Help with Fort Myers Beach Restaurants

[winterman]

DH and I are going to Fort Myers Beach for 8 days in mid October. We have never been in that area before and wonder if anyone can suggest some restaurants. (We love seafood.) We would be most interested in the ones in the Times Square area as we will be in walking distance. We will also go to Sanibel Island for a day. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[sam.diss@btinternet.]

We are also off there next easter and would like to know ?

 

[Kae]

The Bridge which is right under the bridge to Ft Myers Beach is good. I know more about Naples' restaurants. And there are some goods places going toward Bonita.

And not food but if you love Jewelry you have to go to 'The Best of Everything'

Kae

 

[jeffreyml]

We visited the area over spring break for the first time and stayed in Cape Coral. The bridge was good, The Crab Shack on the main road into Ft Myers Beach was good. In Cape Coral about a 15-20 drive try Rum Runners, great views of the boats with indoor and outdoor dining.

 

[OldSchoolDisney]

Not sure what your family size is but here is a couple suggestions......our family has a place on Sanibel and we go down there yearly...........


Good bar food and atmosphere definitely go to Lazy Flamingo which is on Perriwinkle right after you get on to island.........

If you want a incredible island dining experience go to the Mucky Duck on Captiva Island (connected to Sanibel)...........the food is to die for and the sunsets are incredible.......go early relax on the beach and then go eat.......make sure you are there for the sunset, one of the best anywhere.........check out their website at muckyduck dot com ........I can't recommend this place highly enough for a beautiful relaxing evening, and make sure you request a window seat..................

Have fun, is a beautiful area..............

 

[sam.diss@btinternet.]

Thanks very much, we will definately give them a go. Do you think Fort myers is a nice area to stay as a family or would you say that sanibel/captiva is nicer as we still have the option to change if we wanted to( we are currently booked at the Diamondhead). we have two daughters 9 and 8 would appreciate your opinion as have never been to any of these areas before ??Thanks

 

[OldSchoolDisney]

Well, I haven't ventured over to Ft. Myers Beach in a few years, once you fly in and go out onto Sanibel don't have a lot of reason to leave the island to be honest........I have a 11,10, and 6 year old and they love to go shelling and hang out at the beach skim boarding etc...........Ft. Myers Beach is more the classic Florida beach town, a little run down in spots, some beautiful new development and much more mini golf, movie theatres, every fast food chain etc............

Sanibel/Captiva is much quieter (although it can get busy certain times of the year and quaint roadways are not built to handle it)........more expensive and much more natural............basically at 10 pm they roll up the sidewalks and everyone is in bed, if your kids are looking to be entertained versus entertaining themselves the island will not be for them ( and is I believe a $8 charge every time you go on and off the island)...........but the restaurants are wonderful, the beach is fantastic and the scenery is beautiful............

Again if you choose to stay in Ft. Myer's definitely spend a day or two out on Sanibel and definitely go to the Mucky Duck (dinner/sunset) and the lazy Flamingo (lunch/late dinner)...............spend a day at Bowman's Beach on Sanibel (get there early), you won't regret it........................

 

[sam.diss@btinternet.]

Ok, It sounds like Ft.Myers might be a good base for us but we will definately venture over the bridge and try your suggestions. Coming from ' raining all the time england' my kids will be very happy to entertain themselves in the sunshine on the beach, making sandcastles and shelling. We are really looking forward to it, thanks for your help.

 

[OldSchoolDisney]

By the way, the Mucky Duck was founded by a couple tourists from England I believe (their is a history of the restaurant on their website) and is still very much run like an english pub/restaurant.........but (and I hope you don't take offense) their food is much better..............

 

[Kae]

I am pretty sure there is a Kids Muesum in Ft Myers & Thomas Edison's House. If you venture south to Naples go to Yabba in Olde Naples. And the Carribein Gardens are fun also in Naples.

Kae

 

[sam.diss@btinternet.]

........but (and I hope you don't take offense) their food is much better..............

None taken, one of the things I love about coming to the USA is the lovely food. Things have improved in the UK in recent years, but I know it does have a bad reputation, we still have a longggggggg way to go

Thanks Kae, I am glad there is a thomas edison museum there, it will be good as my daughter has just done a project at school about him, so very educational !!!!!

 

[swilshire]

Thanks very much, we will definately give them a go. Do you think Fort myers is a nice area to stay as a family or would you say that sanibel/captiva is nicer as we still have the option to change if we wanted to( we are currently booked at the Diamondhead). we have two daughters 9 and 8 would appreciate your opinion as have never been to any of these areas before ??Thanks

I wouldn't hesitate for a second to pick Sanibel/Captiva over Fort Myers. I've stayed at both. Fort Myers is nice enough, but the last place we stayed was noisy ALL the time from the constant traffic. The trip over the bridge can take FOREVER.

I've never had a bad day on either Sanibel or Captiva. It's one of my favorite beach type areas.

Sheila

 

[swilshire]

Coming from ' raining all the time england'

I can vouch for that. We were there 24 days in June and it rained for 24 days. We came home to one of the worst droughts in history. We didn't see a drop of rain here for weeks after our return. Still haven't seen a lot, though we're getting the remnants of the hurricane today along with a cold front and some pretty nice rain.

Sheila

 

[sam.diss@btinternet.]

I think we have had a really bad summer this year but now its september its been lovely. Sorry it was so awful for you while you were here.

I will have a look at Sanibel and consider changing if I can find a nice hotel with the company we have booked with. Thanks for your help.

 

[ttfn3]

We vacationed in Fort Myers Beach the last week of July - after many years of vacationing at Sanibel. Our family wanted to try something new this year. We liked Parrot Key which is across the bridge. Very good seafood and family friendly. We also liked Snug Harbour - which is within walking distance of Times Square. Checkout the 3D mural. They have 3D glasses for you to use. We enjoyed a little more upscale dinner with family. Very good.

There's a great ice cream shop at Times Square. I believe it's called 1000 flavores. Very Yummy!

We also had a fun time at the Barking Shark - more of a restaurant/bar. We helped a local celebrate their birthday and listed to a local band.

I would highly recommend you check out tripadvisor for Fort Myers Beach. Lots of good advice there.

 

[sam.diss@btinternet.]

Thanks ttfn3, I will make a note of your suggestions and have a look when we go, Thanks again.

 

[ttfn3]

You're welcome!

I thought of another restaurant. It's on Fort Myers Beach - however, much farther down the beach from Fort Myers. Avoid the Junkanoo. We called it the Junk a NO!

Another hint - save your shopping for Sanibel. Much better than Fort Myers. Tho. DS enjoyed the pirate shop near Fort Myers Beach.

 

[sam.diss@btinternet.]

Hi, you said you thought of another restaurant but you dont tell me what it is or were you just warning me of the one to avoid, anyway thanks for that we will avoid junk a no !!

 

[ttfn3]

The "Junk a NO" is the one that I was referring to. Sorry for being a bit confusing.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[viluvsdisney]

We'd love to know where exactly that is...it sounds like a similiar shop we came across in Seattle. We'll be in FM before heading up to WDW (My Dad lives in FM). We've always skipped across to Sanibel and never went into FM Beach. But we'd take a trip down to hit the Pirate Shop for a few minutes - our DS would love it!