Things to do in Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida

Southwest Broward is known for some of the best beaches in Florida, wildlife and birds, interesting historical spots and as a launching point to see the Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands.

Here are some of our favorite places to begin your exploration of the area. Each of these stories contains links to places to kayak, hike, bicycle and fascinating historic sites.

Everglades City, a historic fishing village known for its stone crabs
Marco Island, a beach resort close to the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands
Naples, a good basecamp for exploration of nature-rich region
Fort Myers Beach, an Old Florida beach town
Sanibel, an unspoiled island where seashells litter the beach.
Punta Gorda, natural beauty and historic charm
Venice, Mediterranean-influenced city with old world charm

We recommend:

Hiking: Myakka River State Park near Sarasota and Bird Rookery Swamp near Naples.

Biking: The Legacy Trail in Venice and the many bikes trails on Sanibel Island.

Kayaking: The little known Shell Creek near Punta Gorda and the joys of paddling with manatees in winter on the Orange River in Fort Myers.

Camping: There’s tent camping on the beautiful wild island of Cayo Costa State Park. One of our favorite campgrounds for both tents and RVs is Camp Venice on the Myakka River.

Interesting Old Florida spots: Historic Smallwood Store near Everglades City and Koreshan Historic State Park near Naples.

The following are recent stories about Southwest Florida.

One hiking trail in Fakahatchee Strand takes you to this spot -- the boardwalk next to the "Fakahatchee Hilton." (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Bike & Hike, Everglades, Kayak & Canoe, Southwest Florida

Fakahatchee Strand: Big, wild and great for Everglades hiking and kayaking

by Bonnie Gross

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park — the biggest state park in Florida — is a vast, wild place near Everglades City. Year after year, we drove right past, but there are three great reasons to spend time here. We’re glad we did.

Right at the causeway that takes you from Cortez to Anna Maria Island, you’ll find Tide Tables restaurant, a seafood restaurant with a mighty reputation for super-fresh fish and great views. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Festivals, Southwest Florida

Cortez Fishing Festival celebrates its maritime roots: Feb. 16-17, 2019

by Bob Rountree

This tiny fishing village wedged between Bradenton and Anna Marie Island celebrates its rich heritage as a commercial fishing hub.

Kayak & Canoe, Southwest Florida

Manatee Park & the Orange River: Fort Myers kayak trail ideal for winter day

by Bonnie Gross

When it’s chilly, you can see dozens of manatees at this free park. Even without manatees, the Orange River is a beautiful kayak trail through Old Florida scenery.

Everglades Seafood Festival, Everglades City

Festivals, Southwest Florida

Everglades City Seafood Festival: Feb. 8-10, 2019

by Bob Rountree and Bonnie Gross

Seafood lovers mark their calendars for the annual Everglades Seafood Festival in Everglades City, gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands. This free event packs ’em in for fresh seafood, country music, carnival rides, crafts booths — with an estimated 50,000 people expected to attend this year’s event in a remote corner of Florida.

Bike & Hike, Birding, Southwest Florida

Corkscrew Swamp in Naples: Explore via beautiful boardwalk

by Bonnie Gross

The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, an Audubon Society preserve, takes you on a hike via boardwalk with good wildlife viewing and exquisite scenery.

Historic, Southwest Florida

Come one, come all to the ‘Greatest Show on Earth!’

by Vicki McCash Brennan

The Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota brings back those memories of yesteryear, when hawkers fill the streets with calls to see “The world’s grandest, largest, best, amusement institution.”

Manatee at Imperial River Bonita Springs

Kayak & Canoe, Southwest Florida

Imperial River: Nice kayak trail through old Bonita Springs

by Bonnie Gross

The kayak trail through old Bonita Springs on the Imperial River is worth discovering for its scenery. If you’re lucky, you may see manatees.

Central Florida, Festivals, Southwest Florida

Go for the orchids. Stay for a stroll in the garden.

by Vicki McCash Brennan

Selby Garden contains the most diverse living and preserved collection of of orchids and bromeliads in the world with thousands of species represented.