New attractions are being added to the lineup of things Southwest Florida residents can do to keep cool and enjoy some water fun with one now open and one to come.
Great Wolf Lodge (Now open)
Great Wolf Lodge opened in Naples with a vast array of fun for all ages.
The lodge includes a ...
Karen Schneider walked into the Shell Factory Nature Park more than a decade ago and never left.
Before the economy changed in 2008, the Shell Factory Nature Park director worked for a wholesale tree nursery that, before it closed, sold to new construction projects.
"Upon the tree nursery ...
It has survived hurricanes, fires, recessions, two bankruptcies, the construction of I-75 and a pandemic. Yet, for 84 years, the Shell Factory & Nature Park has managed to remain one of the few Old Florida, must-stop tourist attractions.
The Shell Factory did this by coming into ownership ...
The Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs offers several enhanced guest experiences for up-close and personal encounters with a selection of their 300 rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable animals at the 86-year-old attraction.
“There’s always something interesting at the gardens, with ...
The Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, built in 1890, is a popular site to visit at the south end of the island. The lighthouse is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday from November through June. The months of June through October – except August when it is ...
Visit the Mound House and see how one of the oldest cultures, the Calusa Indians, lived on Estero Island. Go underground to view the 2,000-year-old shell mound that the Calusa Indians built their homes on, that the museum is currently built on.
Visit moundhouse.org for ticket prices and hours ...
BIG ARTS has been providing cultural enrichment and fulfillment to island residents and visitors since 1979. BIG ARTS began when a group of artists dreamed of a cultural center on the island. Today, BIG ARTS members and participants enjoy a wide spectrum of performing and visual arts events, ...
The Herb Strauss Schoolhouse Theater at 2200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, has been entertaining visitors and residents for many years with popular musical and comedy productions with Broadway-quality talent.
One of the most enchanting aspects of secret or secluded beaches is the sense of discovery that comes with finding them. Unlike popular beaches that are often crowded and overdeveloped, hidden beaches offer a sense of exclusivity and intimacy that is hard to come by elsewhere. For those willing ...
The undisturbed pristine island offers nine miles of beautiful beaches, as well as acres of pine forests, oak palm hammocks and mangrove swamps. The island is only accessible by private boat or through ferry service. The regular park hours are from 8 a.m. to sundown all year round. There are a ...
Algiers BeachGulf Side City Park, SanibelParking (Metered), Picnic Area, Refreshments, Restrooms, ShellingBarefoot Beach State PreserveUS 41 to Bonita Beach Road and then West, Bonita BeachHandicap Access, Paid Parking (Entrance Fee), Picnic Area, Restrooms, Shelling, Trails/PathsBoca Grande ...
Bonita Springs/EsteroBarefoot Beach, Bonita Beach Road, then WestBonita Beach, Hickory Blvd at Bonita Beach RdLovers Key, County Road 865, EsteroDog Beach, County Road 865, Estero
Carson Trania, his dad Robert, and Carson’s girlfriend, Alyssa Chetti, fished 20 miles west of New Pass on Thursday morning, July 22. They used cut-bait and squid to catch and release 15 red grouper shorts to 19 inches, two lane snapper shorts, and four yellowtail snapper shorts. They boxed ...
We closed out July with extremely warm days and this will continue into August as we are in the meat of summer. The water temperature is very warm, often in excess of 90 degrees by mid-day. Most days the better fishing comes over the morning hours as the water is at its coolest. If you don’t ...
Fishermen's Village Yacht Basin: Located at the Peace River Marker No. 3, 941-575-3000.Punta Gorda Marina: Located at 25096 Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda, just west of the U.S. 41 Bridge at the north end of Charlotte Harbor, 941-639-2750.Burnt Store Marina: Located at Burnt Store Marker No. 2. ...
Unique parks and recreational areas are scattered throughout Lee County. They offer visitors a chance to soak up the area’s special natural landscape and they each offer something different. Before visiting, be sure to check lightning alert widgets and practice lightning safety. All parks are ...
The latest episode of Shellcast, the podcast that’s a beach break for your ears, visits Manatee Park in Fort Myers.
Episode 9, “When I get older, I want to be a manatee,” includes an interview recorded in February with Laura Carr, Lee County Parks & Recreation specialist. Carr talks ...
In the middle of Estero Bay nestled between the Estero River and Big Carlos Pass is an archaeological wonderland called Mound Key. The main trail, known as the Eco-Archaeo Trail, divides the island and is a 15-20 minute hike from one end to the other. It will leave visitors amazed, ...
Cape CoralArt Studio/Rubicond Park4533 Coronado ParkwayArt classes and gallery, exhibits and gift shops, recreation center, restrooms and volunteer programsBurnt Store Boat Ramp230 Burnt Store Road, SouthBoat ramp (freshwater access), concession and restroomsBurton Memorial Park1502 NE 3rd ...
CROW, or the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, is a teaching hospital and visitor education center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine.
Each year, CROW cares for approximately 3,500 wildlife patients ...
Lee County abounds in wildlife - everythng from nesting birds to creatures of the sea.Among them:Burrowing OwlThe burrowing owl, previously Cape Coral's unofficial mascot, was named the city's official bird in September 2005. It stands nine inches tall and weighs in at about four ounces, but ...