FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2025
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.) – Visit and experience our award-winning beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, warm days, blue skies, island hopping, paddling trails, fishing, nature, arts and culture, family adventures and waterfront dining. Everything you need to make unforgettable memories is here. And spring training is underway!

Visit the new 2025 Visitor Digital Guide to plan a winter escape to our tropical paradise.

Don’t miss this month

Southwest Florida Ag Expo, North Fort Myers, now through March 9
The fun and entertainment is underway at the Ag-citing Southwest Florida Ag Expo at the Lee County Civic Center Complex in North Fort Myers. The annual event runs through March 9 and includes interactive exhibits, thrilling rides, delicious food and an up-close look at agriculture that celebrates the hard work and dedication of our community’s youth. There is also a full schedule of nightly entertainment that includes:

• The Eric Von Band – 2-5 p.m., today, March 2
• Iconic The Band – 6-9 p.m., March 2
• Billy Rice Band – 7-10 p.m., March 3
• Trop Rock Junkies – 7-10 p.m., March 4
• The Holy Rocka Rollaz – 5-7:30 p.m., March 5
• Hairdaze – 7-10 p.m., March 7
• Kettle of Fish – 7-10 p.m., March 8
• Heat Latin Jazz Band – 2-5 p.m., March 9

Daily strolling entertainers and interactive shows:

• The Moogician
• Cowboy Camp with Les McDowell
• Michael Felk’s Tinsmithing Show
• Kids Foam Zone
• Porkchop Revue
• Pirate Man Dan
• Agricadabra Magic & Hypnosis Show
• Roger Abrahamson – The Giant Bowl Turner
• East Knoll Pottery
• Eudora Farms Petting Zoo
• Trinity Heritage Ranch
• Marc Dobson – The One-Man Band

For a complete schedule of events and ticket information, visit swflagexpo.com or follow the SWFL Ag Expo on Facebook at facebook.com/swflagexpo.

100 years of spring training
This year we are celebrating 100 years of spring training in Southwest Florida. A sure sign of spring, it’s an important annual tradition for our community. Check the schedule and reserve your tickets now for a fun day (or two) at the ballpark and watch your favorite team.

Spring training
Boston Red Sox
Through March 23
mlb.com/redsox/spring-training
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers

Minnesota Twins
mlb.com/twins/spring-training
Through March 25
Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers

Southwest Florida celebrates the power of reading March 1, Fort Myers
Twenty-five acclaimed and bestselling authors will meet fans and sign books at the 26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival on March 1 at the Fort Myers Regional Library. The event brings internationally recognized authors of books for adults, teens and children to celebrate the power of reading, promote literacy and library services, and encourage a community-wide culture of reading for recreation and personal development. Check details for this free event at readfest.org

Headed to the beaches? Help protect our wildlife
It’s not only our visitors who want to escape the cold. There are also thousands of migratory shorebirds lining our coasts. Many of these include gulls, terns and plovers, which often travel thousands of miles from northern states, Canada or the Arctic region.

While on the beaches, you may notice some birds with bandings on their legs. A number of migratory birds are classified as either endangered, threatened or a species of special concern. Researchers have banded some of these birds to monitor their migratory patterns, nesting locations and lifespan. This is one reason why it’s so important to protect the health of our beaches and preserve natural areas along our coastline.

There is a lot we can all do to help while enjoying our beaches, including:

• Respect signed nesting areas. Plover nests are difficult to see. The posted areas prevent beachgoers from accidentally trampling the eggs in a nest.
• As with all wildlife, it’s important to always keep a respectful distance. Although these birds may be aware of our presence, we should not do anything to cause the birds to become alarmed and fly away. When this happens, it can impact their ability to forage for food, care for their young, rest and watch for predators.
• Honor the leash law. Plovers view dogs as predators. An unleashed dog may destroy nests and kill hatchlings.

For more details: sccf.org/our-work/shorebirds

Accommodations news
DoubleTree by Hilton, Bell Tower in Fort Myers, has reopened following two years of renovations. The former Crowne Plaza Hotel announced its transformation in 2023, introducing the first DoubleTree by Hilton location in Fort Myers. hilton.com/en/hotels/fmybtdt-doubletree-fort-myers-at-bell-tower-shops

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort Myers Gulf Coast, has opened a 126-suite property at I-75 and the Alico exit.
marriott.com/en-us/hotels/rswsp-towneplace-suites-fort-myers-gulf-coast/overview

Comfort Suites/Mainstay Extended Stay in Fort Myers has recently opened off I-75 on Luckett Road. choicehotels.com/florida/fort-myers/mainstay-hotels

The Gasparilla Inn on Boca Grande on Boca Grande has reopened. https://the-gasparilla-inn.com

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel Island has reopened. Daycation resort passes are available for a limited time. Turtles Tiki Bar, Shima Sushi Bar and Sea Breeze Bar are open. Visit sundialresort.com/play/sundial-daycation for the latest details and reservation information.

Sanibel Inn on Sanibel Island has reopened. theinnsofsanibel.com/the-inns/sanibel-inn

Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel Island plans a fall opening of its new, 33-unit property on 360 feet of beachfront. Reservations are being taken for stays beginning Oct. 1. shalimar.com

Attractions news
Visit the McCollum Hall public art installation, Fort Myers
Learn something interesting about one of our community’s most colorful public art installation projects at Dunbar-McCollum Hall mural wall in Fort Myers. Take a walk through the most recent Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau Industry Partner Spotlight with Fort Myers Mural Society executive director Shari Shifrin and plan a visit soon. Both the history and the project are colorful. youtube.com/watch?v=V4Dv4S7CneU

Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve speaker series, Fort Myers

• March 26 – “State of the Slough” by Rick Bauer, supervisor of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.
• April 17 – “Water Management in SWFL and the Importance of the Slough” by Chauncey Goss, chairman of the South Florida Water Management Board. Admission is free with paid parking but registration is required and can be made on the Friends website at sloughpreserve.org.

Gasparilla Island Lighthouse climbs return
Take part in the popular Barrier Island Park Society history tour climbs and take 134 steps to the top for a beautiful view. Visit bips.org/event-details/climb-the-gasparilla-island-lighthouse-9 for dates and details.

Koreshan Nights Concert Series, Estero
Enjoy historic Koreshan State Park after dark on March 15. Check details and tickets at friendsofkoreshan.org/Special-Events

Tarpon Bay Explorers resumes fishing charters, Sanibel Island
Tarpon Bay Explorers, the concession to Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, has resumed fishing charter operations. With new boats, the fishing charters stay within the 950 acres of Tarpon Bay and accommodate up to six people. Participants may expect to find trout, redfish and snook, along with other back bay species of fish along with wildlife sightings. tarponbayexplorers.com

Manatee Park offers free Sunday garden tours, Fort Myers
Manatee Park, a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees, offers visitors a peek at these gentle creatures. When the manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter (December through March), they are attracted by the warm water from the nearby Florida Power and Light Power Plant that is created as a byproduct of cooling off its equipment.

Visitors may also enjoy a free garden tour of the Manatee Park butterfly garden and habitats at 9 a.m. every Sunday through March. The tour includes walking the ADA accessible paths through the restored native plant habitats and butterfly gardens. A volunteer naturalist will lead the tour and participants will learn about the park’s history, its butterfly gardens and the native flora and fauna that reside in some of Florida’s habitats. The tour is free with paid parking. leegov.com/parks/parks/manateepark

Brightwater Lagoon opens in North Fort Myers
The five-acre water attraction includes a floating obstacle course at this tropical oasis. Check details at metrolagoons.com/lagoon/brightwater

Sanibel Historical Museum and Village open through April 30
The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is open each Tuesday through Saturday. Founded in 1984, the Village welcomes visitors during its 40th year of preserving, sharing and celebrating Sanibel’s history. The tour experience includes an orientation video and historic buildings displaying numerous artifacts. The story of Sanibel Island is told from the Calusa and Spanish eras to the early pioneer families who settled on the island in the 1800s. Nine historic buildings were moved from their original sites and each has been restored. sanibelmuseum.org

Take a look around with area webcams: Check out what’s happening around the area with live webcam views. Zoom in to spot native butterfly species in Cape Coral. Do some birdwatching from an observation tower at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Explore botanical gardens and wildlife at Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs. Discover North Shore Park on the river’s edge in North Fort Myers and catch views of downtown Fort Myers and the Caloosahatchee Bridge. Find these and more with easy navigation instructions at visitfortmyers.com/webcams

And enjoy our recently added webcams at Fort Myers Beach Town Square, Sanibel Lighthouse Park, Lovers Key Discovery Center and Prairie Pines Preserve in North Fort Myers. 

Visit six Florida state parks in Lee County
Gasparilla Island State Park, Boca Grande
The centerpiece of Gasparilla is the restored Port Boca Grande Lighthouse built in 1890. It houses a museum that is open to the public. Swimming, snorkeling, fishing and viewing nature are popular activities along with shelling beautiful beaches. Beach wheelchairs are available. Details: visitfortmyers.com/beaches/gasparilla-island-state-park

Koreshan State Park, Estero
The Koreshan Unity Settlement, a nationally registered historic district, offers an opportunity to learn about these interesting and idealistic pioneers. Guided tours are available throughout the year of the landscaped grounds and 11 restored buildings. Nature trails meander along the Estero River for fishing, boating, canoeing. The campground's 60 secluded sites have water, power hook-ups. Twelve sites by the Estero River are designated tent camping. ADA campsites are available. Glamping is available in luxury safari tents. Details: visitfortmyers.com/listing/koreshan-state-park/42037

Mound Key Archaeological State Park, Estero
Native Americans known as the Calusa were a non-agricultural hunting and gathering chiefdom that dominated the waters of Southwest Florida. Located in Estero Bay, the park is accessible only by boat and there are no facilities. Interpretive displays along the trail crossing the island help visitors discover the history of the island. Check details and boat launch locations: floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/mound-key-archaeological-state-park

Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach
Once a collection of secluded barrier islands, Lovers Key is a destination for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. The two-mile stretch of beach is popular for shelling, picnicking, fishing, and swimming. The Welcome and Discovery Center is an educational hub for curious park goers to learn more about the ecosystems, history, and recreational opportunities available at the park. Check for times, current openings and activities: visitfortmyers.com/beaches/lovers-key-state-park

Cayo Costa State Park, Cayo Costa
Accessible only by boat or kayak, this former fishing ground of the Calusa features nine miles of undeveloped, pristine shoreline for swimming, snorkeling, shelling, fishing and birdwatching. Shorebirds are numerous, and you may also spot manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles offshore. Details: visitfortmyers.com/beaches/cayo-costa-state-park

Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Estero
Enjoy miles of hiking trails through the preserve and viewing the variety of wildlife and native vegetation that the park protects. The bay is home to the bald eagle, gopher tortoise and fiddler crab and more. The trails are rugged and seasonally flood in some areas. Sturdy footwear, insect repellent, sunscreen and plenty of water are recommended. The preserve is accessible from two land locations: the Winkler Point entrance at 17981 Winkler Road in Fort Myers and the Estero River Scrub entrance at 4940 Broadway Ave. W. in Estero. Details: visitfortmyers.com/listing/estero-bay-preserve-state-park/39904

Neighborhood Mural Program
Highlighting what makes each area of the destination special, visitors are enjoying the experience of a neighborhood mural program. The placemaking initiative by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau is done in partnership with the Fort Myers Mural Society. The project gives visitors a chance to interact with the murals’ designs by taking and sharing photos.

The locations of this latest mural project include:

• The side of Eagle’s Nest Restaurant on Pine Island
• A double mural on both sides of the entrance doors into the North Fort Myers Recreation Center
• Lakes Park in Fort Myers for a series of murals in the children’s garden
• The side of the Community Redevelopment Agency building at 1231 Lafayette St., Cape Coral
• The side of the Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce building on Sanibel Island
  

Learn more about the mural program in the Fort Myers area: visitfortmyers.com/murals

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

Dining & entertainment
Sugarshack Downtown in Bonita Springs has opened its full-service restaurant (lunch and dinner) and live entertainment venue on Old 41 across from the Riverside Park Band shelter. The new restaurant includes two bars, an outdoor stage and indoor and outdoor covered dining. sugarshackdowntown.com

Island favorite, the Bubble Room on Captiva Island currently plans to reopen this spring with more details coming soon. Meanwhile, Boops by the Bubble Room and the Bubble Room Emporium are open daily. facebook.com/p/The-Bubble-Room-Restaurant-100057449859096

Escondido Lounge speakeasy opens in downtown Fort Myers
Shhhhh. There’s a secret in downtown Fort Myers. Escondido (means “hidden”) Lounge, a two story, hidden bar/lounge/speakeasy inspired by the elegance and intrigue of Prohibition-era speakeasies, blends the rich history of the 1920s with a modern, upscale twist.

Typical speakeasy, if there is such a thing, there is no sign. Located in the Richards Building on Hendry Street, entrance is through Taco Works. Walk through the cooler door (really) and, voila, you are there! A piano is suspended overhead on a glass platform and a red, six-foot chandelier casts a glow over the room. That’s just the beginning. Expect signature cocktails, piano bar and chef’s creations. Check it out. escondidolounge.com

And the same concept is planned for an opening in Cape Coral in early 2025.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) news
New air service at RSW

Porter Airlines

• Toronto, Canada (YYZ), weekly, now year-round.  

Spirit Airlines

• Charlotte (CLT), daily, limited service from March 5-April 8

Breeze Airways

• Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina (GSP), weekly, starting May 1

Southwest Airlines

• Orlando-McCoy (MC), daily starting Aug. 5

For more information, visit flyrsw.com

In the news
Southern Living writes, “For nature lovers, Bonita Springs, located almost perfectly between Fort Myers and Naples, is a dream. Home to several state parks and natural preserves, not only does Bonita Springs offer beautiful beaches to explore, but it also features mystical marshlands, forests, and rivers. May through September has the best weather for boating, but temperatures are mild year-round. Visit in spring or fall for a less crowded experience. Here are our favorite ways to explore Bonita Springs.” southernliving.com/bonita-springs-fl-6525512?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-share-article

2025 annual festivals and events
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium 2025 Season Lectures
ShellMuseum.org/in-person-lectures

• March 13: “Exploring the Atlantic Canyons: Searching the Deep Ocean for Cephalopods and Other Marine Life,” by Dr. Elizabeth Shea, director of collections and curator of mollusks, Delaware Museum of Nature and Science.
• April 3: “The Rise, Fall, and Renewal of New York Harbor’s Oysters,” by Mark Kurlansky, author.

Koreshan Nights Concert Series, Estero
March 15
friendsofkoreshan.org/Special-Events

Southwest Florida Ag Expo
Through March 9
Lee County Civic Center Complex
swflagexpo.com

Spring training
Boston Red Sox
Through March 23
mlb.com/redsox/spring-training
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers

Minnesota Twins
mlb.com/twins/spring-training
Through March 25
Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers

26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March 1
Fort Myers Regional Library, downtown Fort Myers
readfest.org

CROW Taste of the Islands, Sanibel Island
March 1 event at Sanibel City Hall
Feb. 21-28, 2025, at participating island restaurants
tasteoftheislands.org

Brew for the Slough
March 1
Crazy Dingo Brewing Co.
To raise funds to benefit Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
crazydingobrewing.com
sloughpreserve.org/the-friends

Sanibel Shell Show, Fort Myers
March 6-8
Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort
sanibelshellclub.com/6306-2

Concerts in the Park, Cape Coral
March 6 and 22, April 3
Check website for locations
capeconcerts.com

88^th annual Sanibel Shell Festival, Sanibel Island
March 7
Community House
tinyurl.com/shellfest88

Fort Myers Beach annual Lion’s Club Shrimp Festival
March 8-9
fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com

Fort Myers River Festival, downtown Fort Myers
March 21-23
paragonfestivals.com/festival/fort-myers-river-music-festival

ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers 
March 16-22
echonet.org/events/global-food-and-farm-festival

SWFL Mural Fest, Fort Myers
March 29-30
artsembleunderground.com/swfl-muralfest

10^th annual Bonita Springs Film Festival
April 17
Prado Stadium
bonitaspringsfilmfestival.org

36^th annual “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival, Fort Myers
April 26
Lakes Park
dingdarlingday.com

13^th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, Sanibel Island
May 9
dingdarlingsociety.org/tarpon-tournament

World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, Boca Grande
May 14-15
bocagrandechamber.com/worlds-richest-tarpon-tournament/

15^th annual Fort Myers Film Festival
May 14-18
fortmyersfilmfestival.com

Alliance for the Arts, Fringe Fort Myers
May 29-June 1
artinlee.org/experience/fringe

National Seashell Day
June 20
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day

MangoMania
July tba
pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania

Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 19-28
island-hopperfest.com

FITMIX FEST, downtown Fort Myers
September tba
fitmixfest.com

40^th Cape Coral Oktoberfest
Oct. 17-19 and 24-26
German-American Social Club
capecoraloktoberfest.com

Sanibel Island Writers Conference
November tba
Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers
fgcu.edu/siwc

BIG ARTS 2024 Film Festival, Sanibel Island
November tba
bigarts.org/event/inaugural-fall-film-festival

35^th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship, Fort Myers Beach
November tba
fmbsandsculpting.com

2026 annual festivals and events
Fort Myers Seafood and Music Festival, downtown Fort Myers
January tba
paragonfestivals.com/festival/fort-myers-seafood-music-festival

41st annual Cape Coral Art Festival and Market Place
January tba
capecoralartfestival.com

34^th Tour De Cape in Cape Coral
January tba
Rotary Park
tourdecape.net

ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown Fort Myers
Feb. 6-8
artfestfortmyers.com

88th Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
February tba
edisonfestival.org

24th annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
February tba
Rotary Park Environmental Center
Rotary Park
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2

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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.