tinyurl.com/FMVISITORGUIDE2024
July happenings
This July 4 offers a full schedule of parades, entertainment and fireworks throughout the area with events that include:
Downtown Fort Myers Star Spangled Salute
Venice Symphony Jazz Band performs at 6 p.m. at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheatre followed by fireworks.
myriverdistrict.com/events
Fort Myers Beach 4th of July parade and fireworks
10 a.m. parade and fireworks set to begin at 9 p.m.
fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-fourth-of-july-celebration
Cape Coral 4th of July Red, White & BOOM!
Entertainment begins at 5 p.m., Parmalee performs at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m. at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge.
capeboom.com
4th of July Star Spangled Bonita
Entertainment from 7-9 p.m., Glow golf cart parade at 8:30 p.m. followed by fireworks.
cityofbonitasprings.org/calendar
Sanibel Island 4th of July parade
From 9:30-11 a.m., the 31st annual parade rolls down Periwinkle Way. The Sanibel Recreation Center continues the celebration following the parade with hot dogs, games, pools and more at 3880 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel Island.
sanibel-captiva.org
Crazy about mangoes: MangoMania, Pine Island’s tropical food fair
Visit Pine Island for MangoMania and join the celebration of the island’s tropical fruit with food from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 13, at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Bokeelia.
Pie-eating contests (mango, of course), games, mango tastings, a plant sale and the world’s largest mango contest are just a few of the events scheduled. Don’t miss the music and kids’ activities. pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge offers free programs
Take a caravan tour down Wildlife Drive, a beach walk, a restorative nature walk and learn about bugs at “Insect Insanity” when you join the free summer programs at the refuge through July 31. Check details at dingdarlingsociety.org/seasonal-programs
Sea turtle nesting season runs through Oct. 31
Sea turtle nesting season is underway and runs through Oct. 31. And like our visitors, who return year after year to enjoy our beautiful beaches, the loggerheads return to the same beach time after time to deposit their eggs. For more information about sea turtle nesting season and how you can help, contact the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) sccf.org/what-we-do/protect-wildlife/sea-turtle-program or Turtle Time, Inc. at turtletime.org
Tips to protect our wildlife
Shield your lighting so that it is not visible from the beach. Sea turtles go toward the light instead of heading for the water.
When enjoying our beaches, take a bag and remove any litter that you may find on your walk. Balloons, plastic bags, foam and other non-degradable pollutants can cause the deaths of sea turtles if mistaken for food. Enjoy your fun at the beach but be sure to fill any holes when you leave.
Observe a nesting sea turtle from a distance. Don’t shine lights on or around her or she may abandon her effort to nest. Forgo taking photos or using smartphones and stay far away where she cannot see you as she crawls back to the water.
Plan ahead
Ticketed shows, headliners and more for 10th Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, named one of the Top 5 music fests by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, celebrates its 10-year anniversary with 10 days of outstanding performances, Sept. 20-29.
This year’s headliner is BMI singer-songwriter Scotty McCreery, whose hit song, “Cab in a Solo,” currently tops the country radio singles chart, according to Mediabase.
Island Hopper gives fans the opportunity to see singer-songwriters perform in smaller venues with a tropical setting as the backdrop. Catch a live Island Hopper performance at these four locations around the Fort Myers area:
- Captiva Island, Sept. 20-22
- Cape Coral, Sept. 23-24
- Downtown Fort Myers, Sept. 25-26
- Fort Myers Beach, Sept. 27-29
While most Island Hopper performances are free, a few experiences, will be ticketed:
Sept. 25: ACMA showcase at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers includes performances by Bill Mette, Robert Bidney, Karen Cohen, Bruce Gallant ad Roy Schneider. ACMA is the Association of Classical Musicians and Artists.
Sept. 26: five-time Grammy nominee and BMI singer-songwriter Jeffrey Steele will join the Gulf Coast Symphony in a live performance at the Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers.
Sept. 27: Music Row @ Margaritaville is a free event with VIP tickets available for purchase. The show takes place at Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach and includes performances by Kristian Bush, Kass8i Ashton and Shane Proffit.
Sept. 29: Scott McCreery will wrap up Island Hopper with a pool party performance at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach.
For the full lineup and ticket information, along with additional special events, visit IslandHopperFest.com or download the Island Hopper app.
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is presented by BMI, iHeart Radio’s Cat Country 107.1, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods. Follow the festival hashtag #islandhopperfest as well as Instagram and Facebook.
Accommodations news
Captiva Island Inn has reopened on Andy Rosse Lane in the heart of Captiva Village. Located close to Gulf beaches, restaurants and shopping, the inn is taking reservations for its cottages, suites and two vacation homes. captivaislandinn.com
New 12-hole golf course opens at South Seas
South Seas on Captiva Island has opened its 12-hole golf short course, The Clutch (named after a turtle’s nest). The walking course is designed by Beau Welling and pairs natural beauty, strategic challenges and a family-friendly atmosphere. Designed for players of all ages and skill levels, the course caters to a wide spectrum of abilities and enhances the enjoyment of the game for everyone. The course is available to members and resort guests with a confirmed reservation during their dates of stay. southseas.com/the-clutch
Learn more about what is open at South Seas and to book reservations. southseas.com
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs ranked as the 17th top pool hotel in the U.S. News & World Report “Best Hotel” awards. The awards are based on an evaluation of rankings from awards, hotel class, and guest ratings. travel.usnews.com/hotels/pools-florida-r59
Woodspring Suites Fort Myers-Cape Coral opens
The new, 122-room, extended stay hotel is located at Colonial Blvd. near I-75 in Fort Myers.
woodspring.com/extended-stay-hotels/locations/florida/fort-myers/woodspring-suites
Fins Up! Beach Club opens at Margaritaville Beach Resort at Fort Myers Beach
Resort guests and day pass holders enjoy the amenities of this action-packed aquatic playground situated on the Gulf of Mexico and Matanzas Bay. margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-beach-resort-fort-myers-beach
Dining/entertainment news
Blossom & Brie, an 86-acre working farm located in North Fort Myers, is serving farm-fresh dining experiences for lunch, dinner and brunch. Farm-to-table menu items include Smoked Red Wattle Pulled Pork Sandwich with Uncle Bubby’s “Sweet Heat” BBQ sauce, Smash Burgers that feature grass-fed and finished ground beef, and the Florida Farm Bowl with greens grown at Blossom & Brie’s vertical, sustainable freight farm located on the property.
Visitors can stroll the property and visit Blossom, a miniature donkey and the namesake of the farm, plus her two offspring, Margaret and Humphrey. Guests may also meet the Florida Cracker sheep, chickens, Longhorn cattle and Red Wattle pigs that live on the farm. Details: BlossomandBrie.com
It’s a new chapter for an old favorite and diners couldn’t be happier. Visitors to Captiva Island over the years will remember the fine dining restaurant, Bellini’s. It’s back and in a new space in Cypress Square in Fort Myers. Check out the menus and details. bellinisfortmyers.com
The Capital Grille has opened in Bell Tower in Fort Myers. The 10,156-square-foot fine dining restaurant is known for dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and a world-class wine list. thecapitalgrille.com/locations/fl/fort-myers/fort-myers/8073?
Popular Lighthouse Café of Sanibel has reopened in a new location and is serving its “World’s Best Breakfast,” and lunch daily. On the island since 1968, it now has outdoor seating, some of the same servers and the treasured vintage lighthouse photos from the previous location. The same sweet and savory dishes are on the menu along with daily specials. lighthousecafe.com
Bay Street Yard opens in downtown Fort Myers
Bay Street Yard, a destination for live entertainment, craft beers, artisan beverages and food trucks, has opened at 2136 Bay St. in downtown Fort Myers. The new venue features two full-service bars, food trucks serving up tailored menu options, seating for over 300 people and a second level with VIP seating, and accommodations for private functions of up to 451 people. With an emphasis on entertainment, a covered stage will feature live performances. BayStreetYard.com
The Yucatan Bar and Grill has reopened its popular spot in Matlacha. Popular with locals and tourists, the waterfront restaurant serves up a menu of island cuisine, live music and fun. yucatanwaterfront.com
One of the oldest restaurants on Pine Island, the Waterfront Restaurant and Marina has reopened in St. James City. Accessible by water or land, the restaurant overlooks a scenic canal and is known for its seafood and sunsets. waterfrontrestaurantmarina.com
Serving waffles and more, Let’s Waffle has opened in Cape Coral. Serving “love at first bite,” with sweet, savory, heart-shaped waffles. letswaffleflorida.com
Recently opened Wickies Lighthouse restaurant at 362 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island, is a venture between the owners of two iconic island restaurants, the soon-to-be-rebuilt Island Cow and Mad Hatter. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with a full bar and signature drinks. The owners also own and operate the adjacent Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine. wickieslighthouserestaurant.com and themagicbussanibel.com
Three new restaurants coming to Coconut Point, Estero, this fall
After relocating his original Fort Myers Beach restaurants, Fresh Catch Bistro and Junkanoo Below Deck, to a new location on Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, Franco Russo recently launched Stone’s Throw restaurant, as well as co-launched Hooked Island Grill in Cape Coral. The new Estero location of Fresh Catch will include an expanded menu to include burgers and pastas along with seafood favorites. freshcatchbistro.com
PJK Neighborhood Chinese Restaurant specializes in scratch-made coastal Chinese with fresh specialty dishes that showcase a mix of traditional and modern Asian flavors. Its menu includes exclusive entrees, small plates, wok classics, dim sum and craft cocktails. pjkchinese.com
Third restaurant scheduled for fall at Coconut Point is Real Seafood Co., specializing in a full range of seafood including such as grouper, sea bass, salmon, perch, blue crab, clams, oysters, shrimp, scallops and Maine lobster, as well as a raw bar, steaks and chicken. In addition to dinner entrees, the upscale restaurant’s menu includes shared plates, soups, salads and desserts. realseafoodcorestaurant.com
Attractions news
Visit a park for National Park & Recreation Month
July is National Park & Recreation Month and there is no better way to celebrate than by spending time at our local parks, on the beach, hiking or visiting a preserve. Lee County Parks & Recreation is dedicated to keeping our parks safe and beautiful for our visitors and residents to enjoy. To learn more about our parks and programs being offered this summer and throughout the year, visit leegov.com/parks/programs.
Planning to travel this summer? Take advantage of the National Park’s “America the Beautiful” annual pass for savings. This pass includes J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Details: store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes
Neighborhood Mural Program
Highlighting what makes each area of the destination special, visitors are enjoying the experience of a neighborhood mural program. The “placemaking initiative” by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau is done in partnership with the Fort Myers Mural Society. The project gives visitors a chance to interact with the murals’ designs by taking and sharing photos.
The locations of this latest mural project include:
- the side of Eagle’s Nest Restaurant on Pine Island
- a double-mural on both sides of the entrance doors into the North Fort Myers Recreation Center
- Lakes Park in Fort Myers for a series of murals in the children’s garden
- the side of the Community Redevelopment Agency building at 1231 Lafayette Street in Cape Coral
- the side of the Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce building on Sanibel Island
The next neighborhood mural will be in Lehigh Acres at a pavilion at Veteran’s Park. fortmyersmuralsociety.com
Learn more about the mural program in the Fort Myers area: visitfortmyers.com/visit/editorial/making-splash-evolution-fort-myers-mural-movement
Calusa Blueway Challenge
Take the Calusa Blueway Challenge and celebrate 20 years of the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail by checking in at locations along the trail for a chance to win prizes. Earn points as you paddle and check in at attractions, restaurants, parks and nature spots along the trail. Paddle on your own, experience a guided tour, shop at a local business or grab a bite to eat as you explore the 200-mile marked trail that meanders through the back-bay estuaries, rivers, and shorelines of Fort Myers Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods. Complete a certain number of check-ins on the pass to be entered to win a Body Glove iSUP Performer 11’ or a two-night stay at Tarpon Lodge. Details and sign up: visitfortmyers.com/CalusaBluewayChallenge
Sun Saver Passport: Dine, Play, Shop, Sip
This popular, digital savings pass provides instant access to a variety of deals and experiences from area attractions, restaurants and more across four categories: Dine, Play, Shop and Sip. Sign up is simple and free. Passports are instantly delivered to phones via text and email. And there is an option for users to save the pass on their home screen for one-tap access. Sign up now to start saving. visitfortmyers.com/sun-saver-passport
Cape Coral Quest 2.0: Win prizes and explore
Start exploring with the latest pass to earn discounts and rewards in Cape Coral. Known for its unique shopping opportunities, restaurants, and more than 400 miles of canal waterways, the area is full of vibrant culture. Each participating location has a four-digit code somewhere on the property. Answer 20 riddles to be entered to win the grand prize: a two-night stay at The Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village with daily breakfast. Enter all 30 codes and you’ll earn a 2024 Sunsplash Season Pass! Get your pass, check out details and tips at visitfortmyers.com/cape-coral-quest and start participating on any mobile device.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) news
New air service at RSW
Breeze Airways
- Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT) weekly, starting Oct. 2
- Stewart/Newburgh, New York (SWF) weekly, starting Oct. 2
- Lansing, Michigan (LAN) weekly, starting Oct. 3
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania (AVP) weekly, starting Oct. 3
- Bangor, Maine (BGR) weekly, starting Oct. 5
For more information, visit flyrsw.com