Fabulous Things to Do in Fort Myers Florida (Some Even Free!)

There are more fun and unique things to do in Fort Myers, Florida these days due to an abundance of family friendly attractions, historic homes, world class beaches, and a cool and restored retro downtown.

Fort Myers prides itself today as one of the leading tourist destinations on southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, best known for its famous shelling beaches.

Located on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, between Naples and Sarasota, Fort Myers owes its existence to the wide Caloosahatchee River and the array of historic attractions, birding and wildlife viewing, water activities, and family fun which can only be experienced in the City of Palms.

Whether you want to move at a slower pace or party in paradise, make a beeline for this vintage city by the sea and explore the top rated things to do that Fort Myers has to offer.

It’s a very cool city, and deserves a week or more to get to know!

About Fort Myers and Surrounding Areas

If you’re new to this part of southwest Florida, Fort Myers sits on the lower Gulf Coast of southwest Florida at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River.

The city itself is not located on the Gulf of Mexico. Fort Myers sits inland and upriver from the nearby barrier islands of Pine Island, Sanibel and Captiva, and Estero Island where Fort Myers Beach is located.

These islands surround the mouth of the river where it meets the Gulf of Mexico.

Nearby Cape Coral directly across the river from Fort Myers is actually part of mainland Florida.

All told, there are 590 miles of shoreline around Fort Myers, including 50 miles of white sand beaches and more than 100 small barrier and coastal islands in the Gulf of Mexico.

If you’re a beach-loving adventurer, it’s easy to see that this is one place you’ll definitely want to explore!

 
Best Time to Visit Fort Myers

Weather

Without a doubt, the winter months of December through March draw more tourists each year — when it’s cold and frozen in much of the world, the weather in southwest Florida is beautiful and balmy.

Average winter temps range from the mid-50’s (F) to the high-70s.

Summer is a hot time of year in southwest Florida but not unbearable.

In Florida during the summer, people don’t expect to be outside or without shade during the hottest parts of the day.

Wear comfortable clothing (shorts and sandals) and sunscreen and admire the sun from your own shady spot.

Tourist “Season”

Peak Season in Fort Myers and Southwest Florida — all of Florida, in fact — is January 15 through April, though it may vary. Some snowbirds arrive in SWFL around the holidays and stay until Easter, while others stay through May or even Memorial Day.

Accommodation Rates

There are about 23,000 rooms in Lee County ranging from luxury beach resorts, condos, and full-service resort properties to idyllic beach cottages, inexpensive motels, and comfortable campgrounds.

When it comes to hotel prices and dining out, you’ll generally find higher prices from mid-December through mid-April, and reservations for both are essential during peak season.

Rates are generally lower during off-peak vacation season, excluding the holidays.

Crowds

Over 722,000 people call Lee County Florida home, and roughly 78,000 of them live in the City of Fort Myers (400,000 live in Unincorporated Lee County and the rest are scattered in Sanibel, Captiva, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs). 

Amazingly, that population swells to over 5 million visitors, most of them arriving over the colder winter months of December through April.

Getting to and Around Fort Myers

Airports Near Fort Myers

Flying into Fort Myers is very easy. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in south Fort Myers is the central gateway to Southwest Florida for domestic and international travel to Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties. 

Smaller craft and corporate flights can fly into Page Field General Aviation Airport near downtown Fort Myers.

 

Driving around Fort Myers

Interstate 75 and US Rte. 41 run north-south along the west coast of Florida.

The stretch of I-75 known as Alligator Alley can also quickly get you to Miami in about 2 hours.

 

Distance from Popular Cities in Florida

If you’re visiting from Naples, given its short distance of just an hour away (43 miles), Fort Myers makes one of the best day trips from Naples.

But it’s also close to so many other places in southwest Florida as well.

Here’s a quick reference guide to plan your stay:

• Punta Gorda to Fort Myers: 24 miles (35 minutes)

• Miami to Fort Myers: 148 miles (2½ hours drive time)

• Orlando to Fort Myers: 167 miles (3½ hours drive time)

• Tampa to Fort Myers: 134 miles (2½ hours drive time)

• Daytona to Fort Myers: 219 miles (4¼ hours drive time)

Free Things to Do in Fort Myers

You don't have to shell out dollars every time you visit one of the popular Fort Myers attractions because there are some really fun and totally free things to do in Fort Myers as well.

Manatee Park

If you are a manatee lover, you just need to visit Lee County’s Manatee Park where you can see these creatures at close quarters from November into March.

Located at the Fort Myers power plant on the Caloosahatchee Rver, this is a popular spot where manatees come in the winter time to escape the cold Gulf waters and bask in the warm river temps.

The clean, fresh water from the power plant creates a perfect environment for them to relax in, while providing a good platform for us to see them.

You can often see them right from the viewing platform, but to get a better look, we suggest renting a kayak and spending a hour or so. Manatee Park iso ne of the best places to go kayaking in all of Fort Myers!

Matanzas Pass Preserve

One of the last surviving natural habitats on Fort Myers Beach, the Matanzas Pass Preserve, is not only free to enter, but has a scenic 1.25 mile trail that passes through mangrove forests and an oak hammock along the coast of Estero Bay.

The 60-acre sanctuary — a designated site on the Great Florida Birding Trail — provides a respite from the crowded tourist areas, and offers visitors an exclusive glimpse of wildlife, native plants and a variety of SWFL bird species.

Shelling!

For the ultimate in Fort Myers things to do and free souvenirs too, go shelling on Sanibel Island and Bunche Beach.

Shelling is probably the number one thing to do in southwest Florida, and while it’s not completely free to do on Sanibel (it’ll cost you $6 to cross the causeway and $5 to park), the treasures you’ll bring home are priceless and forever memories of your visit to Fort Myers.

If you want to stay close to Fort Myers Beach, check out Bunche Beach off San Carlos Blvd. You can usually find some amazing King’s Crown shells here!

More Things to Do in Fort Myers Florida

Take a boat Tour

Since water is one of the best features of the Fort Myers area, there are a number of ways to get you out on the water and cruising Fort Myers.

20 marinas to be exact, many of which offer boat rentals or charters, can help you realize why you chose Fort Myers as your destination in the first place.

From Captiva Island, go cruising from South Seas Resort and Jensen's Marina for exploring the beautiful Southwest Florida coast.

Apart from sailing the pristine waters between Cabbage Key and Boca Grande, visitors can go on any number of awesome Fort Myers boat tours from wildlife-spotting tours, sunset cruises, or longer full day trips to visit the unspoiled barrier islands.

In addition, the crew educates the guests on the history of the place and much more, making it an enthralling activity that every member of the family will enjoy and embrace.

Play Golf with Alligators

Smugglers Cove features an adventure style 18-hole mini golf course where you need to overcome unique obstacles for an unforgettable round of golf.

Add to that an educational exhibit on American alligators found in the Everglades that’s home to 20-30 American alligators you can actually feed, and you’ve got a truly unique family activity!

Venture inside pirate ships, dark caves and over waterfall pools swarming with American alligators.

Visitors can actually feed these reptiles with the help of cane fishing poles for an experience of a lifetime.

Smugglers Cove is open every day of the year and has been rated as the premier miniature golf facility in Florida for a number of years in a row.

No doubt this is one of the most unusual things to do in Ft. Myers Florida.

Immerse yourself in Fort Myers History

The rich history of Fort Myers, dating back to the 1880's, can be experienced by a stroll within the sprawling grounds of the famous Edison Ford Winter Estates located on McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers.

These historic winter residences, spread over an area of 20 acres, showcase the vital contribution of these two innovative inventors to modern life and provide a valuable insight on the history of America.

Open to the general public since 1947, the grounds constitute large areas of gardens, a museum and the original 1928 Edison Botanical Research Laboratory.

Visitors can enjoy snacks, a locally produced ice cream, and have access to some unique literature at the Ford Cottage Shoppe.

Explore the Beaches Near Fort Myers

No trip to Fort Myers would be complete without experiencing some beach time and watching the amazing sunsets SWFL is known for.

And let me just say that the beaches near Fort Myers are some of the best in Florida — the Sanibel beaches, Fort Myers Beach, and Lover’s Key are all right here!

The seven mile coastline along Ft. Myers Beach alone provides ample space for beach enthusiasts to enjoy some quality time on some of the best beaches in Southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico.

Due to its unique location on Estero Island, the waters around Fort Myers Beach are calm and warm and offer plenty for visitors to enjoy, especially water related activities like kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, jet skiing, and parasailing.

On the shore, there are plenty of spots on Fort Myers Beach to hang out and relax on the famed sugary sand.

Fresh Florida seafood is served in many restaurants or funky beach shacks.

In fact, the annual Shrimp Festival held in March makes Fort Myers a paradise for both beach goers and foodies.

Interact with Sea Life at Imaginarium Fort Myers

A visit to the IMAG History & Science Center, also known as Imaginarium Fort Myers, is a must visit for families. 

Your admission package to the educational Center allows you to view over 60 interactive exhibits including a memorable opportunity to touch living sea life.

There are endless hours of recreational fun here for the whole family where you can actually engineer a creation of your own, like a hailstorm among other things.

The 3,200 gallon aquarium has a special Sea to See Touch Tanks, where apart from seeing sharks, one can touch some selected live marine animals.

The Living Lab houses frogs, a python, prairie dogs, and even a bearded dragon.

A visit to the IMAG will not only provide a glimpse of the history of southwest Florida, but will nurture an intellectual and educational experience as well.

This surely makes it on the list of the best things to do in Fort Myers with kids.

>>> Book Your Tickets HERE and Skip-the-Line!<<<

Imaginarium can get busy during the season, but you can skip-the-line and buy your tickets here through Get Your Guide!

Spend a day at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Sanibel Island, located to the southwest off the coast of downtown Fort Myers, is home one of Florida’s leading natural attractions — the 8,000 acres J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, is undoubtedly one of the best places to go kayaking in Fort Myers and southwest Florida.

Occupying almost half of the total area of Sanibel Island, the refuge was created to conserve the mangrove forests of this region.

Apart from achieving that target, the park has become home to a sizable population of alligators and hundreds of species of rare birds who stop at the refuge during their annual migration.

Animals are best seen when the tide is low, especially between the months of November to April.

There are a number of ways to explore the refuge — by hiking, kayaking, or canoeing depending on personal preferences.

The park remains closed on all Fridays and opening and closing times will change throughout the year.

Visitors are advised to check on the website before planning a visit.

Stroll Historic Downtown Fort Myers

The historical downtown area of Fort Myers has been well-cared for by the Downtown Management Corporation since its incorporation in 1994.

Today it is a vibrant hub of award winning restaurants, eclectic boutiques and live theatre set against a backdrop of art deco buildings dating back to the 1920's.

From afternoon onwards the area is full of diners enjoying fine food, and pedestrians strolling up and down the broad sidewalks.

The cultural core of this area is the River District, which today enjoys an unique identity of its own by blending the old with the new to create an area not to be found anywhere else on Florida's southwest coast.

Ghostly Haunted Fort Myers

You may have checked out the attractions of downtown Fort Myers, but do you know that there is also a darker side to this district?

If you have like the spooky things, get your ticket to the Haunted History Tour which takes enthusiasts on a late evening stroll past the dark alleys and streets to checkout certain locations in the city which have a reputation of being weird and haunted.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this ninety minutes tour of the unseen reveals some documented and undocumented aspects of the dark history of the peculiar area of town.

Who knows, you might return with unsettling images on your camera of figures in windows or shadow reflections.

the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier (Closed due to Hurricane Ian)

Whether your passion is swimming, photography, watching marine life or just relaxing in the sun, the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier is a must visit destination at any time of the day.

Located next to Time Square, another Fort Myers Beach showpiece, the Pier extends 560 feet into the Gulf of Mexico from the beach.

You can watch dolphins playing and pelicans diving for fish and their daily catch.

If you are planning to fish, the Pelicans Pitstop right on the pier can cater to all your angling needs, apart from snacks, drinks and souvenirs.

Hop on a trolley to make the most of your visit to the surrounding areas. There are playgrounds, showers, covered picnic places, and kiosks providing every bit of information about the pier.

Or if you simply want to relax and watch the sunset, grab a table at the Salty Crab, a tropical Fort Myers Beach bar right on the sand and watch the sun go down from just about the same vantage point as below.

Cool off at Sun Splash Family Waterpark

Water may be a hallmark of Fort Myers, but for true family fun there is the one and only water park here — Sun Splash Waterpark just across the river in nearby Cape Coral.

Covering an area of fourteen acres, this recreational area has something for all ages.

Whether it's the 215 foot free fall drop for the daring on Cape Fear or just a peaceful float on the Main Street River Ride, it promises action galore for the whole family.

If parents want to relax, there are enough chairs to sit and enjoy the sun while the young ones are occupied at the Tot Spot.

The newest addition to the park is Pirate's Cove, which provides a unique opportunity for younger children to participate in interactive water games inside a special structure.

Remember to check the calendar of events before planning as the park remains shut from the end of October to February.

Take in a Live performance

The historic Florida Repertory Theatre has, over its 24 years of existence, produced a wide range of comedies, musicals, and dramas which continue to make national and international headlines from time to time.

This important cultural institution in Lee County is one of the most active art organizations in the area, and a visit to the theatre will in turn contribute to the cause of cultural landscape in southwest Florida.

Shows are conducted in the historic Arcade Theater, built in 1908 and the new ArtStage Studio.

Celebrated figures like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were known to watch films here at the Vaudeville house, which was a movie theatre built in 1915.

The highlights of the theater are the beautifully restored red velvet seats and excellent sound equipment.

The 393 guests can watch a performance in tiered orchestra seats, and during intermission can grab a drink at a cozy bar in the lobby.

If you’re looking for Broadway and prominent entertainers, dance performances, popular ensembles and classical music concerts from around the world, then we see a show in your future at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

The performing arts hall features the largest proscenium stage in Southwest Florida hosting musicals, symphonies and other events in the 1,874-seat facility.

See national touring musicals like The Phantom of the Opera, Disney’s The Lion King, Les Misérables, WICKED, Jersey Boys, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes®, and The Book of Mormon.

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

Take a few hours out of your planned time in Fort Myers to visit the highly impressive Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium.

The building houses a fantastic collection of animals like alligators, bald eagles, owls and other birds of prey native to Florida.

There are a number of activities and live animal shows, which the kids and adults will enjoy equally.

Apart from the artificial exhibits, one can experience wetlands, visit the Butterfly House, or enjoy a laser show at the planetarium.

Ride the Murder Mystery Dinner Train

If you are looking for an experience out of the ordinary, get on board the Murder Mystery Train for a culinary feast like no other.

The fun begins as soon as guests step on the train.

As guests prepare to delve on a freshly prepared five course meal, with a choice from as many as three entries, some unwitting ones may find themselves pulled into a comical live murder mystery show played out on the aisles of the vintage dining car.

This interactive crew-audience participation is full of fun as the journey nears its conclusion.

The three and half hours, forty miles round trip, begins and ends at the Colonial Station in Fort Myers after crossing the Caloosahatchee River.

While the menu changes from month to month, there is a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase on the train.

For a truly unique dining experience, with a heavy dose of entertainment thrown in for good measure, there is nothing better than a special evening on the Murder Mystery Dinner Train.

Convinced now that you need to visit Fort Myers?

Thanks for checking out our handpicked list of top things to do in Fort Myers Florida — you’ll be all set for a great adventure in southwest Florida!

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