Top Rated Parks to Visit in Fort Myers Beach

"If you’re looking for a smaller beach, Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is an excellent option. There are bird sanctuaries, modern children’s playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. The beach itself is clean, with shaded areas and restrooms, covered cabanas, and picnic areas to enjoy."

"This 32-acre park houses a lighthouse that dates to 1884 and some of the best Sanibel Island beaches. Lighthouse Beach Park offers plenty of space to spread out and walk and look for shells in Sanibel Island. Other activities include picnicking, pier fishing, sailing and windsurfing."

"A beautiful beach with stunning white sands, Gulfside City Park offers both grassy and sandy areas for visitors to spend some time and listen to the waves. This beach, despite being located on a highly popular touristic island, never gets too crowded, so it's a nice spot to visit if you're looking for a little peace and quiet. Restrooms and showers can be found here, and there are also picnic areas and even grills open for public use, so it's a super spot to visit on a sunny weekend or special occasion."

"This 27-acre mid-island Park located on Algiers Lane off of Casa Ybel Road goes by two names, Gulfside City Park and also Algiers Beach after the road it’s on. It’s a quiet, pet-friendly beach park with plenty of space for kids to run around and pets to play, but it’s also one of our favorite beaches on Sanibel for sunbathing because of its private feel. Algiers Beach is perfect for dog-lovers!"

"Gulfside City Park Beach – known as Algiers Beach to locals – offers a prime spot for picnics under shade trees. Access the beach from boardwalks, and explore the nature trail to see native plants and wildlife. Families also enjoy shelling, dolphin-watching and grilling their favorite foods for lunch or an early dinner."

"These beaches are your first impression of Sanibel Island and it’s not a bad one, if we do say so ourselves. The view from the causeway is amazing in its own right, but the Causeway Beaches are always teeming with happy beachgoers, parasailers, kiteboarders and boaters. It’s impossible not to feel relaxed as you drive by."

"Water lovers will appreciate kayak opportunities, and professional beach loungers will enjoy the sprawling picnic area, fishing spots, and sunbathing. There’s also plenty for water sports enthusiasts, including windsurfing and kiteboarding. Getting here can be a little challenging."

"Measuring roughly 3,500 acres, the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has a fantastic 1.2-mile boardwalk through the Florida wetlands. Nature lovers will really enjoy taking a few selfies at this preserve’s many lookout points. This preserve is usually open between dawn and dusk every day, but always check the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve’s website for info on closures."

"​Day Four: Lovers Key State Park, Love Boat Ice Cream, Pool, and Fine Folk Pizza There are so many outdoor and water activities in Ft. Myers so on this day we tried our hand at canoeing at Lovers Key State Park. We were able to rent a canoe for half the day for $48 (they only charged us the 1-2 person rate due to the kids ages)."

"Just 15 minutes south of downtown and connected by trolley, this state park is a must for nature lovers. Lovers Key State Park is comprised of four islands and makes a great destination for any season. In summer, people will love its fabulous 2.5 mile long pristine beach with powdery white sand and a natural shoreline."

"One of the most popular places to fish in the area is Fort Myers Beach Pier. Parasailing allows you to watch all the action of anglers fishing from this pier in the Gulf of Mexico. Look closely, and you may see fishermen hauling in Spanish mackerel, cobia, pompano, redfish, bluefish and mangrove snappers."

"The fishing pier at Fort Myers Beach is well-known as one of the most amazing places to watch the a Ft."

"If you’ve gotten enough sun and want a shadier place for a walk, this free park offers a glimpse of what this area look like before development. Trails totaling 1.25 miles extend to the bay through hardwood forest and mangrove swamp."

"Not only is it a free attraction, but this untouched 60-acre sanctuary is home to one of the best beach spots in Fort Myers."

"Myers, the lovely Manatee Park provides close-up views of lovably awkward manatees located in a beautiful waterfront setting. (Please note that the Manatee Park is a non-captive manatee refuge and it is rare to see them between May and November due to rising water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico.  The best time to come is in the winter months.) You can also rent kayaks and walk along the many paved trails."

"Manatee Park is a non-captive, warm water refuge for manatees, and this park is the best place to spot these creatures in Fort Myers. Manatees have been known to swim under kayaks and pop up next to them, providing excellent opportunities to photograph these gentle giants from your kayak. You can also find fantastic views along the walking paths at this park."

"From colorful roses to beautiful succulents, the Fragrance Garden is a hidden gem bursting with Insta-friendly landscapes, colors, and textures. The walking path brings you through an impressive array of cactuses, under an archway of flowers, and over a picturesque bridge... the entire garden is reminiscent of something you would see in a magazine."

"Lakes Regional Park is a 279-acre park located about 20 minutes south of Fort Myers. As the name suggests, the park features man-made freshwater lakes and is home to a wide variety of birds. There are hiking and biking trails located throughout the park as well as playgrounds and a fragrance garden."

"South of Fort Myers is the 280-acre Lakes Park, which, as the name suggests, is full of manmade lakes. Boating is a favorite activity here, but you could also visit the gardens or go biking. Lakes Park is usually open from 7 AM till dusk every day of the week."

"Enjoying ice cream as it melts onto your hand is a beach vacation rite of passage. Royal Scoop has been delivering happiness to their customers since 1979. The service alone at Royal Scoop is enough reason to visit this favorite, but their ice cream is delicious as well."

"The Sanibel Deli is known to be a favorite local hangout and spot for the best coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Sanibel Island. Winner of the Best Pizza at Taste of the Islands, Sanibel Deli offers wi-fi, indoor and outdoor seating, and an extensive line of gluten free options, The Sanibel Deli is the only place to go for delicious food at unbeatable prices!"

"The Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory has all the bases covered with their incredible lineup of coffee beverages and delicious deli sandwiches. They offer you a wonderful experience with either outdoor or indoor seating, an extensive line of gluten-free options, free wireless internet. They have even won awards for their pizzas!"

"Crescent Beach Family Park is actually a little sliver of Fort Myers Beach just south of the Fort Myers fishing pier. But this this section of shoreline is distinguished from the remaining seven miles, because it’s typically where many families hang out – as the name of the park implies. It’s one of the public beaches Fort Myers has that are super family-friendly."

"One of the most under-the-radar places to watch the sunset in Ft Myers Beach is Crescent Beach Family Park. This little slice of land is often overlooked for the larger beaches in the area, including Fort Myers Beach and Bowditch Point Park. That said, Crescent Beach Family Park is still worth a visit."

"Check out the program of events and classes at the Alliance for the Arts on McGregor Blvd. This vibrant arts complex includes a theater, art gallery, gift shops, and multiple classrooms. The impressive calendar includes over 200 affordable classes and workshops covering the whole spectrum of arts, from painting, drawing, and photography to drama, yoga."

"Serving classic American breakfasts for more than two decades, Goldies is one of Naples’ breakfast restaurants that’s a family-owned institution. The all-day breakfast speciality here is the breakfast for two combo which includes corned beef hash, eggs Benedict and country fried steak. It’s one of the few places in Naples where you can still get breakfast for less than $5 plus plentiful portions and smiles."

"At Goldie’s Restaurant, the focus is “great food for everyday people.” Guests can enjoy breakfast all day, and specialties include Goldie’s Breakfast combo, corned beef hash and eggs, eggs Benedict, and country fried steak. Diners also have lots of choices for pancakes, French toast and can create their own omelets. Couples can also share the ultimate breakfast, packed full of signature meal favorites."

"For over a decade, this colorful coffee house and breakfast spot has become one of the most beloved breakfast places in Naples to locals, but is still a hidden gem to many visitors. Inside, the interior is an inviting mish-mash of tables and chairs that welcome customers to grab a coffee and hang with friends. Unique to the cafe is their Blue Zones Project menu with healthier breakfast and lunch items, a project built on making lifestyle changes like eating plant-based foods, and helping people "live longer and live better."

"This Costa Rica-inspired coffee house also serves breakfast all day. The family-owned Naples breakfast spot specializes in omelettes, scrambles, griddle sweets and meats. Sunburst Cafe favorites include the Costa Rican, eggs on black beans and rice, as well as Benedicts, steel-cut oatmeal, and breakfast sandwiches."

"One of Naples hidden gems, is a Costa Rican inspired coffee house filled with bright colors and an inviting atmosphere. They have a wide variety of different coffee options with beans being imported from South America and the Caribbean islands. Address: 2340 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples, FL 34109 | Phone:(239) 263-3123"

"My family and I ate here while on vacation, at the end of July, 2014. Shannon was our server and she was Awesome!!. This is the best BBQ I have…"