Southwest FL Arts and Entertainment
Something for Everyone
There are the most obvious forms of entertainment and activities in Southwest Florida: beaches, boating, fishing and golf. But there is much more beyond that with the area having a very active arts community, nightlife for all ages, museums, broadway shows, concerts, and more. Here’s just a short list of popular things to do in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, and Naples.
Entertainment, Nightlife, Dining
Bell Tower Shops in central Fort Myers offers shopping variety and some of the best restaurants in town. Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicos, Brookstone, Williams Sonoma, Mole Hole, Victorias Secret.. and plenty more. Bistro 41 is one of our favorite dining spots but there are so many more, including the ever popular Cru. On Friday nights catch the free Jazz by the Fountain concerts.
If you like bluesy rock and roll, don’t miss Deb and the Dynamics. They play all around Southwest Florida. Watch for them Tuesdays at Cape Harbour or Leapin Lizards, catch them on Matlacha at Berts Bar, or on the beach at the Lighthouse.
Gulf Coast Town Center and Coconut Point are two new shopping centers with live entertainment, martini bars, hundreds of designer stores, and traditional mall magnets. You can drop a few hundred in a few hours, easy.
Southwest Florida Symphony – Their Around Town Series is ever popular and you can attend their concerts (classical or Pops) in Fort Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Sanibel and places in between.
Barbra B Mann Performing Arts Hall – Concerts, Broadway Theatre, Musical Reviews, Comedy – an excellent variety such as Liza Minnelli, Moody Blues, The Wedding Singer, Rent, Blast, and B.B. King… all within the next few weeks.
Old Naples is another favorite of ours when we cruise on the water down to the City Pier in Crayton Cove. Tommy Bahama restaurant, Campiello Ristorante, and a host of small and name brand shops and restaurants. Also in Naples, check out Fifth Avenue and Tin City.
For the motorcycle enthusiast, there are bike nights in nearly every city. At the Cape Coral bike night and Fort Myers bike night, enjoy music, food, drink, and strolling to admire the beautiful bikes.
Big M Casino Boat – play the slots and enjoy live entertainment aboard the Big M. Day and night cruises for 10 bucks.
Family Fun
Being originally from Minnesota, we have to mention first Twins Spring Training and their minor league team the Miracle. And of course Boston Red Sox fans are everywhere! Spring training and minor league ballparks are in Fort Myers, close to the airport. The Sox will have a brand new stadium for 2012.
The city of Cape Coral has a very robust Parks and Recreation (PDF link) program, with classes, concerts, festivals, team sports, and much more.
Ford/Edison Winter Estates – Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were some of the first to call Fort Myers their winter getaways. Visit their historic family compounds to history, art, educational tours, and beautiful gardens.
SunSplash WaterPark – a Cape Coral treasure for the entire family. Plenty if big kids on the slides. Music, food, and entertainment as well as special events.
Shell Factory and Nature Park – petting zoo, history, stores, and the Waltzing Waters Light Show.. the kids will have you back for more. For more critters and nature tours, visit the Naples Zoo.
For an extended tour, take the Key West Express to the Florida Keys. You can get there in about 4 hours on their super fast boats, and the trip alone is worth every penny. The boat departs from Fort Myers Beach.
Visit the Fort Myers Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium 105 acre site with a museum, three nature trails, a Planetarium, butterfly and bird aviaries, a gift shop and meeting and picnic areas. Strolling through the Museum, visitors can learn about Southwest Florida’s natural history. Daily educational programs allow visitors an up close and personal view of some of our resident creatures, including a skunk, bobcat, raccoon, white tail deer, Butterfly Aviary and Native Plant Nursery and an Audubon Aviary which houses permanently injured birds of prey (hawks, vultures, bald eagles, owls and more). And the stars are always out in the Planetarium.
