Visit Florida - Visit Florida 2025

For a detailed state map, see pages 20-21.

GO WITH A SLOWER FLOW

In Southwest Florida, slow-flow beach towns with an artsy side share space with stylish districts for shopping and dining. While you’ll find ample opportunities to indulge—whether wandering an arts colony or sampling a local chef’s tasting menu—the natural world here will truly spoil you.

ATTRACTIONS 

Have your drinks on the links at PopStroke in Fort Myers, a mini-golf oasis with a restaurant, bar, and outdoor games. Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery in Ochopee guides Swamp Walk Eco Tours of the federally protected Big Cypress National Preserve. The Sensory Garden at Palmetto Historical Park in Palmetto is a sensory-rich outdoor experience that engages guests of all abilities with tactile plants, calming features, and accessible pathways. The Ringling in Sarasota presents three experiences in one, including the Circus Museum, Bayfront Gardens, and Florida’s official state art museum, the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Get inspired through hands-on exhibits that explore Southwest Florida’s history at the IMAG History and Science Center in Fort Myers.

DINING

In Cape Coral or Fort Myers, design your own burger and shake at Lehne Burger (burger toppings range from standards to ghost pepper and grilled pineapple). Anna Maria Island Beach Café serves breakfast, wraps, salads, platters, and ice cream to fuel your entire beach day. Triad Seafood Market and Cafe in Everglades City serves up fresh seafood, including a bounty of local stone crab claws, between October 15 and May 1. The Green Orchid at Selby Gardens in Sarasota boasts a solar-powered, net-positive-energy, garden-to-table concept, serving sustainable and seasonal dishes amidst botanical splendor. Gourmands will love Bicyclette Cookshop, serving French-inspired cuisine with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients in combinations that underscore Naples’ bold culinary style.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Scan the QR code to discover places to stay in Southwest Florida: VISITFLORIDA.com/places-to-stay

OUTDOORS

Gaze at the cosmos on a nighttime tour with the experts from Starry Night Florida in Punta Gorda. Whether you’re looking for game fish, dolphins, or buckets of seashells, Reel Kind Fishing Tours in the 10,000 Islands caters to families, anglers, and shell-hunters looking for easy adventures. Connect with them in Goodland. Comb for rare seashells at Cayo Costa State Park. Captiva Cruises offers halfday trips including boat transportation to the barrier island. TreeUmph! conceals treetop obstacle courses and zip lines in a Bradentonarea forest, creating fun challenges for all skill levels. Unearth ancient treasures and explore Florida’s prehistoric past with a family-friendly swamp buggy ride or guided fossil-hunting expedition with Fossil Recovery in Arcadia.

CULTURE

Naples Botanical Garden is a haven of tranquility with gardens, a butterfly house, water features, tours, and events that complement the gardens. Shop and stroll historic downtown Venice to find several shark sculptures along the city’s Venice Shark Spotting walk. Smallwood Store in Chokoloskee introduces visitors to the region’s history through exhibits on pioneer life, Native American artifacts, and the ecosystem of the Everglades. Ah-Tah-Thi- Ki Museum in Clewiston showcases the history and culture of the Seminole Tribe through artifacts, exhibits, and immersive experiences. Learn about the influence of three cultures over 2,000 years at the Mound House in Fort Myers Beach, interpreting Calusa, Spanish Seminole, and Anglo-American history.

EVENTS Englewood Beach Waterfest hosts boat races, educational programs, a beach-front food court, and family activities, while Island Hopper Songwriter Fest in Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Captiva Island, and Cape Coral celebrates music and culture with performances by popular songwriters.

Scan the QR code for a current list of some major events: VISITFLORIDA.com/things-to-do/events