Your family's favorite part of vacation is wining and dining. You often make your dinner reservations before you book your flight! To you, there's nothing better than a plate of fresh seafood with a sunset beach view. And every day holds the promise of a delicious culinary adventure.
Here's your list of foodie fun.
Celebrate a birthday, milestone or just being together with a professionally-styled beach picnic from Picnics by the Sun. You arrive to a beautifully arranged setup, curated bites and sunset views — your family will savor every moment.
Enjoy a Broadway-style production and an exceptional meal at the award-winning Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Kids can enjoy a dedicated show just for them — complete with its own kid-friendly menu!
After a morning of swimming and collecting shells on Sanibel Island, visit the retro-inspired Cheeburger Cheeburger for stacked burgers and towering milkshakes.
Your family’s next farm-to-table adventure awaits at Blossom & Brie, with thoughtfully prepared dishes using their farm-fresh, organic ingredients. Explore the grounds and see farm animals up close, including adorable piglets and baby chicks.
Dine at the infamous Bubble Room on Captiva Island for a surreal world of whimsical décor, nostalgia and scrumptious cakes. The orange crunch cake is a must!
Complete your perfect beach day with a generous scoop at Love Boat Ice Cream. Delight in creative flavors and portions big enough to share — or not!
Visit Rotary Park Environmental Center, home to shaded nature trails, butterfly gardens and easy boardwalk loops. Keep an eye out for turtles, wading birds and fluttering butterflies. After your walk, enjoy lunch at Front Porch Social, a laid-back local favorite offering delicious American fare.
Take a lunch cruise with Island Girl Charters to North Captiva Island, enjoying spotting dolphins and seabirds along the way. Savor fresh seafood at Mainstays and drinks from Barnacles Bar. The "Little Pirates" menu is sure to satisfy, too, with options like chicken tenders and cheeseburgers.
Wander the shoreline at Lynn Hall Memorial Park. Search for colorful shells and watch sandpipers dart along the tide line. When your crew of explorers gets hungry, dine waterside at Dixie Fish Company, where you can enjoy the mouthwatering catch of the day and watch pelicans dive for their lunch.
Visit Hot Tropic Fruit Farm in St. James City during the summer months for a private golf cart tour and the chance to pick your own mangoes, then visit their snack shop for specialties like mango chunk ice cream and jackfruit jam.
Play a relaxed round at Fort Myers Country Club, a historic public course known for its wide fairways and mature palms. Then head to nearby McGregor Café for brunch. Relax under the oak tree canopy on the patio with a refreshing drink and dig into one of their divine breakfast or lunch items.
Spend the afternoon rallying on the new pickleball courts at Rutenberg Community Park. After a few spirited matches, head east to Bell Tower Shops and settle in at Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar, where cold craft beers, elevated comfort food and a lively atmosphere make it easy to refuel and unwind.
Enjoy a day of fishing with family-friendly Fort Myers Fishing Adventures out of Salty Sam's Marina in Fort Myers Beach. After working up an appetite reeling in the big one, dine at Captain Joe’s favorite eatery, Parrot Key Caribbean Grill.
Rent a surrey bike from Billy’s Rentals and cruise around Sanibel Island to take in its breathtaking natural beauty. Stop at Periwinkle Place for lunch at the Blue Giraffe.
Rent a boat and head to Boca Grande for lunch at Miller’s Dockside. Enjoy Gulf-to-table favorites while watching the boats go by.
Cruise with Captiva Cruises to the remote island of Cabbage Key, where the historic Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant awaits with a delicious taste of Old Florida. It’s rumored the restaurant was the inspiration behind Jimmy Buffett’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”
Launch into the mangroves with Tarpon Bay Explorers inside Ding Darling for a wildlife-filled morning of dolphins, herons and quiet backwaters. Then trade paddles for plates at Lighthouse Cafe.
Go paddleboarding at San Carlos Bay - Bunche Beach Preserve; rent boards onsite from Kayak Excursions. The waters are calm and shallow, making this a safe and easy place for your kids to enjoy the sport. Then head to Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grill for their amazing signature Yucatan Shrimp.
Visit a local farmers' market where everyone can find something to savor. Sample fresh-made dips and spreads, indulge in fresh-baked pastries and cookies, or try a local specialty dish. Staying in a place with a kitchen? Gather amazing ingredients for a meal the whole family will enjoy.
Bring everyone together at Rooftop at Riverside, where a rotating lineup of food trucks makes it easy for every member of your group to find something they love. Order craft cocktails, gather bites from different vendors, and settle in on the rooftop deck as the sky shifts toward sunset.
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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