All the Feels: Three Days of Playfulness

Rediscover the feeling of irrepressible joy in the Fort Myers area. Skip the schedule, put aside any stresses and become your very best self (the fun you!) with this three-day itinerary in Southwest Florida. Whether you’re splashing in a water park with little ones, hunting for treasures on beach walks, pointing binoculars at wildlife, or finding whimsical and unique spots to eat on your getaway — these playful beach vacation ideas can fill an entire long weekend or more.

Day 1

Celebrate Good Times on Sanibel and Captiva Islands

For some Fort Myers fans, every day starts with an early morning beach stroll. It’s a perfect way to recalibrate and set a great tone for the day, and you’ll be among the first to collect the seashells that wash up on the beach. Sanibel Island is known as the “Seashell Capital of the World,” and at Blind Pass Beach Park — where Sanibel meets Captiva Island — you’ll be delighted by what you find.

All throughout Southwest Florida, you’re welcome to grab a golf club or pick up a racquet. There are so many places to play your favorite sport (or try something for the first time) all year round. Fort Myers has several public and municipal golf courses that are open to all, as well as championship links exclusively for resort guests. And with pickleball taking the country by storm, the facilities in Fort Myers are plentiful. Find the best courts near your hotel or resort and unleash your competitive side.

Oohs and ahhhs are everywhere when you walk into The Bubble Room on Captiva Island. The first things you’ll notice are the colorful lights and holiday decor, followed by all the quirky antiques and memorabilia scattered throughout. As for the famous bubble bread and orange crunch cake? You’ll be planning your return trip before you even finish.

Day 2

Play Around in Fort Myers

You can spend an entire day in Fort Myers and never get bored. Fill your day with excitement starting with a hearty breakfast at McGregor Cafe on a shady patio. Indulge in made-from-scratch biscuits and enormous portions of fresh eggs, quiche and mouthwatering French toast, among other local favorites.

Once you’ve had a chance to digest, it’s time to take a spin on the track. The go-kart track, that is. FastTrax Fort Myers has opened in a new location, and it’s taken the title as the largest go-kart track in Florida! Race away with your loved ones and feel like a kid again as you navigate multilevel turns.

Need a quieter place to play? Head north to Manatee Park, a gem of a green space where loads of manatees come to relax during the winter months. You can simply walk the waterfront trail to catch sight of these gentle giants or go kayaking alongside them on the Orange River. Want to see what the excitement is all about? Check them out on our live webcam set in Manatee Park.

Dinnertime is fun for everyone at The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill. The Fort Myers location overlooks Sweetwater Landing Marina, so you can arrive by boat or drive up. Dine on Florida cuisine with a Caribbean twist, plus a whole menu of frozen and tropical cocktails, along with lots of kid-friendly beverages.

Need more inspiration? Check out where the whole family can stay and play in Fort Myers.

Day 3

Jump Into Fun in Bonita Springs

The otters are here! We love our wildlife in Southwest Florida, and we’re so excited to welcome otters Ivy and Mae at the Wonder Gardens. For nearly 90 years, this Bonita Springs botanical garden and refuge has taken in countless rescued and rehabilitated wildlife — and now the new Robert & Deborah Blain Otter Grotto is officially open with these two rescued North American river otters. Watch them swim and play, and they might even clamber over to the window to say hello.

If you have an energetic, furry friend with you or just want to watch some doggos frolicking in the water, Dog Beach Park is the place to be. Just south of Lovers Key State Park, the shallow waters and a wide beach at low tide make it a fun, friendly place to play with your four-legged friends.

No matter what kind of mood you’re in, there’s a restaurant to match what you’re looking for. Enjoy Old Florida ambience Tarpon Bay Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, where the breezy patio and screened-in porch feel like an upscale beach cottage with the best sunset views. Sit outside at Doc’s Beach House where you can choose between the beach-level patio, an upstairs bar or even a table on the beach — sandcastle building encouraged.