The Ft. Myers area is a fantastic place for families and die-hard fans alike. When the Twins are elsewhere, or have a day off, there’s a lot to do, but having a rental car is certainly recommended.
Florida staples like a day at the beach or on the golf course are a given; both abound in the area. Other local attractions include Fort Myers’ many parks: Lover’s Key State Park has one of the best beaches in the state, City Lakes Park (near the Red Sox’s facility) has bike and rollerblade rentals and plenty of trails to try them on, and many of the local parks will allow you to rent a kayak or canoe to explore mangrove islands or cypress swamps.
The easy ocean access provides opportunities for dinner cruises, deep sea fishing excursions or a more laid back sightseeing trip.
If you get seasick easily, or if you arrive without a necessity or two, you may prefer to investigate the area’s expansive shopping centers. Two outlet malls are just the beginning, but they do provide a nice starting point.
Just across San Carlos Bay are islands worth any visitor’s time, though it would be wise to plan a full day to take in all they have to offer.
Sanibel Island, the largest island, boasts some of the best white sand beaches and a fantastic nature preserve on the island’s northern coast.
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge gives visitors a chance to walk around a mangrove ecosystem and view an incredible array of migratory birds.
Renting a bike is a great way to survey the island, and keeps you out of the traffic jams that can clog this narrow island with fewer arterial streets.
Jacarandi and the Over Easy Café are good spots to stop and grab a bite to eat here. Jacarandi is a little more upscale, though in this part of Florida the term is relative as it pertains to dress.
If you’re looking for a bar and club scene, head to Fort Myers Beach.
The beach is actually a thin barrier island connected by bridge to the mainland, so many places are located within walking distance of one another.
The Smoking Oyster hosts live music and sits near other popular spots such as Parrot Key and Yucatan Beach Stand Bar and Grill.
Fort Myers Beach is on the opposite side of the city from Twins’ fields, so unless you have a car getting between locations could be difficult. Fort Myers has a bus system, but reports vary as to its usefulness.
Thus concludes the overview of the Fort Myers area, but for everything included, something was left out. The area is extremely visitor friendly and brimming with new places to eat and spend the day.
Take this guide as just that, a guide. When the games end, hit the town and enjoy everything the area has to offer. If you find a great spot, let others know!
Just remember if you plan on going: practice starts bright and early; most day games begin at 12:05; and if you sunburn on the first day, you’ll be miserable the rest of the week.
Enjoy!
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