Visit and experience our award-winning beaches along the Gulf of America, warm days, blue skies, island hopping, paddling trails, fishing, nature, arts and culture, family adventures and waterfront dining. Everything you need to make unforgettable memories is here. And spring training begins this month.
Visit the new 2025 Visitor Digital Guide to plan a winter escape to our tropical paradise.
Don’t miss this month
Valentine’s Day fun
It’s all about love this month as there are so many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day throughout Lee County. A few suggestions include:
Adventures in Paradise: Valentine’s Day sunset dolphin cruise
Valentine's Day Sunset Dolphin Cruise includes soft drinks, bottled water and a special treat. Listen to tropical music as you cruise the tranquil waters along the coastline of Sanibel Island. Experience of birds flocking to their evening roost, watch dolphins play in the wake, sightsee and enjoy narration by a knowledgeable captain. adventureinparadiseinc.com/cruises/holiday-cruises/valentines-day-cruise
Gulf Coast Symphony Candlelight Concert, Fort Myers
“A Tribute to Adele,” by candlelight on Feb. 12 at the Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers. The Gulfcoast Symphony’s candlelight concerts are popular so book tickets soon. gulfcoastsymphony.org/concerts
Valentine's Day Cocktail Chemistry Class
Edison and Ford Winter Estates offers guests a special Valentine's Day Cocktail Chemistry Class at 5-7:30 p.m. in the River Pavilion on the Caloosahatchee River. Visitors will learn how to make cocktails while enjoying appetizers, chocolate, music and a sunset view. Each participant will make two cocktails during the class and will receive a welcome cocktail, appetizers from Personal Touch Catering and a box of Norman Love chocolates.
https://tinyurl.com/EFcocktails
Festivals and annual events
87th Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, downtown Fort Myers
Feb. 15
23rd annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
Feb. 22
Rotary Park Environmental Center
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Southwest Florida Ag Expo
Feb. 27-March 9
Lee County Civic Center Complex
Spring training
Boston Red Sox
Feb. 21-March 23
mlb.com/redsox/spring-training
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
Minnesota Twins
Feb. 22-March 25
Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
Plan ahead
Southwest Florida Ag Expo, North Fort Myers, Feb. 27-March 9
The Southwest Florida Ag Expo begins Feb. 27 and runs through March 9 at the Lee County Civic Center Complex, North Fort Myers. The family-friendly event is filled with fun, learning and excitement for all ages. A range of interactive exhibits, rides, food and an up-close look at agriculture celebrates the hard work and dedication of the community’s youth.
This year’s expo will feature a variety of activities and attractions, including:
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Livestock exhibitions showcasing local talent and agricultural expertise.
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Crafting and Creative Living displays to inspire visitors of all ages.
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Midway thrills with rides and attractions for the entire family.
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Delicious sweet and savory treats from a variety of food vendors.
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Live music.
Details and ticket information: swflagexpo.com
Southwest Florida celebrates the power of reading March 1, Fort Myers
Twenty-five acclaimed and bestselling authors will meet fans and sign books at the 26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival on March 1 at the Fort Myers Regional Library. The event brings internationally recognized authors of books for adults, teens and children to celebrate the power of reading, promote literacy and library services, and encourage a community-wide culture of reading for recreation and personal development. Check details for this free event at readfest.org
Headed to the beaches? Help protect our wildlife
It’s not only our visitors who want to escape the cold. There are also thousands of migratory shorebirds lining our coasts. Many of these include gulls, terns and plovers, which often travel thousands of miles from northern states, Canada or the Arctic region.
While on the beaches, you may notice some birds with bandings on their legs. A number of migratory birds are classified as either endangered, threatened or a species of special concern. Researchers have banded some of these birds to monitor their migratory patterns, nesting locations and lifespan. This is one reason why it’s so important to protect the health of our beaches and preserve natural areas along our coastline.
There is a lot we can all do to help while enjoying our beaches, including:
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Respect signed nesting areas. Plover nests are difficult to see. The posted areas prevent beachgoers from accidentally trampling the eggs in a nest.
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As with all wildlife, it’s important to always keep a respectful distance. Although these birds may be aware of our presence, we should not do anything to cause the birds to become alarmed and fly away. When this happens, it can impact their ability to forage for food, care for their young, rest and watch for predators.
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Honor the leash law. Plovers view dogs as predators. An unleashed dog may destroy nests and kill hatchlings.
For more details: sccf.org/our-work/shorebirds
Accommodations news
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort Myers Gulf Coast, has opened a 126-suite property at I-75 and the Alico exit.
marriott.com/en-us/hotels/rswsp-towneplace-suites-fort-myers-gulf-coast/overview
Comfort Suites/Mainstay Extended Stay in Fort Myers has recently opened off I-75 on Luckett Road. choicehotels.com/florida/fort-myers/mainstay-hotels
The Gasparilla Inn on Boca Grande has reopened. the-gasparilla-inn.com
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel Island is accepting reservations for stays beginning this month. Daycation resort passes are available for a limited time. Turtles Tiki Bar, Shima Sushi Bar and Sea Breeze Bar are open. Visit sundialresort.com/play/sundial-daycation for the latest details and reservations information.
Sanibel Inn on Sanibel Island reopens this month. theinnsofsanibel.com/the-inns/sanibel-inn
Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel Island plans a fall opening of its new, 33-unity property on 360 feet of beachfront. Reservations are being taken for stays beginning Oct. 1. shalimar.com
Attractions news
Celebrate 100 Years of spring training at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
To celebrate 100 years of spring training in Fort Myers and Thomas Edison's love of baseball, Edison and Ford Winter Estates is opening its museum for a free, family-friendly event from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 20. Guests will get to see a baseball exhibit and learn about the history of spring training and the connection to Thomas Edison. There also will be games, trivia, children’s activities and photo opportunities with a local baseball mascot. edisonford.org
Gasparilla Island Lighthouse climbs return
Take part in the popular Barrier Island Park Society history tour climbs and take 134 steps to the top for a beautiful view. Visit bips.org/event-details/climb-the-gasparilla-island-lighthouse-9 for dates and details.
Koreshan Nights Concert Series, Estero
Enjoy historic Koreshan State Park after dark on Feb. 15 (and March 15) with a concert on the front porch of the Planetary Court. Charles Meyers performs under the stars. Check details and tickets at friendsofkoreshan.org/Special-Events
Tarpon Bay Explorers resumes fishing charters, Sanibel Island
Tarpon Bay Explorers, the concession to Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, has resumed fishing charter operations. With new boats, the fishing charters stay within the 950 acres of Tarpon Bay and accommodate up to six people. Participants may expect to find trout, redfish and snook, along with other back bay species of fish along with wildlife sightings.
tarponbayexplorers.com
Manatee Park offers free Sunday garden tours, Fort Myers
Manatee Park, a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees, offers visitors a peek at these gentle creatures. When the manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter (December through March), they are attracted by the warm water from the nearby Florida Power and Light Power Plant that is created as a byproduct of cooling off its equipment.
Visitors may also enjoy a free garden tour of the Manatee Park butterfly garden and habitats at 9 a.m. every Sunday through March. The tour includes walking the ADA accessible paths through the restored native plant habitats and butterfly gardens. A volunteer naturalist will lead the tour and participants will learn about the park’s history, its butterfly gardens and the native flora and fauna that reside in some of Florida’s habitats. The tour is free with paid parking. leegov.com/parks/parks/manateepark
Brightwater Lagoon opens in North Fort Myers
The five-acre water attraction includes a floating obstacle course at this tropical oasis. Check details at metrolagoons.com/lagoon/brightwater
Sanibel Historical Museum and Village open through April 30
The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is open each Tuesday through Saturday. Founded in 1984, the Village welcomes visitors during its 40th year of preserving, sharing and celebrating Sanibel’s history. The tour experience includes an orientation video and historic buildings displaying numerous artifacts. The story of Sanibel Island is told from the Calusa and Spanish eras to the early pioneer families who settled on the island in the 1800s. Nine historic buildings were moved from their original sites and each has been restored. sanibelmuseum.org
Take a look around with area webcams: Check out what’s happening around the area with live webcam views. Zoom in to spot native butterfly species in Cape Coral. Do some birdwatching from an observation tower at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Explore botanical gardens and wildlife at Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs. Discover North Shore Park on the river’s edge in North Fort Myers and catch views of downtown Fort Myers and the Caloosahatchee Bridge. Find these and more with easy navigation instructions at visitfortmyers.com/webcams
And enjoy our recently added webcams at Fort Myers Beach Town Square, Sanibel Lighthouse Park, Lovers Key Discovery Center and Prairie Pines Preserve in North Fort Myers.
Visit six Florida state parks in Lee County
Gasparilla Island State Park, Boca Grande
visitfortmyers.com/beaches/gasparilla-island-state-park
Koreshan State Park, Estero
visitfortmyers.com/listing/koreshan-state-park/42037
Mound Key Archaeological State Park, Estero
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/mound-key-archaeological-state-park
Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach
visitfortmyers.com/beaches/lovers-key-state-park
Cayo Costa State Park, Cayo Costa
visitfortmyers.com/beaches/cayo-costa-state-park
Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Estero
Fort Myers and the Estero River Scrub entrance at 4940 Broadway Ave. W. in Estero. Details: visitfortmyers.com/listing/estero-bay-preserve-state-park/39904
Neighborhood Mural Program
Highlighting what makes each area of the destination special, visitors are enjoying the experience of a neighborhood mural program. The placemaking initiative by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau is done in partnership with the Fort Myers Mural Society. The project gives visitors a chance to interact with the murals’ designs by taking and sharing photos.
The locations of this latest mural project include:
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The side of Eagle’s Nest Restaurant on Pine Island
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A double mural on both sides of the entrance doors into the North Fort Myers Recreation Center
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Lakes Park in Fort Myers for a series of murals in the children’s garden
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The side of the Community Redevelopment Agency building at 1231 Lafayette St., Cape Coral
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The side of the Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce building on Sanibel Island
Learn more about the mural program in the Fort Myers area: visitfortmyers.com/murals
Calusa Blueway Challenge
Take the Calusa Blueway Challenge through Feb. 28, and celebrate 20 years of the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail by checking in at locations along the trail for a chance to win prizes. Earn points as you paddle and check in at attractions, restaurants, parks and nature spots along the trail. Paddle on your own, experience a guided tour, shop at a local business or grab a bite to eat as you explore the 200-mile marked trail that meanders through the back-bay estuaries, rivers and shorelines of Fort Myers Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods. Complete a certain number of check-ins on the pass to be entered to win a Body Glove iSUP Performer 11’ or a two-night stay at Tarpon Lodge. Details and sign up: visitfortmyers.com/CalusaBluewayChallenge
Sun Saver Passport: Dine, Play, Shop, Sip
This popular, digital savings pass provides instant access to a variety of deals and experiences from area attractions, restaurants and more across four categories: Dine, Play, Shop and Sip. Participate through April 18. Sign up is simple and free. Passports are instantly delivered to phones via text and email. And there is an option for users to save the pass on their home screen for one-tap access. Sign up now to start saving. visitfortmyers.com/sun-saver-passport
Dining & entertainment
Escondido Lounge speakeasy opens in downtown Fort Myers
Shhhhh. There’s a secret in downtown Fort Myers. Escondido (means “hidden”) Lounge, a two story, hidden bar/lounge/speakeasy inspired by the elegance and intrigue of Prohibition-era speakeasies, blends the rich history of the 1920s with a modern, upscale twist.
Typical speakeasy, if there is such a thing, there is no sign. Located in the Richards Building on Hendry Street, the entrance is through Taco Works. Walk through the cooler door (really) and, voila, you are there! A piano is suspended overhead on a glass platform and a red, six-foot chandelier casts a glow over the room. That’s just the beginning. Signature cocktails, piano bar and chef’s creations. Check it out. escondidolounge.com
And the same concept is planned for an opening in Cape Coral in early 2025.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) news
New air service at RSW
Breeze Airways
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South Bend, Indiana (SBN), weekly, starting Feb. 5
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Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM) weekly, starting Feb. 14
Spirit Airlines
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Charlotte (CLT), daily, limited service from March 5-April 8
Southwest Airlines
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Orlando-McCoy (MC), daily starting Aug. 5
For more information, visit flyrsw.com
2025 annual festivals and events
ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown Fort Myers
Feb. 1-2
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium 2025 Season Lectures
ShellMuseum.org/in-person-lectures
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Feb. 13: “Shellfish Aquaculture in Florida: Its Status and Potential in a Rapidly Changing State,” by Stephen Hesterberg, Ph.D., executive director, Gulf Shellfish Institute.
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March 13: “Exploring the Atlantic Canyons: Searching the Deep Ocean for Cephalopods and Other Marine Life,” by Dr. Elizabeth Shea, director of collections and curator of mollusks, Delaware Museum of Nature and Science.
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April 3: “The Rise, Fall, and Renewal of New York Harbor’s Oysters,” by Mark Kurlansky, author.
Bonita Springs Seafood and Music Festival
Feb. 7-9
28001 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs
paragonfestivals.com/festival/bonita-springs-seafood-music-festival
Babcock Ranch Seafood and Music Festival
Feb. 14-16
42850 Crescent Loop in Babcock Ranch
paragonfestivals.com/festival/babcock-ranch-seafood-music-festival
The Savannah Bananas 2025 World Tour
Feb. 14-16
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
thesavannahbananas.com
87th Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
Feb. 15
Koreshan Nights Concert Series, Estero
Feb. 15 (March 15)
friendsofkoreshan.org/Special-Events
23rd annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
Feb. 22
Rotary Park Environmental Center
Rotary Park
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Southwest Florida Ag Expo
Feb. 27-March 9
Lee County Civic Center Complex
Spring training
Boston Red Sox
Feb. 21-March 23
mlb.com/redsox/spring-training
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
Minnesota Twins
Feb. 22-March 25
Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March 1
Fort Myers Regional Library, downtown Fort Myers
CROW Taste of the Islands, Sanibel Island
March 1 event at Sanibel City Hall
Feb. 21-28 at participating island restaurants
Brew for the Slough
March 1 launch of Slough Brew, a new amber lager at Crazy Dingo Brewing Co. to raise funds for Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and benefit Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
crazydingobrewing.com
sloughpreserve.org/the-friends
Sanibel Shell Show, Fort Myers
March 6-8
Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort
Concerts in the Park, Cape Coral
March 6 and 22, April 3
Check website for locations
88th annual Sanibel Shell Festival, Sanibel Island
March 7
Community House
Fort Myers Beach annual Lion’s Club Shrimp Festival
March 8-9
fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com
Fort Myers River Festival, downtown Fort Myers
March 21-23
paragonfestivals.com/festival/fort-myers-river-music-festival
ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers
March 16-22
echonet.org/events/global-food-and-farm-festival
Florida Lighthouse Day
April tba
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum and Gasparilla Island Lighthouse
bocagrandehappenings.org/events/its-florida-lighthouse-day
10th annual Bonita Springs Film Festival
April 17
Prado Stadium
36th annual “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival, Fort Myers
April 26
Lakes Park
13th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, Sanibel Island
May 9
dingdarlingsociety.org/tarpon-tournament
World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, Boca Grande
May 14-15
bocagrandechamber.com/worlds-richest-tarpon-tournament
15th annual Fort Myers Film Festival
May 14-18
Alliance for the Arts, Fringe Festival, Fort Myers
May 29-June 1
artinlee.org/experience/fringe
National Seashell Day
June 20
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
MangoMania
July tba
pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 19-28
FITMIX FEST, downtown Fort Myers
Sept. 28
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
November tba
Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers
BIG ARTS 2025 Film Festival, Sanibel Island
November tba
bigarts.org/event/inaugural-fall-film-festival
35th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship, Fort Myers Beach
November tba
2026 annual festivals and events
Fort Myers Seafood and Music Festival, downtown Fort Myers
January tba
paragonfestivals.com/festival/fort-myers-seafood-music-festival
41st annual Cape Coral Art Festival and Market Place
January tba
34th Tour De Cape in Cape Coral
January tba
Rotary Park
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Matlacha, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers, Alva, Buckingham and Lehigh Acres. For more information, go to visitfortmyers.com.
CONTACTS: Ray Sarracino, Jackie Parker, Miriam Dotson 239-338-3500