A bright and fun spot on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Fort Myers is welcoming to kids and adults of any age. Grab the sunscreen and a curious mind to start planning for your fabulous Fort Myers family vacation in the near future. There’s plenty of things to do.

Love for the Animals

Florida tends to have much bigger creatures than up north, and Fort Myers is no exception. Plus, what kiddo doesn’t love creepy crawlies, slithering reptiles and massive mammals? See some of the city’s best animals up close in their natural habitat at the Manatee Park. See these lumbering creatures, also known as “sea cows”, swim around from walkways above, then blow off some steam at the fun playground. Head to the Imaginarium Science Center to actually touch local marine life like stingrays, starfish and horseshoe crabs. Afterward, try something a little calmer at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, filled with information about these famous inventors and acres of botanical grounds to explore.

Best for Both Parents and Kiddos

Fort Myers is a hub of action. One activity the whole crew will love is going to see some of the sporting events or live performances in the city held year round. Catch some spring break training and watch national baseball teams warm up, or try a gig at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, like the live “Mythbusters” show happening this April.

Try a Day Trip (or Two)

Not only are the attractions around Fort Myers a blast, in only an hour or two your family can drive to experience even more great Florida hotspots. Towards the coast, for instance, are the beautiful islands of Sanibel and Captiva. These slower paced destinations offer quiet, secluded beaches, wildlife and tons of boutique shops. Go even further on a short boat trip to Cabbage Key, said to have inspired the Jimmy Buffet song “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.

Logistics of a Fort Myers Vacation

While you delight in all the wonderful things to see and do in the area, you’ll need one of the top notch hotels in Fort Myers to stay with your brood. Luckily, there’s tons of cozy accommodations in town to satisfy all tastes. The Crown Plaza and Courtyard by Marriott are both cheaper options in the center of the city. For something with a little more local personality, you can reserve a room at Hotel Indigo downtown.

If you want to venture a little south, your family can check out the Dolphin Key Resort in Cape Coral. This option boasts a sunny pool as well as other essential amenities like air conditioning and a sauna for the grownups.

Most of these accommodations are located near the airport for easy access. However, most groups will need a rental car to get around, as not all attractions are centrally located. Once booked, have a great time hitting the beaches, seeing the wildlife and dining on fantastic food during your Fort Myers getaway!

Let us know if we can help in achieving your travel goals, we love to offer personal tips and advice – ask away. . All opinions are our own and we only promote destinations we’ve experienced first hand (unless it’s on our bucket list!)