| azwurth |
Aug 7th, 2005 02:55 PM |
Can't tell you much about Ft. Lauderdale except to say there are some fun boats that will take you thru the inland waterways to dinner that your kids might enjoy, depends upon atwhich hotel you staying. Some good beaches there too and along the ocean, some fun restaurants. Now, get on Alligator Alley and come across on over to the West coast. Been going to Ft. M for over 20 years..great place with plenty to do for all. Venture out to the Ding Darling Preserve on Sanibel Island for sure. Go to the pier at Ft. Myers Beach for restaurants and shopping; truly a beachy beach resort. On down south of the pier about four miles is the area at Santini Plaza where you'll find The Fish House back by the marina behind the shopping strip(sounds not so good doesn't it? buut it is) Sit by the water and have some good seafood. Travel on down another 15 20 minutes to Bonita Beach and go to a truly unique restaurant on the beach there..DOC'S. Casual,fun, sandwiches, pizza, etc. You order at various windows then wait for them to call your name. Can be jammed, but I doubt it in December. Speaking of December..it can be cold, but it probably will be around 68-75 tops with cool nights. If you get very lucky, you'll hit a couple of 80 days. The beaches in the area you will stay(if I'm recalling correctly)are fantastic. Just soak those in, watch the sunset,etc. Some of the best places for shells anywhere on these beaches. Sanibel especially. Be SURE to do Sanibel. Well worth the drive over and back. If you're staying in the area where I where I think you are, try an Italian Restaurant at a little marina mid island called Ferdinands(I think..?) Very good. For great pancake breakfasts, go to a very small local favorite called the Island Pancake House. I'd say it's about a mile and a half or so south from the pier. If the kids like miniature golf, there are a couple of very good ones, unlike any you have probably ever seen. Ft. Myers Beach at Spring break is simply wall to wall. It takes(not joking..if you consider this even remotely jokable) about an hour to go 4 miles from Santini Plaza to the pier at break time. It's out of control busy then, so you are going to be able to whisk thru about everything you want to see in December I would guess. As far as water sports...there are all kinds of cruises, fishing charters, rentals of jet skis, parachute sailing, etc all along the beach,but maybe moreso toward the pier. Two ways to drive into Ft. Myers..going over the big bridge at Matanzas pass or from the southern end thru Bonita Beach. Go over the bridge to get a great quick snapsjot of the area. As soon as you go over that bridge, you'll see the pier area I speak of. Basically, once you get to FMB, you'll figure out quickly the area. More ice cream stands, hot dog stands, bars, etc than you can shake a stick at. Why anyone WANTS to shake sticks at anything has always fascinated me, but regardless, you know what I mean. Have fun. You'll go back to Ft Myers Beach, I guarantee it!
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