Your family is happiest when there’s a little excitement in the air. You’re always up for anything, from jet-ski and helicopter rides to exploring remote islands. For you, the best vacation days are the ones packed with laughter, thrilling discoveries and stories you’ll still be telling long after the trip ends.
Here's your list of high-energy family fun.
From floating obstacle courses and water slides to the swim-up bar and special events, there’s excitement for everyone at Brightwater Lagoon.
See a mesmerizing show at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Southwest Florida’s only public large-dome planetarium theater. Also enjoy live animal exhibits, a butterfly garden, nature trails and more.
Visit Revolution Cable Park for a high-speed water skiing adventure via an overhead cable system that pulls riders around a lake, with 10 optional jump rails and slide rails, and rental for all gear needed. In addition to water skiing, you can also enjoy wakeboarding and kneeboarding.
Get an amazing bird’s eye view of the shoreline in a helicopter tour with Str8 Up Aviation. You’ll see dolphins, manatees and even sharks. Want to celebrate a special occasion? They can customize a tour just for you.
Enjoy award-winning craft beers at Fort Myers Brewing, the area’s first and largest craft brewery. Even tweens and teens will like the festive atmosphere with food trucks and live music.
Explore Hickey Creek Wildlife & Environmental Area for miles of primitive trails excellent for birdwatching and seeing gopher tortoises and native plants.
Get an incredible look at the underwater world teeming with marine life with Cruise Fish Dive, offering daily dives to 100+ sites for all skill levels. They even offer a discover scuba dive that doesn’t require diving certification.
Rent a boat from Monroe Canal Marina and Boat Rentals and head to the remote island of Cayo Costa. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy collecting seashells, snorkeling, wandering on nature trails and spotting wildlife. On the way back, dock and dine at The Waterfront Restaurant & Marina.
Treat your kids to a Wild Wonder Animal Encounter at Wonder Gardens, where they’ll meet and feed Sulcata tortoises and Rainbow and Coconut lorikeets. Then stroll the scenic gardens to see everything from flamingoes to river otters.
Tee off at Old Corkscrew Golf Club, the only Nicklaus Signature Design in Southwest Florida and a Certified Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary. Eighteen holes of world-class championship golf are woven into breathtaking nature.
Hit The Courts in Cape Coral, home to top-tier pickleball facilities, including 32 courts offering open-play hours for drop-ins or matchups organized by skill levels.
Go fishing in Matlacha off the Matlacha Bridge, known as the “Fishingest Bridge in the World,” and stop by the mural at Bat House Park (at the end of the bridge) to get your picture reeling in a prize catch. Then head to the Blue Dog Bar & Grill for a delicious taste of a fresh catch.
With 25 miles of paved paths and flat terrain, Sanibel Island is a great place to enjoy a family bike ride. Hit the four-mile, paved Wildlife Drive Loop at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge to see an abundance of shore birds like the magnificent Roseate Spoonbill.
To explore Cape Coral’s 400+ miles of canals (more than Venice, Italy!), rent a vacation home on the water with a boat slip and boat included from CoralVilla Luxury Villas & Boats or Waterside Villas with Boats. You’ll find many great places to dock and dine, including Gather and Next Door.
Embark on a fun adventure with Tiki Pub Cruises out of Fort Myers Beach. The lively crew will keep your whole family dancing, laughing and singing karaoke while you zip around breathtaking waterways.
Paddle the Great Calusa Blueway with Kayak Excursions Pelican Bay. Mangrove channels and backwaters offer a family-friendly experience with the chance to see manatees and turtles in grassy shallows and shorebirds near tidal flats and creek mouths.
Enjoy a guided paddleboard eco-tour with Gulf Coast Kayak. Spot wildlife on calm backwaters and mangrove estuaries, great for beginners and teens.
Go by car or boat to the Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina for an experience the whole family will enjoy. A variety of food trucks ensure everyone can find something they like, from fresh seafood to kids’ favorites. Riverfront views, a full bar and live music add to the fun.
Arrange an unforgettable outing for your family with Adventures in Paradise. Their fleet includes five catamarans that each seat up to 49 people. Book a "Dine and Cruise Around" tour to enjoy the sunset on the water, dinner at a popular waterside restaurant and the star-lit sky on the way back.
Treat your fur baby to the best dog beach on the planet: Dog Beach Park. At this secluded tropical oasis in Bonita Springs, dogs run leash-free and play in the shallow waters. Then head to Doc’s Beach House and dine with your toes - and paws - in the sand and stunning views of the Gulf.
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