Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs is a city in southwest Florida. It’s known for its Gulf Coast beaches and parks, including secluded Little Hickory Island Beach Park and Bonita Beach Park, with its sand dunes. Nearby, to the north, is Lovers Key State Park, a popular swimming and kayaking spot. Made up of 4 barrier islands, the park is home to manatees and dolphins. Everglades Wonder Gardens features orchids, parrots and reptiles.
Cape Coral
Cape Coral is a city in southwest Florida, known for its many canals. Home to manatees, Sirenia Vista Park has kayak routes to Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve, where birds wade amid mangroves. Cape Coral Historical Society & Museum traces the planning of the city. Yacht Club Community Park has a sunny beach and pier on the Caloosahatchee River. To the north, Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve attracts herons and ibis.
Sanibel & Captiva
Captiva is often associated with the neighboring island of Sanibel to the south. Both are all about the outdoors – biking, sailing, birding and water activities abound. A sliver of land nestled against the state’s southwest coast, Captiva Island has a slightly off-kilter and almost magical feel. You might discover a giant frog in Captiva Island, a restaurant where it’s Christmas all year long, or even a tiny starfish. South Seas Island Resort on the tip of Captiva Island boasts 2.5 miles of beaches and a menu of children’s programs tailored to the sea – from sailing school and mermaid- and pirate-play sessions to on-the-beach day camps and a popular catch-and-release fishing program. Go to visitflorida.com
Estero
Estero is a village in Lee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,939. During the 2010 census, Estero was an unincorporated community, or census-designated place, the population at that time was 22,612. Estero incorporated as a village in 2014.
Fort Myers
Fort Myers is popular for its beaches, fishing, shopping – and the opportunity to learn about two of the nation’s most famed inventors and business leaders. You and your family can experience one-on-one natural encounters, play on top-notch beaches and treat yourselves to endless family-friendly attractions, restaurants and resorts in Fort Myers and surrounding areas along southwest Florida’s sunny Gulf Coast. Visits to the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates are a must. Back in 1916, Ford bought land in downtown Fort Myers, next door to Edison, his mentor. Now, both estates serve as museums that honor their founders and remind all of us about what they overcame and what they accomplished. Go to visitflorida.com
Naples
Naples is a city on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida that’s known for high-end shopping and golf courses. The Naples Pier, first erected in 1888, is the city’s symbol, and is a popular fishing and dolphin-spotting destination. It’s flanked by miles of beaches with calm waters and fine white “sugar” sand, including those at Clam Pass Park and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.