Have you ever returned to a place you’ve been visiting since you were a kid? Sitting in the same spots you sat in nearly 20 years ago brings this sort of nostalgic feeling. Especially returning as a blogger, it’s a thrill to have the chance to document an old favorite properly. My Fort Myers Beach travel guide is coming from a place that simultaneously puts together childhood memories and newfound locations.
Fort Myers Beach is a place I’ve been going to almost annually since I was a child. Hailing from Indiana, we would road trip down to Florida in March for Spring Break. Now, 20 years on, my grandma resides in Fort Myers Beach, giving me the perfect opportunity to revisit.
Getting to Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach is located on a 7 mile island in southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. The most convenient airport to fly into is RSW but Punta Gorda is also another good option.
Accommodations
Over the years of visiting Fort Myers, we’ve always stayed in a condo right on the beach. Places I’ve stayed include the Bel Air Beach Club west of the bridge or the Sun Palace Vacation Homes east of the bridge. On my most recent trip, I resided just north of the San Carlos Bridge at the Indian Creek Resort.
If you’re visiting with a group of younger peeps, the Lani Kai Island Resort is your best bet for a place to stay.
Getting Around Fort Myers Beach
Renting a car is an easy thing to do while down here in Fort Myers Beach and I’ve done it plenty of times. The best advice I can give in my Fort Myer’s Beach travel guide is to follow the LeeTran bus system instead. The 490 route will take you from the Publix in Fort Myers on San Carlos Blvd directly to Times Square on Fort Myers Beach. For $1 a ride, the price of transportation can’t be beat. I bought a 3 day pass for $4 to save on money.
When on the beach in Fort Myers, use the 75 cent trolley service. It runs down for 7 miles down the island from Bowditch Point Park to Lovers Key State Park.
Good Eats
The restaurants dotted along the island on Fort Myers Beach have been there since I was a kid and I enjoy revisiting them every time.
Nervous Nellie’s is a popular spot but you can’t pass by my family’s and I’s personal favorite, the Smokin’ Oyster Brewery (S.O.B.’s).
I definitely was not impressed with the Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria restaurant near S.O.B.’s so pass that one by for food. The Yucatan Beach Stand has a great menu and the Lani Kai is an awesome place to eat while watching the sunset in the evenings.
Read More: Best Sunset Spots in Fort Myers Beach
Snagging seafood on the beach is a must and my favorite tuna sandwich comes from Pete’s Time Out near Times Square. Other popular places around here and east down the beach include the Pierside Grill, Salty Crab Bar & Grill, and Shucker’s at the Cottage.
What to Do in Fort Myers Beach
There are endless activities in Fort Myers Beach, both during the day and night. The bustling activities is one reason I keep coming back to it for my Florida vacations.
Seashell Searching
Fort Myers Beach’s 7 miles of coastline is considered one of the best places in the world to search for seashells. Various marine life like sand dollars and star fish often make an appearance when the tide recedes.
Soak Up the Sun
The powdery white sand on Fort Myers Beach is so inviting. Building sandcastles is another favorite past time of mine while at the beach (must be those childlike nostalgias coming through!)
Visit Bowditch Point Park
The 17 acres that make up the north end of Fort Myers Beach is an incredible place to spend some time. With various sandy walking paths and wheelchair accessibility to the beaches, Bowditch Point Park is also an optimal location to watch the sunset with its close proximity to the sun.
Read More: Best Sunset Spots in Fort Myers Beach
Hike Lovers Key State Park
Lovers Key is one of my favorite places in Fort Myers Beach. Technically located in Bonita Springs at the end of Estero Island, this 1600 acre park has 5 miles of trails used for hiking and biking. The channels stocked with crocodiles and manatees are unique to this area as well. Unsurprisingly, the beaches are so pristine that they’re rated #4 in all of Florida by the Travel Channel.
Read More: Spending a Day at Lover’s Key State Park
Water Sports
For some fun activities on the beach, spend some time enjoying water sports like renting a jet ski. Embark on a charter fishing adventure or partake in one of my favorite things to do, parasailing.
Hang Out at Times Square
Whether you’re grabbing an ice cream, people watching around the square, drinking a tropical cocktail at the bar or enjoying the nightly entertainment, Times Square is the place to be.
Walk on the Beach Pier
At Times Square, a beach pier extends out into the Gulf of Mexico offering an optimal place for fishing and watching the sunset. A small shop halfway down the pier sells bait and other souvenirs.
Don’t Miss a Sunset
Watching the sunset on Fort Myers Beach is one of the best things to do, offering an unobstructed view to the west over the Gulf of Mexico.
Read More: Best Sunset Spots in Fort Myers Beach
Be sure to check out the sunset celebrations around Times Square on the weekends where various entertainment, like magic shows and band performances, can be viewed!
Easy Day Trips from Fort Myers Beach
Have time to spare and want to get off the Island? There are many things to do outside of Fort Myers Beach.
Head a couple hours south to the Everglades National Park for some epic tours.
One of my favorite day trips from Fort Myers Beach is to Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
Read More: A Local’s Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands
Another fun place to go is Matlacha, an Old Floridian fishing village located between Pine Island and Cape Coral.
Read More: Matlacha: A Funky Slice of Old Florida
The town of Fort Myers has a ton of cool places too like the Edison winter home and the spring training field for the Boston Red Sox.
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On the very first picture where it says Welcome to Fort Meyers Beach on the side of a wall/building, can you share its physical address
If you’re at Times Square near the pier, walk north on Old San Carlos Blvd. in the direction of the SOBs. The mural is located on the side of one of those shops across from the Yucatán Beach Stand.