12 Things to Do in Cape Coral and Fort Myers in 2025
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. Sadly, this area was devastated by Hurricane Ian in September, 2022 and most recently in 2024 with the damage can still visible today.
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:
Cape Coral and Fort Myers Highlights
✅ Go Shelling on Captiva Island
Top 12 Things to do in Cape Coral and Fort Myers
To make your trip planning less complicated, I’ve detailed a list of 12 best things to do while visiting Cape Coral and Fort Myers as the area continues to recover from the hurricane damage.
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. Grab a bite to eat at Two Meatballs in the Kitchen
There are two locations in the area. It’s a fun spot with fresh Italian food and huge portions. You must order Mama’s meatballs and their Limoncello Marscarpone. Yum!!
5. Catch a Spring Training Game at jetBlue Park (Late February – March)
Both the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins call the jetBlue Park home for spring training in February and March. The stadium is directly across the highway from the Southwest Florida Airport. I’d recommend buying tickets a week or two in advance of your arrival as the games tend to sell out.
6. 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.
7. Spend a day shelling and exploring on Captiva and Sanibel Islands
Both Captiva and Sanibel are well known for their immaculate beaches where you can spend hours collecting sea shells. My three favorite beaches for shelling on each island are listed below:
⛱️ Bowman’s Beach
⛱️ Turner Beach
⛱️ Silver Key Beach
Be prepared to pay for parking at any of the beaches on the islands. All of the lots have the option to pay via your phone on an hourly rate. The earlier you get to the beach, the better chance you have of collecting shells before the crowds arrive.
A fun way to explore the islands is by renting a vintage Moke or a golf cart especially if Mother Nature is working in your favor! You’ll still have to pay for parking but you can leave your car at the rental lot.
If you’re visiting between May and October, be sure to check out the turtles! They’ll be nesting during this time period.
The islands were devastated by Hurricane Ian and much of the original infrastructure was destroyed. The majority of the restaurants still in business have opted for food trucks while their buildings are rebuilt.
Top three places to check out on the Islands to grab food
A lot of these locations are still recovering from recent hurricanes, but the food is just as good!
👉 Blue Giraffe (food truck is open with limited hours)
👉 The Mucky Duck (normal operating hours as of February 2024)
👉 The Bubble Room (the building is under repair but their neighboring shop Boop’s by the Bubble Room is open for coffee and pastries)
Shan’s tip: Fix your sweet tooth with a scoop of ice cream from the Magic Bus on Sanibel! They’re always changing their flavors and the shop has plenty of photo opportunities.
If you need a break from the beach but still want to l enjoy the outdoors, grab a bike rental and cruise around J.N. Ding Darling Refuge park. The park is closed on Fridays and in inclement weather.
8. Grab a Bite and Brew at Fort Myers Brewing Company
Be sure to check this spot out before or after you catch a baseball game. The brewery has been in business for over ten years! It has great vibes and different events are taking place almost every day whether it’s trivia or yoga.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Go on a Tiki Sunset Cruise
The Tiki Pub in Fort Myers is a locally run and operated company that provides an opportunity to get on the water and not break the bank. The boats are fully stocked with an iced cooler, bathroom and a designated captain. They offer tours at all times of day, but the sunset tour is my personal favorite!
12. 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.
Here are a few spots you should check out while you’re at the beach:
✔️ Heavenly Biscuits & Mom’s place
✔️ Yo Taco
✔️ Meli’s
Shan’s tip: If you’re looking to catch the sunset, make your way north of Fort Myers Island and watch the sunset at Bodwitch Point Park. Or, you can head south on the island to Lovers Key Beach. Both options offer fantastic views, and depending on the time of year, you can also avoid most of the crowds at these spots.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Cape Coral and Fort Myers after the Hurricane Ian disaster can still be a wonderful experience. The majority of the 12 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 has inspired you to visit Cape Coral and Fort Myers any time of year and enjoy the Sunshine State. 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!
