If you are planning a getaway to our islands, beaches and neighborhoods, check out the newly updated digital Visitor Guide for everything you need to assist in making vacation memories. tinyurl.com/FMVISITORGUIDE2024
Don’t miss: 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, who is known for his hit songs, “You Time,” “Damn Strait,” “Rise and Fall,” “Cab in a Solo” and many more.
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 Mettes, Robert Bidney, Karen Cohen, Bruce Gallant ad Roy Schneider. ACMA is the American Community Music Association.
- 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 still has VIP tickets available. The show takes place at Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach and includes performances by Kristian Bush, Kassi Ashton and Shane Profitt.
- Sept. 29: Scotty 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
Sundial Resort on Sanibel Island is taking reservations for stays beginning Sept. 30. Day passes are for a limited time beginning this month. Visit sundialresort.com/play/sundial-daycation for the latest details and a schedule of dining openings and more.
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
Woodspring Suites Fort Myers-Cape Coral opens
The new, 122-room, extended stay hotel is located at Colonial Blvd. near Interstate 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
Chill out with extreme over-the-top milkshakes at the recently opened Mean Mugs Milkshake Bar, located at Miromar Outlets in Estero. It’s part of the newly-opened 810 Billards & Bowling and in addition to the milkshake bar, just inside the entrance, the 28,000-square-foot venue offers 16 lanes of bowling, five pool tables, three Krazy Dart lanes, two sport simulators (including golf, soccer and football), four ax-throwing lanes, and an arcade packed with 63 games. Check out the shakes and ice cream at meanmugsmilkshakebar.com and everything offered at this fun venue at 810bowling.com/estero-fl
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/807?33?
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
Attractions news
You may not know that there are six Florida state parks in Lee County. Each one is a treasure to explore.
Gasparilla Island State Park, Boca Grande
The centerpiece of Gasparilla is the restored Port Boca Grande Lighthouse built in 1890. It houses a museum that is open to the public. Swimming, snorkeling, fishing and viewing nature are popular activities along with shelling beautiful beaches. Beach wheelchairs are available. Check details: visitfortmyers.com/beaches/gasparilla-island-state-park
Koreshan State Park, Estero
The Koreshan Unity Settlement, a nationally registered historic district, offers an opportunity to learn about these interesting and idealistic pioneers. Guided tours are available throughout the year of the landscaped grounds and 11 restored buildings. Nature trails meander along the Estero River for fishing, boating, canoeing. The campground's 60 secluded sites have water, power hook-ups. Twelve sites by the Estero River are designated tent camping. ADA campsites are available. Glamping is available in luxury safari tents. Details: visitfortmyers.com/listing/koreshan-state-park/42037
Mound House Archaeological State Park, Estero
Native Americans known as the Calusa were a non-agricultural hunting and gathering chiefdom that dominated the waters of Southwest Florida. Located in Estero Bay, the park is accessible only by boat and there are no facilities. Interpretive displays along the trail crossing the island help visitors discover the history of the island. Check details and boat launch locations: floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/mound-key-archaeological-state-park
Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach
Once a collection of secluded barrier islands, Lovers Key is a destination for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. The two-mile stretch of beach is popular for shelling, picnicking, fishing, and swimming. The Welcome and Discovery Center is an educational hub for curious park goers to learn more about the ecosystems, history, and recreational opportunities available at the park. Check for times, current openings and activities: visitfortmyers.com/beaches/lovers-key-state-park
Cayo Costa State Park, Cayo Costa
Accessible only by boat or kayak, this former fishing ground of the Calusa features nine miles of undeveloped, pristine shoreline for swimming, snorkeling, shelling, fishing and bird-watching. Shorebirds are numerous, and you may also spot manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles offshore. Details: visitfortmyers.com/beaches/cayo-costa-state-park
Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Estero
Enjoy miles of hiking trails through the preserve and viewing the variety of wildlife and native vegetation that the park protects. The bay is home to the bald eagle, gopher tortoise and fiddler crab and more. The trails are rugged and seasonally flood in some areas. Sturdy footwear, insect repellent, sunscreen and plenty of water are recommended. The preserve is accessible from two land locations: the Winkler Point entrance at 17981 Winkler Road in Fort Myers and the Estero River Scrub entrance at 4940 Broadway Ave. W. in Estero. Details: visitfortmyers.com/listing/estero-bay-preserve-state-park/39904
Wet Walks at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers
The Slough begins its wet walks this month and takes visitors to areas that normally are off limits to experience the beautiful wetlands. The season opens Aug.17 and runs through Oct. 26.
Comm & Réd. partir-magazine.com