NicFree

I have not been to Ft. Myers since I was a teenager when I would go with my family every year. My grandma owned a condo and we would stay at her place.

I am now married without kids and will be returning with my husband. I am excited to show him where we would go as kids but I would also like to know what is there now. We are staying in Ft.Myers so we will go to Ft. Myers Beach. Are there any fun bars/restaurants with music? (Think Jimmy Buffet or Key West) We use to go to a place by the big green hotel; is it still there? We would also go to dinner at Snug Harbor while we were there. Is that still a good place or would you suggest something else?

I am also excited to go to Sanibel Island. Is the best place to go shelling still by the lighthouse? We are going to ride bikes around the shopping areas. What are a few good relaxed restaurants in that area for lunch.

We are looking to get a-way from the hussle here and enjoy time together so any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Candy210

We always return to the beach in front of the Lani Kai(spelling?)hotel. Live music,nice gulf water, can rent jet skis, and barmaids that bring drinks to you on the beach. It doesn't get much better!There are lots of bars, restaurants & shops along the beachside. Not sure on accomodations. We stay with relatives & visit. But, it is soooo much fun!
Seashells can be found all around the shore at Sanibel. But, get up early.Lots of shellers are out there. The Lazy Flamingo & Doc Fords has great lunches on Sanibel.We never had a bad lunch at any of the restaurants near the shops.
We always return to Captiva at the Mucky Duck for a great sunset dinner with live music outside at night. We have returned the past 5 years. You gotta love Florida & all it has to offer.Enjoy. Hope this helps.

bamakelly

Snug Harbour is a good place for dinner, but there are many other options as well. For nice meals, I like Dolce Vita (I think that's the name) on Sanibel and also La Brasserie is good, just into Ft Myers (right where you turn to go to Sanibel, by Pier 1 Imports). Lots of other great places on Sanibel too. Best shelling is at Blind Pass, between Sanibel and Captiva. Look to the left of the rock jetty for small exquistie shells, to the right for larger ones. Second best is Bowman's Beach. I've never had any luck at the lighthouse. For lunch, just about any of the places in the shops are good. One on Periwinkle is called something like Miss (somebody's) kitchen; maybe someone else knows the name--we liked it a lot when we lived down there.


For fun nightlife, there are some places in Ft Myers you might like to try: Blu is a sushi/martini bar, near the Prawnbroker on MacGregor. Cru is a place downtown--used to be a "smokeless" bar, not sure about now. The most fun place opened just before we moved. I have forgotten the name, but it is an Irish name

bamakelly

Sorry--posted too soon!

I was looking up the name of the place and hit the wrong button--name is Dwyer's on Hwy 41. Was very fun before we left there; I'd think it's probably still fun to see live music, etc.

Have fun!

LilMsFoodie

Dwyers is a fun bar, just don't eat there. Food is virtually inedible. I've been sentenced to dinner and lunch there quite a few times and have yet to find anything tolerable about it.

Cru is an outstanding restaurant and bar. Excellent wine and you can have a tapas type light meal in the bar if you like.

Right now, I like Doc Fords and La Dolce Vita on Sanibel. Key Lime Bistro on Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva is a lovely choice and they usually have a guitarist doing the Buffet thing. So does the Island Cow on Sanibel. I'm no longer a Mucky Duck fan. They need to step it up there, they have been coasting for about 4 years now. It is nice to have a beer or wine and watch the sunset from their patio however.

I never eat on Fort Myers Beach unless it is at the Gulfshore, a dive frequented by locals.

You can't even see the Lani Kai during spring break week...Budweiser trucks backed up in either direction The owner of the Lani Kai (a very dumpy hotel with a multi million dollar location..its only time until it goes condo) actually had to do some upgrades after Hurricane Charlie. It is a very fun location to beach it for a day but I must say that I prefer Doc's Beach House down at Bonita Beach.

LMF

bamakelly

LMF--Glad to hear Cru continues to do well. I really like that place. If Shannon Yates is stil the chef there, there's no question the food is great. Good point about the food at Dwyer's...yuck. But it's fun for drinks after dinner. Also--how could I have forgotten Key Lime Bistro?! I LOVE that place!!

tracys2cents

VOTE
FOR
VONZELL!


Go Baby V !

NicFree

Thanks for all your help! This makes me even more excited!

SanibelRick

Good choices...I agree, the Duck has become a tired tourist haunt, Victor's(the owner)attitude is going downhill like the food quality. La Dolce Vita is the place for expensive food and atmosphere, but it is worth it. Breakfast..try Amy's over Easy Cafe or Island Cow, for lunch, Island Cow, Doc Fords or even the Green Flash on Captiva is good.

luvtravl

Just got back from Sanibel and stayed on Middle Gulf Drive. The shelling was excellent this visit. As far as restaurants are concerned - Lazy Flamingo was good as always. Also really enjoy quick lunch at Schapper's Hots and dinner at McT's.

Have a great trip!!!!