Ft. Myers

[carwesty]

We are traveling to Ft. Myers for a budget vacation, staying with family the last week of March. Can anyone suggest things to do there for a 10 and 12 year old? How about day trips? And a nice beach, we have been to Ft. Myers beach, not really a fan and Sanibel, okay but too many broken shells for kids to play in sand. Thanks in advance for suggestions!

 

[scard192]

Trips to Naples and Marco Island - beautiful beaches there.

 

[WishIwerethere]

My family traveled to Fort Myers for spring break for many years. The kids loved playing miniature golf. There are some great courses. You can get discount coupons in those free travel magazines available at the door of drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc.

Sanibel Island has wonderful shelling, although it's a bit of a drive, particularly in traffic. The Bubble Room on Sanibel Island is a great restaurant for kids and adults alike, although it is not budget. (The gigantic desserts are to die for and can be taken to go.)

The pier at one end of Fort Myers Beach is a popular place to visit/eat/shop and used to (and may still) have an arcade nearby (but across the street). There is a pirate shop in that area that my kids loved to visit. The Thomas Edison House is a popular destination, but I've never been there.

The problem with Fort Myers is that it does not offer a lot of budget options (at least in my experience) except the wonderful beach. My kids just loved to spend lots of time playing in the sand and in the water.

 

[debster812]

We go to Bonita Springs every February, and we're about halfway between Ft Myers and Naples. Here's some of our favorites

Caribbean Gardens--The Zoo at Naples. Great little zoo, good for a day trip.

http://www.caribbeangardens.com/

Sun n' Fun Lagoon--it's a great little water park run by Collier County. It's a bit of a drive up from Ft Myers, but it's a GREAT take for a day.

http://www.colliergov.net/Index.aspx?page=2674

It's only $12 to get in, and I think last year my DH, DS and I all had lunch for <$25. You can't bring in outside food, but the food prices in the park are not outrageous.

Our favorite beach is Barefoot Beach in Bonita Beach.

You can also take the Trollee from Times Sq in Ft Myers Beach out to Lover's Key State Park, we like the walk along the beach there too.

Coconut Pointe Outdoor Mall is really pretty, and nice for a walk around if you're bored one day. It kind of reminds me of Disney a little bit. All the stores are built so it looks like you're strolling through neighborhoods, there are wooden bridges you have to drive over too.

 

[scard192]

I second Barefoot Beach, forgot about one! I've done the Edison House tour in Ft Myers and really enjoyed it; I'm a history buff

 

[VanessasMom]

The beach at the Naples Pier is one of my favorites in the world!!!! The pier itself is fun to go on and see fishermen (no fishing license required), the dolphins that come by everyday, and beautiful sunset. The beach itself is super nice. Very shallow far out. Fish are everywhere. Also, the famous shopping area of 3rd Ave is close by for a nice lunch/dinner and some great people watching. We were there in September and cannot wait to go back!

 

[nd5056]

...

The problem with Fort Myers is that it does not offer a lot of budget options (at least in my experience) except the wonderful beach. My kids just loved to spend lots of time playing in the sand and in the water.

Fort Myers Beach is not a budget vacation, but we loved it there. Twice we had stayed at the Pinks Shell Resort and our kids just loved the kiddy and the main pool. So did we.

Plus the coastal water is a bit cleaner (seaweeds) then just a half of a mile south from there.

And you get the white powdery sand, not crushed seashells like in Sanibel Island.

 

[WishIwerethere]

Fort Myers Beach is not a budget vacation, but we loved it there. Twice we had stayed at the Pinks Shell Resort and our kids just loved the kiddy and the main pool. So did we.

Plus the coastal water is a bit cleaner (seaweeds) then just a half of a mile south from there.

And you get the white powdery sand, not crushed seashells like in Sanibel Island.

Totally agree, although we do prefer the other end of Fort Myers Beach closer to Bonita due to traffic issues -- with that said, we stayed at the Pink Shell once and it was lovely and wonderful with great kids programs. I absolutely agree with the previous posters about Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs -- fantastic beach with nice facilities.

And Naples is always lovely, although with a bit different vibe than Fort Myers Beach, in my view . . . I will be in Naples in another couple of weeks and cannot wait. OP, hope you have a wonderful vacation!

 

[nd5056]

Oh, we had a shelling trip to the "Lovers Key" (???) south of FMB, loved that sandy beach too.

.

 

[Disneylush]

Sanibel Island / captiva beaches

 

[SILLYANDI]

My in laws are in ft myers and we have done most if not all of the above listed with our kids (age 5 to 12). We especially LOVE Sanibel Island. We also really enjoyed the 6 mile Cypress Slough, Manatee river Tour, kayaking the estuaries, and the Conservency of SW Florida (Ding Darling refuge)-these are all must sees when we go there.

 

[carwesty]

Thanks for all the suggestions, any other ideas would be appreciated. I guess budget to me is that we are driving and won't be paying for hotels since we are staying with family the entire time. They live in Cape Coral and we haven't been there for about 5 years so we have forgotten what there is to do and the kids are a little older now and don't want to just hang out by their pool all week. We don't necessary have to do things that are free. We have in mind going to a Boston Red Sox game and a day trip to a nice beach so the kids can just hangout and play, they love building sand castles so I want the beach to be nice and clean. The one time we took them to play at Ft. Myers beach, I have to be honest, I thought it was gross, like dirty sandbox sand. We also talked about taking a boat down to the Keys for the day, do they still do that out of Ft. Myers? Thanks again, I will have to look into these beaches and activities now!

 

[nd5056]

Key West Boat Shuttle from Fort Myers

.

 

[carwesty]

Wow, I didn't know it was 3 hours one way. That might be too long to be on a boat for one day for a 10 year old. Are there any other boat excursions out of Ft. Myers that would interest a 10 and 12 year old?

 

[scard192]

I think Red Sox Spring Training games sell out; get your tickets early.

 

[encinc]

Wow, I didn't know it was 3 hours one way. That might be too long to be on a boat for one day for a 10 year old. Are there any other boat excursions out of Ft. Myers that would interest a 10 and 12 year old?

There's a pirate cruise that runs out of Fort Myers Beach. Our boys are younger, but they had a great time! There were preteens on the boat with us, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves too.

 

[clh2]

My DD spent a week with her aunt and uncle last summer. In addition to shopping, they went snorkeling and kayaking.

 

[nd5056]

There's a pirate cruise that runs out of Fort Myers Beach...

You can see it in the Bay when crossing the bridge to the FMB. We did rent a pontoon boat with a “captain” (very nice retired gentlemen) just across the street from Pink Shell, on the Bay and did a shelling trip to Lovers Key. We saw giant Sting Rays and Dolphins on the way there too.

This is from Pink Shell web site:

Whatever you´re seeking in terms of excitement, you´re sure to find it at our Fort Myers Beach resort. Lounges, umbrellas, and cabanas are located beachside for relaxing by the brilliant Gulf waters. Shelling, nature, and sailing cruises are also a popular activity, departing regularly from the main dock of our hotel in Fort Myers. Take advantage of exciting dolphin tours and the nearby Blue Calussa Waterways. Rent a bike and explore the surrounding area, or embrace the tropical look with hair braiding and wrapping. If you enjoy the high seas, you can rent boats and charter fishing trips from our Fort Myers Beach resort's world-class marina. Waverunners, sailboats, and parasailing are also readily options for Fort Myers lodging guests looking for fun in the sun.

Also, check this out:

What To Do On Fort Myers Beach

 

[nd5056]

We'll skewer yer gizzard, ye salty sea bass, Arrr!


Pieces of Eight Pirate Cruise


.

 

[micheleq]

It's not the beach, but you can visit Thomas Edison's house and museum in Ft. Myers. Interesting and worth a trip if you like history! You can walk thru his workshop and his house -- it looks untouched from decades ago.