Must-Do Activities When Visiting Fort Myers and Sanibel Island With Kids
The first thing that comes to mind when families plan vacations to the Fort Myers/Sanibel Island region? Beaches. Sandy beaches, beaches with lots of shells, beaches where the sun shines nearly every day. The beaches are indeed great, but they are just one of the area's best-known attractions.
Sanibel Island, recognized as an early leader in ecotourism, offers numerous outdoor learning opportunities. There are historic and cultural attractions, not to mention sports -- for both spectators and participants. Having lived 30 years in the Fort Myers area with my own family, here's our "locals list" of favorite things to do:
Family Fun on the Cheap in Fort Myers
Sanibel Island Beaches
Although Sanibel Island has a $6 toll to enter and a reputation for being a costly place to visit, its two biggest draws are inexpensive-to-free. Technically, the beaches are free, if you walk or ride a bicycle to get there. Parking generally costs $5 an hour, but the beaches along the Causeway Islands Park have no parking fees. Tip: With small children, avoid swimming from the beaches at either end of the island, where currents can be more treacherous.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
The island’s other main draw, “Ding” Darling has a free, hands-on Visitor & Education Center. Don’t miss its Learning Lavatories -- artful, educational restrooms that won America’s Best Restroom Award in 2018. Admission to the refuge’s Wildlife Drive and its trails is only $5 per vehicle, or $1 per pedestrian or cyclist age 15 and older.
Tip: Download the free Discover Ding game and social media app.
Lynn Hall Memorial Beach Park
On Fort Myers Beach, parking costs $2 an hour. The most popular with families, Lynn Hall Beach has a playground, a free fishing pier and is close to inexpensive places to eat and shop.
Educational Fun in Fort Myers
When visiting museums and amusement parks, use a credit card that rewards for entertainment spending to maximize the rewards.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Celebrated as the home of two American geniuses, Fort Myers' most-visited historic attraction is the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. The riverside grounds hold the twin homes that inventor Thomas A. Edison built and Henry Ford’s place next door, plus the gardens Edison planted for his experiments, his laboratory, a museum and special kids programs. In the museum, the hands-on Smithsonian Spark!Lab appeals to families’ inventive nature. The popular guided tour costs $18 for ages 6–12, $25 for ages 13–19, $30 adults.
Imag History & Science Center
Imag History & Science Center has interactive exhibits that teach the fundamentals of science and local history. Some highlights include live animals and animal demonstrations, aquariums and tanks, a virtual history experience, 3-D kids movies and special Friday night and summer camp programs for kids. Admission is $10 for children and students ages 3 and older, $14 for adults.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
When your family becomes obsessed with all the shells on Sanibel Island beaches, take your collecting to the next level at the shell museum. Currently expanding to add live-mollusk aquaria, Sanibel’s shell museum is one of a kind, putting shells in the context of living creatures, history, culture, religion and art. Kids have their own hands-on learning room, and staff members conduct daily beach walks. Admission is $7 for kids ages 5–11, $9 for ages 12–17, $15 for adults. (Beach walk extra.)
Splurges in Fort Myers
Shell Factory & Nature Park
Hardly competition with the big-name parks in Orlando, there are a few smaller amusement parks in Fort Myers that are less bank-busting. The biggest and oldest, the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers blends old-fashioned bumper boats and mini-golf with a new-fashioned Nature Park zoo and zip line, all within a shopping center where seashells are the main attraction. The activities are priced a la carte, but you can buy packages starting at $25 each and including admission to the Nature Park, where the petting farm and gator slough are big draws for families.
Sunsplash Family Waterpark
The area's only public water park, Sunsplash in Cape Coral offers 14 acres of tam water features for tots to scary slides for the daring. Children ages 2 to 12 pay $18; adults $20, parking starts at $5.
Tip: Come after 5pm on select summer Saturdays for discounted admission until 8:30.
Professional Baseball
Fort Myers hosts two Major League Baseball teams for spring training in March: the Minnesota Twins at CenturyLink Sports Complex and the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park Fenway South. Tickets range from $5–$44. Usually you can watch team practices for free. Through the summer, the Twins’ affiliate team, the Fort Myers Miracle, plays at CenturyLink, offering special summer promotions such as fireworks and Dog Days. Tickets are $7.50 to $12, plus parking.
Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise
Whether you want to search out dolphins, make like a pirate or cruise and dine, Fort Myers has a boating excursion for your family. One of the most popular with small tykes, the Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise sails under the skull and crossbones aboard a ship that fills 90 minutes with games, cannon blasts, face painting and buccaneer pageantry. Prices start at $25 each.
Restaurants Kids Will Love
Almost all of the area’s restaurants cater to kids and families. Here are a few suggestions for every budget and occasion.
The Best Credit Cards for Dining Rewards
Lazy Flamingo
It started on Sanibel Island, where there are now two Lazy Flamingos. There's also one in Fort Myers. Ultra-casual and nautical in design, its kids menu lists a number of dishes for $8–$10 that come served in a Lazy Flamingo Frisbee to keep, along with a souvenir drink cup. The regular menu consists of wings, grouper sandwiches, burgers and other casual eats.
Ford’s Garage
Another independent restaurant that has grown into a chain, the first Ford’s Garage downtown Fort Myers appeals to the automobile lover of all ages, with a Model T hanging over the bar and other memorabilia relating to one of the city’s most famous historical figures. Known for its craft burgers ($9–$13.50), comfort food and craft beers, the indoor-outdoor restaurant pleases families with kids meals for $7.
Poppy’s Pizza & Pub
Poppy’s wins hearts with its stellar New York-style pizza, outdoor seating and full selection of well-executed pasta (we love the gnocchi appetizer) and other entrees. Pizza starts at $10 for a 12-inch cheese. Entrees range from $14 for pasta dishes to $42 for a filet mignon with shrimp and Gorgonzola demi-glaze.
Bubble Room
For kids, the Bubble Room's big attraction is the toys. Retro toys fill glass-topped tables. Electric trains run around the roof line. Nostalgic, colorful kitsch fills every nook and cranny. And then there’s the cake. Huge wedges of homemade cake can easily be shared by two, even three. Despite its casual air, the prices here are in the “special occasion” category. On the coloring-sheet kids menu, dishes such as Chicken Little range from $8 to $13. Open for lunch and dinner, entrees on the adult evening menu include seafood, pasta and steak.
Bottom Line
The Fort Myers area offers your family an immense variety of vacation options, from funky Old Florida to cultural downtown and watery playgrounds.
Looking for more Florida vacation ideas? Try these:
- Planning a Family Trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida
- Affordable Family Beach Getaway: Tips for Visiting Destin, Florida
- 9 of the Best Beaches in Florida
- 8 Florida Hotels Where You Can Use Points to Escape Winter
- The Essential Guide to Legoland Florida
- Easy Florida Dive and Snorkeling Trips for Kids
- Orlando’s Best Hotel Waterparks
- TPG’s Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World Resort
- These Are the Best Times to Visit Walt Disney World
- How to Save Money at Universal Orlando By Using Points
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.