What’s new from Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
LEE COUNTY, Fla. (U.S.A.) – Fort Myers’ Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods in Southwest Florida continues to provide new experiences for returning guests and first-time visitors. Whether you’re looking for great year-round weather or shell-drenched beaches along the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, VisitFortMyers.com is your source for the most up-to-date vacation information.
Learn about wildlife and more in May at Lovers Key State Park
Lovers Key State park is offering a series of programs throughout May that will include learning about sea turtles, gopher tortoises, gators, manatees, sharks and other wildlife. A fishing program along with a seashell walk and a sandcastle class for kids are just a few of the fun programs available. Many are free and all require registration. eventbrite.com/o/friends-of-lovers-key-inc-17957393962
Plan ahead for Island Hopper 2022
Mark your calendar for Island Hopper Songwriter Fest 2022, returning for its eighth year. A 10-day music festival featuring performances by some of the country’s greatest singer-songwriters, Island Hopper takes place in three areas, with the first weekend kicking off on Captiva Island, Sept. 16-18, then moving to downtown Fort Myers, Sept. 19- 22, and ending with a weekend on Fort Myers Beach, Sept. 23-25. Most shows are free, with the exception of a few ticketed experiences, like our headliner shows. Stay up-to-date on festival news with the Island Hopper app or islandhopperfest.com
Dining news and more
Beacon Social Drinkery features Bourbon Reserve List
The popular rooftop bar sitting atop Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers, has announced a new Bourbon Reserve list, featuring some of the world’s rarest liquors. The list includes 18 fine hand-selected, barrel-aged spirits, such as WhistlePig 18 Year Double Malt Aged Rye, bottle No. 2 of 156 and the brand’s oldest rye; Buffalo Trace Wheat and Kosher Rye, made in partnership with the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) using the same high-quality grains as W.L. Weller Bourbon Whiskey, and aged in designated Kosher barrels; and the Woodford Reserve Five-Malt Stouted, which contains stouted mash and is the 17th release of the famous distillery’s Master’s Collection. See the Bourbon Reserve list at
luminaryhotel.com/taste/beacon-social-drinkery/beacon-social-drinkery
Taste of the Beach May 1
The 26th Annual Taste of the Beach will be held May 1 at Salty Sam’s Marina, Fort Myers Beach. Restaurants will offer samples of their signature dishes available for purchase and compete for top Taste of the Beach Award honors in the categories of Best Appetizer, Best Beef Entree, Best Seafood Entree, Best Chicken Entree, Best Vegetarian/Vegan, Best Dessert, Best Decorated Booth and People’s Choice. Gates open at 11 a.m. Food will be served until it runs out or at 4 p.m. The event will also include vendors, live music and the famous server competition. fortmyersbeach.org/events/2022-taste-of-the-beach
Chocolate lovers experience May-September
Renowned chocolatier Norman Love and his award-winning culinary team at Norman Love Confections will be offering a delectable lineup of chocolate classes this spring and summer for a hands-on chocolate lovers’ experience.
Ideal for individuals and groups of friends looking for a unique social experience, “Cooking with Love” features 10 classes centered on artisan chocolates in which students will learn the best techniques for creating delicious chocolate confections and more. During the cooking class, students will enjoy an interactive and fun-filled evening where they will create sweet creations to take home.
From May through September, classes will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Fort Myers Chocolate Salon. Class seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged. NormanLoveConfections.com
Accommodations news
Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village adds pet chauffeur and getaway boat to wedding amenities
The resort has debuted a pet chauffeur to its roster of wedding amenities. Available to take care of dogs who play a key role in weddings at the resort, the pet chauffeur will assist in helping the dog to get ready, grooming needs and will bring the dog to and from the ceremony and reception.
Another new wedding amenity is a getaway boat that helps newlywed couples make the ultimate getaway at the end of the evening. The boat offers champagne toasts for the couple and an option to add farewell deck-cocktails for party guests to join in the departure fun. westincapecoral.com
Airport news
New air service at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
Breeze Airways: nonstop to Las Vegas (LAS) and Charleston, South Carolina (CHS), twice weekly, beginning June 11.
Eurowings Discover: Frankfurt, Germany (FRA), weekly, year-round service
Alaska Airlines: Seattle (SEA) weekly, year-round service.
Eurowings Discover: Frankfurt, Germany (FRA), weekly, year-round service
Alaska Airlines: Seattle (SEA) weekly, year-round service.
Attractions news
Amphitheater opens in downtown Fort Myers
The Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheater in downtown Fort Myers has opened its much anticipated amphitheater. The new venue extends across the eastern side of Centennial Park, nestled between Luminary Hotel on Edwards Drive and the Caloosahatchee River. The $3.54 million project, including ongoing renovations to the park’s east side, will be used for entertainment as well as annual events. The venue capacity is 2,500-3,000 people, surpassing other mid-sized Southwest Florida venues.
luminaryhotel.com/gather/caloosa-sound-convention-center/caloosa-sound-amphitheater
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge plans new pavilion
Soon to break ground, The Roost, a $1 million-plus project will greet visitors to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge with outdoor flex space for a broad spectrum of educational purposes. The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge plans to break ground on The Roost, adjacent to the entrance ramp to the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center, by late summer.
The 4,670-square-feet pavilion, designed by Sanibel Island architect Amy Nowacki, will be constructed of innovative earth-friendly materials with solar panels that will provide electricity for its lighting and paddle fans and a battery backup for other refuge buildings. Incorporating design elements from nature, it will serve as an outdoor classroom for visiting school and other groups. dingdarlingsociety.org
Fort Myers Water Taxi offers stops along the Caloosahatchee River
Fort Myers Water Taxi offers a new way to visit three stops along the Caloosahatchee River: Pinchers Crab Shack at The Marina at Edison Ford (where the boat starts and ends its route), Marinatown Yacht Harbour (including SeaCraft Waterfront Tiki and Nauti Parrot Tiki Hut) and the North Fort Myers Best Western hotel (including nearby Three Fishermen Seafood Restaurant). ftmyerswatertaxi.com
Have fun and save with Fort Myers Sun Saver Passport
Fort Myers’ Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods has launched a free mobile savings passport giving users access to exclusive deals on attractions, restaurants and experiences throughout the destination.
To participate:
- Sign up at explore.visitfortmyers.com
- The passport will be delivered to your mobile phone via text.
- Redeem it on your mobile phone at participating businesses.
- Visit the website for a complete list of attractions, restaurants and experiences.
Check in and have a good day: Fort Myers Discovery Challenge
Explore Fort Myers and surrounding areas to discover the arts and cultural attractions that make the islands, beaches and neighborhoods naturally unique. Embark on a guided tour of the Mound House that overlooks Estero Bay or walk the Calusa Heritage Trail on Pine Island. From the nationally recognized shell museum on Sanibel Island to the art galleries of Matlacha, there are so many ways to have a good day. Using your phone, check in to each location and you could find exclusive savings and deals. Even better, you can earn a variety of prizes. visitfortmyers.com/challenge
Butterfly House tours, Friday and Saturday, Rotary Park, Cape Coral
The Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly House in Rotary Park is home to many native Florida butterfly species, including the zebra longwing, the state butterfly. Guides explain the different butterflies, their caterpillars and host plants. Donations are accepted at 10:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. ccfriendsofwildlife.org/tom-allen-memorial-butterfly-garden
Festivals and events
12th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival
May 18-22
fortmyersfilmfestival.com
10th Annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, Sanibel Island
May 13
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/tarpon-tournament-1
Captiva Pride Weekend
June 3-5
tween-waters.com/captiva-pride-weekend
National Seashell Day
June 21
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
24th Annual MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival, Pine Island
July 16
mangomaniafl.net
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 16-25
IslandHopperFest.com
Roar Offshore, Fort Myers Beach
October TBD
roaroffshore.com
37th Annual Oktoberfest, Cape Coral
Oct. 21-23 and 28-30
capecoraloktoberfest.com
Lee County Alliance of the Arts 5th Annual Arts on Tap, Fort Myers
November TBD
Artinlee.org/ontap
2023 Events
38th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral
Jan. 14-15
capecoralfestival.com
ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown River District
February TBD
artfestfortmyers.com
Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
Feb. 18
edisonfestival.org
Boca Grande Film Festival
February TBD
friendsofbocagrande.org/events/boca-grande-film-festival
86th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival, Sanibel Island
March
sanibelcommunityhouse.net/p/84/shell-festival
24th Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March 4
readfest.org
ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers
March 7-11
echonet.org/events/global-food-and-farm-festival
65th Annual Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival, Fort Myers Beach
March 11-12
fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-shrimp-festival
Spring training 2023
Boston Red Sox
February-March
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
mlb.com/redsox/tickets/spring-training
Minnesota Twins
February-March
Lee County Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
mlb.com/twins/tickets/spring-training
33th Annual “Ding” Darling Day, Lakes Park, Fort Myers
Conservation Carnival
April TBD
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/ding-darling-days
Fort Myers Beach International Film Festival
April TBD
fmbfilmfest.com
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Editor’s note: Fort Myers and surrounding areas includes Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel & Captiva islands, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, Pine Island, Matlacha, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Alva, Buckingham and Lehigh Acres. For media assistance, VisitFortMyers.com/media-central
