While you do not need any specific reason to visit Cape Coral during the summer season you will be pleasantly surprised when you see the events lined up this summer. Our summer event calendar in Cape Coral is full of events with something for everyone. Best of all our vacation rentals will be close to each of these events making them easy to get to. Take a look at the top Florida summer events taking place here in Cape Coral this year:
Summer Concert Events
The summer season is a great time to get out and explore as the kids are off school for summer and parents have a reason to take off time from work. Cape Coral is located along the coast nearby other Florida communities. All along the coast, a variety of live music events will be taking place this summer; nothing says summer quite like a concert event! Cape Coral and the other coastal cities will be hosting huge musical acts that include Matisyahu, Jason Aldean, Counting Crows, and many more. These shows will be held at local venues such as Hertz Arena, The Ranch Concert Hall, and Suncoast Credit Union Arena to name a few. Tickets are available now for all upcoming summer shows so don’t miss out on the best seats in the house!
WWE Supershow
If you are a fan of wrestling you will not want to miss out on WWE taking over the coast this summer! The WWE Super Show will be taking place on July 29th at our sister city of Estero for a night of all things wrestling. Come see some of the biggest wrestling stars take the stage for crowd-pleasing events. The WWE Supershow is an event like no other and is sure to kickstart your summer break off with a banger!
Mango Mania
When you think of summer fruit you are probably thinking of the juicy and delicious mango that is always a treat. This summer, make sure to stop by the Mango Mania festival taking place on Pine Island. This annual event is all things mangos and has a little something for everyone to enjoy. Mangos are grown across the island making sure each food and beverage made with them is absolutely fresh. Mango Mania offers plenty of tropical fruit-inspired food and beverages, live music, local artisans, adult beverages, educational seminars, kids’ activities, and much more. Some of the food that uses these locally grown mangos include bread, salsa, chutney, smoothies, and ice cream to name a few. Check out the arts and crafts vendors to find special gifts to take home with you. Mango Mania will take place this summer on Saturday, July 15th. Come taste the best mangos you have ever had!
Peace Day at the Park
Cape Coral will also be hosting our annual Peace Day at the Park this summer near the end of the season. Each year this annual event takes place around International Peace Day that promotes non-violence and a cease-fire for countries in conflict. Peace Day at the Park originated in Cape Coral but has since moved to Alliance for the Arts located in Fort Myers. This event will feature live music, activities for children, local vendors, and a collaborative event with local artists to participate in. This event is free to attend with this year’s festival plans still being finalized. Come experience a nearby event that promotes peace and prosperity for everyone.
Family Fun Night
This summer, the 4th, or 3rd for months with holidays, Thursday of each month will be Family Fun Night in our neighboring city of Fort Myers. This monthly event is a way to help families have time together for bonding and enjoying exciting activities together. The event will be held at Bell Tower along the mall concourse in the center court. Different activities that will be provided during the event include live exotic animals in a mini zoo provided by Adam’s Animal Encounters. Chuck It Axes will be on hand for inflatable archery perfect for individuals of all ages. Sweet Dreams will be offering their mouth-watering cotton candy. Additional activities include food, face painting, games, and balloon sculptures. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy some family bonding time with exciting activities at the monthly Family Fun Night!
More Fun in Cape Coral
You can find these exciting summer events all around Cape Coral and our neighboring areas. Make sure to plan for your summer vacation today by reserving your vacation rental. Expect to find private homes with luxury amenities such as direct canal access, swimming pools, game rooms, and much more depending on your chosen property. Come see why Cape Coral is the top summer destination in Florida!
The family vacation is a time-honored tradition that doesn’t always go smoothly but is worth every effort we put into making these getaways special. It almost doesn’t matter where you go, as the most important part of the story is spending time with your loved ones, but if you want to make your vacation shine, choose Cape Coral as your destination and our Vacanza Rentals summer sanctuaries for your home away from home is the best way to do so! Offering everything that makes Florida special and all the comforts and luxuries you and your family deserve, THIS will be the family escape you will never forget! Our guide to things to do in Cape Coral with family to enjoy during your summer adventures in Cape Coral will help make sure you don’t miss out on a single moment of fun!
The Simple Moments
Not all family-friendly activities have to involve a lot of moving pieces. Sometimes the simplest moments are the ones that can make the biggest impact as you enjoy the time spent with your family. The taste of an ice cream cone on a hot summer day can never be a bad thing and Ice Sssscreamin, 520 Cape Coral Parkway E is destined to offer all the delicious proof you need. This stand-alone shop offers over 75 flavors and just makes us happy. Seriously, how can you not be happy when sitting at a table under the clear blue skies of Cape Coral, watching your kiddos desperately try to keep up with the melting cone (and failing, of course, but that is just a part of the charm of the moment!)
Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park, 35 NE Pine Island Road
The alligator is Florida’s official state reptile, but don’t worry, there are no real gators at this family fun park trying to interrupt your enjoyment of the day! Offering batting cages, go-karts, and ax throwing as well as a plethora of other activities that will have you wishing the day could go on forever, Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park truly does put the fun back into family adventures! One of the more difficult aspects in planning a family vacation is trying to find something that EVERYONE can do together, but Gator Mike’s makes that part of the planning look easy! Ax throwing is an activity best experienced by those who are 14 or over and if you want to sip while you toss you will have to be over 21, but you can already see how much more enjoyable this park is than many others you may have visited over the years! Mini golf, a virtual reality gaming arcade, and paintball offer even more examples of why Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park is perfect for you and your family!
Dolphin Tours with Banana Bay Tour Company
Anyone over a certain age may remember a television series about the dolphin named Flipper but even if you aren’t old enough to remember the beautiful creature, you will definitely enjoy one of the dolphin tours offered by the Banana Bay Tour Company! Offering a variety of tours, including a romantic Sunset Tour you may want to check out on a return visit, our favorite tour is the Half Day Ecological and Dolphin Cruise. This three-hour cruise takes you to where the dolphins are playing, but also gives guests a peek into the lives of the beautiful birds that make their home in the area. Learn all there is to know about these beautiful creatures and all there is to know about the importance of continuing conservation activities AND enjoy a visit to Picnic Island where you can enjoy the picnic lunch you packed in advance, hunt for shells, or simply bask in the glory of the island’s natural surroundings! Swimming is allowed here as well, so don’t forget to wear your suit under your clothes!
Sandcastles with the Kiddos
Of course, you will want to spend as much time as you can on the beach, especially when you remember how much fun you had with your own parents at the age your children are. Building sandcastles at the shore’s edge is another one of those time-honored family traditions requiring nothing more than sand, water, parents, kids, and a variety of buckets and shovels. Oh, and if you sprinkle a handful of imagination into your adventure, the sandcastles you build will reach magnificent proportions!
Stay Home and Play
The most magical of memories will be made without even having to leave the boundaries of our Vacanza summer sanctuaries! Swimming in either community or private pools, enjoying barbecues in which you have grilled your own catch of the day, and movie nights with the family gathered around the state-of-the-art televisions, munching on freshly popped popcorn recently prepared in our fully equipped kitchens! Reserve your favorite summer sanctuary today!
Sunshine-filled days, cooling off on your own private boat on the water, exploring the mangroves and other natural wonders of Southwest Florida—it’s a typical picture of the summer in Cape Coral, and visitors this time of year will find there’s plenty to do! The summer brings those deliciously warm days, and the snowbirds have headed back home, meaning that there are fewer crowds and more opportunities to experience all the things that make Cape Coral a coveted vacation destination. Rent kayaks to explore the city’s canals at your own leisure, spend afternoons lounging out by your vacation home pool, and take the evening to discover the local culinary scene—when you come to Cape Coral for the summer, the possibilities are truly limitless! For those who like to plan ahead, we’ve compiled the ultimate summer guide to Cape Coral, so you can easily have an unforgettable summer vacation that will keep you coming back year after year!
Discover Local Beaches and The Gulf Coast
Of course, the water is one of the main reasons people are drawn to Cape Coral, but there’s more than just the canals and river! Cape Coral itself is home to a few beaches, and you’ll find the gorgeous tropical beaches of Sanibel Island are only about a 40-minute drive away depending on where you’re coming from. We’ve highlighted some of the best beaches both in Cape Coral and on the Gulf Coast below!
Yacht Club Public Beach
This beach is our most popular in Cape Coral, and sits near the southeastern tip of the city, facing the flowing waters of the Caloosahatchee River. The complex also hosts a community pool, pier, boat ramp, tennis courts, and a marina.
**PLEASE NOTE the Yacht Club Community Park will be closed April 2022 for renovations, but the nearby restaurant, The Boathouse, will be open and offers similar views!
Four Freedoms Beach
This is another beach local to Cape Coral, that you’ll find at the Four Freedoms Park. Here you can bring the kids to enjoy the playground or sit on the sand and take in the views of the boats on Bimini Basin, the lake the park faces. It’s a great place for an afternoon picnic or to watch the sunset!
Lighthouse Beach Park—Sanibel Island
If you make the drive to Sanibel Island, you certainly won’t regret it. As soon as you cross the causeway over to the island, you’ll be able to make your way over to Lighthouse Beach Park—your passengers might even be able to see it on the ride over the causeway! Besides stunning beaches, this beautiful park offers up a charming historic lighthouse, a public fishing pier, a picnic and BBQ area, and showers.
Bowman’s Beach—Sanibel Island
Another popular beach on Sanibel Island, Bowman’s beach is well-known amongst dedicated “shellers” or sea-shell hunters. The Gulf currents run in such a way that tons of unique shells turn up on Sanibel Island beaches. Take a swim in between combing the beach for treasures and eat lunch at the picnic area. It’s always a good idea to leave for the island early and make a day trip out of it to maximize your beach time!
Explore Cape Coral Nature Preserves
Visitors to Cape Coral will find a wealth of nearby nature preserves to discover, from walking trails to areas where you can kayak. From mornings looking to spot wildlife to sunset strolls in nature, these preserves have plenty to offer those wanting to connect with Southwest Florida’s unique environment of wetlands and mangroves.
Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve
You’ll find this preserve right in east Cape Coral, right along the Caloosahatchee River. Spend an early morning walking the trail across the boardwalks that take you through the dense forest or take an afternoon kayak trip through the mangroves—there’s a visitor’s center, and even seasonal kayak rentals if you don’t have your own!
Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve
This is the preserve that runs alongside the west of Cape Coral, offering protected waterways full of mangrove islands and wildlife. There are limits to where you can go, but a reputable tour company such as Gulf Coast Kayaks will be able to either take you on a tour or advise where you can adventure on your own!
Pine Island Conservation Area
You’ll find Pine Island to the west of Cape Coral, a laid-back destination with lots of fishing opportunities as well as kayaking and canoeing. The conservation area offers up seven miles of trails that bird watchers will love, as well as kayak access to the marshland. In addition, there are several areas on the island you can visit for some wildlife watching, such as the Galt Preserve.
J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge—Sanibel Island
This preserve gets an honorable mention as it’s on Sanibel Island, but it’s perfect to tack onto a beach trip or even for a day all on its own! You can spot hundreds of species of birds, explore trails, and fish. There’s also an educational center and options like tram tours of the refuge.
Spend an Afternoon in Cape Coral Museums
At times you might find you need a break from the summer heat, which makes for a perfect time to visit some of our local museums in Cape Coral and nearby Fort Meyers. We’ve compiled a list of noteworthy stops and popular museums below!
Cape Coral Historical Society Museum
This museum is a tribute to the local history of Cape Coral. Learn how the city was created and designed to be a waterfront wonderland and discover the stories behind the vision for the town and how it came to be. It’s a great place to pick up a souvenir at the gift shop, and they also have museum gardens, such as the rose garden and butterfly garden.
IMAG History and Science Center—Fort Meyers
This family-friendly science museum is a great place to take the kids for the day, or for those craving a bit of a scientific adventure! Located just over highway 41 in Fort Meyers, this museum is easily accessible from Cape Coral and offers over 60 exhibits, including a Living Lab, home to a variety of sea creatures, and a “Hands on Hall” where the kids can play an assortment of puzzles and games.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum—Sanibel Island
This museum is worth noting, as you can incorporate it into your excursions to Sanibel Island and learn a bit about the famous local pastime of shell hunting! This space features a variety of local shells, and a hands-on discovery space for kids.
Local Eateries Perfect for a Break from the Summer Heat
When you want to relax and grab a bite to eat, there’s several places in Cape Coral that are great for a bit of a reprieve from the warm summer temps. From waterside spots to local brewhouses, you have a variety to choose from when you’re vacationing in the summer!
The Boathouse Tiki Bar and Grill
This spot is first up on the list, as it sits right along the Caloosahatchee River, and can be accessed by canals local to the Caloosahatchee area. They have a dock where you can park your watercraft, meaning you can arrive by boat or kayak! Featuring a lively open-air bar, as well as drink specials and a daily breakfast menu, this is one spot not to be missed.
Big Storm Brewing Company
If you’re a lover of craft brews, a visit to this local brewhouse is a must! Offering a selection of their own brews, you can find options like the Bromosa, a tangerine IPA, or their Tropic Pressure golden ale. You can even sample their signature Cape Coral IPA. Offering a spacious patio with fans, as well as a food menu, it’s a fantastic spot to kickback for the afternoon!
Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery
Calling all rum lovers, and even those who have only dabbled in spirits—regardless of whether or not you’re a rum connoisseur, you’ll enjoy a late afternoon of tastings at this local distillery. This is booked by tour only, so you’ll want to reserve your spot ahead of time. You even get to sample new rums they’re working on! Tours are available Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Cork Soakers Deck & Wine Bar
This local spot can be found just off Cape Coral Parkway and offers a casually elegant setting featuring live music. Enjoy apps like deviled eggs and bacon wrapped shrimp and sit back while you sip on a glass of wine or a local brew. They also offer patio seating, with landscaping offering up plenty of palms, and an outdoor bar with TVs.
Summer Family Fun in Cape Coral
Of course, when you’re coming to Cape Coral with the family, you’re going to be looking for some family-friendly activities. While some of these activities might be more enjoyed by kids, some of these are also great choices for those looking for something unique to do while visiting Cape Coral!
Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly House
You’ll find this Cape Coral treasure at Rotary Park, which also offers a beautiful nature walking trail. Here you’ll find lots of butterfly native to Florida, as well as classic migratory species. You can take a free guided tour on Friday and Saturday at 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM. You might even spot a hungry caterpillar or two!
Sun Splash Family Waterpark
This is a great way to have some fun in the water without making the journey out to a swimmable beach! This popular park opens for the summer season and features countless water slides, a play area for smaller children, and a lazy river that you can float down for hours. You can even purchase a very affordable seasonal pass that will include early entry to the park and 20% off food and beverages!
Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park
This local amusement park features tons of attractions to keep the kids entertained during the day, or early evening when the park lights up for the night. Play an exciting round of miniature golf or practice your swing in their batting cages. Other attractions include climbing ropes, ziplines, go-karts, paintball, and an arcade! Kids can even make a wax mold of their hand or try out virtual reality games. If you need something to do with the kids or want to play a game of mini golf for a cute date night, this is the place to check out!
Take a Family Cruise to Tour the Gulf or Reserve a Fishing Charter
From tours on the Gulf Coast to excursions on the Caloosahatchee River, it’s always a great idea to explore the area by boat. There are local companies that offer departure from Cape Coral, such as the Banana Bay Tour Company, or splurge for a private excursion with a local charter. For those who love a bit of adventure, you can hire a local fishing charter to take you out to sea!
Explore Cape Corals Canals
It goes without saying that this is one of the number one pastimes in Cape Coral, and you might even find your vacation rental has a private boat dock or kayaks available for your use. If not, you can always rent a boat locally, and there are several kayak rental companies such as Cape Coral Kayak and Grab N Go Kayaks.
Reserve Your Summer Vacation Home in Cape Coral Today!
At Vacanza Rentals, we have years of experience in the Cape Coral vacation rental industry, and know the area well, from the best canal front neighborhoods to properties that will allow you to get out to the gulf. As locals, we have roots in the area and are always willing to offer our own personal suggestions on how to best enjoy your time in Cape Coral. We offer our guests a premium experience, from our professional cleaning to our friendly team that can answer any questions you might have. If you’re ready to book the ultimate summer vacation in Cape Coral, FL, then give us a call today!