This paved bike trail system has it all — spectacular scenery, a smooth paved surface with few road crossings and great amenities and stops along the way. And it keeps getting better. The final northern segment to downtown Sarasota is now open.
Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida Getaways
Southwest Florida is known for some of the best beaches in Florida, wildlife and birds, gateway to the Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands and other outdoor getaways.
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.
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.
Fort Myers is worth a visit for fun downtown, natural beauty and history
Thomas Edison loved Fort Myers and I see why. Today, its palm-tree-lined roads and river views are just a start. It has a revitalized downtown that’s fun at night and lots of outdoor recreation options.
Myakka River State Park: One the best state parks for wildlife, hiking, kayaking & camping
Myakka River State Park in Sarasota is one of the oldest and best state parks. Folks who love outdoor recreation can do it all here — camping, hiking, kayaking, biking, wildlife viewing.
Along Caloosahatchee River: Kayak trails, rustic scenery & small towns
Between Lake Okeechobee and Fort Myers, a stretch of the Caloosahatchee River offers a taste of Old Florida — small towns, rivers ideal for kayaking and good public campgrounds.
New boardwalk brings an up-close Everglades experience to Alligator Alley
Travelers have an intriguing new rest stop park with an extensive boardwalk and tower that offers a taste of the Everglades on I-75 between the east and west coasts of Florida.
Sugar Express: Sweet ride aboard a steam train
Tickets are on sale for rides beginning next week aboard the Sugar Express, a historic steam train sponsored by U.S. Sugar Company.
Alligator Alley: ‘Boring’ road can be a gateway to Everglades experiences
Crossing the state on Alligator Alley? Here are tips on a how to spend 15 minutes, a half hour or a half day exploring the Everglades from I-75. This mile marker guide helps you decide where to stop and what to do along the way.
Lovers Key State Park bounces bounces with beach, trails and visitor center ready for visitors
Lovers Key State Park is a treasure in Fort Myers Beach. You can kayak a mangrove-lined trail and stroll an unspoiled 2.5 mile beach. The park has recovered from Hurricane Milton and its devastating storm surge a year ago.
Stump Pass Beach State Park reopens 11 months after Hurricane Milton
Discover a less well-known string of islands — Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Manasota Key. Each holds a spectacular state park with top beaches.
Cayo Costa: A wild island with spectacular beach you can visit by boat
Cayo Costa, a wild island with nine miles of pristine beach, can be reached for day trips and there are two companies that offer cruises. The lucky few who visit can explore a slice of paradise.
Braden River: Kayak from Jiggs Landing to Linger Lodge for Old Florida feel
Kayaking the Braden River, with time at Jiggs Landing and Linger Lodge in Bradenton, is a delightful trip back into Old Florida along the Gulf Coast. Both outposts date to the 1940s and the scenic river that connects them preserves much of its natural beauty.
Discover the beaches of Venice, ‘shark tooth capitol of the world’
There are 14 miles of fabulous beaches in Venice, including Sarasota County’s only dog beach. The big attraction is ancient shark’s teeth that continuously wash ashore to the delight of beachgoers.