‘I found a little-known part of Florida with quiet beaches and incredible wildlife'
Regenerated following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, Fort Myers and its beaches, neighbourhoods and more than 100 islands are back to being a must-visit destination.
Fort Myers' history
Fort Myers boasts a rich history thanks to its wealth of natural resources. The area's first inhabitants were the Calusa Indians, who discovered it around 5000 BC and left behind shell mounds, believed to have been used for both ceremonial and practical purposes.
Moving forward to the start of the 20th Century, notable Americans such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford purchased homes here, putting Lee County firmly on the map. Edison bought Seminole Lodge in 1886, which served as a winter haven for him and his wife Mina until his death in 1931. Both Edison's and Ford's homes are now open to the public, with tours available to book.
In downtown Fort Myers we stayed at the Luminary Hotel, which has spectacular riverside views. The rooms are spacious, and there's Ella Mae's Diner for hearty breakfasts and Silver King Ocean Brasserie for seafood lovers, plus the Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop bar where you can watch the sun set over a glass of wine or chilled beer.
Fort Myers' wildlife
The Sunshine State has a remarkable variety of wildlife, from manatees and dolphins to alligators and turtles. During a ferry trip from Sanibel to an island named Cabbage Key, we saw pods of bottlenose dolphins – which inhabit Fort Myers' bays and estuaries year round – playfully surfing in the ferry's wake.
Another highlight was seeing manatees while kayaking around the secluded island of Captiva, just north of Sanibel. There's also a spot named Manatee Park where visitors can observe them without the need for a kayak or paddleboard, as many head there when the Gulf of Mexico waters become too chilly. The Estero River in the Koreshan State Park is another great kayaking spot too.
Where to eat in Fort Myers
During our stay, we dined at some of Fort Myers and Sanibel's top seafood restaurants, including Oxbow Bar and Grill, Doc Ford's, Coconut Jack's Waterfront Grille and Captain's Catch. All had stunning views of the sunset as dinner was served, and the local shrimp dishes were standouts on the menu.
For a more relaxed feel, Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant on Sanibel Island is a must for a hearty all-American breakfast, and one lunch spot we recommend is Cabbage Key Inn, which is covered in thousands of dollar bills.
The tradition of slapping money on the ceiling and walls began in 1941 when a fisherman signed and taped his last dollar to the wall. It meant that when he returned he'd have money to buy himself a beer. The walls are now plastered with an estimated $70,000 of bills, and ones that fall off are donated to local charities.
The best beaches around Fort Myers
Florida is known for its incredible coastline, with the white sand as soft to touch as icing sugar, and there were plenty of beaches to explore on our trip. Don't miss Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island, which is covered in shells. To learn more about the island's shells, molluscs and their ecosystems, pay a visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, which is devoted to every aspect of seashells and open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Another must-see destination is Sanibel's Blind Pass Beach, which is ideal for sunset-viewing and fishing.
For the perfect beachside accommodation, Margaritaville Beach Resort is great for cocktails and live music during the day, while Sundial Beach Resort & Spa has a peaceful, secluded stretch of sand to unwind on.
How Fort Myers is rebuilding and recovering
It's impossible to visit this part of Florida and not acknowledge the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian in 2022, when ferocious storms of 160mph hit the region, with Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island and Sanibel Island bearing the brunt of the damage.
However, a gradual rebuilding process has been underway in Lee County over recent years. While the recovery efforts are ongoing, homes and businesses have been reconstructed, the stunning beaches are open, and wildlife is thriving, restoring this beautiful part of the USA as a top holiday hotspot.
How much does it cost to visit Fort Myers?
For more on Fort Myers and the area, go to Fort Myers Islands, Beaches & Neighbourhoods. Rooms at Luminary Hotel & Co. start from $195 (£145) per night. Rooms at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa start from $250 (£185) per night.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I moved from the US to the UK and one British habit scares me daily'
Jessica Wilkinson shares updates about her family and their travels online. In one recent video, she spoke about their move to the UK as she talked about all the things they're 'still not used to' Those who move countries often have to adapt to the lifestyle changes of their new chosen location. However, one mum who has moved with her family from the US to the UK admits there is one thing about living in Britain that 'scares her daily' Jessica Wilkinson shares updates about her family and their travels on Instagram account @ourmicroadventures, which boasts 28,700 followers. In one recent reel, she spoke about their move to the UK as she talked about all the things they're 'still not used to'. The video starts with a clip of Jessica and her family in their new UK home. Overlay text reads: "Things in our UK house we're still not used to two years later." The first thing she mentions is emptying the dryer as she's seen pouring the water from the tumble dryer drawer down the sink. She also is left baffled by the fact that there are no screens on windows. Many Americans have screens on their windows to keep insects out. The screens are a standard feature in most homes, particularly in places where mosquitoes and other insects are rife. They allow for ventilation by letting in fresh air while keeping the pests out. Jessica is also still getting used to turning on the electrical outlets to use things like the kettle. However, it is the last point which she admits "scares her daily" – getting the mail put through the door. Most Americans instead have a mailbox at the front of their house which is away from the home instead. Following up in the caption, the mum wrote: "The last one still scares me daily. "The adjustment with the move was much harder than expected. But two years later we've finally settled in and (probably thanks to double the sunny days this year) found there's so much to love about living here!" People were fascinated by their insight as the post racked up more than 15,000 likes. Many people recommended that instead of using the tumble dryer, Jessica should get her clothes on a washing line to dry them to help save money. While another person from the US also agreed on the insect screens point.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
‘I found a little-known part of Florida with quiet beaches and incredible wildlife'
Dreaming of blue skies, breathtaking sunsets and soft sandy beaches, and need some inspiration for where to go? We found all this and more on a trip to Southwest Florida's Lee County, where we explored the rich history and top seafood restaurants of Fort Myers before soaking up the sun on nearby Sanibel Island, known as the seashell capital of the world. Regenerated following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, Fort Myers and its beaches, neighbourhoods and more than 100 islands are back to being a must-visit destination. Fort Myers' history Fort Myers boasts a rich history thanks to its wealth of natural resources. The area's first inhabitants were the Calusa Indians, who discovered it around 5000 BC and left behind shell mounds, believed to have been used for both ceremonial and practical purposes. Moving forward to the start of the 20th Century, notable Americans such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford purchased homes here, putting Lee County firmly on the map. Edison bought Seminole Lodge in 1886, which served as a winter haven for him and his wife Mina until his death in 1931. Both Edison's and Ford's homes are now open to the public, with tours available to book. In downtown Fort Myers we stayed at the Luminary Hotel, which has spectacular riverside views. The rooms are spacious, and there's Ella Mae's Diner for hearty breakfasts and Silver King Ocean Brasserie for seafood lovers, plus the Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop bar where you can watch the sun set over a glass of wine or chilled beer. Fort Myers' wildlife The Sunshine State has a remarkable variety of wildlife, from manatees and dolphins to alligators and turtles. During a ferry trip from Sanibel to an island named Cabbage Key, we saw pods of bottlenose dolphins – which inhabit Fort Myers' bays and estuaries year round – playfully surfing in the ferry's wake. Another highlight was seeing manatees while kayaking around the secluded island of Captiva, just north of Sanibel. There's also a spot named Manatee Park where visitors can observe them without the need for a kayak or paddleboard, as many head there when the Gulf of Mexico waters become too chilly. The Estero River in the Koreshan State Park is another great kayaking spot too. Where to eat in Fort Myers During our stay, we dined at some of Fort Myers and Sanibel's top seafood restaurants, including Oxbow Bar and Grill, Doc Ford's, Coconut Jack's Waterfront Grille and Captain's Catch. All had stunning views of the sunset as dinner was served, and the local shrimp dishes were standouts on the menu. For a more relaxed feel, Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant on Sanibel Island is a must for a hearty all-American breakfast, and one lunch spot we recommend is Cabbage Key Inn, which is covered in thousands of dollar bills. The tradition of slapping money on the ceiling and walls began in 1941 when a fisherman signed and taped his last dollar to the wall. It meant that when he returned he'd have money to buy himself a beer. The walls are now plastered with an estimated $70,000 of bills, and ones that fall off are donated to local charities. The best beaches around Fort Myers Florida is known for its incredible coastline, with the white sand as soft to touch as icing sugar, and there were plenty of beaches to explore on our trip. Don't miss Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island, which is covered in shells. To learn more about the island's shells, molluscs and their ecosystems, pay a visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, which is devoted to every aspect of seashells and open daily from 10am to 5pm. Another must-see destination is Sanibel's Blind Pass Beach, which is ideal for sunset-viewing and fishing. For the perfect beachside accommodation, Margaritaville Beach Resort is great for cocktails and live music during the day, while Sundial Beach Resort & Spa has a peaceful, secluded stretch of sand to unwind on. How Fort Myers is rebuilding and recovering It's impossible to visit this part of Florida and not acknowledge the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian in 2022, when ferocious storms of 160mph hit the region, with Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island and Sanibel Island bearing the brunt of the damage. However, a gradual rebuilding process has been underway in Lee County over recent years. While the recovery efforts are ongoing, homes and businesses have been reconstructed, the stunning beaches are open, and wildlife is thriving, restoring this beautiful part of the USA as a top holiday hotspot. How much does it cost to visit Fort Myers? For more on Fort Myers and the area, go to Fort Myers Islands, Beaches & Neighbourhoods. Rooms at Luminary Hotel & Co. start from $195 (£145) per night. Rooms at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa start from $250 (£185) per night.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Survey reveals what Europeans really think of American tourists
"European countries are hotter than ever as destinations for American travelers, but popularity doesn't always equal praise," said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points, in a statement. "We wanted to see if Europeans still see the stereotypical loud, overly patriotic American tourist, or if that's just part of a common misconception." These days, the majority Americans fear their nationality comes with a stigma when abroad, with over half of the American respondents saying they "worry at least a little" about being seen negatively on their international travels. Nearly three quarters believe Americans have a bad reputation overseas, and 80% blame recent politics, such as the tariffs, skewing what Europeans think of the U.S. In actuality, Americans may not need to worry so much. In the survey, one in four Europeans said they have a negative opinion of American tourists and 36% said they think American tourists behave worse than others. However, depending on what country you're visiting, you may feel a bit unwelcome, the survey also found. Here's what Europeans think of American tourists, according to Upgraded Points' survey. Not all tourists are created equal: How you can be one of the good ones How do Europeans view American tourists? Apparently, most Europeans find American tourists to be loud, with 70% of respondents calling this the typical trait. (Nearly the same percentage of Americans agreed on this sentiment.) On a lighter note, Europeans also said most Americans are friendly and curious. Meanwhile, Americans seem to be more critical of themselves, with 53% thinking they're viewed as arrogant - however, only 27% of Europeans said they regard them this way. As for the states where the worst offenders come from, Europeans listed Texas, Florida and California. What European countries are the least welcoming to American tourists? Here are the countries where most of the surveyed residents feel American tourists are generally unwelcome: France Hungary Norway Denmark Spain What European countries view Americans the most negatively? These are the countries that have the most negative view of American travelers, according to the survey:
