What To Do the week of Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2023

Each Monday, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) lets you know What To Do in Fort Myers and surrounding neighborhoods.

Let us know: Events, along with high-res images, can be submitted for consideration by emailing Miriam Dotson, VCB communications manager. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday before the week of publication. Thank you!

Island Hopper Songwriter Fest continues through Oct. 1, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach
The 10-day music festival features performances by some of the country’s most talented singer-songwriters and continues in Cape Coral, Sept. 25-26, then to downtown Fort Myers, Sept. 27-28, and ends with a weekend on Fort Myers Beach, Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Most shows are free, with the exception of a few ticketed experiences.

More than 70 singer-songwriters will perform over 100 shows. Keep current on festival news with the Island Hopper app or visit islandhopperfest.com. Hear from Kristian Bush and Essex County on Shellcast Podcast.   

Chris Janson, multi-platinum songwriter and artist, is the headliner and scheduled to perform at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach. Tickets are available on the Island Hopper app or at islandhopperfest.com.  

Monday, Sept. 25

Sun Harvest Citrus, Fort Myers
When: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Sun Harvest Citrus, 14601 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., Fort Myers
Phone: 239-768-2686
More info: sunharvestcitrus.com

Tuesday, Sept. 26

Estuary kayak tour, GAEA Guides, Estero
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cost: $60
Where: Just south of Fort Myers Beach. Call for exact location.
Phone: 239-694-5513
More info: gaeaguides.com

Wednesday, Sept. 27

CROW wildlife presentation, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Sanibel
When: 11 a.m.
Cost: Free with admission of $7-$12
Where: Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel
Phone: 239-472-3644
More info: crowclinic.org

Thursday, Sept. 28

Revive the Vibe, Fort Myers Beach
When: 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Where: Old San Carlos Blvd. & First St., Fort Myers Beach
Phone: 239-765-0202
More info: fortmyersbeachfl.gov

Friday, Sept. 29

Saturday, Sept. 30

Festa Italiana, Cape Coral Museum of History, Cape Coral
When: Noon-5 p.m.
Cost: Ticket prices vary 
Where: Cape Coral Museum of History at the German American Social Club, 2101 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral
Phone: 239-772-7037
More info: capecoralmuseum.org

Saturday, Sept. 30

Wet Walk, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers
When: 9 a.m.
Cost: $35
Where: Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, 7791 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers
Phone: 239-533-7557
More info: sloughpreserve.org

Saturday, Sept. 30

Sunday, Oct. 1

Fall Festival, Farmer Mike's U-Pick, Bonita Springs
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $8 entrance fee at gate
Where: Farmer Mike's U-Pick, 26031 Morton Ave., Bonita Springs
Phone: 239-498-4576
More info: farmermikesupick.com

Ongoing events

Adventures in Paradise Cruises and Tours, Fort Myers
When: 5 p.m. nightly
Cost: $39-49
Where: Adventures in Paradise, 14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers
More info: adventureinparadiseinc.com

Butterfly House tours, Cape Coral
When: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Friday, Saturday
Cost: Donations accepted
Where: Rotary Park, 1340-1372 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral
Phone: 239-549-4606
More info: ccfriendsofwildlife.org

History tours, Burroughs Home & Gardens, downtown Fort Myers 
When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 
Cost: Docent guided tour $25, self-guided tour $15, children $8
Where: Burroughs Home & Garden, 2505 First St., Fort Myers 
Phone: 239-337-9505
More info: burroughshome.com

ECHO Global Farm Tours, North Fort Myers
When: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday 
Cost: Adults $12.50, seniors $10.50, youth $8
Where: ECHO Global Farm, 17391 Durrance Road, North Fort Myers 
Phone: 239-543-3246
More info: echonet.org

Yoga by the River, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
When: 10 a.m. Monday and Wednesday
Cost: $15
Where: Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers 
Phone: 239-334-7419
More info: edisonfordwinterestates.org

Guided beach walk, Island Inn, Sanibel
When: 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Cost: $20
Where: Island Inn, 3111 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel Island
More info: sanibelseaschool.org

Lakes Park Miniature Train, Lakes Regional Park, Fort Myers
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. weekends 
Cost: $5
Where: Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers 
Phone: 239-267-1950
More info: leegov.com

Lovers Key State Park, Bonita Springs
When: 8 a.m.-sundown daily
Cost: $8 per vehicle
Where: Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach
Phone: 239-707-6328
More info: floridastateparks.org

Sunset kayak eco tours, Gulf Coast Kayak, Matlacha/Cape Coral 
When: 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays
Cost: $59
Where: Sirenia Vista Park, 3916 Ceitus Pkwy., Cape Coral
Phone: 239-283-2155
More info: gulfcoastkayak.com

Pickleball reopening ribbon cutting and round-robin event, Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel 
When: 8:30 a.m.
Cost: Donations to benefit SCCF Sea Turtle Program
Where: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel Island
More info: pickleball@sundialresort.com

Tarpon Bay Explorers tours, Sanibel Island 
When: Kayak tours Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m., Tram tours 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Cost: $8 per vehicle
Where: Tarpon Bay Explorers, 900 Tarpon Bay Road., Sanibel
Phone: 239-472-8900
More info: tarponbayexplorers.com

True Tours, River District History Tours, Fort Myers
When: History tour 10:30 a.m. first and third Saturday of the month, Haunted History tour Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 p.m.
Cost: $20
Where: True Tours, 2200 First St., Fort Myers
Phone: 239-945-0405
More info: truetours.net

Shell Crafters, The Community House, Sanibel Island 
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays
Cost: $5-10
Where: The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island
Phone: 239-472-2155
More info: sanibelcommunityhouse.net

Guided Walks, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers
When: 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Cost: $5-10
Where: Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, 7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers
Phone: 239-533-7555
More info: leegov.com

Performing arts and exhibits

Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers

• Painting with Terry Lynn, Sept. 26
• Belly dance, Sept. 27
• Painting with Francesco, Sept. 28
• Hula dance, Sept. 29
• Youth Theatre presents: "The Addams Family Young@Part," Sept. 29-Oct. 1
• Storm Stories: A juried exhibition, through Sept. 30

Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-939-2787, artinlee.org

Americana Country Music Association, Fort Myers

• Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Singer-Songwriter Showcase, Sept. 27

Americana Country Music Association at Sidney Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, americanacma.org

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers

• "Hairspray," through Oct. 28

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-278-4422, broadwaypalm.com

Centers for the Arts, Bonita Springs

• Compton & Bennett presents: "A Cracker at the Rtiz," Sept. 26
• Fluid Art Series: Flip Cup & Straight Pour, Sept. 27
• Zach Bartholomew Trio, Sept. 28

Two locations, both in Bonita Springs: Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road and Visual Arts Center, 26100 Old 41 Road, 239-495-8989, artcenterbonita.org

Florida Repertory Theatre, Fort Myers

• "Beguiled Again," through Oct. 29

Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., Fort Myers, 239-332-4488, floridarep.org

Fort Myers Theatre, Fort Myers

• Performance: "Sweet Fleet," Sept. 30

Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-323-6570, ftmyerstheatre.com

Murder Mystery Dinner Train, Fort Myers

• "Murder Theory," through Nov. 19

Murder Mystery Dinner Train, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-275-8487, semgulf.com

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, downtown Fort Myers

• Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Singer-Songwriter ACMA Showcase, Sept. 27
• Rooftop karaoke, Sept. 27
• Friday Nights at Sidney's Presents: DJ Selecta AJ, Sept. 29
• Exhibit: DIGITAL (C)AGE: Recycling and art in a new dimension, through Sept. 28 
• Exhibit: The Shapeshifting Artist, through Sept. 28

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers, 239-333-1933, sbdac.com

The Laboratory Theater of Florida, Fort Myers

• "Noises Off," through Oct. 1

The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers, laboratorytheaterflorida.com

Podcasts

Shellcast, the award-winning podcast of the Lee County VCB

Listen in, soak up some virtual sun and hear what makes Southwest Florida so special. Shellcast is available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded and at VisitFortMyers.com/shellcast

The Sanibel Captiva Guide Podcast

Sanibel residents Nick and Lori Adams, and son Max, interview the people who make Sanibel and Captiva special. They celebrate the history and experiences of the islands. thesancapguide.com/category/podcast

Otocast audio guide features Fort Myers historic sites

Available in the App Store and Google Play, Otocast features a tour of more than 30 historic sites in Fort Myers. otocast.com