Staff Picks

Home to a 5200-acre wildlife refuge, historic museums, and the kind of white sand beaches you dream about, Sanibel Island is absolutely worth the drive. But what makes Bowman’s Beach so special is its colorful and diverse seashells that wash ashore. Shell collectors from all over the world travel to Bowman’s Beach in search of these rare and vibrant beauties—there’s even a museum on the island that’s dedicated to shells and the animals that leave them behind.

On your afternoon trip to Bowman’s, enjoy a peaceful stretch of shoreline that for the most part has seen very little development compared to the rest of the island. With miles of unobstructed views and calming seas, Sanibel is a quintessential vacation destination.

One to three people can fly together at a time, so your group can partner up and experience the magic of flying together. Flights range depending on what you’d like to experience, so choose from 300-foot or 600-foot flights, a 900-foot flight where you’ll get to dip your toes in the water once, or a 1200-foot flight that includes two toe dips!

Book online today to create a new memory to add to your stay at the GullWing Beach Resort.

You may even get to see bottlenose dolphins, trailing the boat’s wake and jumping nearby the comfortable 45’ Corinthian Power Catamaran you will be aboard. Tickets are $35 per passenger. Complimentary soft drinks and water will be available, and you may also bring your own alcoholic beverages if you would like. Don’t settle for anything less than a spectacular Valentine’s Day that your partner won’t soon forget! Secure your spot aboard the vessel today, as tickets will likely sell out for such a romantic and exciting excursion.

You will play 9 holes to try and win fantastic prizes until 4:30 p.m. when your scorecard is due. Teams will then head to the after-party from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to see if they’ve made the cut. Prizes are awarded for 1st and 2nd place teams, the Duffer’s Award for the worst score, the Best Dressed Team, the Best Team Name, and the Judges’ and People’s Choice Awards for the Hole Sponsors.

Pre-register online today!

This isn’t your typical shopping trip, but a fun event for the whole family. Santa will be visiting, and there will even be carolers walking along and regaling you with classic songs to get you into the spirit of the season. The sale takes place on Sunday, December 21st and Saturday, December 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. so get out there, shop your heart out, and enjoy the beautiful, Florida weather.

You can choose from a matinee show that includes lunch or an evening or twilight show that includes dinner. Show-only options are also available. Prices vary depending on the day chosen so be sure to check online to get the best deal for you and your loved ones. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you don’t want to miss out!

No coolers are allowed to be brought into the event, but there will be a cash bar and other refreshments available for purchase. The regular price of admission is $25 and only $20 for members of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. All tickets at the door are $30, so be sure to buy your tickets online soon.

Check out the Alligator Interactive Educational & Entertaining Experience for just $5! You’ll learn about the beauty and power of these amazing animals from our zookeepers or docents, and you even have the opportunity to feed an alligator. Simply purchase a ticket for bait, and the experts will attach a fish to a bamboo pole so you can give the gators a tasty treat. The park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Adult admission, for ages 13 to 64, is $12, children 3-12 are $7, and children under 3 can visit for free. Seniors 65 and older are admitted for $10.

Not only will you love the family-owned, welcoming atmosphere and comfortable ambiance Beach Theater has to offer, but you’ll also love the diverse selection of delicious dishes too. Their star-quality menu has something for everyone to enjoy, from standard cinema fare like popcorn, nachos, and soda to upscale eats like prosciutto avocado flatbread, Norwegian salad topped with blackened salmon and sesame garlic sauce, and a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails to choose from. There are even vegetarian options available. So do dinner and a movie the right way, and stop by Beach Theater. Your fabulous cinema experience is conveniently just a short walk from your stay at the GullWing Beach Resort.

This fun, family-friendly event is a favorite among locals and kicks off at 10 a.m. off Estero Boulevard. Cheer on the performers and floats, all decked out in red, white, and blue, and join in on the patriotic cheer with your whole party. Then, head over to the Times Square area to check out the celebrations with local restaurants, lounges, and shops—there’s something for everyone. Just after sunset, stick around for the main event: the Fort Myers Beach Fireworks Show. Shooting off from the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier, the firework show is a dazzling and mesmerizing display of our love for this beautiful country. Happy Fourth of July!

Buzzing with locals and visitors alike, this vibrant town center offers a little bit of everything with the stunning water as the backdrop. Explore the many shopping options where you can find inexpensive souvenirs and gifts for your friends back home. Then, refuel at one of the popular restaurants and bars with a great meal and live music to set the ambiance. Whatever you have planned, the square is ideal for ending the afternoon by unwinding with friends and taking in the breathtaking sunset. Thanks to the Fort Myers Beach Pier right next door, you’ll get a front row spot to wow over the view.

Likely once the village area for the Calusa Indians, the shell mound created a tropical hardwood hammock over time—be sure to look up at the canopy of tall trees above. And due to fast development in the area, Otter Mound is one of the few remaining tropical hammocks in South Florida. As you wind through the preserve’s natural surroundings, tropical trails, and more, you can’t help but feel the vibrant history of the site.

 Visitors from every part of the world travel to attend and get a behind-the-scenes look into the film process from the creators themselves. Independent film fans, filmmakers, producers, and everyone in between can enjoy five days of film premieres, lectures, interviews, and more to gain insight into what it takes to produce these amazing films. Plus, the festival encompasses films from all different types of genres, including documentaries, shorts, dramas, and feature-length. Don your best Hollywood attire and plan your week according to what interests you most—each day has options from interactive workshops to straight-forward screenings. And with events friendly to all ages, the Fort Myers Beach Film Festival is a fun affair for the whole family!

Peruse over 100 arts and crafts vendors, listen to live music, and taste-test your way through amazing, locally-caught shrimp eats! Fort Myers Beach is home to the largest shrimp boat fleet on the Gulf Coast in the entire country, so it’s safe to say you’re in good hands. The festival will start at 10 a.m. with a two-mile parade to get the celebrations going. Then throughout the rest of the afternoon, you and your family can join in on the fun and eat to your heart’s content! The Lion’s Club suggests parking at the new park and ride on Summerlin Square Drive and taking the trolley to get to the festival. See you there!

At Edison’s Seminole Lodge, you’ll swoon over the timeless furnishings and architecture of the early 20th century. At Henry Ford’s The Mangoes, you have to check out the beautiful classic porch and an unbeatable view of the river. Then, take your exploration outdoors to the botanical gardens where you can enjoy over 20 acres of impressive plants from six continents. As your afternoon comes to an end, you’ll truly understand why this beautiful land became Edison and Ford’s most sacred getaway.

Vendors from all over the region will be set up for the ultimate sampling of the best tasting gumbo in Florida. Call up your foodie crew and come hungry, you’ll want to make the rounds to try out all that there is to offer! In between your taste-testing, listen to lively Zydeco music and check out the other cool booths and artisans. What we love most about this festival? It’s a vibrant community event that gives you a peek into the everyday life here in Fort Myers.