Winter and spring are both some of the best seasons to visit the Cape Coral and Fort Myers area during. While the weather is nice year-round, there’s something to be said about being able to avoid the summer humidity and the autumn storms. Winter can get a little chilly, but for the most part, you aren’t likely to need heavy winter clothing to stay warm. Even on colder nights, it’s uncommon for the temperature to drop below 45 degrees. Spring is downright beautiful, warming up just enough for every day to be the perfect beach day without having to worry about the intense summer humidity setting in.
When you’re planning your vacation to Cape Coral in spring or winter, there are plenty of things to consider, and even more to do while you’re here. You’ll be able to experience something new every day, and some seasonal offerings you simply won’t want to miss! With that in mind, here are some recommendations for activities you might want to take part in while you’re here.
Winter Visitors
Winter tends to herald the start of tourist season again. Most people tend to avoid the hurricane season, and when the weather really cools down and there’s no threat of storms coming through, everything starts getting back into full swing. The beach is open all year, and since the weather’s just warm enough, you’ll still find people out for a swim at the beach every now and then, but plenty of people will be out there on the shore. If the weather is a bit too cold for your taste, there’s still plenty to do indoors.
Cape Coral Historical Museum
If you’re curious about the history of where you’re staying, Cape Coral has the thing for you. Though Cape Coral was turned into the metropolis it is as part of a deliberate expansion effort, plenty of things happened prior to that which led up to the creation of the city as we know it today. You’ll start by learning about the original Native American settlements that were in the area and work your way through the fishing village and Civil War eras until you reach the modern era. Additional exhibits will teach you about the growth of business in the area and then some.
Trent Art Gallery
If you’re curious what the local artists of Cape Coral have been cooking up, this is a great spot to check out. There are several in house artists that produce and hang up original works for display here, and many of these works also have prints that you can purchase for a very reasonable price if you find something you just can’t live without. Be sure to check their calendar when you’re in town to see if they’ve got any special events going on that might interest you.
Solve a Murder Mystery Aboard the Train
The Murder Mystery Dinner Train is a one-of-a-kind experience that anyone with a taste for the theatrical will enjoy. While you’re there watching the show, you’ll be treated to a five-course meal with delicious cuisine and a choice of multiple entrees. All of the food is prepared fresh on the train and served in style. This ride runs for roughly three and a half hours, embarking from Fort Myers, and they run different themed mysteries to keep things fresh for any repeat customers. If you happen to be in town for the holidays, you might be able to catch the special Christmas event they put on every year. They hold multiple other holiday events, too—just have a look at their calendar if you’re curious!
Spring Visitors
As things continue picking up in spring in anticipation of the hectic peak season of summer, you’ll find a lot more people participating in outdoor activities, especially on the beach. The water’s perfect when the weather warms up a bit, and with some of the dreariness of Winter gone, the town just gets livelier and livelier. This is the best time of year to experience some of the outdoor activities like nature preserves and boat tours before everyone comes into town for summer vacation. We’ve got some recommendations on things to do before all of the crowds get into town.
Go on a Nature Walk or Tour at a Preserve
Since Florida is so biologically diverse, there are plenty of different tours and walks you can go on that will provide a unique experience while you learn about the local flora and fauna in the ecosystem.
The nearby Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is a 365 acre preserve, making it the second largest preserved green space in Cape Coral, and is a gorgeous wetland area with several attractions in addition to the nature walk itself. They have a visitors center, veterans memorial, and seasonal kayak rentals for anyone who wants to explore the waters. Keep in mind that the kayaking is not for beginners and children under 6 cannot participate.
Just a short drive away in the Fort Myers area you’ll find the Six Mile Cypress Slough, comprising over 3,400 acres of wetland. You’ll be able to see some unique plants and animals here, some of which are endangered. It became a preserve in 1970 and has a massive boardwalk in the heart of the wetland that takes you through some incredible sights.
Take the Ferry Over to Sanibel Island
A trip to Sanibel Island makes for a great way to spend your day. This is one of the best spots to go if you don’t have a particular agenda and you’re just looking to take the day one step at a time. It’s relaxing, and the beaches are incredible, especially if you enjoy searching for shells, because Sanibel Island is renowned for its shelling.
Fishing and boating are common activities while you’re on the island as well, and you won’t need to worry about packing a lunch because there are plenty of wonderful restaurants for you to sample while you’re there for the day.
Things to Do During All Seasons
Because the weather is generally so relaxed, there are very few, if any, things in this area that you won’t be able to do during your vacation. There are plenty of mainstays throughout the area that you owe it to yourself to experience regardless of when you’ve booked your vacation.
See All of the Beaches
This one may seem obvious, but it can’t go without being mentioned. You have access to those one-of-a-kind Florida beaches while you’re in town, and if you have a means of transportation while you’re in the area, you can pretty easily get to all of them without much trouble. Between Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and the aforementioned Sanibel Island, you’ve got no shortage of choices, so you may as well enjoy seeing what brings so many people out this way every year. It’s easy to spend a day at the beach, because many of them even have restaurants just up against the sand with incredible views.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
With a mix of outdoor and indoor attractions, this is a great historical sight to visit. The works and family history of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford are on display here, and some of the exhibits give you great background information on these innovators. Some can’t miss parts of this museum are the Edison Botanical Research Lab, the only National Historic Chemical Landmark in Florida, and the towering gardens on the estate. If you’re there during the winter, you can also see the garden completely lit up for the season, and it’s quite the sight.
Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery
Wicked Dolphin makes some of the highest quality craft rum in the state of Florida, and they also run distillery tours and have their own gift shop right in town. If you’re curious about the technical side, they’ll take you through their whole process and give you some samples along the way. If you find something you just can’t go without, their gift shop has all of their different bottled offerings for purchase, and you can even have them shipped home if it isn’t possible for you to transport them on your own.
Visit the Local Farmers Markets
Cape Coral and Fort Myers both have their own farmers markets that have been running for a few years now, and with each year they grow to include new vendors. If you’re planning on cooking your own meals every now and then while you’re in town, you can use fine local produce to make a truly unique meal. As they’ve continued to expand, you can now also find premade foods ready and waiting for your sampling. Don’t forget to pick up some of the delicious jams and preserves they have to bring home with you.
Places to Eat While You’re Visiting
Since there’s no shortage of delicious food in the area, especially seafood, you’ll definitely enjoy getting out there and treating yourself to a nice meal or two. Come for the fine dining and stay for the gorgeous views of the coast.
Jungle Bird Authentic Tiki Bar
Touted as Cape Coral’s first authentic tiki bar, Jungle Bird has the cocktails and food to back it up. You’ll find some of the best tiki drinks in town when you stop in, but don’t let that distract you from the food, either. With delicious offerings, many of which are heavily inspired by Polynesian cuisine you’re sure to enjoy the experience. With the sheer size of their menu, you could easily make multiple return visits and have something new every time.
Twisted Lobster
If you’re in town you’ve absolutely got to have the seafood experience, and Twisted Lobster is a good choice for both lunch and dinner. Their menu is sizable, obviously with a heavy focus on seafood, and they run lunch specials and daily dinner specials for you to enjoy at a great price.
Cork Soakers Deck and Wine Bar
With a unique menu and live music every Friday, Cork Soakers is a great spot for lunch, brunch (on Sundays), and dinner. Enjoy classic American fare with a few twists while you have a few good drinks from the bar, and don’t miss out on the Friday night shows. If you’re travelling with your dog, they do have a pet friendly seating area as well!
10 Twenty Five
Featuring two locations, one in Cape Coral and the other just a short hop away in Fort Myers, 10 Twenty Five offers gourmet meals with great ambience. You can expect to find many of your mainstays, some with tasty twists and others that stick to the classics, and their expansive beer, wine, and spirits list has something to please just about everybody. They’re open for lunch and dinner, with a limited brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays.
Coste Island Cuisine
A gorgeous beachfront restaurant with a great view of the coast, Coste Island Cuisine offers a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere that will get you into the coastal mood. They’re located inside of the Diamondhead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach, and their expansive menu features all kinds of savory seafood dishes for the discerning palate. Their full dinner menu is restricted to a smaller portion of their hours, but their lounge stays open much later, and has a limited menu for you to enjoy while you have a few drinks and take in the view.
Cape Coral and Fort Myers Are Waiting
No matter what season you’re planning on having your vacation in, you’ll need a good vacation home to round out the experience. We understand that having a great spot to return to after your day full of activities is important, and we’ve put together a portfolio of rentals in all shapes and sizes to meet your needs. Whether you’re planning a small, private getaway, or you’re bringing the whole party with you, Vacanza Rentals has something for you. Get in touch with one of our agents and they’ll be sure to pair you with the vacation home of your dreams!
