Those visiting Southwest Florida for a relaxing vacation often include a day trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel or to Marco Island and the charming city of Naples on their itineraries. Compared to the busier southeast coast of Florida and its bustling cities such as Miami, visiting the southwest coast of the state allows you to have a quieter vacation while experiencing some of the best things to do in the sunshine state of U.S.A – Florida.

Pristine white sandy beaches, glorious sunsets, abundant natural preserves that give a glimpse into Florida’s wildlife and ecosystems, and overall relaxed vibe, delicious seafood and the oh so famous key lime pie – just thinking of all these things makes me want to revisit this inviting region along Florida’s southwest coast.

During a trip to Marco Island earlier this year, we decided to take a day trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel and explore some of its popularity as well as its lesser-known sites at a leisurely pace. The weather on that sunny February day was perfect – neither too hot or humid which made it all the more pleasurable for us to explore its various sites spread around the town and beyond at a relaxed pace. Based on our experiences, this travel guide offers the perfect blend of popular and off-the-beaten-path things to do on a day trip to Fort Myers along with our recommendation of where to stay on Marco Island.

Marco Island – An Ideal Base For Exploring Southwest Florida

Marco Island is located south of the cities of Fort Myers and Naples, Florida, and makes for a great base to explore the region. With over six miles of white sandy beaches, upscale beachside resorts, and a variety of adventure activities such as parasailing, shelling tours, sunset cruises, excursions to Ten thousand Islands and airboat tours to Everglades – Marco Island is the perfect place to get away from it all and allow yourself to slow down.

Our stay at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort

We stayed at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort during our trip to Southwest Florida. Staying at this resort is certainly a splurge, but one that’s well worth it. There were plenty of fantastic restaurants onsite including Maia, Quinn’s on the Beach, Ario, Kane, Korals to name a few as well as easy access for guests to inviting pools, a luxurious spa, and the beach.

Compared to my generally hectic lifestyle, it felt like there was nothing more relaxing than just sitting at the beach watching the sunset or lazing around in the hammocks near the beachfront – pure bliss!

The best time to plan a day trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel

Fort Myers, Marco Island, Naples the nearby Sanibel are popular year-round destinations. However, given the heat and humidity that is prevalent during the summer months, the ideal time to visit this region is from Jan to March when the day time temperatures haven’t still crept up into the high 90s (F) and tend to stay in the more comfortable range of mid to upper 70s (F).

Planning a day trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel from Marco Island during these months allows visitors to experience a quieter vacation at better rates since the peak season happens to be in the hot summer months with so many visitors heading towards Florida’s coast to enjoy its beaches during the summer break. Moreover, visiting Fort Myers during these comparatively cooler months allows you to see the manatees in their natural refuges near power plants, such as at the Lee County Manatee Park in Fort Myers or even in the harbor at times.

The best things to do on a day trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel Island

There’s so much to see and do in Southwest Florida that you can easily spend a week in the region and explore its charming cities including Naples, Marco Island, Fort Myers, and Sanibel along with seeing its abundant flora and fauna in parks such as Everglades. Whether you are planning a day trip to Fort Myers or staying in the city, this list of some of the best things to do in the city offers a perfect blend of popular and off-the-beaten-path sites to explore in the city.

1.An early start to your day with an indulgent breakfast at Maia in JW Mariott Marco Island

Ok, I get it – many of you might be planning a day trip to Fort Myers from elsewhere and might not necessarily be based in Marco Island during the course of your trip. However, if you are, then I highly recommend that before you head out for your day trips to the nearby cities and nature preserves of the region from Marco Island, stop by Maia at JW Mariott. The breakfast served at this restaurant located on the lower level of the resort is hearty and scrumptious. You can choose to order a la carte or enjoy the buffet-style breakfast which is what I did. Sampling the wide variety of cheeses, meats, fresh fruits, potatoes, baked goodies, and made to order omelets was the perfect start to the day – quite an indulgence to say the least.

Click here to book your stay at JW Mariott Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida.

2. Head over to Lee County Manatee Park in Fort Myers

If you’d like to see the manatees in their natural refuge during your day trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel, then be sure to stop by at Manatee Park located in Fort Myers. The manatees can be frequently spotted in the waters of the discharge canal of the nearby power plant from the park during the winter months.

During these cooler months, manatees often flock to the warm waters near the power plants rather than swim in the cold waters of the Gulf. Seeing the famous Florida manatees in person at the budget and family-friendly Manatee Park in Fort Myers is an experience in itself.

3. Explore Downtown Fort Myers and First Street

Fort Myers is also known as the City of Palms and as you walk along First Street of this historic downtown, it’s easy to see why this area is the historical and cultural heart of the city. The first royal palms were planted in Fort Myers in 1897 and impart a sub-tropical feel to the downtown. Downtown Fort Myers is often referred to as the River District and stretches for quite a few miles south of the Caloosahatchee River.

The best way to discover this part of town leisurely is on foot rather than just driving past in the car. If you get tired while exploring the River District, you can always wave down the free trolley at the stop points along the street. Both the Blue and Gold trolley lines provide access to downtown Fort Myers. With plenty of restaurants, galleries, trendy boutiques, and unique sculptures along its brick-lined streets and a backdrop of buildings dating back to the 1900s, it’s no wonder that downtown Fort Myers feels like an attraction in itself.

4. Discover the Iron Giants of Fort Myers

If you want to meet the most famous residents of Fort Myers then all you’ll need to do is wander around downtown Fort Myers while looking out for the 7-10 feet tall iron sculptures that adorn its streets. In January 2016, the mayor of the city unveiled 23 iron giants in downtown Fort Myers. These sculptures were created by the renowned sculptor and artist from Cartagena, Colombia – Edgardo Carmona. The sculptor mentioned during the unveiling that he used hydraulic machines, sandblasting and a proprietary technique to impart the characteristic lasting color that the sculptures bear today.

These sculptures capture the everyday life of people. For example, there are sculptures depicting a fisherman, domino players, a woman with her umbrella on a stormy day, a cyclist with his dog, a juggler on a unicycle, men playing chess, a knife sharpener to name a few. Prior to arriving in Southwest Florida, the exhibit had been on temporary display around 18 European cities. The exhibit was initially supposed to be on temporary display for a couple of months following its unveiling in Fort Myers. Given its popularity though, the exhibit of the Iron Giants has been extended and the statues still stand tall currently in Fort Myers with plenty of visitors posing next to them in their photographs.

So if you happen to plan a day trip to Fort Myers, do make a stop along the River District to see these unique artistic creations. Heading off on a self-guided walking tour of downtown Fort Myers on a hunt for these statues makes for a fun family activity and is a great way to explore the city.

5. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Pinchers Crab Shack during your day trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel

Pinchers Crab Shack first opened in 1997 in Bonita Springs featuring fresh Florida seafood and cuisine. Its popularity grew soon after and since then they have opened several restaurants now across the state. We stopped by at Pinchers at the Marina at Edison Ford for a delicious and budget-friendly lunch.

Our group ordered Ahi tuna, Gator bites (yes, that’s alligator meat), grilled Mahi Mahi, Fish n’ Chips, and Alaskan Snow Crab. The food was fresh, packed with flavors, and was certainly one of the best meals we had on our trip to Southwest Florida. The highlight for me though was their signature key lime pie – a must-try when in Florida! Here’s a tip – if you visited the Edison Ford Estates earlier during the day, save your wristbands as showing that will get you one slice of free key lime pie serving per person.

Even though there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating with a view of the marina at this restaurant, it does get pretty packed, and wait times can be well over 30-45 minutes at times. We did have to wait for over 45 minutes to be seated during which we took a leisurely stroll along the marina and enjoyed admiring the quirky decorative plaques and hand-painted artwork at the restaurant that give the restaurant its friendly, inviting, seafood shack atmosphere.

6. Stroll along the Marina at Edison Ford

While waiting to be seated at the nearby Pinchers restaurant, we took a relaxing stroll along the Marina. The Marina is lined by palm trees and condominiums at its right edge and is dotted by several docked vessels and yachts in its waters. We were lucky enough to spot some dolphins swimming carefree in the waters of the Caloosahatchee River as we sat along the edge of the marina. Later on, one of the employees working at the restaurant also mentioned that the waters of the marina are frequented by manatees as well during the cooler months. There are 45 public docking areas around the marina. To learn more about the dockage rates per vessel, check the Marina Edison Ford site.

7. Take a tour of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates on your day trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel

A visit to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates located along McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers is a must for history buffs like me and for those who would like to take a tour of its famous gardens. Sitting on 20 acres, there is so much to explore on this property that is home to historical buildings, the Edison Botanic Research Lab, Edison Ford Museum and the award-winning Moonlight Garden. Plan on spending 2.5 to 3 hours on this must-see attraction of Fort Myers to make the most of your visit.

The Estate and its gardens

The famous inventor -Thomas Edison, and his close friend, Ford Motor Company founder – Henry Ford, established their winter estates, botanical laboratory and gardens in Fort Myers from 1885-1930s. Nestled along the Caloosahatchee River, this was their base for several noteworthy inventions, many of which are showcased in the onsite museum as well as for their travels around Florida.

The furnishings of the homes around the estate take you back in time to the 1920s while the lighting fixtures showcase Edison’s Electrolier lighting fixtures. A tour of Edison’s Botanic Research lab offers a snapshot of the site where he had worked on nearly 17,000 plants while trying to figure out the source of rubber.

Touring the gardens of the estates allows you to see the beautiful, carefully maintained plants from all over the world. Located near the west entrance of the estate stands the famous Indian banyan tree that Edison planted in 1925. This tree has now become the largest of its kind in continental U.S and it’s fair to say that it is spread across almost an acre on this estate! At a glance you might think that this is a grove of several trees – at least that’s the thought that first crossed my mind. But soon after, you end up realizing that this is actually one giant banyan tree with a large tangle of aerial roots and branches – quite a stunning sight indeed.

Tour options at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates

To explore the estate, you can choose to take self-guided audio tours or join a guided tour. There are several guided group tour options, including a 60-75 mins long Edison Ford Guided Tour, a 90 mins Garden Tour, a 1h 45 mins long Inside the Homes Tour (on select days), and even an Inside the Lab Tour. In addition, there are also special events and exhibits that run over the year. Reservations for the tours can be made by calling the site office. For more information, check the official site of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. You can also download the free Edison Ford App from the official site prior to visiting the estates that will provide you an informative audio tour of the estate.

Edison held 1093 patents during his lifetime and his home, laboratory, and inventions are showcased with love and pride in this beautiful corner of Fort Myers.

8. Plan on taking one of the cruises from the Marina at Fort Myers

The popular Sunset Eco and River Cruise, as well as the Dolphin Eco & Shelling Tour operated by Pure Florida, are a highlight for many who embark on these tours if they have the time to spare on their visit to Fort Myers.

The 90 minutes long sunset cruise allows you to relax on-board while taking in the sights as you sail over Caloosahatchee River. The Dolphin Eco & Shelling Tour is a 3-hour experience that is quite popular with families.

The tours can easily be booked online or over the phone. For more details about these tours and to book a tour visit the Pure Florida site.

9. Soak in the stunning Floridian sunset at Sanibel Island or Marco Island

Florida is famous for its family-friendly beaches and gorgeous sunsets. For a more crowd-free, spectacular sunset view head over to Sanibel Island or to Marco Island. The bright hues of orange that light up the sky just as the sun dips down towards the horizon across the ocean are a sight to behold – to see is to believe and I have to say I was spellbound.

Sanibel Island is located just a short drive away from Fort Myers that takes you over the Sanibel Causeway toll Bridge. Sanibel with its beautiful natural surroundings has a wide appeal to across people of different age groups who come to this island for its quieter surroundings, pristine beaches, and stunning sunsets.

There are several beaches along Sanibel Island including Bowman’s Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, and Blind Pass Beach. For some of the most stunning sunsets that can be witnessed year-round, the prime spot is at the Blind Pass Beach. Make the most of your time on the beach as you await the sunset by indulging in some shelling activities – a popular and fun activity for adults and kids alike.

Dinner options at Sanibel

After watching the sunset on Sanibel Island, if you plan on enjoying dinner on the island before heading back, then I highly recommend stopping by at Doc Ford’s or Mudbugs. Doc Ford’s is the best rum bar on the island serving delectable food infused with Caribbean flavors. Alternatively, if you fancy spicy, cajun food, then look no further than Mudbugs. The jambalayas and grilled oysters are made to perfection at this restaurant and are only topped by their melt-in-your-mouth beignets. Yum!

Well this wraps up the highlights of our day trip to Fort Myers There’s so much to see and do in the region but what I particularly loved is that all these sights can be easily explored in a day without feeling too rushed, provided of course you are able to start your day of excursion early.

A day spent in Fort Myers and the nearby region offers you a variety of experiences – from viewing manatees and dolphins to visiting natural preserves, exploring its historic downtown, sampling delicious seafood, and witnessing unparalleled sunset views while enjoying shelling along its beaches. I hope to return to this stunning corner of Southwest Florida for another relaxing vacation in the future. Until next time,…goodbye Fort Myers.

Disclaimer: It’s a pleasure for us to share our travel experiences with all our readers and we sincerely hope to inspire your future travels. In order to help us maintain this blog and offset the costs of running landoftravels.com we have sprinkled affiliate links throughout the site. If you choose to make a purchase via any of these affiliate links, we’ll earn a tiny commission at no additional cost to you.

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Aditi Sharma

Hello ! I’m Aditi …..
Welcome to Land Of Travels – a travel blog that my husband Manish and I started to share our travel stories and travel tips. We are full-time professionals, dedicated parents, foodies, and it is our shared passion for traveling that lead us to become part-time bloggers.

I was born and brought up in Northern India, lived in Bay Area, California for nearly two decades and currently reside in Ontario, Canada. Since childhood, I’ve always had a passion to travel far & wide and experience different cultures. I am passionate about planning our trips and exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations.

My sincere hope is that the travel tips offered on this blog will help you plan your next memorable adventure.
Happy travels!
~ Aditi Sharma ~