8 Things to Do for the Perfect Spring Break in Fort Myers & Cape Coral
Planning your trip and looking for the best things to do in Cape Coral and Fort Myers?
I’ve always considered Southwest Florida my home away from home having spent a lot of time in Cape Coral and Fort Myers throughout my life.
Even with the hurricane damage, this area continues to rebuild and stay as a travel destination for thousands of people every year. Here are my top things to see and do in the Cape Coral and Fort Myers area for Spring Break:
Cape Coral and Fort Myers Highlights
🏝️ Grab a drink at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville
🏝️ Go Shelling on Captiva Island
8 Things to do in Cape Coral and Fort Myers for Spring Break
To make your trip planning less complicated, I’ve detailed a list of 8 best things to do while visiting Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
1. Kayak with the Manatees at Manatee Park (November – March)
The Manatees can be found in water near power plants and springs during the winter months since the water is warmer. The Manatee Park just north east of downtown Fort Myers offers an incredible opportunity to see the manatees during the winter.
The Manatee Kayaking Company offers several tours a day in addition to offering kayak rentals on a timed basis. If you’re confident in your paddling skills, I’d recommend renting vs. doing a tour since the water is very calm and easy to manage.
2. Explore Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve
The Preserve is located right off the Veterans Parkway and is open to the public every day of the week. Be sure to check out the military memorials outside of the preserve!
3. Learn more about the Burrowing Owls
Did you know…Cape Coral has the largest population of burrowing owls in Florida? It’s almost a guarantee if you are walking around the Cape Coral neighborhood, you’ll spot owls in front yards of homes and buildings in the winter months.
If you’re spending time in Cape Coral in the winter months, be sure to schedule your visit around the Annual Burrowing Owl Festival. There are plenty of activities for both kids and adults at the festival. There’s a five dollar donation to enter the festival.
4. Visit Pine Island and Matlacha
Pine Island is less than 30 minutes away from downtown Fort Myers. The only way to get to Pine Island via car is on the Matlacha Pass Way. Matlacha is a small fishing village that was devastated by Hurricane Ian.
The village was known for it’s bright and colorful buildings and eclectic energy. One of the most well known spots in Matlacha, Leoma Longrove’s Gallery and Gardens is in the process of closing. The gallery was open for limited hours this winter and they are selling pieces that survived the hurricane.
Once you’ve driven through Matlacha, you can make your way to the Randell Research Center where you can learn about the Island’s history and environment. Before heading back to the mainland, grab some fresh fish at Salty Girls Island Cafe.
5. Spend a day shelling and exploring on Captiva and Sanibel Islands
6. Spend a few hours at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates
The Edison and Ford Estates have been in Fort Myers since the mid 1880’s. I’d recommend purchasing the tickets that include the self guided tour where you can listen to audio on your mobile device at your own pace. My favorite part of visiting the estates was walking through the Museum.
The artifacts in the Museum were incredible, including vehicles that Henry Ford himself drove as well as original lab equipment Thomas Edison used.
7. Grab a frozen drink and bite to eat at Jimmy Buffett’s new Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach
The Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers just opened in December of 2023! It’s a fun place to be if you’re looking for the party vibe while visiting. The resort has several dining options, my recommendation would be to go to the Lah De Dah beach bar and grill.
They don’t accept reservations, so give yourself plenty of time to get there and add your name to the list.
8. Spend a day at Fort Myers Beach
The devastation from Hurricane Ian is palpable, especially when you get to Fort Myers beach. While the pier is gone, you can still make a day of it at the beach! The majority of restaurants that were on/near the beach have temporarily become food trucks to stay open.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Cape Coral and Fort Myers after the Hurricane Ian disaster can still be a wonderful experience. The majority of the 8 things to do in Cape Coral and Fort Myers I’ve mentioned directly impact the local community, so it’s truly a win-win for everyone.
I hope this list helps you plan the best Spring Break yet! Want to visit both coasts in Florida? See if any of the 12 experiences on the East Coast should be added to your itinerary.
Now it’s time to start planning your own adventure, Cheers!
