildlife viewing and family amusements enhance shopping for shells, jewelry and other Florida trinkets. The Fun Park activities include a zip line, paddle and bumper boats, playground and climbing wall.

In Punta Gorda, downtown and Fisher-men’s Village present small, intimate shopping experiences. Hit Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island for a charming historical twist to your shopping.

St. Armands Circle is Sarasota’s most well-known address for upscale shopping. Farther to the east, the community of Lakewood Ranch is known for its delightful shops and restaurants on and around Main Street.

For genuine local souvenirs, head to the region’s artist villages—Matlacha on Pine Island off Fort Myers, Towles Court in Sarasota, and Village of the Arts in Bradenton. Watch for news of art walk events in downtown Fort Myers, Punta Gorda and Sarasota.

Bargain-seekers head to the factory outlet malls: Miromar Outlets in Estero, Sanibel Outlets in Fort Myers and Ellenton Premium Outlets near Bradenton. Or check out the flea markets: Flamingo Island Flea Market in Bonita Springs, Fleamasters Fleamarket in Fort Myers and Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton.