(does not include St. Petersburg-Tampa)
GENERAL
Sights & Sites
●Panhandle Dive Trail – floridapanhandledivetrail.com.
BAY COUNTY
Panama City
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream & Juice
●David’s New Orleans Style Sno-Balls – 13913-A Panama City Beach Parkway; 850-236-1998; davidssnoballs.com; all different types of Big Easy beignet and desserts, as well as shaved ice and soft-serve ice-cream.
●Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar – 543 Richard Jackson Boulevard; 850-249-5576; facebook.com/pages/Pink-Pelican-Ice-Cream-Bar/316401305987.
●Thomas Donut & Snack Shop – 19208 Front Beach Road; 850-234-8039; facebook.com/ThomasDonutShop.
Bars & Nightclubs
●Fishale Taphouse & Grill – 7715 Front Beach Road; 850-640-1410; fishales.com; more civilized for drinking than many spring-break places; cozy fireplace.
●Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill – 16201 Front Beach Road; 850-233-8232; hookedpierbar.com.
●Pineapple Willy’s – 9875 South Thomas Drive; 850-235-1225; pwillys.com; goofy drinks, live music, sunset views.
●Schooners – 5121 Gulf Drive; 850-235-3555; schooners.com; bar and restaurant near Andrews State Park with direct beach access from its deck.
Dives
●Black Bart – 185' oil-field supply ship.
●E.E. Simpson – tugboat.
●F-100 Voodoo Jets – off Panama City Beach (3 miles out); 68' supersonic fighter jet built by McDonnell Aircraft; served U.S.A.F. 1954-82.
●FAMI Tugs – artificial reef created by placing 1 tug on top of another.
●Tarpon – 1937 natural shipwreck.
●USS Accokeek – 195' navy tugboat.
●USS Chipewa – 205' navy tugboat.
●USS Strength – 184' WWII mine-sweeper.
Hotels
●Wyndham Bay Point Resort – 4114 Jan Cooley Drive; 850-236-6000 or 800-207-4421; wyndham.com.
Restaurants
●David’s New Orleans Style Sno-Balls – 13913-A Panama City Beach Parkway; 850-236-1998; davidssnoballs.com; Crescent City sandwiches.
●Dee’s Hangout – 10440 Front Beach Road; 850-249-4264; deeshangout.com; homey; Cajun.
●Dusty’s Oyster Bar – 16450 Front Beach Road; 850-233-0035; facebook.com/pages/Dustys-Oyster-Bar/117669928258426; much more popular than Hunt’s, perhaps because of location by bridge.
●Fishale Taphouse & Grill – 7715 Front Beach Road; 850-640-1410; fishales.com; more civilized than many spring-break places; cozy fireplace.
●Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill – 16201 Front Beach Road; 850-233-8232; hookedpierbar.com; honey-lime fried plantains; eat on wooden deck.
●Hunt’s Oyster Bar – 1150 Beck Avenue; 850-763-9645; huntsoysterbar.com.
●Schooners – 5121 Gulf Drive; 850-235-3555; schooners.com; bar and restaurant near Andrews State Park with direct beach access from its deck.
Services
●Half Hitch Tackle – 2206 Thomas Drive; 850-234-2621; halfhitch.com; for bait and tackle.
Shopping
●Grand Lagoon Waterfront Farmers’ Market – 3901 Thomas Drive (at Pirate’s Cove Marina); 850-763-7359; WaterfrontMarkets.org; Saturdays (8-1) & Sundays (11-4); rain or shine; features local bakers, growers, and makers; live local music.
Sights & Sites
●St. Andrews State Park – 4607 State Park Lane; 850-233-5140; floridastateparks.org/standrews; mile and half of beaches that stretch along Grand Lagoon and Gulf of Mexico, as well as wooded paths; less crowded than other beaches.
●Conservation Park – 100 Conservation Drive; 850-233-5100; pcbgov.com/conservation-park.htm; nature preserve 2 miles from beach; 24 miles of trails wind through 29K acres; wooden boardwalks, bird-watching, etc.
●Man in Sea Museum – 17314 Panama City Beach Parkway; 850-235-4101; maninthesea.org; warehouselike museum that is impressive repository of historical maritime items; now home to US Navy Sealab-1.
●Dan Russell-Fields Pier – 16201 Front Beach Road; 850-233-5080; pcbgov.com; sits 1.5' out into Gulf of Mexico; spectators can walk pier for daily fee of $2.
●Shell Island – take Shell Island Shuttle (ferry that departs from St. Andrews State Park, 4607 Thomas Drive, 850-233-0504 or 850-235-4004, shellislandshuttle.com); friendsofshellisland.org; part of St. Andrews Park; uninhabited, 7-mile, barrier island; dolphins.
CHARLOTTE & LEE COUNTIES
Bonita Springs
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream – 3440 Renissance Boulevard; 239-676-8243; handelsicecream.com.
Services
●Hickory Bait & Tackle – 23149 Weeks Fish Camp Road (at Weeks Landing Marina); 239-498-0090; among Estero Bay’s oldest marina sites; pontoon boat “ferry” service for kayakers.
Sights & Sites
●Great Calusa Blueway – (1) 23149 Weeks Fish Camp Road (Weeks Landing, Hickory Bait & Tackle put-in), (2) 27551 South Tamiami Trail (Imperial River Boat Ramp put-in), or (3) 10451 Pennsylvania Avenue (Riverside Park put-in); (1) 239-498-0090 (Weeks Landing Marina), (2) 239-533-7275 (Lee County Parks & Recreation), or (3) 239-338-2287 (Riverside Park); (1) calusablueway.com or (2) leeparks.org; canoe and/or kayak paddling trail that meanders 190 miles through Lee County coastal waters and inland tributaries; easy-to-identify brown signs guide paddlers through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic; perfect for both beginners seeking short trips and avid and experienced back-country paddlers.
Cape Coral
Services
●Tarpon Point Marina – 6095 Silver King Boulevard; 239-549-4900; tarponpointmarina.com; charters & kayaking.
Sights & Sites
●Great Calusa Blueway – (1) 6095 Silver King Boulevard (Tarpon Point Marina put-in), (2) 5819 Driftwood Parkway (Cape Coral Yacht Club put-in), (3) 2600 Southeast 26th Place (at Horton Park, Cape Coral Boat Ramp put-in), (4) Southeast 23rd Terrace’s east end (Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve put-in), or (5) Ceitus Parkway’s end at Old Burnt Store Road (Sirenia Vista Park put-in); (1) 239-549-4900 (Tarpon Point Marina), (2) 239-574-0806 (Cape Coral Yacht Club), (3) 239-573-3128 (Horton Park), or (4) 239-549-4606 (Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve and/or Sirenia Vista Park); (1) tarponpointmarina.com (Tarpon Point Marina), (2) capecoral.net (Cape Coral Yacht Club), (3) calusablueway.com, or (4) leeparks.org; canoe and/or kayak paddling trail that meanders 190 miles through Lee County coastal waters and inland tributaries; easy-to-identify brown signs guide paddlers through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic; perfect for both beginners seeking short trips and avid and experienced back-country paddlers.
Captiva & Sanibel Islands
Bars & Nightclubs
●Mucky Duck – 11546 Andy Rosse Lane (Captiva); 239-472-3434; muckyduck.com; literally on beach.
Beaches
●Turner – 17200 Captiva Drive (Sanibel); 239-395-1860; leeparks.org/facility-info/facility-details.cfm?Project_Num=0026; just past bridge to Captiva; parking limited (fee required), so arrive early; great place for sunsets; swimmers should stay away from bridge area (water gets deep quickly and there can be strong undertow) and move farther down beach; sand quality is good; bars and restaurants just back across bridge.
Food Trucks
●Andy’s Island Seafood Truck – Captiva Drive & Andy Rosse Lane (Captiva, in front of Captiva Island Store); 239-472-2374; andysislandseafood.com/mobilemarket.htm; Tues-Thurs, 10 am-2 pm; Fridays special orders only; seafood only.
Hotels
●Casa Ybel Resort – 2255 West Gulf Drive (Sanibel); 239-472-3145 or 800-276-4753; casaybelresort.com.
●Jensen’s on Bay & Jensen’s on Gulf – 15300 Captiva Drive (Captiva); 239-472-4684; gocaptiva.com; also can arrange fishing.
●South Seas Resort – 5400 Plantation Road (Captiva); 239-472-5111 or 866-565-5089; southseas.com.
●’Tween Waters Inn – 15951 Captiva Road (Captiva); 239-472-5161 or 800-223-5865; tween-waters.com.
Restaurants
●Key Lime Bistro – 11509 Andy Rosse Lane (Captiva, at Captiva Island Inn); 239-395-4000; captivaislandinn.com/diningdetail.cfm?id=1; for mahi mahi.
●Lazy Flamingo – 6520-C Pine Avenue (Sanibel); 239-472-5353; lazyflamingo.com; American & seafood.
●Lazy Flamingo – 1036 Periwinkle Way (Sanibel); 239-472-6939; lazyflamingo.com; American & seafood.
Services
●Tarpon Bay Explorers – 900 Tarpon Bay Road (Sanibel); 239-472-8900; tarponbayexplorers.com; located in J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge; bike, boat, kayak, and pontoon rentals; kayak and fishing guide services; boat tours.
Shopping
●Captiva Provision Company – 5400 Plantation Road (Captiva, at South Seas Resort); 239-472-5111; southseas.com; high-end picnic fare, expensive but good.
Sights & Sites
●Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum – 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road (Sanibel); 239-395-2233; shellmuseum.org; finest shell museum in Western hemisphere.
●Captiva Memorial Library – 11560 Chapin Lane (Captiva); 239-533-4890; lee-county.com/library/library/branches/cv.htm; well-furnished; good for DVD rentals.
●Great Calusa Blueway – (1) 17200 Captiva Drive (Sanibel, Turner Beach at Blind Pass put-in), (2) 900 Tarpon Bay Road (Sanibel Island, Tarpon Bay Explorers put-in), (3) just off Sanibel Causeway (Sanibel Island, Sanibel Island Boat Ramp put-in), (4) 14341 Port Comfort Road (Adventures in Paradise put-in), or (5) 19931 Sanibel Causeway Road (Sanibel Causeway Island Park put-in spot); (1) 239-395-1860 (Turner Beach), (2) 239-472-8900 (Tarpon Bay Explorers), (3) 239-472-6397 (Sanibel Island Boat Ramp), (4) 239-472-8443 (Adventures in Paradise), or (5) 239-433-3855 (Lee County Parks & Recreation Department); tarponbayexplorers.com (Tarpon Bay Explorers), mysanibel.com (Sanibel Island Boat Ramp), adventureinparadiseinc.com (Adventures in Paradise), calusablueway.com, or leeparks.org; canoe and/or kayak paddling trail that meanders 190 miles through Lee County coastal waters and inland tributaries; easy-to-identify brown signs guide paddlers through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic; perfect for both beginners seeking short trips and avid and experienced back-country paddlers.
●J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge – 1 Wildlife Drive (Sanibel); 239-472-1100; fws.gov/dingdarling; 6400 acre wildlife wilderness with hiking trails.
●Rauschenberg Estate – between 14812 & 14900 Captiva Drive (Captiva).
●Sanibel Island Lighthouse – Point Ybel (Sanibel); nps.gov/history/maritime/light/sanibel.htm or sanibeltrails.com/sanibel-lighthouse.aspx; dates back to 1800s.
Charlotte (includes Punta Gorda)
Restaurants
●Peace River Seafood & Crab Shack – 5337 Duncan Road (Punta Gorda); 941-505-8440; facebook.com/peace.seafood; built in 1927 “cracker cabin”; notable for blue crab.
Sights & Sites
●Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park – 12301 Burnt Store Road (Punta Gorda, County Road 765); 941-575-5861; swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/charlotteharbor.html; 42K acres, protecting 70 shoreline miles along Charlotte Harbor (in Charlotte & Lee Counties); park best accessed by canoe or kayak (2 paddle trail systems wind through park); bird-watchers & hikers can access upland areas at pedestrian walkthroughs available in each section (3 marked trails); take water; no restrooms.
●Great Calusa Blueway – 12301 Burnt Store Road (Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park/Annie’s Creek put-in); 941-575-5861 (Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park); calusablueway.com or leeparks.org; canoe and/or kayak paddling trail that meanders 190 miles through Lee County coastal waters and inland tributaries; easy-to-identify brown signs guide paddlers through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic; perfect for both beginners seeking short trips and avid and experienced back-country paddlers.
Estero
Services
●Estero River Outfitters – 20991 South Tamiami Trail; 239-992-4050; esteroriveroutfitters.com; customized trips, nature tours, canoeing, kayaking, and water sports.
Sights & Sites
●Great Calusa Blueway – (1) 20991 South Tamiami Trail (Estero River Outfitters put-in) or (2) 3800 Corkscrew Road (Koreshan State Historic Site put-in); (1) 239-992-4050 (Estero River Outfitters) or (2) 239-992-0311 (Koreshan State Historic Site); (1) esteroriveroutfitters.com, (2) calusablueway.com, or (3) leeparks.org; canoe and/or kayak paddling trail that meanders 190 miles through Lee County coastal waters and inland tributaries; easy-to-identify brown signs guide paddlers through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic; perfect for both beginners seeking short trips and avid and experienced back-country paddlers.
Fort Myers (includes Alva, Fort Myers Beach & North Fort Myers)
Beaches
●Bunche – see below.
●Lovers Key – see below.
Services
●Adventures in Paradise – 14341 Port Comfort Road (Fort Myers); 239-472-8443; adventureinparadiseinc.com; tours, boat trips, kayaking.
●Everglades Day Safari – US 41; 239-437-8322 or 239-472-1559 or 800-472-3069; ecosafari.com; full-day, guided, Everglades eco-tours designed to explore 4 main ecosystems: cypress swamp; mangrove estuary; pine savannah; and sawgrass prairie; tour includes airboat ride where alligators and birds plentiful.
●Holiday Adventure Tours & Boat Rentals – 250 Estero Boulevard (Fort Myers Beach, at Estero Island’s north end, at Pink Shell Resort); 239-463-8661; holidaywatersportsfmb.com; back-bay kayak rentals; tours on Fort Myers Beach.
●Jack’s Marina – 2200 Marina Park Drive; 239-694-2708; jacksmarine.net; among Southwest Florida’s oldest marinas; amenities for day-trippers.
Sights & Sites
●Bowditch Point Regional Park – 50 Estero Boulevard (Fort Myers Beach); 239-765-6794; leeparks.org; take trolley to Fort Myers Beach’s northern tip to this 17.5-acre park facility; boardwalk leads to beach and picnic area.
●Bunche Beach Preserve – 18201 John Morris Road (San Carlos Bay); 239-765-6794 (Bowditch Park); leeparks.org/facility-info/facility-details.cfm?Project_Num=0025; 717 acres; natural tidal wetlands area; pristine, completely natural area indicative of what entire area was like before exotic plant species introduced (“Old Florida”); ranges from sandy beach to Mangrove forests to salt flats; wide variety wildlife (designated Great Florida Birding Trail site, floridabirdingtrail.com); terrific sunsets; Outdoor Activity Center has paddlecraft launches, wildlife viewing and fishing piers, 310' boardwalk, and composting restrooms; named after Dr. Ralph Bunche, famous black American who, at time, was UN mediator; he won Nobel Peace Prize (1st African American to do so).
●Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve – 17100 McDowell Drive or 10130 Bayshore Road (North Fort Myers); 239-533-7275 (Lee County Parks & Recreation); conservation2020.org/preservedetails.cfm?proj_no=258; 1.3K acre Conservation 20/20 preserve; 2 miles hiking trails.
●Caloosahatchee Regional Park – 18500 North River Road (Alva); 239-694-0398; leeparks.org; 765 acres cypress swamps, oak hammocks, pine flatwoods, and scrub oak; 12 miles equestrian trails, hiking, observation pier, and off-road cycling; kayak launch.
●Centennial Park – 2000 Edwards Drive; 239-321-7530; cityftmyers.com; only riverfront public park downtown; beautiful greenspace.
●Fort Myers Yacht Basin – 1300 Lee Street; 239-321-7080; cityftmyers.com/default.aspx?tabid=117; provides access to downtown area with many lodging, restaurants, & shops.
●W.P. Franklin Lock, Dam & Recreation Area – 1660 South Franklin Lock Road (Alva); 239-694-2582; saj.usace.army.mil; bird and manatee watching fishing, picnicking, and swimming.
●Great Calusa Blueway – (1) 16299 San Carlos Boulevard (Fort Myers Beach, San Carlos RV Park & Island Resort put-in), (2) 2500 Main Street (Fort Myers Beach, Salty Sam’s Waterfront Adventures), (3) 250 Estero Boulevard (Fort Myers Beach, Holiday Adventure Tours & Boat Rentals put-in), (4) 16991 State Route 31 (Sweetwater Landing put-in), (5) 18700 Punta Rassa Road (Punta Rassa Boat Ramp put-in), (6) 2200 Marina Park Drive (Jack’s Marina put-in), (7) 2227 Davis Boulevard (at Davis Boat Ramp put-in), (8) 18201 John Morris Road (Bunche Beach put-in), (9) 18500 North River Road (Alva, Caloosahatchee Regional Park put-in), (10) 2000 Edwards Drive (Centennial Park put-in), (11) 17980 Palm Beach Boulevard (Alva, at Hickey’s Creek Mitigation Park put-in), (12) 10901 State Route 80 (at Manatee Park put-in), (13) 3280 Marion Street (Shady Oaks Park put-in), (14) 1660 South Franklin Lock Road (Alva, W.P. Franklin Lock, Dam & Recreation Area put-in), (15) 50 Estero Boulevard (Fort Myers Beach, Bowditch Point Regional Park put-in), (16) 8800 Estero Boulevard (Fort Myers Beach, at Dog Beach put-in), (17) 8700 Estero Boulevard (Fort Myers Beach, Lovers Key State Park put-in), (18) 289 Connecticut Street (Fort Myers Beach, Mound House Archaeological & Historic Site put-in), (19) 17100 McDowell Drive (North Fort Myers, Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve put-in), (20) 10130 Bayshore Road (North Fort Myers, Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve put-in), (21) 1297 Driftwood (North Fort Myers, Judd Community Park put-in), or (22) 12901 North Cleveland Avenue (North Fort Myers, North Shore Park put-in); (1) 239-466-3133 (San Carlos RV Park), (2) 239-463-7333 (Salty Sam’s Waterfront Adventures), (3) 239-463-8661 (Holiday Adventure Tours & Boat Rentals), (4) 239-694-3850 (Sweetwater Landing), (5) 239-694-2708 (Jack’s Marina), (6) 239-765-6794 (Bowditch Point Regional Park & Bunche Beach Preserve), (7) 239-694-0398 (Lee County Parks & Recreation Department, which includes Caloosahatchee Regional Park), (8) 239-321-7530 (Fort Myers Parks & Recreation), (9) 239-690-5030 (Davis Boat Ramp & Manatee Park), (10) 239-338-2287 (Shady Oaks Park), (11) 239-694-2582 (W.P. Franklin Lock, Dam & Recreation Area), (12) 239-533-7275 (Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve, Dog Beach & Punta Rassa Boat Ramp), (13) 239-463-4588 (Lovers Key State Park), (14) 239-765-0865 (Mound House Archaeological & Historical Site), or (15) 239-461-7400 (Judd Community Park & North Shore Park); (1) saltysamsmarina.com (Salty Sam’s Waterfront Adventures), (2) holidaywatersportsfmb.com (Holiday Adventure Tours & Boat Rentals), (3) sweetwaterlanding.net (Sweetwater Landing), (4) jacksmarine.net (Jack’s Marina), (5) calusablueway.com, (6) leeparks.org, (7) saj.usace.army.mil (W.P. Franklin Lock, Dam & Recreation Area), or (8) moundhouse.org (Mound House Archaeological & Historical Site); canoe and/or kayak paddling trail that meanders 190 miles through Lee County coastal waters and inland tributaries; easy-to-identify brown signs guide paddlers through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic; perfect for both beginners seeking short trips and avid and experienced back-country paddlers.
●Hickey’s Creek Mitigation Park – 17980 Palm Beach Boulevard (Alva); 239-694-0398; leeparks.org; beautiful 862-acre preserve; scrub jay and gopher tortoises; fishing deck, 2 shelters, amphitheater, 5 miles hiking trails, and kayak landing.
●Lovers Key State Park – 8700 Estero Boulevard (Fort Myers Beach); 239-463-4588; floridastateparks.org/loverskey; pristine barrier island park; biking & hiking; shady trails; white sandy beach; kayak through sheltered canals to see manatees, wading birds, and other wildlife or paddle out to Gulf from white sandy beach.
●Manatee Park – 10901 State Route 80; 239-690-5030; leeparks.org; Florida manatee winter home; year-round home for butterflies and native plants.
●Mound House Archaeological & Historic Site – 289 Connecticut Street (Fort Myers Beach); 239-765-0865; moundhouse.org; Estero Island’s oldest standing structure (1906-21); sits on ancient Calusa Indian Mound; kayaking and sightseeing.
●Southwest Florida Museum of History – 2031 Jackson Street; 239-321-7430; swflmuseumofhistory.com.
Gasparilla IslandD
Sights & Sites
●Gasparilla Lighthouse – 880 Belcher Road (Boca Grande); 941-964-0060; floridastateparks.org/gasparillaisland; since 1800s.
Great Calusa Blueway – 19th Street Access (Boca Grande ar />ea, Bayside put-in spot); 941-964-2564 (Lee County Parks & Recreation Department); calusablueway.com or leeparks.org; canoe and/or kayak paddling trail that meanders 190 miles through Lee County coastal waters and inland tributaries; easy-to-identify brown signs guide paddlers through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic; perfect for both beginners seeking short trips and avid and experienced back-country paddlers.
Pine Island (includes Bokeelia, Cabbage Key, La Costa Island, Matlacha, Pineland & St. James City)
Hotels
●Cabbage Key Inn – Pineland (Cabbage Key); 239-283-2278; cabbagekey.com; atop ancient Calusa Indian shell mound; accessible only by boat; friendly, somewhat quirky inn built by novelist and playwright Mary Roberts Rinehart in 1938; surrounded by 100 acres tropical vegetation, through which natural trail runs; in addition to inn rooms, guest cottages.
Restaurants
●Cabbage Key Inn – Pineland (Cabbage Key); 239-283-2278; cabbagekey.com.
●Lazy Flamingo – 16501 Stringfellow Road (Bokeelia); 239-283-5959; lazyflamingo.com; dine either outside on deck or at bar & dining room inside; seafood worth special trip.
Services
●Tropic Star of Pine Island – 16498 Tortuga Street (Bokeelia); 239-283-0015; tropicstarcruises.com; kayak rentals and tours on Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail; ferry transport (and kayak transport) to Cayo Costa State Park and outer islands.
Shopping
●Andy’s Island Seafood – 4330 Pine Island Road (Matlacha); 239-283-2525; andysislandseafood.com; seafood & some prepared items.
Sights & Sites
●Cayo Costa State Park – La Costa Island; 941-964-0375; floridastateparks.org/cayocosta; west of Cape Coral and just north of Captiva & Sanibel Islands; accessible only by boat or helicopter; barrier island chain member; 9 miles soft white sandy beaches and 2.5K acres pine forests, oak-palm hammocks, and mangrove swamps; dolphins, manatees, and birds; hiking, off-road bicycling, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, picnicking, fishing, shelling, wildlife viewing, camping, and sunbathing; boat slips, beaches, hiking trails, picnic pavilions, 12 primitive camping cabins and bath house/restrooms; small nature center/gift shop with nature exhibits, as well as items for sale.
●Great Calusa Blueway – (1) 16498 Tortuga Street (Bokeelia, Tropic Star of Pine Island put-in), (2) 6001 Maria Drive (St. James City, Pine Island Commercial Marina put-in), (3) 7290 Barrancas Avenue (Bokeelia, Bokeelia Boat Ramp put-in), (4) 4577 Pine Island Road (Matlacha, Matlacha Community Park put-in), (5) Waterfront Drive (Pineland, Pineland Monument put-in), or (6) Tropical Point Drive (St. James City, Tropical Point put-in); (1) 239-283-0015 (Tropic Star of Pine Island), (2) 239-283-0015 (Bokeelia Boat Ramp), (3) 239-283-4110 (Matlacha) or (4) 239-533-7275 (Pine Island Commercial Marina, Pineland & Tropical Point); (1) tropicstarcruises.com (Tropic Star of Pine Island) or (2) leeparks.org; canoe and/or kayak paddling trail that meanders 190 miles through Lee County coastal waters and inland tributaries; easy-to-identify brown signs guide paddlers through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic; perfect for both beginners seeking short trips and avid and experienced back-country paddlers.
CITRUS COUNTY
Crystal River (includes Dunnellon & Williston)
Hotels
●Plantation on Crystal River – 9301 West Fort Island Trail (Crystal River); 352-795-4211; plantationoncrystalriver.com.
Sights & Sites
●Blue Grotto – 3852 Northeast 172nd Court (Williston); 352-528-5770; bluegrottocave.com or divebluegrotto.com; cave dive with no guide required.
●Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge – 1502 Southeast Kings Bay Drive; 352-563-2088; fws.gov/chassahowitzka; 31K acres about 70 miles north of St. Petersburg; famous as re-introduced eastern Whooping Crane population’s southern wintering site.
●Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge – 1502 Southeast Kings Bay Drive; 352-563-2088; fws.gov/crystalriver; last unspoiled and undeveloped habitat in Kings Bay; critical for protection of West Indian Manatee; springs constant 72 degrees, providing essential warm water refuge for manatees that congregate there in winter months; about 30 known springs; primary springs within refuge are Idiots Delight, Three Sisters, and King Springs group, which includes Tarpon Hole, Mullet’s Gullet, and Little Hidden springs; Three Sisters springs only one accessible by land; all others are boat accessible only; Three Sisters currently open to public only on certain dates.
●Devil’s Den – 5390 Northeast 180th Avenue (Williston); 352-528-3344; devilsden.com; cave dive that does not require guide.
●Rainbow River – 19158 Southwest 81st Place Road (Dunnellon); 352-465-8555; therainbowriver.com; water always 73°; fast current so take buddy.
COLLIER COUNTY
Chokoloskee
Sights & Sites
●Smallwood Store – 360 Mamie Street; 239-695-2989; smallwoodstore.com; established in 1906; now gift shop and museum.
Everglades City
Restaurants
●City Seafood – 702 Begonia Street; 239-695-4700; cityseafood.com; eat beside alligators and swamp boats.
●Triad Seafood – 401 School Drive West; 239-695-2662; triadseafoodmarketcafe.com; right on docks on Barron River; great stone crab (season only October 15-May 15); also good for conch fritters.
Sights & Sites
●Everglades National Park, Gulf Coast Visitor Center – 815 Oyster Bar Lane; 239-695-3311; everglades.nationalparks.org; good place to take boat tour.
Naples (includes Copeland & Marco Island)
Bars & Nightclubs
●Avenue Wine Cafe – 483 5th Avenue South; 239-403-9463; avenuewinecafe.com; caters to young professionals.
●Gumbo Limbo – 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road (at Ritz Carlton, Naples); 239-598-3300; ritzcarlton.com/naples; try Naples Sunset (fruity rum drink) and sit on outside deck.
●Vision Nightclub – 11901 Tamiami Trail North; 239-591-8383; visionniteclub.com; 3 rooms with disco balls and colored lights.
Beaches
●Barefoot Beach County Preserve – 2 Barefoot Beach Boulevard (at Bonita Beach Road’s western end); 239-591-8596; colliergov.net; Collier County Park; 342 acre undeveloped barrier island; boardwalks and trails crisscross preserve; rangers conduct interpretive sessions and daily back bay guided canoe tour.
●Bonita Beach – 27950 Hickory Boulevard (at Bonita Beach Road’s western end); 239-949-4615; bonitasprings.com.
●Clam Pass Park – Seagate Drive & Crayton Road (at Pine Ridge Road’s western end); 239-252-4000; colliergov.net; Collier County Park; 0.6-mile boardwalk winds through mangroves to beach from parking area.
●Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park – 11135 Gulfshore Drive (at Immokalee Road’s western end, just south of where Cocohatchee River empties into Gulf); 239-597-6196; floridastateparks.org; Florida State Park; lush wildlife habitat with mangroves covering 80% area.
●Lowdermilk Park – Gulf Shore Boulevard South (just off, at Naples City Park’s northern end); 239-263-6078; naplesgov.com; Naples City Park; beach is very short walk from parking area.
●Naples Beach & Pier – 25 12th Avenue South; 239-213-3062; naplesgov.com; Naples City Park; stretches 6 miles from Gordon Pass (south side) to Doctors Pass (north side); pier is midway point (can walk 3 miles south to Gordon Pass, or 3 miles north to Doctors Pass); dolphins, fish, and stingrays seen from pier.
●Vanderbilt Beach Park – Vanderbilt Beach Road (western end); 239-252-4000; colliergov.net; Collier County Park.
Hotels
●Hotel at Naples Bay Resort – 1500 5th Avenue South; 239-530-1199 or 866-605-1199; naplesbayresort.com; along picturesque waterway; 85 rooms; comfortable and modern.
●Ritz Carlton, Naples – 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road; 239-598-3300 or 800-542-8680; ritzcarlton.com/naples; large, elegant rooms; large spa.
Restaurants
●Jolly Cricket – 720 5th Avenue South; 239-304-9460; thejollycricket.com; ceiling fans and wicker chairs; good lunches; try fish and chips.
●Olio – 1500 5th Avenue South; 239-530-5110; olioonthebay.com; handsome, waterfront restaurant; Napa meets Tuscany menu.
●Sea Salt – 1186 3rd Street South; 239-434-7258; seasaltnaples.com; boisterous place devoted to local and organic ingredients; good Italian wine list.
Services
●Golden Door – 475 Seagate Drive (at Naples Grand Resort); 239-594-6321; goldendoor.com/naples.
Shopping
●David P. Loving Fine Jewelry – 640 5th Avenue South; 239-649-7455.
●Marissa Collections – 1167 3rd Street South; 239-263-4333; marissacollections.com; high-fashion fixture.
●Seraphim Boutique – 600 5th Avenue South, Suite 106; 239-261-8494; seraphimboutique.com; resort wear.
Sights & Sites
●Collier-Seminole State Park – 20200 East Tamiami Trail; 239-394-3397; floridastateparks.org/collierseminole; good fall and winter birdwatching; can see “Walking Dredge” used to build Tamiami Trail.
●Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park – 137 Coastline Drive; 239-695-4593; floridastateparks.org/fakahatcheestrand/default.cfm; forested swamp “thread”in Big Cypress; bald cypress, bromeliads, ferns, orchids (including rare “Ghost Orchid,” as in Orchid Thief), and royal palm; bald eagles, black bear, Everglades mink, fox squirrel, opossums, panther, raccoons, white-tailed deer, and Wood Stork.
●Marco Island Historical Museum – 180 South Heathwood Drive; 239-389-6447 or 239-642-1440; themihs.org; spotlights extinct Calusa civilization, including giant bronze replica of Key Marco Cat, dredged in 1869.
●Naples Botanical Garden – 4820 Bayshore Drive; 239-643-7275; naplesgarden.org; focus on subtropical flora.
●Naples Museum of Art – 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard; 239-597-1900; thephil.org; small gem with strong American Modernism selection; lovely Chihuly’s, too.
●Pier – 5th Street South; town pier.
●Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – 300 Tower Road; 239-417-6310; rookerybay.org; at 10K Islands' northern end; among few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America; 2.3K-gallon aquarium and interactive exhibits.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Pensacola
Bars & Nightclubs
●5 1/2 Bar – 2 South Palafox Place (at Vinyl Music Hall); 850-607-6758; vinylmusichall.com; artisanal cocktails.
●Pensacola Bay Brewery – 225 East Zaragoza Street; 850-434-3353; pbbrew.com; craft beers.
●Seville Quarter – 130 East Government Street; 850-434-6211; sevillequarter.com; New Orleans style bar.
Dives
●Pete Tide II – 180' oil-field supply vessel.
●San Pablo – 315' former WWII supply and transport vessel.
●Three Coal Barges – 3 barges, laid end-to-end, create artificial reef.
●USS Oriskany – 23 miles outside Pensacola Pass; 3 football fields long and 15 stories high; approachable only by scuba.
●YDT-14 – 132' US Navy diver tender.
Hotels
●Lee House – 400 Bayfront Parkway; 850-912-8770; leehousepensacola.com; inn built from 1866 estate’s “bones.”
Restaurants
●Fish House – 600 South Barracks Street; 850-470-0003; fishhouse.goodgrits.com; seafood and steaks; famous for gouda grits.
Shopping
●Joe Patti’s World-Famous Seafood Market – 524 South B Street; 850-432-3315; joepattis.com; gourmet food, as well as fresh seafood.
●Yana Apothicaire – 518 North 9th Street; 850-912-4815; apothicaireyana.com; Himalayan scarves, local designers’ products, and European cosmetics.
Sights & Sites
●Old Christ Church – 405 Adams Street; 850-595-5985; historicpensacola.org; Florida’s oldest church, built in 1832.
●Vinyl Music Hall – 2 South Palafox Place; 850-607-6758; vinylmusichall.com; sweaty, southern rock den.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Apalachiccola
Bars & Nightclubs
●Roseate Spoonbill Lounge – 123 Water Street; 850-653-8139; apalachicolariverinn.com; dockside bar.
Hotels
●Apalachicola Inn – 123 Water Street; 850-653-8139; apalachicolariverinn.com; humble but nice.
Restaurants
●Boss Oyster – 123 Water Street; 850-653-9364; apalachicolariverinn.com; dockside restaurant frequented by pelicans.
●Caroline’s River Dining – 123 Water Street; 850-653-9364; apalachicolariverinn.com.
●Up Creek Raw Bar – 313 Water Street; 850-653-2525; upthecreekrawbar.com; covered and open-air decks; make sure to try smoked yellow-fin tuna dip, as well as oysters.
GULF COUNTY
Port St. Joe
Dives
●Vamar – mbara.org/vamar.cfm; 170' steamer that once served as Admral Byrd’s 1928 Antarctic expedition support ship.
Restaurants
●Indian Pass Raw Bar – 8391 Indian Pass Road; 850-227-1670; indianpassrawbar.com; traces roots back to commissary/company store for 1903 turpentine operation; building as it stands today constructed in present location to take advantage of traffic resulting from highway built in 1929; in early 1930s, Mrs. Gypsie McNeill (owner Jim’s grandmother) served noon meals; Raw Bar phase actually began in 1986 after hurricane "Kate" virtually destroyed wholesale oyster businesses in which McNeills extensively engaged; having more oysters than we could eat ourselves, and not enough to continue wholesaling, decision made to open establishment as it is today.
LEON COUNTY
Tallahassee (includes Crawfordville & Panacea)
Restaurants
●Blu Halo – 3431 Bannerman Road; 850-792-7884; thebluhalo.com; high-end steakhouse.
●Tropical Trader Shrimp Co. – 91 Coastal Highway (Panacea); 850-984-3474; facebook.com/TropicalTrader; very popular with cool, laid-back setting.
●Spring Creek Restaurant – 33 Ben Willis Road; 850-926-3751; springcreekfl.com; hard to find and near water; worth effort; seafood; oysters.
●Angelo & Sons Seafood Restaurant – 5 Mashes Sands Road (Panacea); 850-984-5168; angeloandsonseafoodrestaurant.com; Angelo’s father, George Petrandis, constructed original building in 1945 from salvaged lumber & nails he acquired from closing of Camp Gordon Johnson at St. Teresa Beach; was cleverly positioned over Ochlockonee Bay in order to be located in “wet” county (Leon & Wakulla were dry at time); quickly became favorite watering hole for locals but food drew crowds too; in 2005 Hurricane Denis struck, destroying 60 year-old building; now in new building but still notable for fresh-off-boat seafood.
Sights & Sites
●Mary Brogan Museum of Art & Science – 350 South Duvall Street; 850-513-0700; thebrogan.org.
●Lewis (Spring) House – 3117 Okeeheepkee Road; ; preservespringhouse.org; built in 1954, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, for George Lewis II, Lewis State Bank President; National Trust for Historic Preservation describes significance: novel hemicycle form represents late & little known stage in Wright’s long, prolific career.
MANATEE COUNTY
Bradenton (includes Anna Maria Island)
Hotels
●Pineapplefish Luxury Villas – 519 Pine Avenue (Anna Maria Island); 941-778-7200; pineapplefish.com; look at on-line pictures; “Mintfish” especially attractive.
Sights & Sites
●Anna Maria Historic Green Village – 501-503 Pine Avenue (Anna Maria Island); pineapplefish.com/ami-green-village; retail complex powered entirely by renewable energy.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Destin
Hotels
●Jetty East Condominiums – 500 Gulf Shore Drive; 850-837-2141 or 800-368-0222; jettyeast.net.
●Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort – 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West; 850-267-8000 or 866-931-2759 or 800-622-1038; sandestin.com.
Fort Walton Beach
Dives
●Miss Louise – 95' tugboat.
PASCO COUNTY
New Port Richey
Sights & Sites
●Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park – 10500 Wilderness Park Boulevard; 727-834-3247; swfwmd.state.fl.us; biking and hiking trails, camping sites, picnic areas, equestrian trails and cabins on Pithlachascotee River; named after cattle rancher Jay B. Starkey, who bought property in 1937 and later donated 100s acres; park connects with Serenova and Anclote River tracts, as well as Suncoast Trail; area includes pine flatwoods, cypress domes, freshwater marshes, stream and lake swamps, sandhill and scrub over combined 6K acre wetland ecosystem spread throughout 18K acres of conservation lands.
Shady Hills
Services
●Central Pasco & Gulf Railroad – 16739 Crews Lane; 727-639-7639; cpgrr.org; free rides on scaled down train on 2nd Saturday each month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (train depot located near Shelter #2 by log cabin).
Sights & Sites
●Crews Lake Wilderness Park – 16739 Crews Lane; 727-861-3038; pascocountyfl.net/index.aspx?NID=305; 113 acre wilderness park; observation tower, bird houses, paved bike path, nature trails, botanical garden; birdwatching.
SARASOTA COUNTY
Sarasota (includes Longboat & St. Armands Keys)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●C’est la Vie – 1553 Main Street; 941-906-9575; mybitesite.com/cestlavie; everything from chocolate croissants to ham & cheese crepes; can sit outside or in; long lines, especially on Saturdays because sits amid Farmers’ Market.
●Kilwin’s Chocolates of St. Armands – 312 John Ringling Boulevard; 941-388-3200; kilwins.com/sarasota; ice cream; open since 1947.
Bars & Nightclubs
●Bar at Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse – 35 South Lemon Avenue; 941-366-7788; hydeparkrestaurants.com/maps/hp-sarasota/index.htm; clubby, cool, plush.
●CdZ Bar – 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive (at Ritz-Carlton Hotel); 941-309-2000; ritzcarlton.com; heavy wood paneling and upholstered sofas yet beach casual; famous for toasted almond martini (dessert drink).
●Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant – 1216 1st Street; 941-952-1036; ceviche.com; Spanish; in restored, former Sarasota Times building; rooftop, open-air bar, illuminated at night by red lanterns, torches, and tv screens; try Ceviche Island Mojito and water view.
●Marina Jack – 2 Marina Plaza (between downtown and St. Armands Circle); 941-365-4232; marinajacks.com; can sit on outdoor dock and admire boats in marina.
●Mattison’s 41 – 7275 South Tamiami Trail; 941-921-3400; mattisons.com; great for outdoor martinis.
Beaches
●Lido – 400 Ben Franklin Drive.
●Siesta – 948 Beach Road (Siesta Key, parking lot address); visitsarasota.org/siesta-key or simplysiestakey.com/beach.htm; white sand beach is nearly pure quartz crystal.
Hotels
●Hilton Longboat Key – 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive (Longboat Key); 941-383-2451 or 855-271-3621; longboatkeyhilton.com; affordable, in ideal setting.
●Ritz-Carlton Sarasota – 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive; 941-309-2000 or 800-542-8680; ritzcarlton.com.
Restaurants
●Blue Dolphin – 470 John Ringling Boulevard (St. Armands Circle); 941-388-3566; bluedolphincafe.com; brightly painted walls and paisley-print booths; funky, Florida coffee shop; breakfast.
●C’est la Vie – 1553 Main Street; 941-906-9575; mybitesite.com/cestlavie; everything from chocolate croissants to ham & cheese crepes; can sit outside or in; long lines, especially on Saturdays because sits amid Farmers’ Market.
●Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant – 1216 1st Street; 941-952-1036; ceviche.com; Spanish food; 3rd floor has full tapas menu; main dining room is below.
●Le Colonne Restaurant – 22 South Boulevard of Presidents (on St. Armands Circle); 941-388-4348; lecolonnerestaurant.com; Italian; outdoor dining on balcony, weather permitting.
●Euphemia Haye – 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive (Longboat Key); 941-383-3633; euphemiahaye.com; area’s most extraordinary restaurant; romantically lit; known for crispy roast duckling filled with bread stuffing and accompanied by fruit sauce; upstairs is Haye Loft, casual dessert bar and lounge with live entertainment; up here, can sample pies topped with thick whipped cream, as well as kitchen’s offerings because has light-fare menu, including soups, appetizers, small pizzas, and sandwiches.
●Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse – 35 South Lemon Avenue; 941-366-7788; hydeparkrestaurants.com/maps/hp-sarasota/index.htm; clubby atmosphere in mid-west chain.
●Mattison’s 41 – 7275 South Tamiami Trail; 941-921-3400; mattisons.com; chef-owned; soups, salads, steaks, seafood, sandwiches and pizzas.
●Mozaic – 1377 Main Street; 941-951-6272; mozaicsarasota.com; chef Dylan Elhajoui is from Morocco and restaurant combines Moroccan and Southern Mediterranean cuisines.
●Old Salty Dog – 1601 Ken Thompson Parkway; 941-388-4311; theoldsaltydog.com; for waterside lunch; original owners were English and you can still have fish & chips.
●Troyer’s Dutch Heritage Restaurant – 3713 Bahia Vista Street; 941-955-8007; troyersdutchheritage.com; country breakfast buffet; popular with Amish snowbirds.
●Yoder’s Restaurant – 3434 Bahia Vista Street; 941-955-7771; yodersrestaurant.com; notable for Southern Fried Chicken, as well as Peanut Butter Pancakes.
Shopping
●FantaSea Seashells – 378 St. Armands Circle (St. Armands Key); 941-388-3031; fantaseashells.com.
●Island Pursuit – 357 St. Armands Circle (St. Armands Key); 941-388-4515; islandpursuit.com; beachwear and related products.
●Yoder’s Fresh Market – 3434 Bahia Vista Street; 941-556-7684; yodersrestaurant.com; fresh food.
Sights & Sites
●Bird Key Park – 200 John Ringling Causeway; 941-365-2200; discovernaturalsarasota.org/listing/bird-key-park-sarasota or bkia.org/links.html; roadside park at Ringling Causeway’s western foot; great place to canoe, fish, kayak, or windsurf; scenic Sarasota Bay views, as well as of downtown Sarasota and Lido Key; occasional dolphin sightings.
●John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art – 5401 Bay Shore Road; 941-359-5700; ringling.org; Florida’s state art museum, established in 1927; 21 galleries, including European paintings as well as Cypriot antiquities and Asian, American, and contemporary art; most celebrated items are 16th-20th Century European paintings, including works by Peter Paul Rubens, Benjamin West, Marcel Duchamp, Diego Velázquez, Paolo Veronese, Rosa Bonheur, Lucas Cranach (Elder), Frans Hals, Nicolas Poussin, Joseph Wright (of Derby), Thomas Gainsborough, Eugène Boudin, and Benedetto Pagni; in all, more than 150K' square, including art museum, circus museum, and Ca’ d’Zan (Ringlings’ mansion).
●Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium – 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway; 941-388-4441; mote.org; manatees and sea turtles.
●Marie Selby Botanical Garden – 811 South Palm Avenue; 941-366-5731; selby.org; emphasis on orchids but plenty of other reasons to go.
●St. Armands Circle – St. Armands Key; high-end restaurant and shopping destination.
WAKULLA COUNTY
St. Marks
Sights & Sites
●St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge – 1255 Lighthouse Road; 850-925-6121; saintmarks.fws.gov; among U.S.’s oldest wildlife refuges; established 1931 as migratory bird wintering ground; encompasses 68K acres spread between Jefferson, Taylor & Wakulla Counties; saltwater marshes, islands, tidal creeks & estuaries of 7 north Florida rivers; St. Marks Lighthouse is Florida’s 2nd oldest; gateway to Great Florida Birding Trail; inhabited by black bear, bobcat, otter, raccoon, fox, coyote, amphibians, alligator, snakes & many different bird species (waders, shorebirds, waterfowl & raptors); trails traverse through widely varied ecosystems.
WALTON COUNTY
Freeport (includes Grayton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach & Seaside)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Donut Hole – 6745 US 98; 850-267-3239 (Santa Rosa Beach); facebook.com/pages/The-Donut-Hole/285002488214805; key lime donuts for 20 years.
Food Trucks
●Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs – 2235 East County Highway 30A (Seaside); 850-231-0802; facebook.com/pages/Wild-Bills-Beach-Dogs/187005514683362; hotdogs with gluten-free buns.
Restaurants
●Nick’s Seafood Restaurant – 7585 Highway 20; 850-835-2222; nicksseafoodrestaurant.com; culinary miracle known for oysters in extremely unprepossessing setting; worth special trip; also, good carrot cake & fried green tomatoes.
●Sally’s by Sea – 2320 West County Highway 30A (Santa Rosa Beach); 850-267-2016; facebook.com/pages/Sallys-by-The-Sea-Store/143449902352194; seemingly, gas station store that serves food to go (take to beach); burgers are juicy; perfect fries; also known for homemade pimento cheese and homemade chicken salad; and, on Fridays, they slow roast hogs; try ribs.
●Shorty’s Surfside & Topside – 63 Hotz Avenue (Grayton Beach); 850-468-0417; shortyssurfside.com; dining, drinks, and live music; not on water (but near).
Sights & Sites
●Grayton Beach State Park – Santa Rosa Beach; 850-267-8300; floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach.
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