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.
Places to Stay
Since many of our customers are from outside Florida, we’re often asked where to stay while they are here on their property shopping trip. Here are some of our favorite places:
Tarpon Point – the Resort at Marina Village – a waterfront resort in Cape Coral with studio, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom suites and expansive views. Also home of the 5 star Marker 92 restaurant and Nauti Mermaid waterfront bar and grill. Arrive by car or by boat with slips available for lease and transient dockage space available. The hotel is pet friendly.
Sanibel Harbour Resort – Conveniently located in southern Fort Myers and close to the beaches and shopping/dining. Excellent Views, Marina, Sanibel Princess Dolphin-Watching Cruises, and Charlies Cabana Bar.
Lighthouse Island Resort – laid back atmosphere in walking distance to Fort Myers Beach and one of the most affordable on the beach. If you’re in the partying mood, the tikki bar here is a rockin. Nights can be a bit noisy, so if you want peace and quiet, be sure to ask for a room furthest from the tikki bar and pool. Pet friendly.
Pink Shell – a Fort Myers Beach beach resort with all the amenities.
The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club on Sanibel Island – an 18 hole Mark McCumber course on the beautiful island of Sanibel.
South Seas Resort – at the northern most tip of Captiva, this is heaven on earth. If you’ve got a boat, take the route via the Gulf of Mexico and then take Redfish pass into the Inter Coastal Waterway. Hug the short and turn right into the marina. Marina guests can enjoy all the resort amenities… if you can tear yourself away from the beach to see them.
Or, to rent a condo or home, check out Vacation Rentals By Owner. Get yourself a waterfront pool home for about $900-$1000 per week. Or call us as we have some properties on seasonal rental that may work for you.
