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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2023
CONTACTS: Ray Sarracino, Jackie Parker, Miriam Dotson 239-338-3500
What’s New from Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
LEE COUNTY, Florida (U.S.A.) – November brings new flights that make it easier than ever to reach the destination, exciting Thanksgiving week college basketball and holiday events return to the calendar.
Southwest Florida serves as the backdrop to great college basketball during the week of Thanksgiving at two area venues.
Fort Myers Tip-Off
Bring your family and friends the week of Thanksgiving to Suncoast Credit Union Arena at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers. See Wisconsin, Virginia, West Virginia, SMU, Appalachian State, Murray State and UNC Wilmington on the court. Buy tickets and check schedules Nov. 20-22 for the Beach and Palms divisions at fortmyerstipoff.com
And don’t miss Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off Nov. 23-25. Spend Thanksgiving Day watching power conference programs Oklahoma vs. Princeton and Tennessee vs. Indiana. Teams from Arkansas, Boston College, Marquette and Wisconsin round out the event. The Tennessee vs. Indiana game will be broadcast nationally at 6 p.m., Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, on FOX. Tickets and schedules at womensfortmyerstipoff.com
Gulf Coast Showcase
Eight Division I men’s teams visit Nov. 20‐22 for the Gulf Coast Showcase at Hertz Arena in Estero. The event includes 2023 NCAA tournament participants Iona and Louisiana, along with 2023 Colonial Athletic Association regular‐season champion and NIT participant, Hofstra. The field also includes: Buffalo, High Point, Illinois State, Long Beach State and Wright State. Tickets and schedules at hertzarena.com/events/2023-mens-gulf-coast-showcase
Women’s Clean Simple Eats Gulf Coast Showcase at Hertz Arena Nov. 24-26 features an eight-team bracket: Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Iowa, Kansas State University, Purdue Fort Wayne University, University of Delaware, University of North Carolina, University of Vermont and Western Kentucky. Tickets and schedules at hertzarena.com/events/2023-womens-gulf-coast-showcase
Accommodations
Hampton Inn Fort Myers Downtown is accepting reservations for arrivals beginning Dec. 25, 2023 hilton.com/en/hotels/rswfrhx-hampton-inn-fort-myers-downtown
Margaritaville Fort Myers Beach is accepting reservations for arrivals beginning Dec. 26, 2023 margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-beach-resort-fort-myers-beach
Sanibel Island Beach Resort has reopened and is taking reservations. oceanbreezeinns.com/sanibel-island
Hyatt and Pink Shell named tops by Condé Nast
Two area resorts have been named to the Condé Nast Readers’ Choice list of the Top 15 Florida resorts for 2023. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Resort & Spa was named No. 8 and Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina came in at No. 15. cntraveler.com/gallery/top-resorts-in-florida
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
New air service at RSW
Breeze Airways will start nonstop service to the following cities in November:
Akron-Canton, Ohio (CAK) weekly, starting Nov. 16
Columbus (CMH) weekly, starting Nov. 16
Louisville, Kentucky (SDF) weekly, Nov. 16
New Orleans (MSY) weekly, starting Nov. 2
Norfolk, Virginia (ORF) weekly, starting Nov. 2
Pittsburgh (PIT) weekly, starting Nov. 15
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU) weekly, Nov. 17
Richmond, Virginia (RIC) weekly, starting Nov. 15
Syracuse, New York (SYR) weekly, starting Nov. 17
Frontier Airlines:
Buffalo (BUF) weekly, starting Nov. 17
Detroit (DTW) weekly, starting Nov. 16
Islip-Long Island (ISP) daily, starting Nov. 16
Minneapolis (MSP) daily, starting Nov. 16
Syracuse (SYR) weekly, starting Nov. 16
Porter Airlines:
Toronto (YYZ) daily, starting Nov. 10
Lynx Air:
Toronto (YYZ), weekly, starting Dec. 1
Spirit Airlines
San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), four flights per week starting Dec. 15
JetBlue Airways:
Worcester (ORH), weekly starting Jan. 4, 2024.
For more information, visit flyrsw.com
Attractions
Captiva Cruises is celebrating the return of its flagship boat, Lady Chadwick, with its first public cruises since Hurricane Ian. After significant repairs, the 65-foot boat is now resuming its regular services including trips to Cabbage Key and Useppa Island, as well as dolphin and wildlife cruises. captivacruises.com
Sun Saver Passport: Dine, Play, Shop, Sip
This popular, digital savings pass provides instant access to a variety of deals and experiences from area attractions, restaurants and more across four categories – Dine, Play, Shop and Sip. Sign-up is simple and free. Passports are instantly delivered to phones via text and email. And there is an option for users to save the pass on their home screen for one-tap access. Sign up now to start saving. visitfortmyers.com/sun-saver-passport
Cape Coral Quest: Win prizes and explore
Download the Cape Coral Quest app for a fun way to explore the area and a chance to win prizes through Nov. 30. Follow the directions at visitfortmyers.com/cape-coral-quest to collect a Cape Coral Quest Pass to participate on any mobile device.
Restaurants/dining
Backyard Social opens in Fort Myers
With eight food trucks, duckpin bowling, darts, shuffleboard and more, Backyard Social is a 9,000-square-foot, open-air complex with something for everyone. The space includes vibrant murals by Ruben Ubiera, even in the restrooms. At the center is a full-service bar with big-screen TVs and plenty of cozy sofas and lounge chairs all around with easy access to the food trucks lined along the edge of Backyard Social. Each food truck has a different concept and will enable customers to order without standing in line by using a QR Code from their table backyardsocial.com
Taco Works expands to downtown Fort Myers
Popular Cape Coral spot, Taco Works, is expanding to its new location in downtown Fort Myers with plans to open this month. tacoworksfl.com
Groundbreaking for Bimini Square, Cape Coral, will include two restaurants
Bimini Square, a mixed-use development coming to Cape Coral in fall 2025, has broken ground for luxury apartments, waterfront dining, health care and marina. Located just west of Four Freedoms Park in Cape Coral, 6-acre lot will be home to 218 residential units and 58,000 square feet of non-residential space, including a two-story Lee Health outpatient clinic, Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House and more. BiminiSquare.com
In the news
Boca Grande is “America’s Best Small Beach Town”
It’s no surprise that Travel & Leisure named Boca Grande “America’s Best Small Beach Town.” It’s one of the jewels in our destination and a spot of many beautiful memories for visitors. travelandleisure.com/guide-to-boca-grande-gasparilla-island-florida-7629361
Holiday events
’Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa Tree Lighting Celebration, Captiva Island
5-9 p.m. Nov. 24
tween-waters.com/tree-lighting-celebration
Florida Repertory Theatre, downtown Fort Myers
“A Sherlock Carol” at the historic Arcade Theatre
Nov. 28-Dec. 17
floridarep.org/show/a-sherlock-carol
Broadway Palm holiday shows, Fort Myers
Main theatre Nov. 1-Dec. 25: “Elf, the Musical”
Off-Broadway Palm Nov. 23-Dec. 25: “A Doublewide Texas Christmas”
broadwaypalm.com
48th annual Historic Holiday Nights Celebration
Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
Nov. 24-Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-31
edisonfordwinterestates.org/events/48th-annual-historic-holiday-nights-celebration
Downtown Fort Myers Tree Lighting
7 p.m. Nov. 25
myriverdistrict.com/event/downtown-tree-lighting
Holiday concert: A Tennessee Christmas with Lee Greenwood
7 p.m. Nov. 30
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
tinyurl.com/bdfumwjn
Festival of Trees, downtown Fort Myers
Nov. 30-Dec. 3
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
fortmyersfestivaloftrees.com
Wine and Wonder Uncorked at Wonder Gardens, Bonita Springs
5:30 p.m. Dec. 2
Stroll and wine tasting in the gardens.
wondergardens.org/wine
Deck the Halls, Gulf Coast Symphony, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
7 p.m. Dec. 3
bbmannpah.com/events/detail/deck-the-halls-1
Fort Myers Beach Holiday Boat Parade
6 p.m. Dec. 6
Leaves from Salty Sam’s Marina, Fort Myers Beach
fortmyersbeach.org
Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Holiday Pops with guest artist Andrew Lipke
7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Fort Myers High School; 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs; 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Village Church in Shell Point.
swflso.org
“The Nutcracker,” Gulfshore Ballet, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
Presented by Gulfshore Symphony
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16
bbmannpah.com/events/detail/nutcracker-with-gulfshore-ballet
Cape Coral Boat-A-Long and holiday fun
4-9 p.m. Dec. 16, at Four Freedoms Park, Cape Coral
tinyurl.com/4upxmdyz
Annual festivals and events
Clyde Butcher’s America’s Everglades Exhibit
Through Dec. 29
Centers for the Arts of Bonita Springs
artcenterbonita.org/exhibitions
Concert in the Park, Jaycee Park
5-8 p.m. Nov. 2
capeconcerts.com
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
Nov. 3-4
fgcu.edu/siwc
Taste of the Islands/and of Off the Islands
Support CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife), Sanibel Island
Nov. 5-19
tasteoftheislands.org
Veteran’s Day Parade
11 a.m. Nov. 11
tinyurl.com/zdbepsxj
Music & Arts Fusion Walk
5-9 p.m. Nov. 18
tinyurl.com/276rhkuu
Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off/Beach Division Matchups
Nov. 20
6 p.m.: Wisconsin/Virginia
8:30 p.m.: West Virginia/SMU
Third place and championship contests are set for the same times on Nov. 22.
Suncoast Credit Union Arena at Florida SouthWestern State College
fortmyerstipoff.com
Gulf Coast Showcase Men’s Tournament
Nov. 20‐22
Hertz Arena in Estero
The event includes 2023 NCAA tournament participants Iona and Louisiana, along with 2023 Colonial Athletic Association regular‐season champion and NIT participant, Hofstra. The field also includes: Buffalo, High Point, Illinois State, Long Beach State and Wright State. hertzarena.com/events/2023-mens-gulf-coast-showcase
Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off/Island and Shell Divisions
Island Division: Nov. 23 and 25. Tennessee vs Indiana, Oklahoma vs Princeton
Shell Division: Nov. 24 and 25. Wisconsin, Marquette, Boston College and Arkansas.
Suncoast Credit Union Arena at Florida SouthWestern State College.
The Tennessee vs Indiana game will be broadcast nationally at 6 p.m., Nov. 23 on FOX.
womensfortmyerstipoff.com
Women’s Clean Simple Eats Gulf Coast Showcase
Nov. 24-26
Hertz Arena in Estero
Featuring an eight-team bracket: Florida Gulf Coast University, Kansas State University, Purdue Fort Wayne University, University of Delaware, University of Iowa, University of North Carolina, University of Vermont and Western Kentucky. hertzarena.com/events/2023-womens-gulf-coast-showcase
Daydreaming: Niki Butcher exhibit
Dec. 21-Feb. 25, 2024
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Refuge Center
clydebutcher.com/niki-photographs
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Distinguished Authors
Bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver
Jan. 11, 2024
Community House, Sanibel Island
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/events
39th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral
Jan. 13-14, 2024
capecoralartfestival.com
Bonita Springs National Art Festival
Jan. 13-14, Feb. 10-11, March 2-3, 2024
artcenterbonita.org/artfest
Bacon Jam
Jan. 13, 2024
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
bscevent.com/bacon-jam-fort-myers
“Ding” Darling Lecture Series, Sanibel Island
Jan.18 and 25, Feb. 1, March 7, 14 and 21, 2024
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/lecture-series
Wild Days of Wellness at “Ding” Darling, Sanibel Island
Jan.18-21, 2024
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/wellness
39th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral
Jan. 13-14, 2024
capecoralfestival.com
ArtFest Fort Myers, Downtown River District
Feb. 2-4, 2024
artfestfortmyers.com
21st annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
Feb. 24, 2024
Rotary Park
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
Feb. 17, 2024
edisonfestival.org
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Distinguished Authors
Bestselling author, Carl Hiaasen
Feb. 29, 2024
Community House, Sanibel Island
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/events
“Ding” Wild Days of Wellness
March 23-24, 2024
dingwellness.com
Spring training
Boston Red Sox
Feb. 23-March 26, 2024
mlb.com/redsox/schedule/2024-02
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
Minnesota Twins
Feb. 23-March 26, 2024
mlb.com/twins/schedule/2024-02
Lee County Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
25th Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March 2, 2024
readfest.org
86th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival
March 7-9, 2024
visitfortmyers.com/event/86th-annual-sanibel-shell-festival
ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers
March 12-16, 2024
echonet.org/events/global-food-and-towardwardl
Sounds of the Sand, Bell Tower, Fort Myers
March 23-23, 2024
To support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Refuge education efforts
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/sounds-of-the-sand
34th Annual “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival
April 20, 2024
dingdarlingday.com
14th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival
May 22-26, 2024
fortmyersfilmfestival.com
12th Annual “Ding” Darling and Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament
May 10, 2024
dingdarlingtarpontourney.com
Fringe Fort Myers
June 6-9, 2024
artinlee.org/experience/fringe
National Seashell Day
June 21, 2024
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
MangoMania
July 2024
Pine Island
pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania
FITMIX FEST, downtown Fort Myers
Sept. 27-29, 2024
fitmixfest.com
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 20-29, 2024
island-hopperfest.visitfortmyers.com
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge “Art in the Wild”
October 2024
dingartinthewild.com
Cape Coral Oktoberfest
October 2024
capecoraloktoberfest.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Matlacha, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers, Alva, Buckingham and Lehigh Acres. For more information, go to visitfortmyers.com.
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