Fort Myers - Sanibel vacation ideas for families - museums, activities, parks


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Hotel Indigo (Open Spring 2008) Hotel Indigo a boutique hotel located in the active Historic Downtown area of Fort Myers. Walking distance to several restaurants and area attractions. 866-246-3446 to reserve.


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Best Bets with Kids from Sunup to Sundown

From a sunrise walk to a sunset meal, a full day of fun awaits families on the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Think kid-pleasing restaurants and museums and parks with more amenities than you might expect: this itinerary shares smile-inducing suggestions for morning, noon and night.

Lakes Regional Park

Sunrise: If your kids are early risers, head to the beach for a sunrise walk. On Sanibel’s Lighthouse Park Beach, you actually face east toward the dawn and will find lots of shells. At Lovers Key State Park, you can watch birds fishing for breakfast.

Breakfast Time: When it’s time for breakfast, kids love the Belgian waffles at Island Cow on Sanibel Island.

Mid-morning: Head to Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers and ride the miniature train, then splash in the interactive fountains, climb the wall, rent a paddle boat and have a picnic. (Buy your picnic lunch beforehand at The Flying Pig.) Next door to the park you can putt around at Castle Golf.

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

Afternoon: Whether the afternoon brings more sunshine or a summer shower, you’ll want to head for shelter. Check in at the Sanibel Public Library for kids programs, an aquarium, puzzles, games and its shell collection. For more shellacious fun, the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel Island is the place.

Fishing pier, Lynn Hall Memorial Park

Evening: To shop, ride bumper boats and see life-size dinosaur models and cool animals, head to The Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers. Stay for dinner at Capt’n Fishbones and, after dark, the Waltzing Waters lighted fountain show. Or if you want to catch sunset, head to Lynn Hall Memorial Park at Fort Myers Beach, play on the playground and enjoy dinner at a sidewalk café in Times Square.

If you go...

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, 888-679-6450, www.shellmuseum.org

Capt’n Fishbones, 239-995-3999

Castle Golf, 239-489-1999

The Flying Pig, 239-337-3744, www.theflyingpig.net

Island Cow, 239-472-0606

Lakes Regional Park, 239-432-2000

Lighthouse Park Beach, 239-472-6397

Lovers Key State Park, 239-463-4588, www.floridastateparks.org/loverskey

Lynn Hall Memorial Park, 239-765-6794, www.leeparks.org

Sanibel Public Library, 239-472-2483, www.sanlib.org

The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 800-282-5805, www.shellfactory.com

Times Square, 239-765-0202

Last modified on Feb 22, 2008

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