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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2026
CONTACTS: Jackie Parker, Miriam Dotson 239-338-3500
What’s New from Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
LEE COUNTY, Florida (U.S.A.) – February is chance to unwind and reconnect while enjoying warm days, sandy beaches, fishing, family fun, outdoor activities, exploring nature and a month filled with special events, including the return of Spring Training. Visit visitfortmyers.com and start planning.
A piece of Old Florida returns
There’s something comforting about seeing a piece of Old Florida come back to life. With the reopening of the iconic Anchor Inn & Cottages, a slice of Southwest Florida that Hurricane Ian tried to wash away is once again welcoming guests with simple charm and ease. Under its new owners, it continues to offer the kind of laid-back hospitality that can feel rare these days.
Recently we celebrated the return of these historic accommodations that originally opened in 1959 as the Villa Capri. The property was one of the few places travelers could stay overnight on Sanibel. Its 12 units, including three A-frame cottages, have been restored and reimagined with nautical, vintage charm and local art including works by Sanibel Island’s Rachel Pierce. Less than a mile from the beach, visitors enjoy a pool, picnic area, bikes and a carefree stay. They are perfect for a girlfriend getaway, family vacation or if you are just craving the fun of a nostalgic escape.
Welcome back, Anchor Inn & Cottages. Check out details and reservations at sanibelanchorinn.com
Find your slice of Old Florida to enjoy
Island cottages and motels, old roadside attractions, seafood spots that never change, nature preserves and mangrove tunnels that you can kayak for miles, walkable and preserved downtown areas, neighborhood bars and gathering spots. They are all part of the nostalgia of Old Florida. And you find them all in the Fort Myers area.
In a world that keeps moving faster, these Old Florida gems remind us that some things are worth preserving. It’s fun to seek out places offering the escape and comfort of something from our history. If you decide to create a list of your own Old Florida places to explore during your next visit, these will get you started.
- Wonder Gardens − one of Florida’s original roadside attractions at 90 years old, recalls a simpler era of Florida travel.
- Shangri-La Springs − a restored Old Florida retreat known for its natural spring, banyan trees, and timeless sense of calm.
- Flamingo Inn − a small and quaint Fort Myers Beach inn with an unpretentious, relaxed vibe. A short walk to the beach from your cozy home away from home.
- Bonita Fish Company (previously Bonita Bill’s) − Everyone feels at home with a century of stories, dockside dining, seafood from the Gulf and local music.
- J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge − where mangroves and wildlife set the pace, inviting visitors to slow down and take it all in.
- Sanibel Lighthouse − a familiar sight that has welcomed generations of island locals and visitors.
- ’Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa − a Captiva classic where rocking chairs, sunsets, and island time still set the mood.
- Cabbage Key Inn − where time stands still with burgers, dollar bills, and decades of stories.
- Edison and Ford Winter Estates − a riverfront step back into Fort Myers’ early days, where history surrounds us.
Happening this month
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife 8th Annual Ground Owl Day
Feb. 2
Pelican Baseball Complex
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/events/2026/ground-owl-day
ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown Fort Myers
Feb. 6-8
artfestfortmyers.com
Edison and Ford Winter Estates annual Antique Ford Car Show
Feb. 7
EdisonFord.org
Spring training
Boston Red Sox
Feb. 20-March 23
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
mlb.com/redsox/spring-training
Minnesota Twins
Feb. 20-March 24
Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
mlb.com/twins/spring-training
Southwest Florida Ag Expo
Feb. 26-March 8
“Roots ’n’ Rides: A Celebration of Tradition”
The Southwest Florida Ag Expo continues to honor the region’s agricultural roots while offering entertainment, midway rides, livestock shows and family activities for all ages. Enjoy an array of talented performers throughout the event. For a schedule of events, special promotions, ticketing and parking information, visit swflagexpo.com or follow the SWFL Ag Expo on Facebook at facebook.com/swflagexpo
24th annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
Feb. 28
Rotary Park Environmental Center
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Accommodations news
Welcome back: Casa Ybel and Thistle Lodge on Sanibel Island
After three years, the luxury all-suite resort has reopened following extensive renovations. Beginning a new chapter on Sanibel, the beachfront property is accepting reservations for accommodations. casaybelresort.com
Visit Fort Myers partners with Kind Traveler
Visit Fort Myers is proud to be the first Florida destination to partner with Kind Traveler, an acclaimed innovator in sustainable travel. Participating hotels and their nonprofit partners offer a chance for visitors to give back with a portion of their booking going to a local organization that supports sustainable travel. Check accommodations and their nonprofit partners at visitfortmyers.com/kind-traveler
Big news: Gasparilla Inn and Club on Boca Grande named to Conde Nast Traveller list
Gasparilla Inn on Boca Grande has been named to the publication’s gold list 2026 for the Best Hotels in the World. The 1913 icon has Old Florida charm in a stunning beach setting. cntraveler.com/hotels/united-states/boca-grande/gasparilla-inn-club-boca-grande
South Seas opens Captiva Landing
South Seas recently celebrated the opening of Captiva Landing, its new 2.5-acre aqua adventure. The resort’s newest family-friendly attraction features six waterslides, thrilling tipping buckets, a lazy river, splash zones, cabana/lounge areas, food and beverage offerings, an arcade, a kids’ nature club and more. Captiva Landing is available to registered South Seas guests and Club Captiva owners. southseas.com
White Pelican Villas plans to open in early 2026
Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts purchased the property formerly known as Beachview Cottages, a 22-unit condo property that was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Plans are underway to rebrand the new build as White Pelican Villas, with 22 units in three buildings tied together with a shared, covered walkway. The resort is farther back from the beach and plans to open in early 2026. sanibelcaptivabeachresorts.com
Attractions news
Manatee Madness!
When we have those cooler days, Manatee Park is a favorite place to go. A seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees, it offers 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 its equipment.
And visitors also enjoy walking through the Manatee Park butterfly garden. The tour includes the ADA accessible paths through the restored native plant habitats. Find more details here and watch the Manatee Park webcam: leegov.com/parks/parks/manateepark
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum has reopened
Following beach renourishment and repairs, this popular attraction is open. And along with the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, the popular climbs have returned. Climb one or both of these historic treasures and experience beautiful views while exploring a historic lighthouse. Reservations are required. Check dates and times atbips.org/calendar
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
Swallow-tailed kites, State of the Slough, the Mound House & the Calusa are included in the speaker series at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Check details, dates and make reservations at www.sloughpreserve.org/guest-speakers-2026
Lovers Key State Park free programs
Take a “Walk on the Wildside” and other free programs this month at Lovers Key State Park. Check topics and signup at loverskey.eventbrite.com
Guided Walks with CREW in Bonita Springs
Take a guided bird walk, learn about edible and medicinal plants, walk the White Trail and more this month with CREW. Each year, more than 100,000 people visit CREW Trust’s four trail systems to explore more than forty miles of marked hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, as well as outdoor pavilions, primitive campsites, elevated boardwalks, and observation platforms. crewtrust.eventbrite.com
Explore Sanibel Island's Wild Mile
Visit the area’s extraordinary natural attractions with this exclusive mobile pass, including:
- CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife)
- J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
- Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
- And much more. Simply check in at each location to earn points and prizes.
Sign-ups are easy and free. Your Sanibel Wild Mile pass will be instantly delivered to your phone via text and email. Also save it on your home screen for one-tap access. Sign up now and get ready for a fascinating look at nature during your visit. visitfortmyers.com/digital-passes/sanibel-wild-mile
Explore and win prizes with Parks, Points & Perks
The Lee County VCB and Lee County Parks & Recreation have partnered to give visitors new ways to kick off summer fun and win great prizes.
Parks, Points & Perks encourages exploration of area parks, beaches, preserves, recreation centers, events and much more throughout our islands, beaches and neighborhoods. Running now through May 2026, the free pass makes it easy to visit favorite spots or discover new adventures.
Participants have a range of family-friendly locations to visit that include Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Lakes Park in Fort Myers; Dog Beach in Bonita Springs; Phillips Park in Bokeelia and Bowditch Point Park in Fort Myers Beach. More than 30 sites are included.
- Go to visitfortmyers.com/ParksPass and sign up.
- Pass will be instantly delivered to your phone via text and email.
- Select your location, plan a visit and start having fun.
- Visit any location in the pass and earn 20 points when you check in.
- Special monthly events give you the chance to add up even more points.
- Earn rewards like a drawstring backpack, and unlock choices for memberships, parking passes or recreation center access.
- Check in at 20 locations on the pass, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a grand prize, a two-night stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops and a Family Fun Day at Lakes Park.
Check out area webcams
We hope you will visit soon but until then, drop in with a live view of each area of our destination. visitfortmyers.com/webcams
Dining & entertainment
Legno Italian Kitchen has opened on the south end of Fort Myers Beach in Santini Plaza. In addition to Italian cuisine from scratch, it hosts live music and standup comedy. legnoik.com
New! Beach House, South Seas, Captiva Island
Unwind and enjoy coastal charm at Beach House, South Seas’ new refined beachfront restaurant. From vibrant starters to indulgent desserts, the menu offers a rich tapestry of flavors inspired by land and sea. The opening of Beach House is part of the resort’s expanding culinary lineup, which also includes Redfish Grill, Scoops & Slices and Harborside. southseas.com
The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach returns
After almost three years, The Beach Bar has reopened. With a new building that is a walk-up, open-air design that will withstand future storms, this island favorite is a huge part of the Fort Myers Beach recovery story. Another reason to celebrate and visit soon. Follow for updates: www.facebook.com/FMBthebeachbar
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) news
New air service at RSW. For more information, visit flylcpa.com
Allegiant
- NEW Allentown, Pennsylvania (ABE)
- NEW Appleton, Wisconsin (ATW)
- NEW Des Moines (DSM)
American Airlines
- NEW Phoenix (PHX), seasonal daily service Feb. 12-April 6
Breeze Airways
- NEW Albany, NY (ALB), weekly
- NEW Rochester, NY (ROC)
Delta Air Lines
- NEW Salt Lake City (SLC), daily
JetBlue Airways
- NEW Islip-Long Island (ISP), weekly
- NEW Buffalo (BUF), weekly starting March 26
Southwest Airlines
- NEW Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), weekly
- NEW Austin (AUS), weekly, March 7-April 4
Sun Country
- NEW Appleton (ATW), weekly
United Airlines
- Los Angeles (LAX), weekly through March 2
- San Francisco (SFO), weekly through March 4
In the news
“Undiscovered charm” and “appealing to retirees” is how Travel and Leisure describes Bonita Springs. “With nearly 300 days of sunshine a year, white-sand beaches, and crystalline water, Bonita Springs has all the ingredients for a perfect beach vacation. Add to that an abundance of parks, waterways, and trails, and you have opportunities for adventure, too. Here, you'll find fishing, shelling (watch for rare, delicate angel wings), hiking, and paddling, plus plenty of fresh seafood to go around.” travelandleisure.com/bonita-springs-florida-11892051
Winter like Edison and Ford in Fort Myers
Karon Warren writes about Thomas Edison and Henry Ford’s winters in Fort Myers for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
“During your winter getaway, you could enjoy these and much more, including a tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates; the Edison Museum; sailing to Cabbage Key for lunch, including the cheeseburger Jimmy Buffett made famous; and searching for shells on Sanibel Island, the world’s best shelling beach.”
Warren also visited and mentions Bruno's of Brooklyn, Captiva Cruises, Luminary Hotel & Co. and Beacon Social, Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, The Veranda. ajc.com/wellness/2025/12/winter-like-edison-and-ford-in-fort-myers
Annual festivals and events
Free weekly programs at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island
Through April 6
dingdarlingsociety.org
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
Shelling and beach walks
Feb. 1, March 1, April 12
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel Island
shellmuseum.org
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife 8th Annual Ground Owl Day
Feb. 2
Pelican Baseball Complex
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/events/2026/ground-owl-day
ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown Fort Myers
Feb. 6-8
artfestfortmyers.com
Edison and Ford Winter Estates annual Antique Ford Car Show
Feb. 7
EdisonFord.org
Bonita Springs National Art Festivals series
Feb. 7-8, March 14-15
Riverside Park, downtown Bonita Springs
artsbonita.org/artfest
21st annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series
Through April 16
dingdarlingsociety.org
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, Third Thursdays
Feb. 19, March 19, April 16
shellmuseum.org
Spring training
Boston Red Sox
Feb. 20-March 23
mlb.com/redsox/spring-training
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
Minnesota Twins
mlb.com/twins/spring-training
Feb. 20-March 24
Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
88th Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
Feb. 21
Downtown Fort Myers
edisonfestival.org
Southwest Florida Ag Expo
Feb. 26-March 8
“Roots ’n’ Rides: A Celebration of Tradition”
Mike Greenwell Regional Park
swflagexpo.com
24th annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
Feb. 28
Rotary Park Environmental Center
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls
March 1
Lighthouse Beach, Sanibel Island
shellmuseum.org
89th annual Sanibel Shell Festival, Sanibel Island
March 5-7
Sanibel Community House
sanibelcommunityhouse.net/shell-festival
27th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March 7
Fort Myers Regional Library, downtown Fort Myers
readfest.org
Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival
March 7-8
fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com
Little River Band
March 13
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
caloosasoundamp.com
CROW Taste of the Islands, Sanibel Island
March 13-20
tasteoftheislands.org
Fort Myers Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 14
fortmyersbeach.org
ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers
March 15-21
echonet.org
4th annual SWFL Mural Fest, Fort Myers
March tba
artsembleunderground.com/swfl-muralfest
Get The Led Out
March 19
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
caloosasoundamp.com
11th annual Bonita Springs Film Festival
April tba
Prado Stadium
bonitaspringsfilmfestival.org
World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, Boca Grande
May 13-14
bocagrandechamber.com/worlds-richest-tarpon-tournament
16th annual Fort Myers Film Festival
May 14-18
fortmyersfilmfestival.com
14th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, Sanibel Island
May 15
dingdarlingsociety.org/tarpon-tournament
National Seashell Day
June 20
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
30th annual MangoMania
July 11
pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 18-27
island-hopperfest.com
41st Cape Coral Oktoberfest
Oct. 17-19 & 24-26
German-American Social Club
capecoraloktoberfest.com
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
November tba
FGCU
fgcu.edu/siwc
36th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship, Fort Myers Beach
Nov. 19-23
fmbsandsculpting.com
42nd annual Cape Coral Art Festival and Market Place
January tba
capecoralartfestival.com
2027 Festivals and Events
36thth Tour De Cape in Cape Coral
January tba
Rotary Park
tourdecape.net
Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival, downtown Fort Myers
January tba
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater
fortmyers.gov/2123/Celtic-Festival
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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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