mitzisue

We are going to visit my ILs in Estero over spring break. I have never been there. The in-laws are new transplants and aren't much help--FIL is a management consultant and suggested we go to one of his workshops the one morning! (No thanks) . I can't find much about Estero at all. I like my ILs, but we are going to be there a week and I want to get out of their hair from time to time to keep the peace.

Husband wants to go to the Everglades, which seem to be quite huge, but full of opportunities. Is there something people could suggest that is doable for perhaps a day trip with kids age 11 and 8?

My kids would probably be happy just hanging out on the beach, and that's fine, but I would like to know something nearby that might interest them. They like nature and animals and most things tweens like.

I appreciate the help!

kelliebellie

The Naples Zoo wouldn't be too far and is really nice. It is small, but has these nice exhibits where they feed the lion right by the fence and feed the alligators. Check for times on their website because those things are really the reason to go.

http://www.caribbeangardens.com/

There is also the Conservancy in Naples. It has a nice visitors center and boat ride through the mangroves.

http://www.conservancy.org/Page.aspx?pid=474

There is also an audubon place

http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/

Naples itself is really nice. You could do the zoo and then get dinner downtown.

There is also a dog track in Naples. We haven't taken the kids to that yet, although they've been to horse tracks

http://www.naplesfortmyersdogs.com/

There used to be a great pirate ship out of Ft. Myers. That one is gone, but there is another one:

http://www.piecesofeight.com/

There is also a fishing trip:

http://www.getawaymarina.com/

There is a nice restaurant across the street from them.

Search Sanibel and Captiva Islands as well. Have fun!

mitzisue

Ooh, fishing trips sound fun! Also sanibel and captiva (though I always thought they were kind of expensive--perhaps because we have some friends who take some fancy vacas out there...?)

emalloy

Go out to Pine Island to take a fishing trip. Head to Mc Gregor Blvd. to the Edison home and labs. He spent winters there and they do interesting tours. Everglades City is an hour or two south depending on traffic and the National Park service does boat rides out into the mangroves from there. Shark Valley is about two and a half hours towards Miami and the Park service does rides into the everglades there. Check www.nps.gov and click on Florida for specifics. Corkscrew swamp is a little south of there and the Audubon society has built platforms that go through a cypress swamp which is very interesting. About an hour north is Venice where the beach has lots of fossil shark teeth that wash up in the sand - go past the little airport and look for the pier. Visit sanibel and captiva, there was a toll to go across the causeway but the beaches are nice and often have good shelling and there is a wildlife sanctuary - Ding Darling_ that you can ride through and stop and there are usually alligators, nice birds etc. there.

garyt22

have a look at www.fortmyers-sanibel.com you can order their guidebook...

mitzisue

Any suggestions on where to go on Captiva or Sanibel? My kids are intrigued by the idea of shelling...

SusanMargaret

There are 4 or 5 public beaches on Sanibel and Captiva. On the right as you arrive on Sanibel is a visitor centre where you will get lots of information. The closest beach with public parking is Lighthouse Beach (turn left just past the visitor centre). Shelling is good at any time, but especially at low tide, early in the morning. My favourite beach is at the very top end of Captiva (near South Sea Islands resort), but the parking is fairly limited, so it pays to be early. Parking is $2 an hour, so make sure you have some small bills with you.

LLindaC

My Mom lived there for 25 years and my kids loved the beach at Delnor- Wiggins Pass (Vanderbilt Beach) the best. Shade, natural vegetation, nice facilities. You pay a few bucks to get in, which makes all the difference in how it looks..

My kids absolutely LOVED Babcock Ranch. You take a swamp buggy ride and see lots of wild animals. They got to pet a baby alligator as well!

http://www.babcockwilderness.com/

kelliebellie

That beach that LInda mentioned is right in North Naples. There are tons of shells on that beach too. That whole gulf coast region is clogged with them.

A few blocks from that beach is a bike rental store:

http://naplescyclery.com/


And a great restaurant with tables on the beach:

http://www.windwardhospitality.com/naples/index.html

nlg

Thomas Edison's house is in Ft. Myers-it would be an interesting way to spend an afternoon. The first light bulbs he invented are still working.