John's Guidebook
Restaurants
Just 10 minutes from the house. Great and colorful fishing and artist village that was hard hit by Hurricane Ian. They are rebuilding and there are places that have reopened. There are good eating options: Blue Dog, Miceli’s, The Perfect Cup (breakfast and lunch) and for a basic place try That BBQ Place.
Matlacha
Great place to check out and eat. Under 30 minutes from the house. The Pier is a good place to eat. They have a few shops too, pricey but good for window shopping.
191 locals recommend
Fishermens Village Resort
1200 W Retta EsplanadeGreat place to check out and eat. Under 30 minutes from the house. The Pier is a good place to eat. They have a few shops too, pricey but good for window shopping.
Good Italian American Food that is flavorful and well prepared. The chicken parmigiana is tender and juice. The marinara sauce has a good balance, not acidic nor sweet.
42 locals recommend
Two Meatballs in the Kitchen - Cape Coral
1403 Cape Coral Pkwy EGood Italian American Food that is flavorful and well prepared. The chicken parmigiana is tender and juice. The marinara sauce has a good balance, not acidic nor sweet.
Masala Mantra - The Indian Bistro
Good authentic Indian food.
Located 10 mins from the house. They smoke the meats on site.
9 locals recommend
Texas Tonys Rib & Brewhouse
738 SW Pine Island RdLocated 10 mins from the house. They smoke the meats on site.
Great place to enjoy the view, drinks and food. A local favorite located on the southern point of Cape Coral at the Yacht Club Beach. Be sure to call ahead when you are 20 minutes away to be added to the waitlist.
235 locals recommend
Boat House Tiki Bar & Grill - Cape Coral
5819 Driftwood PkwyGreat place to enjoy the view, drinks and food. A local favorite located on the southern point of Cape Coral at the Yacht Club Beach. Be sure to call ahead when you are 20 minutes away to be added to the waitlist.
Family owned restaurant that serves tasty fresh food. It’s about 10 minutes away. Now called Thai Cafe 99.
Thai Nawa Cuisine
814 SW Pine Island RdFamily owned restaurant that serves tasty fresh food. It’s about 10 minutes away. Now called Thai Cafe 99.
The Mucky Duck
11546 Andy Rosse LaneBeach front dining and sizable drink menu.
Beach
There are several beach options in Southwest Florida. Each one has something different to offer. My suggestion is to go to the beaches during the weekday for the most tranquil experience. There are a couple that are closed due to Hurricane Ian.
Fort Myers Beach
Great place to go with the family to enjoy the ocean. Bowman’s Beach is known as a good spot for finding shells. Very wide sandy beach, be ready for a long walk to get there. Blind pass beach is also open but has limited parking. A few restaurants have reopened including Mudbugs, Doc Fords and Island Pizza.
118 locals recommend
Sanibel
Great place to go with the family to enjoy the ocean. Bowman’s Beach is known as a good spot for finding shells. Very wide sandy beach, be ready for a long walk to get there. Blind pass beach is also open but has limited parking. A few restaurants have reopened including Mudbugs, Doc Fords and Island Pizza.
Currently closed due to Hurricane Ian. Seven miles of beach that is only accessible by boat. Tropic Star provides boat transportation to get you there. They depart from Pine Island.
41 locals recommend
Cayo Costa State Park
Currently closed due to Hurricane Ian. Seven miles of beach that is only accessible by boat. Tropic Star provides boat transportation to get you there. They depart from Pine Island.
Located on the southern tip of Cape Coral on the Caloosahatchee River. Just 30 minutes from the house, it’s a good spot to lay by the water. The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill is also on the beach.
181 locals recommend
Yacht Club Beach, LLC
1039 Dolphin DrLocated on the southern tip of Cape Coral on the Caloosahatchee River. Just 30 minutes from the house, it’s a good spot to lay by the water. The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill is also on the beach.
Gasparilla Island State Park
880 Belcher RdVanderbilt Beach
Great shelling and just past Sanibel. Only challenge is parking. Turner and Captiva Beaches are both open and with limited parking. The Mucky Duck is open and is a good beachfront dining option.
154 locals recommend
Captiva Island
Great shelling and just past Sanibel. Only challenge is parking. Turner and Captiva Beaches are both open and with limited parking. The Mucky Duck is open and is a good beachfront dining option.
Don Pedro Island State Park
8450 Placida RdManasota Key Beach
8570 Manasota Key RdFamily Activities
Wide variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Gator Mike's Family Fun Park
35 NE Pine Island RdFamily friendly water park located less than 15 mins from the house.
271 locals recommend
Sun Splash Family Waterpark
500 Santa Barbara BlvdFamily friendly water park located less than 15 mins from the house.
Gulf Coast Family Charters LLC
Jim Jeffers Park
2817 SW 3rd LnStrausser BMX Sports Complex
Salty Sam's Pirate Cruise
2500 Main StThe Butterfly Estates
1815 Fowler StSmall neighborhood park with a covered playground, lake, covered picnic area, tennis courts, dog walking trail. Even a take a book, leave a book.
7 locals recommend
Joe Stonis Park
3444 Ceitus PkwySmall neighborhood park with a covered playground, lake, covered picnic area, tennis courts, dog walking trail. Even a take a book, leave a book.
Sightseeing
Good choice of restaurants, bars and even museum.
23 locals recommend
Downtown Fort Myers Riverfront Detention Basin Project
1631 Hendry StGood choice of restaurants, bars and even museum.
Located right on the river, there is a lot to see in the two houses plus the lab across the street. Great piece of history.
459 locals recommend
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor BlvdLocated right on the river, there is a lot to see in the two houses plus the lab across the street. Great piece of history.
Located just west of Matlacha, this island is a relaxing drive. Bokeelia on the north end has a nice view of Charlotte Harbor. You can see all the way to Boca Grand. St James City to the south is more suburban.
Pine Island
Located just west of Matlacha, this island is a relaxing drive. Bokeelia on the north end has a nice view of Charlotte Harbor. You can see all the way to Boca Grand. St James City to the south is more suburban.
Solomon's Castle
4533 Solomon RdWildlife
Small park that is a good spot to watch manatees during the cooler months. Ten minute drive from the house.
Sirenia Vista
3916 Ceitus PkwyFour Mile Cove Ecological Preserve
2500 SE 24th StYou can see manatees from mid December to March. Check out the park website for sighting information.
110 locals recommend
Manatee Park
10901 Palm Beach BoulevardYou can see manatees from mid December to March. Check out the park website for sighting information.
Hiking, bird watching, nature photography, mountain biking
Access point that is a 5 min drive from the house. Trail head is located across the street from the fire fighters station
Yucca Pens Preserve
4325 Burnt Store Road NorthGolf Course
Public golf course located just 500 feet from the house. It is an 18-hole, Arthur Hills-designed championship course built within a century-old oak hammock.
Coral Oaks Golf Course
1800 NW 28th Ave