Beyond the Beach: A Weekend Exploring Fort Myers, Sanibel & Captiva
The beaches are beautiful, but the Fort Myers area of Florida has more to offer than surf and sand. If you like a little variety in your vacation, this beautiful part of the Sunshine State is definitely worth a weekend — or longer! Image: Fort Myers Islands, Beaches, and Neighborhoods
I have a confession to make: I’m not much of a beach person. I love looking at the water, reading under a big umbrella, and strolling the shoreline, but after a while, my fair skin starts to protest. And I’m not a fan of sand in my bathing suit. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island that don’t require a commitment to the beach. With so many ways to soak up the laid-back Florida vibe, I happily spent a weekend exploring the delights a little further inland. If Fort Myers, Sanibel, and Captiva are on your travel wish list, here’s how I’d spend a long weekend exploring the area, with plenty to do beyond the beach.
Get There & Settle In
Getting to the Fort Myers area is relatively easy, with flights into Southwest Florida International Airport from cities across the South. From Memphis, my trip included a connection in Atlanta, followed by a fairly short flight of less than two hours. Once I arrived, it was easy to grab a rideshare and head to one of the charming resorts and hotels in the area.
For me, that was Sanibel Moorings. With a friendly atmosphere, helpful staff, and easy access to the beach, it’s an ideal home base for exploring the island. Other options include Beachview Villas and Casa Ybel.
Heading inland, the Luminary Hotel & Co., Autograph Collection puts you right in the heart of downtown Fort Myers, within easy reach of restaurants, shops, art, and entertainment. I spent my last night here, and it was a luxurious and comfortable way to round out a long weekend.
And yes, I do recommend spending some time on the beach — there’s no better way to put the stress of travel behind you! Start with a stroll and marvel at the sheer number of seashells. Better yet, let someone else do the explaining and join a guided beach walk with Sanibel Sea School.
Learning about the island’s marine life and discovering the stories behind the shells scattered along the shore gives a simple beach walk a whole new dimension. A short walk at Lighthouse Beach Park is also a breezy way to unwind, with the historic Sanibel Lighthouse providing an Instagram-worthy backdrop.
Shells, Wildlife & Some Captiva Time
Head to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where you can experience a very different side of Sanibel. The refuge’s mangrove forests, waterways, and abundant birdlife make it a must for nature lovers. Craving more time in nature? Try the Six Mile Cypress Slough Reserve and Manatee Park.
Then prepare for something unexpected: a genuinely fascinating look at seashells. I walked into the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium thinking, “How interesting can a museum about shells possibly be?” The answer, as it turns out, is very. With exhibits exploring mollusks, marine life, and the history and beauty of shells, it’s one of those unexpected stops that winds up being a highlight.
Afterward, pop into She Sells Sea Shells, a charming local shop where you can browse an assortment of shell-inspired treasures and souvenirs. It’s the sort of place that makes it easy to understand why Sanibel has such a devoted following among shell collectors.
From Sanibel, make your way to Captiva for the afternoon. The two islands may be close neighbors, but Captiva has its own personality, with a slightly more tucked-away, whimsical feel. Take your time wandering, enjoying the scenery, and making another stop or two to admire the shells.
Fun in Fort Myers
Spend at least one day of your trip trading the islands’ natural beauty for Fort Myers’ cultural and historic side. Start at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, where you can explore the legacies of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The sprawling property offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of two of America’s most famous innovators, along with beautiful gardens and plenty of Florida history.
From there, head downtown to explore First Street and The Franklin Shops, where independent boutiques and local businesses offer a nice change of pace from the area’s traditional beach-town attractions. Art lovers should also make time for the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, a cultural hub housed in the historic Murphy-Burroughs House.
Foodies like me definitely enjoy the Fort Myers Culinary District. The downtown area has developed a lively food scene that makes it easy to turn lunch into an afternoon of sampling the local flavors.
Finally, if you are still longing for fun on the water but want to give saltwater a pass, check out Brightwater Lagoon. This five-acre recreational destination offers plenty of ways to enjoy the Florida sunshine. If you’ve got kids (or want to prove you can still act like one), try the obstacle course. For a more relaxed vibe, rent a private cabana or floating Aquabana and sip on a refreshing cocktail.
Where to Eat
When it’s time to head to breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you are spoiled for choice in the Fort Myers-Sanibel-Captiva area. Here are a few places I’d put on the list:
- For a hearty breakfast in a warm, welcoming atmosphere: Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel Island and Farmers’ Market Restaurant
- For casual island fare: The Lazy Flamingo
- For a fresh dockside lunch: Gramma Dot’s
- For leisurely upscale dining with a view: Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant
- For coastal fare right on the water: The Green Flash Waterfront Restaurant
- For elevated American cuisine, fresh seafood, and craft cocktails: Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant
- For classic pub fare with a beachy twist: The Mucky Duck
- For something sweet: The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine
- For happy hour with a stunning skyline view: Beacon Social Drinkery
- For chef-forward, fine dining in a polished setting: Silver King Coastal Kitchen
- For a Michelin-recognized meal: Liberty, The Bohemian, or Canary Club
No matter what eatery you pick, you can embrace the local dress code: casual!
The Best Part? You Don’t Have to Choose
That’s what I loved most about this corner of Florida. You can spend the morning searching for the perfect seashell, the afternoon admiring wildlife, the evening sipping a cocktail on a rooftop, and still find time to put your toes in the sand.
The beaches may be the postcard-perfect stars of Sanibel and Captiva, but they’re far from the only reason to visit. For me, the perfect Fort Myers-area weekend is a little bit of beach, a little bit of nature, a little bit of history and art, and a whole lot of good food.
And, thankfully, very little time was spent trying to get sand out of my bathing suit.
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Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.