9+ Fun Things to Do in Fort Myers, Florida
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I was pretty excited to check out all of the fun things to do in Fort Myers during my recent trip, because this trip was my first time back since Hurricane Ian hit in 2022. Seeing the community and local businesses back up and running honestly made my heart so happy!
Just to clear up any confusion—Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach aren’t the same thing. They’re about 30 minutes apart, and this post is mostly about the city area. You’ll find a mix of palm-lined streets, historic charm, and plenty of spots to eat, shop, and enjoy the Florida sunshine without necessarily having your toes in the sand.
Check out my Overlook Map with all of the spots we checked out in Fort Myers!
Things to Do in Fort Myers
1. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
If you’re craving a little nature, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is such a peaceful escape from the busier parts of the city. It has a beautiful boardwalk trail that winds through wetlands, with the chance to spot turtles, birds, and maybe even an alligator if you’re lucky.
It’s shaded (thank you, cypress trees), so it’s a nice option even when the Florida sun is working overtime. I love how quiet it feels — you can hear the wind in the trees and the water trickling below. It’s one of those spots where you can slow down, take a deep breath, and just enjoy being outside!
2. Do a Five-Course Tasting Experience at The Silver King Ocean Brasserie
Our experience at The Silver King Brasserie was easily one of the best things to do in Fort Myers and honestly one of the biggest highlights of our trip! We got to sit at the chef’s counter, which meant a front-row seat to all the magic happening in the kitchen — plus we got to chat with the chef throughout the night. It was such a dynamic and fun experience, and as a total foodie, I loved every single second.
The five courses change often — it really depends on the chef’s mood, the day, whether it’s your first visit, and what’s fresh. Basically, you could come here all the time and still have a completely different experience each visit.
Our dishes were all so different from each other, which made it such a fun way to try a variety of flavors. We left absolutely full and completely happy!
3. The Franklin Shops
Right in the heart of downtown Fort Myers, The Franklin Shops are a must if you love finding unique things. It’s a multi-level marketplace filled with boutiques, art, and handmade goods — basically a treasure hunt in building form!
I spent a bit of time wandering around and finding things I didn’t even know I needed (but absolutely do now). It’s perfect for picking up a souvenir that isn’t your standard keychain or magnet, and it’s also a great way to support local makers.
4. Edison and Ford Winter Estates
History lovers, this one’s for you — the Edison and Ford Winter Estates are such a cool peek into the past. This spot was once the winter getaway for two of America’s most famous inventors, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
Now, you can wander through the historic homes, explore the beautiful gardens, and check out the museum filled with fascinating inventions and artifacts. Even if you’re not usually a “museum person,” the mix of lush outdoor spaces and hands-on history makes it a really engaging and unique experience in Fort Myers.
5. Topgolf Swing Suites
Okay, this place was an unexpected blast. Chips Sports Pub has Topgolf Swing Suites, and omg — we had so much fun and plus got a workout in! And it’s way more than just golf — you can play baseball, football, soccer, and our personal favorite, zombie dodgeball.
We had a bit of rainy weather during our trip, and honestly, if you’re looking for one of the best things to do in Fort Myers while it’s raining, this is it. They’ve also got great drinks, small bites, and even other games like a pool table, so you can make a whole afternoon or evening of it.
6. Go on a Downtown Bar Hop
Downtown Fort Myers is packed with cool bars, so if you’re in the mood to hop around, you’re in for a good time. For epic views and a tapas-style dinner, head to Beacon Social Drinkery — and do not sleep on the beef bulgogi bowl!
If you want to be transported back in time, visit The 86 Room. This place honestly gave me chills — the vibe was so spot-on I felt like I had stepped into a time machine. The drinks were just as good as the atmosphere, and I loved my Clover Club and the prohibition-style live music was such a nice bonus!
For a true speakeasy experience, check out Escondido Lounge. It’s got a sexy, intimate vibe that’s perfect for a date night or just a more low-key stop. Full honesty — we didn’t love the drink we ordered (Thomas Edison), but I really think we just made a bad choice because everything else about the place was so cool. I’d definitely go back and give it another try.
And if you’re into games with your drinks, Downtown Social House is a fun stop. We didn’t have time to check it out ourselves, but Hogwash also looked really cool!
7. Hit the Beach
Like I mentioned earlier, you’re about 30 minutes from the beach — but trust me, it’s worth the drive! There are plenty of beaches to choose from, like Fort Myers Beach, Lovers Key State Park, Bonita Beach, and Sanibel, just to name a few.
We decided to spend the day on Sanibel, and it was absolutely beautiful. We set up at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park and did a little shelling (Sanibel is famous for it!). The water was gorgeous, and it was such a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
On the way out, we stopped at The Sanibel Sprout for a coffee, which was the perfect little pick-me-up before heading back into the city.
8. Sip Your Way Through Fort Myers Coffee Shops
You guys know I’m all about checking out as many coffee shops in a new area as I can, and Fort Myers did not disappoint.
First up, Good Ground: super cute and delicious coffee! I went with their seasonal Flapjack Latte and loved every sip. We actually grabbed our coffees here and then headed out for our walk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which made for the perfect morning combo.
Next was Shift Coffee, another adorable spot with some creative seasonal drinks. I tried the Peaches and Cream Latte — it was light, flavorful, and just a little bit different in the best way.
And finally, Dean Street Coffee/Ella Mae’s Diner. Okay… Ella Mae’s might be the cutest breakfast spot I’ve ever been to. The old-school diner vibes are everything, and the food is amazing. They serve Dean Street Coffee here, and my vanilla cappuccino was perfection.
If you’re short on time and can’t do the full sit-down breakfast (you’re seriously missing out), you can grab your coffee to-go from Dean Street Coffee. Both spots are conveniently inside the Luminary Hotel.
9. Have a Waterfront Lunch
We loved grabbing lunch right on the water at Oxbow Bar & Grill, it was such a vibe! The food was amazing, and the views were just as good. Everything felt so light and fresh, which was perfect for a sunny day.
We went for their salad, some oysters with a pineapple mezcal mignonette (yes, you read that right — so good!), and their mezze platter. Honestly, it was all so, so good and made for the perfect midday break.
More Things to Do in Fort Myers (that we didn’t get to this trip)
- Sun Harvest Citrus — A sweet spot to pick your own fresh citrus or grab some freshly squeezed juice or better yet some vanilla orange soft serve. Perfect if you love supporting local farms and tasting sunshine in a glass!
- Southern Fresh Farms — This farm stand has all the fresh produce you could want, plus flowers and homemade goodies. It’s a great stop if you’re into farm-fresh eats and cute local vibes. They also have some adorable farm animals and Crazy Dingo Brewing if you’re thirsty!
- Manatee Park — A chill place to spot gentle manatees hanging out, especially in cooler months. It’s like a mini wildlife adventure right in the city!
- Brightwater Lagoon — I haven’t done this one yet, but similar lagoons near Tampa are so much fun! It’s a huge man-made lagoon with tons of water activities like swimming and paddle boarding!
- John Yarbrough Linear Park — This is a great trail for biking, walking, or running — it’s flat, scenic, and connects you to other parts of the city. A nice way to see a bit more of Fort Myers on foot or wheels.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Train — For something totally different and super fun, this dinner train combines great food with a live murder mystery show.
- Kayaking — Whether guided or solo, kayaking around Fort Myers gives you the chance to see dolphins, manatees, and all kinds of cool marine life up close. So many awesome options for paddling adventures! Check out available options with prices here.
Where to Stay in Fort Myers
We stayed at the Luminary Hotel, and honestly, I can’t recommend it enough! It’s part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, so it feels both unique and beautiful. And the staff were amazing and made us feel right at home from the moment we walked in.
The location is seriously next-level — epic views of the water and so convenient. A bunch of the places I mentioned to eat at are right there, including Oxbow, Silver King Ocean Brasserie, Beacon, Ella Mae’s, Dean Street Coffee, and Chips Sports Pub. You literally don’t have to go far to get to all the good spots.
The rooms are super spacious, and they’ve got a pool if you want to relax after a day of exploring. If you’re planning a trip to Fort Myers, staying here just makes everything so much easier and more fun!
For more options, check out pricing and availability for other hotels in the area here.
Which of these Fort Myers activities are you checking out first?!
Whether you’re looking for nature, history, or good Fort Myers felt like such a fresh, real place to me — a city that’s rebuilding and buzzing with good vibes and cool things to do. I loved just wandering around, discovering new spots, and soaking up the local energy. If you’re planning a visit, I hope this gives you some fun ideas to make the most of your time here. What’s the first thing you’d want to check out?
Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other Florida blog posts:
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