Visitor's Annual: Attractions

For those who thought Florida’s Gulf coast was all about the beach, here’s a surprise: we can take you along boardwalks through thousand-year-old cypress swamps; through lush botanical gardens and into wildlife reserves where black bears, foxes, coyotes and the elusive Florida panther lives. We can show you the rare ghost orchid that has lured botanists and media from around the world.

If you want to slip back in time for an Old Florida experience, we can tell you where to watch alligator wrestling or swamp-buggy racing, and see real Miccosukee Indian ceremonial dances. Give the kids the most exciting science lesson they ever had on vacation at our state-of-the-art children’s museums. Or sign the family up for a moonlight turtle walk to watch for hatchlings.

Or, you can just cruise. Take a sunset cruise, a shelling cruise, a dinner cruise, a wildlife-watching cruise or a sightseeing cruise. Check out the lunch cruises to Useppa Island (very chic); or to Cabbage Key (very rustic), where they serve a mighty fine Key lime pie, and where Jimmy Buffett reputedly was inspired to write Cheeseburger in Paradise.

CHOKOLOSKEE

Smallwood Store and Museum, 360 Mamie St., (239) 695-2989. Gift shop inside museum. $3 adults, $2.50 seniors, children under 12 free. Off season, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Monday. In season, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

EVERGLADES CITY

Museum of the Everglades, 105 W. Broadway, (239) 695-0008. Tells the story of 2,000 years of human habitation in the southwest Everglades. Admission is free but donations are accepted. www.colliermuseum.com.

Wings 10,000 Islands Aero-Tours, 650 E. C. Airpark Road, (239) 695-3296. Fly an Alaskan floatplane over the Everglades, the Keys or Ten Thousand Islands.

Wooten’s Airboat and Swamp Buggy Tours, 35 miles south of Naples on U.S. 41, (239) 695-2781. Airboat and swamp-buggy tours through the mangroves and marshlands. www.wootensairboats.com.

IMMOKALEE

Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, (239) 658-2466. Recollects the history of cattle
ranching in the area. Visits by appointment. www.colliermuseum.com.

Lake Trafford Marina and Airboats and Alligators, 6001 Lake Trafford Road, (239) 657-2214. Airboat rides and boat tours through Corkscrew Swamp. www.laketrafford.com.

Seminole Casino, 506 S. First St., (800) 218-0007. Gaming machines and live-action poker. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. www.theseminolecasino.com.

MARCO ISLAND

Marco Island Trolley, (239) 394-1600. One hour, 45 minute tours. $25 adults, $12 children 12 and under.

GOLDEN GATE

Golden Gate Aquatics Facility, 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., (239) 353-3636. Heated pool, 110-foot open slide, 110-foot tube slide, two one-meter springboard, one three-meter springboard. Walk-in fee $7.

NAPLES

Big Cypress National Preserve, U.S. 41 at Ochopee, (239) 695-1201. A 729,000-acre preserve of cypress swamp, mangroves, sawgrass prairies and natural freshwater rivers. www.nps.gov/bicy.

Collier County Historical Museum, 3301 E. Tamiami Trail, (239) 774-8476. Five-acre botanical complex interpreting the history, archaeology and development of Florida and Collier County. Free admission. Donations accepted. www.colliermuseum.com.

Collier-Seminole State Park, 20200 E. Tamiami Trail, (239) 394-3397. Canoe rentals, boat ramp, electric and water hookup for campsites. $4 per car for up to eight people, $18 for camping. www.floridastateparks.org.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 1450 Merrihue Drive, (239) 262-0304. Environmental organization that educates visitors about Southwest Florida wildlife and habitats. Daily guided tours, kayak rentals and boat tours of the Gordon River offered. $9 adults, $4 children, free for under age three and members. www.conservancy.org.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Road, (239) 348-9151. Award-winning boardwalk meanders through a cypress forest. $10 adults, $6 college students, $5 members, $4 children ages six to 18, free
for children under six.

CREW (Corkscrew Regional Ecological Watershed) encompasses 60,000 acres. Managed by Land & Water Trust at 4600 C.R. 850, (239) 657-2253. More than five miles of natural hiking trails. Campsites available. Free admission. www.crewtrust.org.

Double R’s Fishing and Tour Company, (239) 642-9779. Two-and-a-half-hour tour of the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades.

Edge Skate Park at Fleischmann Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., (239) 213-3027. Forty-thousand-square-foot skateboarding and inline skating facility. Beginner to advanced levels. Pro-shop, special events. http://cs.naplesgov.com/parks/fleischmann/the_edge.asp.

Everglades Day Safari, (800) 472-3069. A comprehensive exploration of the Everglades by airboat, convention boat, wildlife drive and nature walk. $140 adults, $104 children ages six to 11. Lunch included. www.ecosafari.com.

Everglades Excursions, 1010 Sixth Ave. S., (800) 592-0848. Departs 8 a.m. daily from Naples and Marco Island for narrated full-day or half-day trips aboard a "comfort-controlled" safari wagon. www.everglades-excursions.com.

Everglades National Park, 40001 S.R. 9336, (305) 242-7700. One hundred fifty-six miles of canoe/kayak and walking trails and 47 wilderness campsites. Other features include visitor centers, tram tours, lodging, boating and fishing. Entrance fees apply. www.nps.gov/ever.

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve Park, 137 Coastline Drive, (239) 695-4593. Wide cypress and mixed-hardwood swamp that features a boardwalk, seasonal canoe trips and guided tours. Admission is free. www.floridastateparks.org/fakahatcheestrand.

Florida Sports Park, 8250 Collier Blvd., (239) 774-2701. Host to the Swamp Buggy Races, special events and concerts.

Holocaust Museum Southwest Florida, Sandalwood Square, 4760 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 7, (239) 263-9200. History and lessons are taught through the surviving artifacts, tours and a dedicated library. $5 admission. www.hmswfl.org.

King Richard’s Fun Park, 6780 N. Airport-Pulling Road, (239) 598-1666. Medieval-themed amusement park featuring laser tag, rock climbing and go carts. www.kingrichardspark.net.

London Aviation, 100 Aviation Drive S., (239) 643-4468. Helicopter and airplane tours, charters, flight training and sales. www.londonhelicopters.com.

Naples Depot, 1051 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 774-8476. Travel back to the days when Naples relied upon the railway for trade and transportation.

Naples Horse and Carriage Company, (239) 649-1210. Leave from City Dock at Crayton Cove and tour Old Naples. Seasonal hours.

Naples Museum of Art, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., (239) 597-1900. The 30,000-square-foot museum at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts features 15 galleries. $12 adults, $6 students. www.thephil.org.

Naples Preserve and the Hedges Family Eco-Center, 735 Eighth St. S., (239) 261-4290. Home to plant and animal species associated with one of the oldest Floridian ecologies. Eco-center open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Naples Trolley Tours, 1010 Sixth Ave. S., (800) 592-0848 or (239) 262-7300. Fully narrated trolley tour covering more than 100 points of interest. $24 adults, $12 children ages four to 12, free for children three and under. www.naplestrolleytours.com.

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, (239) 262-5409. New exhibit this year—The Fosa: Madagascar’s Legendary Carnivore. Daily activities include Meet the Keeper, alligator feedings and various tours and presentations. $18.95 adults, $10.95 children three to
12, free for children under three. www.napleszoo.com.

North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, (239) 254-4000. Calusa fossil dig play area for children, interactive playground and a 90-acre wetland preserve area. Free admission.

Palm Cottage, 137 12th Ave. S., (239) 261-8164. Built in 1895. The oldest home in Naples restored to its original condition. Requested donation of $6 for adults, $3 for children under 12.
www.napleshistoricalsociety.org.

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 300 Tower Road, (239) 417-6310. View aquariums, interactive exhibits and art gallery. Participate in field programs, take a guided kayak tour. www.rookerybay.org.

South Naples Citrus Grove, 341 Sabal Palm Road, (239) 774-3838. Bagged tangerines, grapefruit and oranges to sell on premises or to ship as gift boxes. www.naplescitrus.com.

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon at North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, (239) 252-4021. Water slides, lazy river, water playgrounds and pools. Up to 48 inches tall, $5.50; over 48 inches tall, $12; three and under free.

BONITA SPRINGS

Everglades Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Road, (239) 992-2591. Wildlife includes alligators, Florida panthers, black bears, flamingos, otter show and the world’s largest American crocodile. $15 adults, $8 children three to 10.

Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track, 10601 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 992-2411. Dog racing, adopt-a-greyhound program, live poker and dining room. Admission $2. www.naplesfortmyersdogs.com.

CAPE CORAL

Cape Coral Historical Museum and Rose Garden, 544 Cultural Park Blvd., (239) 772-7037. Monthly lectures, group tours, historical preservation. www.capecoralhistoricalmuseum.org.

Four-Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, north of Midpoint Memorial Bridge, (239) 574-7395. Includes 365 acres of mangroves and 5,000 feet of shoreline. Canoe/kayak rentals available. Free admission and parking.

Mike Greenwell’s Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, (239) 574-4386. Paintball, 19-hole miniature golf, arcade, go-cart tracks, fish-feeding dock and batting cages. www.greenwellsfamilyfunpark.com.

Sun Splash Family Waterpark, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., (239) 574-0557. The 12-acre water park featuring two 30-foot-high slides, river ride, tot spot and 427-foot electric slide. www.sunsplashwaterpark.com.

ESTERO

College of Life Foundation, 8661 Corkscrew Road, (239) 992-2184. Dedicated to preserving the historic Koreshan communal heritage. Donations accepted. Tours by appointment.

Florida Everblades at Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, (239) 948-7825. Florida Everblades hockey October to April; Germain Arena offers public skating, concerts and special events. www.florida-everblades.com, www.germainarena.com.

Koreshan State Historic Site, U.S. 41 at Corkscrew Road, (239) 992-0311. Campground, canoe rental, picnic area, boat landing and nature trails. $3 vehicle (single occupant), $4 vehicle (up to eight people), $22 camping fee per night. www.floridastateparks.org/koreshan.

Mound Key State Archaeological Site, in Estero Bay at the mouth of the Estero River, (239) 992-0311. Accessible only by boat. No facilities. Canoe and kayak rental available at Koreshan State Historic Site. www.floridastateparks.org/moundkey.

FORT MYERS

Babcock Wilderness Adventures, 8000 S.R. 31, (800) 500-5583. View wildlife on a 90-minute swamp-buggy ride. Reservations required. $17.95 adults, $10.95 children three to 12.
www.babcockwilderness.com.

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., (239) 275-3435. Butterfly aviary, nature trails, a natural history museum, Audubon aviary and a planetarium. www.calusanature.com.

Centennial Park, 200 W. First St. in downtown Fort Myers, (239) 332-6638.
A 10-acre waterfront park with a playground, including equipment for handicapped children, fishing pier, dock facilities.

Charlene’s Classic Carriages, 19600 Pine Echo Road, (239) 543-2290. Downtown carriage tours, hayrides,and special events. www.charlenesclassiccarriages.com.

City of Palms Park, 2201 Edison Ave., (239) 334-4700. Hosts Boston Red Sox spring training games in March.

ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization), 17391 Durrance Road, (239) 543-3246. Global Farm tours the edible landscape nursery and herb garden and six climate demonstration areas. Adults $8, children over six $5, children under six free. www.echonet.org.

Eden Vineyards and Winery, 19709 Little Lane, Alva, (239) 728-9463. vineyard producing five to seven grape wines from hybrid grapes as well as wines from tropical fruits. www.edenwinery.com.

Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., (239) 334-7419. Tour Thomas A. Edison’s chemical research laboratory and museum filled with hundreds of his inventions. Admission fees apply. www.efwefla.org.

Fort Myers Skatium, 2250 Broadway, (239) 461-3145. In-line and ice-skating programs for all ages. $3 skate rental. Adults $7, children 12 and under $6. www.yourpagemaker.com/fmskatium.

Fossil Expeditions, 213 Lincoln Ave., (239) 368-3252. Walking or kayaking expeditions that search for bones and teeth of ancient mammoths, mastodons, tortoises, saber-toothed cats, whales, dolphins and sharks. www.fossilexpeditions.com.

GAEA Guides, guided kayak tours, (239) 694-5513. Kayak clinics, bird, manatee, full-moon, sunset and bat kayak tours. All guides are Florida Master Naturalists trained by the University of Florida. www.gaeaguides.com.

Generations Skating Center, 2095 Andrea Lane, (239) 482-7199. Includes snack bar, game area and novelty center. www.generationsskatingcenter.com.

Hickey’s Creek Mitigation Park, 17980 Palm Beach Blvd., (239) 728-6240. A 1,020-acre wildlife preserve with five miles of trails, canoe/kayak landing and fishing pier.

Imaginarium Hands-On Museum, 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers, (239) 337-3332. Exhibits on weather, water, the human body, physics and math. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children, free for children under three and members. www.cityftmyers.com/imaginarium.

Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, (239) 432-2000. Swimming, nature trails, mini-train rides, bike and boat rentals, picnic sites and shower facilities. Visit Fragrance Garden for the visually impaired. Parking $1 per hour, $5 per day. www.leeparks.org.

Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Road, (239) 543-8368. Concerts, trade shows, expos, rodeos, company picnics and more. www.leeciviccenter.com.

Manatee Park, S.R. 80, east of I-75, (239) 690-5030. Picnic areas, nonmotorized kayak/canoe launch, fishing deck on the Orange River and native plant habitats. Parking $1 per hour, $5 per day. www.leeparks.org.

Miracle Professional Baseball, Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, (239) 768-4210. Hosts Minnesota Twins spring training games. Open April to September. $8 box seats, $6 general admission. www.miraclebaseball.com.

Palm Tree Park, corner of Edwards Drive and Lee Street, (239) 334-0839. Palm trees and a memorial to the 82nd Airborne.

Seminole Gulf Railway, Colonial Station, (239) 275-8487. Murder-mystery dinner train and holiday-themed excursions. Reservations required. www.semgulf.com.

Shell Factory and Nature Park, 2787 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 995-2141. Fun park with shell-themed shopping, dining and nature park with petting zoo. www.shellfactory.com.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Six Mile Cypress Parkway (one mile north of Daniels Parkway), (239) 432-2004. Boardwalk trails, picnic areas and seasonal programs. Parking $1 per hour, $5 per day. www.leeparks.org.

Southwest Florida Museum of History, 2300 Peck St., (239) 332-5955. Walk with prehistoric animals, live with the Calusa Indians or view turn-of-the-century downtown. $9.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $5 children three to 12, free for children under three.

Sun Harvest Citrus, 14810 Metro Parkway, (239) 768-2686. See how hand-picked citrus fruit is cleaned, graded, packed and juiced. Fruit shipping available. Educational tours are offered daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.sunharvestcitrus.com.

FORT MYERS BEACH

Big "M" Casino, 450 Harbor Court, (239) 765-PLAY. Gaming aboard a 186-foot yacht. Buffet available. Ages 21 and up. www.bigmcasino.com.

Estero Island Historic Cottage and Nature Center, 161 Bay Road, (239) 463-0435. The center celebrates the history of Fort Myers Beach with artifacts and photos. Cottage open Wednesday and Saturday mornings. www.ecotrail.com/historic_cottage.htm.

Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve, 199 Bay Road, (239) 229-1610. Fifty-six-acre sanctuary for native plants and animals. Open seven days a week from dawn to dusk. www.ecotrail.com/mpass_preserve.htm.

Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Museum, 718 Fisherman’s Wharf, (239) 765-8101. Touch tanks and interactive exhibits. Free admission. www.ostegobay.org.

GASPARILLA ISLAND

Boca Grande Lighthouse, (239) 964-0375. Built in 1890 to mark the entrance from the Gulf of Mexico to Charlotte Harbor. www.barrierislandparkssociety.org/lighthouse.html.

PINE ISLAND

Museum of the Islands, 5728 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia, (239) 283-1525. Features island culture, past and present. Call for hours. $2 adults, $1 children. www.museumoftheislands.com.

Randell Research Center, 7450 Pineland Road, (239) 283-2062. Tours of the former Randell family site. Reservations required. www.flmnh.ufl.edu/rrc.

SANIBEL ISLAND

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, (239) 395-2233. Exhibits displaying shells from Southwest Florida and around the world. $7 adults, $4 children five to 16, free for children four and under. www.shellmuseum.org.

Cabbage Key, at channel marker 60 on the Intracoastal Waterway, (239) 283-2278. A tiny island built on a Calusa Indian mound, accessible by boat. Restaurant, bar and inn.

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, (239) 472-1100. Mangrove forest, cordgrass marshes and West Indian hardwood hammocks. Bicycles, canoes and kayaks for rent. Tours available. $5 per car, $1 adult bicyclist or hiker. www.fws.gov/dingdarling.

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road, (239) 472-2329. Nursery, butterfly house, nature center and walking trails. Specializing in barrier island ecology. $3 adults, free for children under 17 and members. www.sccf.org.

Sanibel Historical Village and Museum, 950 Dunlop Road, (239) 472-4648. Tour six buildings, including a 1926 Sears Roebuck kit house. $5 adults. www.sanibelmuseum.org.

Sanibel Lighthouse, Lighthouse City Park, (239) 472-9075. The lighthouse on the southern tip of Sanibel has been a landmark since 1884.The park features a lush tropical landscape, beach and bayside fishing pier.