2015 swfl visitors guide

2 | VISITORS GUIDE 2015

2 | VISITORS GUIDE 2015 VISITORS GUIDE 2015 | 3

ABOUT US VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

GREETINGS, VISITORS

Many people throughout time have journeyed to this special paradise known as Southwest Florida.

If you are a seasonal visitor or tourist, you like so many others know youre in a memorable place. Visitors soon learn things are different here; that can take getting used to.

If you are vacationing in the summer, expect plenty of hot days, with high humidity and explosive afternoon showers spiked with lightning.

Our pleasant winters and spectacular scenery are your reward for wilting in the summers. Theres plenty to do in our fantastic outdoors and inside with sports, entertainment and artistic venues galore.

The News-Press Media Group is at your service. In print, online and through special informative products, like this one. We aim to get you the information you seek when and how you need it.

IN PRINT} Tropicalia: Your field guide to paradise, published every Sunday in The News-Press. Learn about local history, wildlife and interesting people and check out social scene photos.

} Coastal Life: Celebrating the best of South Lee and North Naples every Sunday.

} @home: Published every Saturday, this section will help you navigate Southwest Floridas sense of home decor and landscaping.

} Gulf Coasting: Published every Friday, the most comprehensive local entertainment guide, including restaurant reviews, events, movie reviews and more.

} Taste: All you need to know about dining, entertaining and cooking in Southwest Florida style. Every Wednesday in The News-Press.

} Living well: Looking good and feeling fit in Southwest Florida, every Tuesday in The News-Press.

} Lehigh News Star: The community newspaper focusing on Lehigh Acres publishes Wednesdays.

} Cape Life: Published every Thursday, a weekly targeting young families and busy residents with community news, sports, education and business features and more.

} South Fort Myers Life: Published Saturday, focused on whats going on in schools, neighborhoods and businesses.

} Grandeur magazine: Published eight times a year, our glossy magazine celebrates Southwest Floridas good life.

} Southwest Florida Parent & Child magazine: Our monthly magazine offers all kinds of helpful parenting information.

} USA Today: Since October of 2013 you can get all the best of USA Today national news with all the local information with your News-Press every day of the year.

ONLINE} news-press.com: For the latest breaking news, including traffic and weather information. Join the community conversation on our forums. Search databases of public records. View hundreds of photo galleries and post some of your own.

} Our specialty microsites: news-press.com/outdoors (recreation and the outdoors), news-press.com/taste (food and dining), news-press.com/causes (volunteerism and philanthropy), news-press.com/health (healthy living), news-press.com/grandeur (luxury living)

} swflparentchild.com: Read tips and helpful hints for all parents. Check out the latest photo galleries and videos about Southwest Florida parents and children.

ON THE GO} m.news-press.com: Our website formatted for your mobile device.

} news-press.com/mobile: Get The News- Press app for your iPhone or Android phone with the latest stories, sports score, videos, photos and push alerts on breaking news.

SOCIAL MEDIA} news-press.com/share: Upload your photos and videos

} Facebook: Become a fan at news-press.com/facebook

} Twitter: Start following @thenewspress at twitter.com/thenewspress

WEBCAMSCheck out the views of

the Gulf of Mexico by clicking on our beach cams at news-press.com/webcams. You can look at people walking on the beach or watch the sunset from our camera located at the Lani Kai on Fort Myers Beach.

Major events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,11Climate & Critters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,16Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Local Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Day Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Beaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,33Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Boating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Spring Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38State Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Libraries/Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Nature Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Museums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

CONTENTS

ABOUT USPublisher Mei-Mei Chan

Vice President / Advertising Sales Nancy M. Solliday

Vice President/ Executive Editor Cindy McCurry-Ross

Specialty Publications General Manager Kathryn Robinson Kinsey

Specialty Publications Team Coordinator Dennis Wright

News Director Wendy Fullerton

Consumer Experience Director Mark Bickel


MAJOR EVENTS VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

THINGS TO DO

Whether youre looking to lend a hand to a charity gala, peruse art galleries and museums or relax

at some of the best fishing and shelling spots in the world, theres something in Lee County for you. A few favorites:

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA READING FESTIVAL

If youve never attended this annual festival, you are missing out on a fantastic day for the entire family. The free festival is March 21 in Harborside Event Center and Centennial Park. For info, go to readfest.org. The event includes childrens books and authors, childrens craft tent and storytelling sessions.

EDISON FESTIVAL OF LIGHTAfter New Years celebrations all over

Southwest Florida, the next big thing is an extended homage to one of Fort Myers most famous winter residents: Thomas Edison.

Edison first visited Florida in 1885. He bought property the next year and began wintering here until he died in 1931. Edisons friend Henry Ford bought the neighboring property in 1915.

The celebration begins with the Day of Discovery at Harborside Event Center. The Edison Festival of Light and Grand Parade follows the next week. Other events in the lengthy festival involve the whole family, including an inventors fair, junior parade and a crafts show. The Grand Parade is the highlight, with a night parade featuring two hours of national and local marching bands, floats and more. For information, go to edisonfestival.org.

STONE CRAB FESTIVAL IN NAPLES

Join the folks at the waterfront as they celebrate the arrival of stone crabs. Sustainably harvested, stone crab claws are only available during the fall and winter, and this festival celebrates the start of the harvest. Listen to live music as you enjoy your fill of this local

delicacy. For info, visit stonecrabfestival.org.

RIVERDALE KIWANIS MEDIEVAL FAIRE

Hear ye, Lords and Ladies, come one and all each January to Lakes Park in south Fort Myers to jest and joust at this annual fundraiser benefiting the Kiwanis charitable works for children. Minstrels, maidens and jesters entertain while the crowds thrill to see noble knights joust on horseback. Visit medieval-faire.com.

MANGOMANIAIn July, join the people of Pine Island

as they celebrate their quintessential cash crop at their annual tropical fruit fair thats so big they have to hold it off island at the German-American Social Club in Cape Coral. Enjoy live bands while participating in mango cooking, costuming and eating contests. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit floridascreativecoast.com.

Sand Sculpting on Fort Myers Beach


FORT MYERS BEACH PIRATE FEST

Arrrrr mates, buckle ye swatches and come aboard Estero Island for fun when the pirates invade Fort Myers Beach. Listen to music while you grab some grub and find treasures at the craft tents. Then get down to the harbor to watch as the pirate ships fire their cannons upon the defenders of the good town. The fun all takes place Oct. 9-11. Find your treasure map at fortmyersbeach.org/piratefest

OKTOBERFESTAt the German-American Social Club

in Cape Coral, this two-weekend event draws about 30,000 festivalgoers each year. Oktoberfest, which will celebrate its 30th year in 2015, features food, live music, games and delectable brews. Many celebrate their own heritage, as Southwest Florida is home to a substantial German heritage population, but the festivities include events enjoyable to everyone. Children enjoy the carnival rides and participants get silly during the group chicken dance while attendees sample bratwurst and other tasty German fare. For information, go to capecoraloktoberfest.com.

BONITA BLUES FESTIVALEvery March, the home of blues is

at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. The two-day music festival features nationally known blues musicians on the parks band shell stage, a laid-back vibe and delicious food. Ticket sales benefit local charities. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bonitablues.com.

SAND SCULPTINGLocals create art from sand year-round

on Fort Myers Beach, but in late November renowned sand sculptors transform the powdery white stuff into large, intricate sculptures with such careful detailing they look like they belong in a gallery. Its all part of the American Sand-Sculpting Championships. The event at Wyndham Garden attracts an estimated 70,000-100,000 people a year who marvel at the sculptures while listening to live music. sandsculptingfestival.com.

MORE TO DOCheck out Gulf Coasting in

The News-Press every Friday and gulfcoastinglive.com

for more listings.

Edison Festival of Light

Riverdale Kiwanis Medieval Faire

VIS TORS GUIDE 2015 MAJOR EVENTS


GENERAL KNOWLEDGE VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

CLIMATE CRITTER MANUAL

TOWNS

Theres heat, humidity and the threat of hurricanes, but most find its a small price to pay for Southwest

Floridas enviable weather.

Warm, radiating sunshine abounds year-round, and evenings are accompanied by balmy breezes and breathtaking sunsets. And winter can be the best time of the year, with lows in the 50s and highs the 70s.

In December, there were two days with temperatures as high as 79 degrees.

Southwest Florida averages 98 clear days, 168 partly cloudy days and 99 cloudy days each year. The average annual temperature is 76 degrees. The average high is 84 degrees and the average low is 64 degrees.

And while the winter season is the driest time of year for the area, the occasional cold fronts often mean rain. In 1997, a record 5.46 inches were recorded in December.

This past January the average low temperature in Fort Myers was 56 degrees, that may seem cold to some at least to the year-round Floridian. But temperatures through February and the month of March usually average 77 and 80 degrees respectively.

The first time a lizard darts across the floor or a 2-inch palmetto bug takes flight, newcomers realize theyre

not in Ohio anymore.

Here is our guide to the tiny wildlife found in the Southwest Florida ecology:

} Nematodes: Microscopic worms, many of which are parasites.

} Anoles: The most common are the native green anole and Cuban brown anole.

} Geckos: These round-toed lizards prefer the indoors, where they munch on ants and roaches.

} Palmetto bugs: Palmetto bug or water bug for those who refuse to admit a roach got into the house. The adults can fly.

} Ring-necked snake: A black snake with a colored ring around its neck that maxes out at 13 inches.

} Brahminy: Looks like an earthworm that is completely dark and shiny.

} Mud dauber: This slender inch-long wasp builds nests out of mud, cementing them on walls and doorframes.

} Cane toad: An invasive species also called the marine or giant toad, these 6-to-9-inch (or bigger) toads secrete a poison from their skin that will kill pets.

} Fire ants: They have a venomous bite that feels like fire embers falling on your skin and, in most cases, raises a tremendously itchy pustule.

} Jellyfish: Looking like translucent water balloons, these creatures float in saltwater and wash up on beaches.

} Stingrays: Rays are delta-shaped sea creatures about one foot across, and they are typically docile, trying to flee rather than attack. They will defend themselves by stinging with their barbed tails if they are trapped by being directly stepped upon by a person.

} No-see-ums: Tiny biting sand flies, so small you can barely see them.

} Alligators: Unless its the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean, assume any body of water you walk near in Florida has gators in it.

} Palm Rat: Its a species of rodent in the family Muridae. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.

HURRICANE APPDownload our

free hurricane app at news-press.com/hurricanehub

103All-time high recorded

on June16-17, 1981

26All-time low recorded

on Dec.13, 1962.

FACTWater temps impact the

common snook. Adult snook can go belly up when water temps

drop below 55 degrees.T

ens of thousands of people moved to Southwest Florida in the last decade.While the population stopped growing, and even shrunk during the deepest nadirs of the recession, people are once again moving to Southwest Florida. That includes new businesses and

people looking for great deals on housing.

661,115Residents in Lee County in 2012,

according to census estimates.

19.1%County residents claiming Hispanic origins, less than

the state.

63,839Roughly, number of vets who lived

here between 2009 and 2013.

19,600,311State

population, up 2.6 percent.

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SHOPPING VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

SHOP SAVVY

From chic boutiques to upscale department stores, Southwest Florida is a retail paradise. And each year, new stores

open their doors for our shopping pleasure.

The upscale shops at the hip Mercato in North Naples offer possibilities. Nordstrom Rack, the outlet for the high-end department store chain, is there. You can also find Charming Charlie, where women can pick up accessories organized in the store by color, and Sur La Table, a high-end kitchenware boutique.

Miromar Outlets in Estero features more than 140 top brand name. Bloomingdales The Outlet Store, one of only five Bloomingdales outlets in the nation, held its grand opening in 2013, joining Brooks Brothers Factory Store and Cole Haan Outlet among a lineup of top brand companies. Aqua Beachwear has remodeled its store

there as well as its Sanibel location.Shop stores like Banana Republic

Factory Store and Coach at Tanger Outlets near Sanibel, or if youre looking for the boutique shopping experience, the Edison Mall in Fort Myers has stores like Flirt and Bijou Brigitte.

At Village on Venetian Bay in Naples, shoppers checked out the sophisticated

selection at the Lux Boutique, while chocolate lovers relish Norman Love Confections, which has a Chocolate Salon in Naples and Fort Myers.

The Waterside Shops in North Naples continues to raise the shopping banner with its high-end stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. And the Saks Fifth Avenue opened one of its 10200 shoe salons, with more designs than ever. In downtown Fort Myers, entrepreneurs sell their goods at The Franklin Shops on First Street. The development offers boutique-level retailers space in one merchandising area in addition to a place to take a break for tea.

From Bell Tower in south Fort Myers to Gulf Coast Town Center in San Carlos Park and Coconut Point Mall in Estero, and the Promenade at Bonita Bay in Bonita Springs residents and visitors will find shopping opportunities along with spots to eat and rest.

SHOPPING VENUES / PAGE 16

1,200,000Square footage for Coconut Point

mall when it opened

1,700,000Square footage for Gulf Coast Town Center when it opened

Shopping at Coconut Point Mall


SHOPPING VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

} Edison Mall: Cleveland Avenue and Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, 939-1933

} Page Field Commons: 4977 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, 866-262-7700

} Sanibel Tanger Factory Stores: Summerlin Road and McGregor Boulevard, south Fort Myers, 454-1974; 888-471-3939

} Promenade at Bonita Bay: 26795 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, FL 34134; 239.949.1573

} Periwinkle Place: 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel 395-1914

} Bell Tower Shops: U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, south Fort Myers, 489-1221

} Gulf Coast Town Center: Alico Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway, San Carlos Park, 267-0783

} Miromar Outlets: Exit 123 (old Exit 19) at the Corkscrew Road interchange off Interstate 75, Estero, 948-3766

} The Village on Venetian Bay: Park Shore and Gulf Shore Boulevard, Naples, 261-6100

} Coconut Point mall: U.S. 41 north of Coconut Road, Estero, 992-9966

} Waterside Shops: Seagate Drive and Tamiami Trail, Naples, 598-1605

} Mercato: Vanderbilt Beach Road and Tamiami Trail, Naples, 594-9400

} Coastland Center: Golden Gate Park- way and Tamiami Trail, Naples, 262-2323

} Fifth Avenue South: Fifth Avenue and U.S. 41, downtown Naples, 435-3742

} Naples Outlet Center: Collier Boulevard, near U.S. 41, Naples 775-8083

SHOPPING VENUES


SHOWSTOPPING FUN

VIS TORS GUIDE 2015 PERFORMING ARTS & MOVIE THEATERS

Southwest Floridians shine on stage and theyre outstanding at organizing and hosting

productions that mesmerize the audience.

} In Fort Myers, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Halls season features the musical performance Jersey Boys (March 17-22), live stage show Mythbusters Jamie and Adam Unleashed (April 22) and Broadway series stage productions including Blue Man Group (Feb. 24-March 1) and Camelot (April 7-12).

} ArtisNaples will host the Broadway production Chicago (Feb. 24-March 1), Naples Philharmonic Masterworks Beethoven and Strauss: Heroic Masters (March 5-7), legendary singer/songwriter Paul Anka (March 8) and a digitally remastered screening of the classical musical Singin in the Rain (March 10-14) accompanied by a full orchestra.

} The Southwest Florida Symphony is in the process of presenting two classical Master Works concerts on March 28 and April 25 and a Pops performance on April 3-4 at Mann Hall.

} Arcade Theatre: 2267 First St., downtown Fort Myers, home of Florida Repertory Theatre. 332-4488 or floridarep.org

} Artis Naples: 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 597-1900 or artisnaples.org

} Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall: 8099 College Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

} BIG Arts: 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel Island. 395-0900 or bigarts.org

} Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre and Off Broadway Palm Theatre: 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 941-278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com

} Center for the Arts Bonita: 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. 239.495.8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org

} Cultural Park Theatre: 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. Home of Cultural Park Theatre Company. 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com

} Firehouse Cultural Center: 241 N. Bridge St., LaBelle. Home of the Firehouse Players. 863-675-3066 or firehouseculturalcenter.com

} The Laboratory Theater of Florida: 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com

} Ned Foulds Theater: Alliance for the Arts building, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org

} G&L Theatre at The Community School of Naples: 13275 Livingston Road, Naples. Home of TheatreZone. 888-966-3352 or theatrezone.net

} Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center: 2301 First St., Fort Myers. 337-1933 or sbdac.com

} Marco Island Players Theatre: located in Town Center Shopping Complex, 1055 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island. 642-7270 or themarcoplayers.com

} The Norris Center: Located in Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., downtown Naples. Home of Gulfshore Playhouse. 261-7529 or gulfshoreplayhouse.org

} Old School House Theater: 2200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 472-6862 or bigarts.org

} Seminole Gulf Railway Dinner Train Theater: Based at Colonial Station, off Colonial Boulevard and Metro Parkway in Fort Myers. Murder mysteries are performed on a train. 275-8487 or semgulf.com

} Theatre Lab: In FGCUs Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., San Carlos Park. Shows are performed by university students. 590-7268

} Ghostbird Theatre Company: at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers. 333-1933 or ghostbirdtheatrecompany.org

} Cultural Center of Charlotte County: 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. 941-625-4175 or theculturalcenter.com

AREA THEATERS

MOVIE THEATERS

LEE COUNTY

} AMC Merchants Crossing 16: 15201 North Cleveland Ave., N. Fort Myers; 995-9303; amctheatres.com

} Marquee Cinemas-Coralwood 10: Coralwood Mall, 2301 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; 458-2543; marqueecinemas.com

} Regal Coconut Point Stadium 16: 8021 Cinema Way, Coconut Point Mall, Estero; 498-8109; regmovies.com

} Regal Gulf Coast Stadium 16 and IMAX: 10028 Gulf Center Dr., San Carlos Park; 454-6228; regmovies.com

} Beach Theater: 6425 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 765-9000; fmbtheater.com

} Regal Bell Tower Stadium 20: 13499 Bell Tower Drive, S. Fort Myers; 437-2020; regmovies.com

} Island Cinema: 535 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel; 472-1701; islandcinema.com

} Prado Stadium 12: 25251 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Bonita Springs; 992-0128; pradostadium12.com

} Edison Park 8 Cinemas: 2235 Winkler Ave., Fort Myers; 334-7661; edisonpark8.com

COLLIER COUNTY

} Silverspot Cinema Restaurant & Lounge at The Mercato: 9118 Strada Place, Naples; 592-0300; silverspot.net

} Regal Hollywood Stadium 20-Naples: 6006 Hollywood Dr., Naples; 597-9494; regmovies.com

} Pavilion Cinema: 833 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples; 596-0008; under renovations at press time.

} B&B Naples Towne Centre 6: 3855 Tamiami Trail East, Naples; 774-4800; bbtheatres.com

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

} Regal Town Center 16: 1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte; 941-623-0111; regmovies.com

... Or grab a tub of popcorn, a cup of ice-cold soda and sit back. Southwest Florida has plenty of screens showing Hollywoods latest.


TALK THE TALK

Now that you have the tan from spending days at the beach, its time to learn to talk the talk in Southwest Florida.

We have our own lingo down here, and youll need to become fluent if you want to navigate around town with the locals.

Learn these words and phrases and youll be speaking Floridian like a native:

} Chickee hut: An open-air, thatched-roof structure made with palm fronds. Commonly found in backyards as a place for families to gather and dine. The original design came from the regions Seminole and Miccosukee Indians.

} Cracker: A Florida native whose family has been here for several generations. Often used derogatorily by recent arrivals to mean hillbilly or redneck. However, many natives wear it as a badge of pride.

} Green flash: A sunset phenomenon in which observers see a sudden green flash of light just as the sun dips below the horizon.

} Love bug: The tragic Romeos and Juliets of the insect world. Love bugs mate in midair for as long as 56 hours, believe it or not and then they die. The short-lived bugs often wind up as splats on moving traffic.

} No-see-ums: Any of the 47 species of bugs found in Florida belonging to the genus Culicoides. They flit around a person at dusk or after dark, often inflicting a painful nip.

} Palmetto bug: Polite term for the American cockroach used to avoid scaring visitors and newcomers especially those unfamiliar with their large size and sheer numbers. Some of them fly.

} Red tide: An algae bloom in the Gulf and coastal waters that kills sea life.

} Slough: (pronounced SLOO) A swamp, marsh, bog or pond common in the wetlands and backwaters of this region.

Love bugs

LOCAL LANGUAGEVIS TORS GUIDE 2015


ATTRACTIONS VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

ALLIGATOR TO ZOO

There are plenty of attractions to see in Southwest FloridaThe beach may be the first hot spot that comes to

mind when you think of our area, but Southwest Florida is home to fascinating museums, wonderful childrens attractions, outdoor adventures and destinations for history buffs. Heres a guide to just a few attractions to get you started on your adventures.

BAILEY-MATTHEWSShell Museum: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except major holidays. $11, adults; $5, ages 5-16; free, children 4 and younger. 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. 395-2233 orshellmuseum.org.

CAPTIVA CRUISES BOATING EXCURSIONSCruises depart daily from South Sea Island Resort and McCarthys Marina on Captiva Island and include an out-island luncheon excursion, sunset cruises and wildlife watching tours. Call 472-5300 or captivacruises.com.

EDISON & FORD WINTER ESTATES9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day for audio and self-guided walking tours of the Edison and Ford homes and gardens. Guided audio tours are available from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. $20, adults; $11, ages 6-12; free, children younger than 6. 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Call 334-7419 or efwefla.org.

SHELL FACTORY AND NATURE PARK10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. One of Floridas oldest attractions features shells, Christmas decorations and more than 350 animals in the nature park. Daily. $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 children age 4-12, free for age 3 and younger. 2787 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. Call 995-2141 or shellfactory.com

EVERGLADES WONDER GARDENS9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Features botanical gardens, live Florida animals, including

alligators and flamingos, museum and art gallery. $12, adults; $7, ages 3-10; free, children 2 and younger. 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. Call 992-2591 or evergladeswondergardens.com.

IMAGINARIUM SCIENCE CENTER10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Closed Monday except for national holidays. $12, adults; $8, children 3-12; $10, seniors; free for younger than 3 and members. 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers. 321-7420 or imaginariumfortmyers.com.

NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDENThe 170-acre site features six gardens landscaped and cultivated to represent different areas of the world. The garden is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. General admission is $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 4-14 and free for children under 3 and for members. 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. 643-7275 or naplesgarden.org.

Naples Botanical Garden Edison & Ford Winter Estates


ALL IN A DAYS WORK} Audubon of Floridas Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: Open 365 days a year 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. An 11,000-acre natural ecosystem. $12, adults; $6, full-time college students; $6, Audubon members; $4, students ages 6-18; free, children under 6. 375 Sanctuary Road, Exit 111 off Interstate 75 (Immokalee Road), Naples. 348-9151 or corkscrew.audubon.org.

} Captain Bobs Excellent Adventure Travel to the Everglades: The half-day adventures take you on a one-hour ride on a small airboat in the swamps and an interactive reptile show. 888 847-9074 for reservations or excellentadventure.org.

} Orange Jeep Tours: Visitors get the chance to glimpse rare animal species, discover local history and folklore and have while enjoying a 90 minutes narrated jeep tour. Daily safaris depart the Ave Maria Town Center, 5076 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria. Call 434-5337. $35 adults, $25 children age 12 and younger. Orangejeeptours.com

} Solomons Castle: Artist and sculptor Howard Solomon built his castle and constructed a replica of a 60-foot 16th century Spanish galleon. Its in the moat. The castle, at 4585 Solomon Road in Ona in Hardee County, is closed Mondays and in July, August and September. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults and $4 for children younger than 12. No credit cards. If you get lost, call 863-494-6077. solomonscastle.org

DAY TRIPS VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

TO SEE ALLIGATORS

A little bit of looking into neighborhood canals or the ditches along appropriately named Alligator Alley (Interstate 75 between Naples and Miami) will occasionally offer a sighting. If you want to see many alligators, try the Big Cypress National Preserve Oasis Visitor Center along U.S. 41, 50 miles east of Naples. The center is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., every day but Christmas.

156Approximate distance in driving miles

from Fort Myers to Miami

204Approximate distance to Orlando

138Approximate distance to Tampa


DINING VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

CULINARY DELIGHTS

Jean Le Boeuf is the nom de plume of a local food lover who dines at The News-Press expense. Here are a few of the

critics favorites:

} Barbatella: The second Naples restaurant for renowned Sea Salt chef Fabrizio Aielli, Barbatella is a stunner. And the foods no slouch either. Crisply chewy pizza crusts, buttery burrata, handmade cavatelli strewn with cannellini beans, arugula and plump mussels; theres plenty to love. 1290 Third St. S., Naples; barbatellanaples.com

} Bella Mia: The chef spent his life cooking at his familys restaurants in Sicily (classic pizzas, fresh pastas, pastries galore), now hes teamed up with an old friend to make those same dishes in a North Fort Myers strip mall. 5171 Orange Grove Blvd., Fort Myers, 599-8116; bellamiapizzarestaurant.com)

} Cips Place: At Cips, just about everything is handmade from the stocks to desserts to condiments like Cips spicy giardiniera and coleslaw. Snapper tacos, serious Reubens and mouthwatering cioppino are just some of the dishes that make Cips great. 2055 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 472-0223. cipsplace.com

} Crave: Chef-owner Sean Gavin came up in resorts. Now hes making pot roast with shallot green beans, enormous sandwiches and thick pancakes so buttery and light you wont want to share. Bridge Plaza, 12901 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 466-4663

} Lobster Lady Seafood Market & Bistro: Fritters strewn with fat pieces of conch, lobster rolls on split-top buns overflowing with chunks of sweet meat. 1715 Cape Coral Parkway W., Cape Coral, 471-0136. Lobsterladyseafood.com

} Sophias Ristorante Italiano: From the fluffy gnocchi to the tangles of springy linguine, pasta is Sophias at its best. 3545 Pine Ridge Road, North Naples, 597-0744. sophiasitaliano.com

} Yabo: Yabos new and bigger space still has that fun vibe chef Ryan Kida instilled in his restaurant

when it opened five years ago. 16230 Summerlin Road, south Fort Myers, 225-9226, yaborestaurant.com

} Olde Fish House Marina: The grouper and snapper come in from the docks out back. Theres gator, shrimp and frog legs on the menu. And crisp hush puppies that practically melt in your mouth. 4530 Pine Island Road, Matlacha, 282-9577

} Fathoms: Formerly The Joint at Cape Harbour, if you liked The Joint youre surely a fan of Fathoms. If youd never heard of The Joint, Fathoms offers plenty of dishes worth discovering. 5785 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral, 542-0123. Fathomsrestaurant.com

} Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille: A pound of the gleaming-pink steamed shrimp is $25.95 worth of peel-and-eat therapy, no shrinks needed. 708 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, 765-9660; other locations on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Docfords.com

} Thai Star: Thai Star has been a local favorite since owners Bill and Vong Vilaysack, natives of northern Thailand near the border with Laos, opened it

back in 2005. The move to south Fort Myers has introduced their brand of Thai-Laotian flavors to a new audience, one just as appreciative of its balance of hot, cool, sour and sweet. 6611 Orion Drive, south Fort Myers, 208-4057. Thaistarfortmyers.com

} Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro: Here youll find a modern take on traditional Iranian cuisine pistachio-encrusted lamb meatballs, warm feta rolled in crispy lavash and served with droplets of rosewater caviar. Such innovation comes at a hefty price tag, but my is this splurge worth it. 865 Fifth Avenue South, Naples, 594-5557. bhabhapersianbistro.com)

} Courtneys Continental Cuisine: That you can find food of this caliber duck roasted in a Grand Marnier glaze till the skin is sticky and shatteringly crisp; giant curls of shrimp stuffed with crab meat then baked in puffed pastry in a middle unit of a Publix-anchored strip mall is something of a miracle, one Courtneys has been performing since 2000. 20351 Summerlin Road, south Fort Myers, 466-4646. courtneyscontinentalcuisine.com)


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Before you know it, our sweet little potty training, tantrum throwing, pacifier addicts grow into play dating, summer camping, picky eaters. Then school starts and our precious birthday partying, tooth loosing, little leaguers are faced with homework hassles, classroom bullies and even

an occasional pre-teen fashion meltdown.But dont worry, weve seen it all. SWFL Parent & Child magazine has expert advice to help you along the way. Well even offer up suggestions on family fun events, travel destinations and great places to take the kids out to eat.

You know, things you can do in your SPARE time.

facebook.com/swflparentchild twitter.com/swflparentchild pinterest.com/swflparentchild

Advertise: 239.335.0457 | swflparentchild.com


BEACHES VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

BEACH LISTINGS / NEXT PAGE


MAP ON PAGE 31

Somewhere between Captiva in Lee County and Marco Island in Collier County is a beach that fits your mood or

taste. Southwest Florida is famous for its Gulf beaches, and there are a wide variety to choose from.

LEE COUNTY

} 1. Turner Beach, CaptivaDirections: Go across the Sanibel

Causeway to the four-way stop. Turn right on Periwinkle Way. Turn right on Tarpon Bay Road. Turn left on Sanibel-Captiva Road. Follow the road to Blind Pass Bridge. The beach is on the left after crossing the bridge to Captiva.

Parking is $3 an hour.

} 2. Bowmans Beach, SanibelDirections: Go across the Sanibel

Causeway to the four-way stop. Turn right on Periwinkle Way. Turn right on Tarpon Bay Road. Turn left on Sanibel-Captiva Road. Turn left on Bowmans Beach Road.


} 3. Tarpon Bay Road Beach, SanibelDirections: Go across the Sanibel

Causeway to the four-way stop. Turn right on Periwinkle Way. Turn left on Tarpon Bay Road and follow it to the end.


} 4. Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach, Sanibel

Directions: Go across the Sanibel Causeway to the four-way stop. Turn right on Periwinkle Way. Turn left on Casa Ybel Road. Turn left on West Gulf Drive. Turn left on Algiers Lane.


} 5. Lighthouse Park Beach, SanibelDirections: Go across the Sanibel

Causeway to the four-way stop. Turn left on Periwinkle Way and follow the road to the end. Look for beach signs.


} 6. Sanibel Causeway Beaches, SanibelDirections: On both sides of the

causeway to Sanibel.Beachgoers can drive their cars off the

shoulder of the road to the waters edge and park for free.

} 7. Bunche Beach, between Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach

Directions: Take Summerlin Road west. Turn left on John Morris Road and follow it to the end.

Parking costs $2 per hour.} 8. Bowditch Point Park, Fort Myers Beach

Directions: Take San Carlos Boulevard south and cross Matanzas Pass Bridge. Turn right at the foot of the bridge onto Estero Boulevard and follow the road to the end.

Parking costs $2 an hour. Or park free at the Main Street Park and Ride parking lot just north of the bridge and take the trolley (25-cent fare), which runs every 15 minutes.

} 9. Lynn Hall Memorial Park, Fort Myers Beach

Directions: Take San Carlos Boulevard south and cross Matanzas Pass Bridge. Turn right at the foot of the bridge onto Estero Boulevard. Turn left into the parking lot.

Parking is fairly plentiful in the parks lot for $2 an hour. Get there before 11 a.m. to get a spot.

} 10. Assorted Public Beach Access Points, along Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach

Directions: While driving along Estero Boulevard, look for small, white, fabric signs on the Gulf side of the road denoting beach access points.

Parking is $2 an hour, and spaces along Old San Carlos and Estero boulevards and Center and Fifth streets have a two-hour limit.

} 11. Lovers Key State Park, Black Island, Lovers Key, Inner Key and Long Key

Directions: Take Estero Boulevard south and cross Big Carlos Pass onto Black Island. Sign is on the right.

Parking is plentiful and costs $8 a car with two to eight passengers or $4 for a driver alone. Pedestrians, bicyclists and passengers in a vehicle with an annual individual entrance pass pay $2. A free tram will take visitors from the parking lot to the south side of the beach. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset.

} 12. Little Hickory Island Beach Park, Bonita Beach

Directions: Take Estero Boulevard south across Big Hickory Pass to Bonita Beach. Turn right on Hickory Boulevard.


} 13. Bonita Beach Park, Bonita BeachDirections: Take Hickory Boulevard south.

The entrance is on the right before the road curves east and becomes Bonita Beach Road.


COLLIER COUNTY

} 14. Barefoot Beach Park/Barefoot Beach State Preserve, Bonita Springs

Directions: Take U.S. 41 south to Bonita Beach Road. Turn right and go west to the Lely Barefoot Beach guardhouse. Turn left.

Parking at the beach in $4 a day.} 15. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park,

NaplesDirections: Take U.S. 41 south to 111th

Avenue. Turn right on 111th Avenue. After the bridge, the road becomes Bluebill Avenue. The beach is at the end of the road.

Parking is plentiful. Admission is $6 for up to eight people in a car. For a single person in a car, its $4. Admission on foot or bike is $2. Age 6 and younger, no charge.

} 16. Vanderbilt Beach, NaplesDirections: Take U.S. 41 south to

Vanderbilt Beach Road. Turn right and follow the road to the end.

Parking is $4.

} 17. Clam Pass County Park, NaplesDirections: Take U.S. 41 south to

Seagate Drive. Turn right. The beach is next to Naples Registry Resort.

Parking is $4 a day.

} 18. Assorted public beach access points, along Gulf Shore Boulevard in Naples

Directions: Take U.S. 41 south to Park Shore Drive. Turn right and head west to Gulf Shore Boulevard.

Parking is $4 a day or by beach parking permit.

} 19. Lowdermilk Park Beach, NaplesDirections: Take U.S. 41 south to Banyan

Boulevard. Turn right.There are two parking lots; the first is for

residents, but a second lot has quarters-only meters. One quarter buys 10 minutes.

} 20. Naples Municipal Beach and Pier, Naples

Directions: Take U.S. 41 south until it dead-ends into Ninth Street South. Follow Ninth Street South to Ninth Avenue South. Turn right. Follow Ninth Avenue South to Gulf Shore Boulevard South. Turn left.

Parking is metered and limited with a price of 25 cents for 10 minutes.

} 21. Tigertail Beach, Marco IslandDirections: Take U.S. 41 south to State

Road 951. Turn right. Follow 951 south across the toll bridge, where it becomes Collier Boulevard. Turn right on Tigertail Court. Turn left on Hernando Drive.

Parking is $4 a day and plentiful.

} 22. South Marco Island Beach, Marco Island

Directions: Follow Collier Boulevard until it becomes North Collier Boulevard. Take that south past San Marco Drive, where the road becomes South Collier Boulevard. Go south. The beach is on the right between The Apollo and Cape Marco condos.

Parking is across the street.

VIS TORS GUIDE 2015 BEACHES


FISHING VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

Nolan Henke takes a practice swing at the ACE Group Classic


GONE FISHIN

Since pre-Columbian Indians first fished Southwest Floridas waters, people of every background have tried their luck throughout the region.

There are approximately 2.8 million anglers in the state, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. And while locals cast their lines into the Gulf and bays as well as the 19 lakes that dot Lee Countys landscape, tourists take up the rod-and-reel pastime as well.

Approximately 11 percent of 2,447 respondents in a 2011 tourism report said they enjoyed fishing during their stays in the county, according to the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Fishing enthusiasts come here for the abundance of largemouth bass, mullet and flaky and flavorful sea trout, redfish, snapper, pompano, flounder, sheepshead and more. Sport fishermen also relish the challenge to hook a tarpon, the man-sized silver kings that flock to Boca Grande. Females can grow to lengths of 8 feet and weigh 350 pounds; males are usually smaller.

Lee County is the birthplace of big-game fishing, site of the first tarpon ever caught on rod and reel. The feat was accomplished by W.H. Wood, a New York man.

FISHING VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

1885The year tourists began coming to Boca Grande Pass

for tarpon. It remains the worlds greatest tarpon hole, site of thousands of catches of the man-size fish

every spring and summer.

730 Square miles in

Lake Okeechobee, the nations mecca for warm-water bassing.

75Miles from

Fort Myers east to Lake Okeechobee.


FISHING VISTORS GUIDE 2015

GET YOUR SEA LEGS

Fiorida tops the market in the U.S. for watercraft.With 1,800 miles of coastline and more than 11,000 miles of rivers, streams and waterways, its no wonder Florida is a boaters paradise.

If your idea of the perfect weekend includes jumping aboard a sailboat or dipping an oar into the local waterways, youre in the right place. There are more than 36,000 registered vessels in Lee County, and marinas, boat shops and boat clubs abound.

Florida is No. 1 in the country in boat sales, and the industrys health is key to a tourism-based economy that extols the joys of sunshine, beaches and exploring warm Gulf waters for fishing and fun.

Recreational boating generated $35.6 billion in sales and services nationally in 2012. Florida led all states in boater registrations, and people here spent $1.7 billion on new powerboats, motors, trailers and accessories, nearly a 15 percent boost over the previous year.

KAYAK} Gulf Coast Kayak: 4120 Pine Island Road NW, Matlacha. 283-1125 or gulfcoastkayak.com.

} Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve: East end of Southeast 23rd Terrace, Cape Coral. 549-4606 or capecoral.net.

} Lovers Key State Park: 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. Rent a kayak for a half day765-7788 or loverskeyadventures.com.

} Manatee Park: Calusa Blueway Outfitters kayak/canoe rental and gift shop open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Kayak rentals start at $1510901 State Road 80, just east of Interstate 75, exit 141, east Fort Myers. 690-5030 or leeparks.org .

} The Great Calusa Blueway: The Great Calusa Blueway is a 190-mile marked canoe and kayak trail in Lee County. See calusablueway.com.

BOATING VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

TAKE A TRIP

The annual Miami International Boat Show from Feb. 12-16 features millions of dollars worth of boats, yachts and accessories from the worlds leading marine manufacturers. The largest event in all of boating, more than 100,000 enthusiasts are expected to attend. More info at miamiboatshow.com.


Spring training attracts Northerners to come down to Southwest Florida to support their team before season starts.

The Boston Red Sox, fresh off a World Series win, play ball in the areas newest Major League Baseball stadium.

JetBlue Park, on Daniels Parkway in south Fort Myers near Southwest Florida International Airport, held its first spring training game in March 2012. The $78 million facility, built by Manhattan Kraft Construction in the lead contractor role, has been nicknamed Fenway South, a tribute to Fenway Park, the Red Soxs Boston home. There are two scoreboards in the spring training stadium: a modern scoreboard stands behind the right-field berm and an old Fenway-style scoreboard placed on the left-field

Green Monster, the 37-foot high wall that duplicates the Boston landmark.

The stadium boasts a capacity of about 11,000. Construction of the stadium had an estimated $30.3 million economic

impact on Lee County, according to the Regional Research Institute at FGCU, and that didnt account for bringing world champions to town this year. There is no word yet whether spring training beards will be a thing in 2013, but its best to be prepared.

Of course, the Red Sox arent the only team in town.

The Minnesota Twins have drawn fans to the Lee County Sports Complex for spring training games since 1991.

And in 2009, the Tampa Bay Rays began training at the Charlotte Sports Park in nearby Charlotte County.

Major League Baseball spring training games were first played in Southwest Florida in 1925. It all started when the Philadelphia Athletics began playing spring training games at Terry Park in Fort Myers.

SEE THE BOSOX, TWINS

VIS TORS GUIDE 2015 SPRING TRAINING

TICKETS

} Boston Red Sox 334-4700,

redsox.com

} Minnesota Twins 800-33-TWINS,

twinsbaseball.com

} Tampa Bay RaysFAN-RAYS,

raysbaseball.com

DID YOU KNOW?The Tampa Bay Rays are the

eighth team to call Southwest Florida their spring home.

FACTFort Myers has had more World Series-winning franchises train in it than any other city in either Florida or Arizona. Five franchises have won it all while training in Fort Myers: Athletics, Pirates, Royals, Twins and Red Sox.


GARDENING VIS TORS GUIDE 2015

GARDEN PROBLEMS?

For transplanted gardeners especially those from up north SW Floridas climate can be a lesson in humility.

With high heat and humidity, growing things here requires a special set of skills.

Gardening differences go beyond the heat and rain. Not only are the growing seasons out of phase we generally plant in the fall instead of harvest the soil and its resident creatures are vastly unlike Northern

earthworm-rich loam.

Still, a Florida gardener can indeed harvest produce and flowers all year with the mastery of a few bottom-line basics.

} Lee County Extension Service: The local outreach office for the University of Florida/IFAS (Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences) has demonstration butterfly, landscape and herb gardens as well as a corps of volunteer master gardeners and a reference library of gardening

information. Its open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The extension service also runs a horticulture walk-up help desk 9a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed 12-1 p.m. for lunch) Monday through Friday and the phone number is 533-7504. A calendar of the extension services many programs, as well as a wide variety of information bulletins about Florida gardens, lawn care, landscaping, yards, sustainability and more may be found at lee.ifas.ufl.edu. 3410 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers. 533-4327.

ZONE 10The U.S.D.A. plant hardiness zone for

most of Lee and Collier counties.

50 DEGREESThe temperature at which you should

chill tulip bulbs for a few weeks every fall if you want them to grow here. Plant in January and replace them every year.

TIP FOR SUCCESSWhen faced with this areas sandy soil, which contains little nutritious matter, what most

successful long-term gardeners do is add organic matter: compost, manure, leaves and grass clippings


STATE PARKS VISITORS GUIDE 2015


Forms of recreation vary widely, from beaches and boating to mountain biking, bird watching and camping,

and the short list below highlights but a few of the parks. The variety of rec websites: leeparks.org, capecoral.net, cityftmyers.com, naplesgov.com, colliergov.net.

PUBLIC PARKS} Bonita Beach Park: 27954 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs; 949-4615

} Bowditch Point Regional Park: 50 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 765-6794

} Bowmans Beach Regional Park: 1700 Bowmans Beach Road, Sanibel; 472-6397

} Buckingham Community Park & Barkingham Dog Park: 9800 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers; 369-1521

} Caloosahatchee Regional Park: 18500 N. River Road, Alva; 694-0398

} Cape Coral Sports Complex: 1510 Sports Blvd., Cape Coral; 573-3128

} Centennial Park: 2000 W. First St., Fort Myers; 321-7524

} Estero Community Park: 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero; 498-0415

} Fort Myers Skate Park: 2277 Grand Ave., Fort Myers; 321-7558

} Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve: Southeast 23rd Terrace, Cape Coral; 549-4606

} Hickeys Creek Mitigation Park: 17980 Palm Beach Blvd., Alva; 693-2690

} Lakes Regional Park: 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers; Shelter rentals: 533-7275

} Manatee Park: 10901 S.R. 80, Fort Myers; 690-5030

} Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve: 7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers; 533-7550

} Veterans Park: 55 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres; 369-1521

Or, do your exploring indoors using our library system

LIBRARIES} Bonita Springs Public Library: 26876 Pine Ave., Bonita Springs. 533-4860

} Lee County Library System Bookmobile: 21100 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero, 533-4440

} Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library: 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, Cape Coral, 533-4500

} Captiva Memorial Library: 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva, 533-4890

} Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Public Library: 3095 Blount St., Fort Myers, 533-4150

} East County Regional Library: 881 Gunnery Road, Lehigh Acres, 533-4200

} Fort Myers Regional Library: 2450 First St., Fort Myers, 533-4600

} Johann Fust Community Library: 1040 W. 10th St., Boca Grande, 941-964-2488

} Lakes Regional Library: 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, 533-4000

} North Fort Myers Public Library: 2001 N. Tamiami Trail, N.E., 533-4320

} Northwest Regional Library: 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral, 533-4700

} Pine Island Public Library: 10700 Russell Road N.W., Bokeelia, 533-4350

} Riverdale Branch Library: 2421 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, 533-4370

} South County Regional Library: 21100 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero, 533-4400

} Talking Books Library: 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers 533-4780

LIBRARIES & PARKS VISITORS GUIDE 2015

EXPLORE INDOORS & OUTDOORS


VISITORS GUIDE 2015 GETTING AROUND

WALK AND CYCLE SAFELY

Shared lane markings allow bikers their own lane around town. Visitors to Southwest Florida will see some newer

signs on our streets.

Lee Countys Department of Transportation has introduced a shared lane marking, or sharrow, approved by the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Its aim: to alert drivers that they arent the streets sole navigators and mark a safe path for on-road cyclists.

The painted pavement signs appear on a three-quarter-mile stretch on Gladiolus Boulevard between Hagie Drive and Pine Ridge Road in Harlem Heights. If theyre well-received, more could be posted throughout the county on roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.

Mike Tisch, Lee Countys bicycle pedestrian coordinator, said hes

looking forward to seeing whether use of sharrow signs will be expanded.

Cyclists of all abilities are all over Southwest Florida. Vacationers enjoy laid-back rides on Sanibel and elsewhere, but youll also see some cyclists training for Half Ironmans and Ironmans and everything between those extremes.

Cycling, walking and running are all growing in popularity as more people try different ways of getting and staying in shape.

Walking is one of the simplest and easiest ways to get the exercise you need to be healthy and almost anyone can do it. Walking can strengthen bones, tune up the cardiovascular system and clear a cluttered mind, according to a recent edition of The Harvard Health Letter.

Researchers at Harvard continue to report on the health benefits of walking. Some of those benefits include better circulation, easier breathing, a stronger immune system and alleviation of depression.

The American Heart Association suggests walking about 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for optimal benefits. So get out there and enjoy the lovely vistas Southwest Florida has to offer for walkers, runners and cyclists.

For information on biking and walking safely in Lee County

visit bikewalklee.org


NATURE CENTERS VISITORS GUIDE 2015

BACK TO NATURE

Learn the roots of Southwest Florida with these special environmental centers.In addition to its multiple

and varied parks, Southwest Florida offers many options for learning about the great outdoors at numerous nature centers and museums that provide information about this areas history.

} Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium: New 1,000-gallon touch tank insectarium exhibit. Museum and trails open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. $10 adults; $5, ages 3-12; free age 2 and under. 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. 275-3435 or calusanature.org.

} Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve: Open daily: 8 a.m.-sunset, 365 acres of saltwater wetlands, 6,600-foot boardwalk and nature trails, 240-foot observation pier on the river, interpretive center, rest rooms, picnic tables. Free admission. At the east end of S.E. 23rd Terrace, Cape Coral. 549-4606 or CapeCoral.net

} J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge: Wildlife Drive open 7:30 a.m. to one-half hour before sunset Saturday through Thursday (closed Fridays). $5 each vehicle, $1 for pedestrians and bicyclists. Education Center open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily May-Dec. and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan.-April. Free admission. Interpretive talks and tours offered Jan.-April. 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. 472-1100 or fws.gov/dingdarling.

} Manatee Park: Open 8 a.m.-dusk daily year round. Visitor Center seasonal programs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily December-March. Calusa Blueway Outfitters kayak/canoe rental and gift shop open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Kayak rentals start at $15 and the outfitters have a Calusa war canoe available for groups at $10 per person/hour, minimum eight people. Parking fees Dec.-April $2 per hour per vehicle (maximum $5 a day); May-Dec. $1 per hour. Tour bus $20 per visit; tour van $10 per visit. 10901 State Road 80, just east of Interstate 75, exit 141, east Fort Myers. 690-5030 or leeparks.org.

} Ostego Bay Foundation: Marine educational exhibits, aquariums, back

bay/near shore tank and gift shop. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, for guided and self-guided tours. School or group field trips by appointment. Suggested donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children 6-12. Reservations required by 4 p.m. Tuesday before tour. 718 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach. 765-8101 or ostegobay.org.

} Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation: Four miles of trails and nature center with touch tank and wildlife cameras open Oct.-May 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; June -Sept., 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. $5, adults; free, children younger than 17. 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. 472-2329 or sccf.org.

} Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve: Trail open daily dawn to dusk. Interpretive center 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Guided walks at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily Jan.-March, at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays from May-Oct., and at 9:30 a.m. daily in April. Parking fee of $1 per hour or $5 maximum all day. 7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers. 533-7550 or leeparks.org.

The boardwalk on the Cypress Loop trail at the Calusa Nature Center


VISITORS GUIDE 2015 HEALTH & HOSPITALS

MEDICAL FACILITIES GROWING

Significant changes are happening in Lee and Collier counties in the healthcare arena.

NCH Healthcare System, which operates the largest hospitals in Collier County, recently broke ground on a $24 million, 38,000-square-foot free-standing emergency room at Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard, east of Interstate 75. The new ER comes as population experts predict fast growth in that part of north Collier.

NCH is also expanding its emergency department at its

North Naples Hospital, home to the countys busiest ER.

Lee Memorial Health System, which operates nearly 95

percent of the hospital beds in Lee County, has

been undergoing its own building boom

in recent years. Most

notably, work is now well underway on a new seven-story Golisano Childrens Hospital of Southwest Florida, which is located on Bass and Summerlin roads just south of Fort Myers.

The childrens hospital, which is currently housed next to the construction site in HealthPark Medical Center, will go from 98 beds to 128 when the new 298,000-square-foot building opens in 2017. Construction of the building is expected to cost $201 million. Related work will be another $40 million.

HOSPITALS} Cape Coral Hospital: 636 Del Prado

Blvd., Cape Coral, 239-424-2000

} Gulf Coast Medical Center: 13681 Doctors Way, Lee County, 239-343-1000

} HealthPark Medical Center: 9981 S. HealthPark Drive, Lee County, 239-343-5000

} Lee Memorial Hospital: 2776 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, 239-343-2000

} Park Royal Psychiatric Hospital: 9241 Park Royal Drive, Lee County, 239-985-2700

} Lehigh Regional Medical Center: 1500 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres, 239-369-2101

} NCH Healthcare System, Downtown Naples Hospital: 350 Seventh St. N., Naples, 239-624-5000

} NCH Healthcare System, North Naples Hospital: 11190 Health Park Blvd., Naples, 239-552-7000

} Physicians Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard campus: 8300 Collier Blvd., Naples, 239-354-6000

} Physicians Regional-Pine Ridge campus: 6101 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, 239-348-4000


MUSEUMS VISITORS GUIDE 2015

LOOK INTO HISTORY

Visitors can go back in time with so much to explore around Southwest Florida.In Southwest Florida our

museums are uniquely Floridian, take a look at some of the area museums

} Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except holidays. Shell museum features a variety of exhibits including Mollusks, Medicine and Man and Shells in Architecture. An interactive diorama of million-year-old Florida fossil shells is on display. $11, 18 and older; $5, ages 5-17, and free, children 4 and younger. 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. 395-223, shellmuseum.org.

} Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve: Sunup to sundown daily, self-guided tour of Matanzas Preserve on boardwalk trails through more than 50 acres of mangroves and oaks to Estero Bay. The Estero Island Historical

Society Museum and Nature Center is also located at this preserve and is open 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Free admission. 199 Bay Road, Fort Myers Beach. Preserve: 765-6794 or leeparks.org; Museum: 463-0435 or esteroislandhistoricsociety.org.

} Mound House: Visit Estero Islands oldest house, built atop a 2,000-year-old Native American shell mound. Mound exhibit offers opportunity to walk inside the archeological site. Park open sunup to sundown daily; bicycling, fishing or walking the grounds. Office hours 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday -Saturday. Tours Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Free admission. 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach. 765-0865 or moundhouse.org.

} Lee County Black History Museum: The museum is in the 1942 addition to the historic Williams

Academy, which was relocated to Clemente Park. Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; noon-4 p.m. Other times by appointment. $5 adults; $3 children ages 6-17; free children 5 and under. 1936 Henderson Ave., Fort Myers. 332-8778 or leecountyblackhistorysociety.org.

} Koreshan State Historic Site: The historic village settlement of the now-defunct early 1900s Koreshan religious sect, who believed the Earth was inside a hollow sphere and their leader was the messiah -- until he died. The state park offers programs during the winter season. Guided tour Jan.-March daily 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; April-Dec. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.; $2 adults, $1 children. Park open 8 a.m.-sunset daily; admission: $5 per vehicle with 2-8 people, $4 single-person vehicle, $2 pedestrian or bicyclist, $26 for camping. 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 992-0311 or floridastateparks.org.


VISITORS GUIDE 2015 SPRING BREAK

HOT, HOT, HOT

Spring break is big business in Southwest Florida.

While the area is a vacation destination year-round, the greatest numbers of visitors come from January through April. And the swell of thousands

of college students and other kids out of school adds to those numbers during various spring break weeks.

The Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce estimates 12,000 people will descend on Estero Island and spend about $6 million between late February and Easter, which is April 5 this year.

The Lani Kai, which hosts the traditional dancing Cincinnati firefighters shows, reaches 80 percent occupancy. Others nearby are at 80 percent or higher. And its not just visitors from far away. Locals like to hit the beach when kids are out of school.


The area has more golf courses per capita than any region in the U.S. Golf constantly is evolving in Southwest

Florida. Not only are courses being renovated here but events are being added.

Fort Myers Country Club, which underwent a $5.8 million renovation from April-October of 2014, will be host of the Coors Light Open. This is the ninth year that Coors Light has been sponsor and the 53rd year of the event. The field will include 44 pros and 132 amateurs.

The Symetra Tour, the developmental tour of the LPGA, will return to Cypress Lake Country Club for Year 2. This years event will include Legends Tour players competing for separate $150,000 tournament purses while playing together on the same golf course.

The Symetra Tour portion of the event will be a 72-hole stroke-play format with 144 players playing from April 16-19. The Legends Tour event will be a 36-hole stroke-play format with 30 players playing on April 18-19. Each Tours event will be scored independently.

Other events in this area are the LPGAs CME Group Tour Championship which will run from Nov. 19-22 and the Franklin Templeton Shootout, which will be from Dec. 10-12. Both events will be at Tiburon Golf Club.

In February, 2016, TwinEagles Golf Club will be host of the ACE Group Classic.

WANT TO PLAY?Grab a 9-iron, hop on a cart and see

why greens along the Gulf are some of the most prestigious in the world.

Those brave enough to try the courses during the hot and rainy summer months can get good deals.

Drink plenty of water, wear a hat and use sunscreen.

Area golf courses with a sampling of their rates, which include carts, for season:

} Copperhead: Jan. 16-March 31: $70 from 7a.m.-12p.m., $55 from 12p.m.-close; April 1-30, $40 from 7a.m.-12p.m., $30 from 12p.m.-close. Does not include tax. 20910 Copperhead Drive, Lehigh Acres; 369-8200; copperheadgc.com.

} Del Tura: $45 includes tax 18 holes Jan. 1-April 15. 18621 North Tamiami

Trail, North Fort Myers; 731-7814; delturagolfclub.com.

} Eagle Ridge: Rates through March 23: 7a.m. - 12p.m., $73.95, 12 - 3p.m. $64.95, 3p.m. - close, $34.95; March 24 - April 20: 7a.m. - 12p.m., $64.95, 12 - 3p.m. $54.95, 3p.m. - close, $34.95; April 21 - May 31: 7a.m. - 12p.m., $44.95, 12 - 3p.m. $34.95, 3p.m. - close, $24.95. Does not include tax. 14589 Eagle Ridge Drive, Fort Myers; 768-1888; playeagleridge.com.

} Eastwood, Fort Myers: Prices through Feb. 28 (March not available as of press time): 7a.m. to 2p.m., $65; 2 3:30p.m., $50; 3:p.m. - close $35; tax included. 4600 Bruce Herd Lane, Fort Myers; 321-7487; cityftmyers.com.

} Westminster: Prices through April 5: Weekdays 7a.m. - 1p.m., $75; 1p.m. - close, $55; weekend special, $50 if booked online. Does not include tax. 2199 Berkley Way, Lehigh Acres; 368-1110; westminster-golf.com.

GOLF VISITORS GUIDE 2015


2015 swfl visitors guide

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