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We hopped on a direct flight to Fort Myers, Florida to escape the many shades of gray that make up a Cincinnati winter. While the beaches may be the highlight, we found a few unusual and unique things to do in Fort Myers that are worth checking out.
8 Unusual Things To Do In Fort Myers Florida
Fort Myers is a beautiful beach city along the Gulf of Mexico, offering some of the best beaches and diverse ecosystems in the United States. Spend time on the barrier islands, experience various outdoor activities, and discover the city’s rich history.
Squeeze in Sun Harvest Citrus
What is the one thing Florida is known for besides sunny beaches and Disney World?! ORANGES!! Therefore, it only makes sense to visit a place where they squeeze some of the freshest OJ in town!
Sun Harvest is conveniently located on the way to and from the airport, so it is an easy, must-see attraction. Check out the packinghouse to see how oranges are distributed. Unfortunately, we were there on an off day, so we didn’t get to see any orange action.
The highlight of the visit is tasting all the wonderful citrus and freshly squeezed juices!
There was no charge for the tasting, and it was some of the best citruses ever tasted.
The only concentrate in this place is the folks concentrating on how much citrus they are going to take home.
Since renting a condo, we opted to get a half-gallon of juice to take with us and enjoy all week, along with plenty of fresh citruses!
One of the best things to do at Sun Harvest is get an orange twist ice cream. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
ORANGE YOU GLAD YOU FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS PLACE?!
Discover The Manatee Park
Another one of our favorite unusual things To Do In Fort Myers is visit the Manatee Park. If you have ever wanted to see one of these gentle giants, come to Manatee Park during the winter months. The park is located near an energy plant. Manatees escape to these warmer waters during periods when the gulf dips below 68 degrees.
While you won’t see them in the clean and clear tank like at the zoo, you can see them in the wild. They are frequently coming to the surface, so if you watch long enough, you will be able to catch one. You can even rent kayaks to get up close and personal with all the marine visitors to Manatee Park.
Admission to the park is free, but you will have to pay for parking, which is very nominal. There are educational plaques scattered throughout the park that tell all about the Manatees and the other sea life that calls Fort Myers home.
Kayaking at Manatee Park
Public kayak launches are available during park hours. If you wish to rent a kayak, check out Manatee Kayaking Company.
Grab the Catch of the Day at Dixie Fish Co.
Are you with a group of people who can never make up their minds about where to go and what to eat? End the hour-long back and forth and visit Dixie Fish Co.
By the time you have scanned Yelp and read endless reviews, you could already be sitting down with a cold rum punch and some of the best food in Fort Myers Beach.
A few must-have items is the whole fish of the day. This is a fresh catch that is prepared the way you choose. The selection of rum punches is fabulous. I preferred the rum punches at Dixie Fish over the Doc Fords Rum Bar next door. They have a bacon-crusted grouper sandwich that is heavenly.
If I still don’t have you persuaded, we ate there more than once during this trip. Parking is a nightmare; you will likely have to park in the Doc Fords Rum Bar lot.
Go Shelling on Sanibel Island
The barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva make for a great day trip if you are not already staying there. I have never in my entire life seen a beach with so many shells. It is one of the best places to go shelling.
A walk on the beach will leave you with your hands so full of shells that you fear you may drop one of your treasures while walking to your car. The entire beach is a shell bonanza, but if you watch the locals and those who visit frequently, they know the secret to a good shell is to get in the water to look or comb the beach super early.
I even enjoyed watching dolphins swim within a few feet of where I was wading. Check out the lighthouse and the walking trail around it.
Check out these great Things To Do On Sanibel Island Besides Their Great Beaches.
Motor Tour at the J.N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
While you are visiting Sanibel Island, I recommend checking out the Wildlife Refuge. With a fussy six-month-old baby, I wanted to explore more of this great park, but someone wasn’t having it.
Therefore, I sat in the car and took the scenic drive, stopping to see some spectacular wildlife and scenery. There were times when the people-watching was far better than the bird-watching, and let me tell you, there are some interesting specimens to be had.
The park is gorgeous and should not be missed. I wish we had more time and had come prepared to go hiking. Read more about their trails here.
Note: It is cash only, so if you can’t scrape up five bucks, you will have to find an ATM (for those interested, there are a few on the island, speaking from experience).
Indulge In Cake At The Bubble Room
As of early 2024, the Bubble Room was temporarily closed for repairs. Please check their website for the status of their reopening.
The inner child in us all rejoiced once we gazed upon the tray of homemade cake from the heavens – all willpower immediately flew out the window. The real question is not what piece to get but how many pieces you should get.
It is somebody’s birthday somewhere, and you should celebrate. My photo did not do the cake justice, so I will not post it, but a quick Google search will reveal the layers of deliciousness.
The restaurant, in general, is a very unique and bizarre place to eat. It is a museum of old toys, paired with Christmas and topped with old Hollywood, and they just so happen to serve food!
We opted only to do drinks and cake, which is what I would recommend, especially for those on a budget. When you are in Captiva Island, be sure to check out the Bubble Room. 
The Shell Factory- One Of The Most Unusual Things To Do In Fort Myers
Speaking of unique and bizarre things, the Shell Factory, by far, takes the cake! Speaking of cake, seriously, though, go get a piece from Bubble Room. This is likely one of the most unusual things to do in Fort Myers.
There are truly no words to describe the eclectic collections of randomness that make up this oddly yet curious place. You literally leave thinking, what in the world did I just visit? Upon arrival, you are under the impression you are visiting a place with shells and a shell museum, but my friend, you are in for so much more. Whether you want it or not.
There is an Eco-park, fun park, and many restaurants, and if you are lucky, you may even catch a car show or flea market. That is all on top of the massive mega gift shop with the world’s largest collection of taxidermy animals (or so they claim). No lie, one minute you are looking at shells, and then
BAM!! YOU SEE THIS!
I think you will browse by the Christmas Store….one minute, you are looking at Jolly Old Saint Nick, then you turn around to see THAT!!!!
To add to all the confusion and weirdness, there is a massive arcade with some of the most bizarre and wild things to spend money on.
Coin-Operated Camel Ride?!?!
YES, PLEASE! Baby Soph thoroughly enjoyed this place mainly because there was something crazy to see around every corner. That’s why I think you need to visit this place at least once!
We did do the Eco Park while we visited and doubt we will do it again, mainly because it was too expensive for what you got. The park reminded me of R.L. Stine’s Horrorland mixed with Disney’s Goofy Movie Lester’s Possum Park.
TO BE FAIR, MY DAUGHTER LOVE IT. 
It is a nostalgic, old-school 1980s Florida fun park with their “vintage” Dinosaur Park. In my opinion, kids
will love it, and parents will be left scratching their heads.
Visit Lakes Park
Enjoy the Florida sunshine and walk off your five pieces of cake by visiting Lakes Park. This beautiful park has something for all ages and costs hardly anything. Admission to the park is free; you have to pay to park.
There are many water areas, playgrounds, beautiful lakes, and walking trails for the kids. The park even houses the Railroad Museum of South that is home to a huge train play area for the little ones. Rent kayaks and bikes, or go fishing. It is easy to spend a whole day here, take in the wildlife, and relax. This is where the locals hang out, so check out community events. Rumor has it they host an amazing farmers’ market.
More Unique Things To Do In Fort Myers, Florida
We have covered some of the best places in Fort Myers that are off the beaten path. Here are a few more great things to do in the area you don’t want to miss.
- The Edison and Ford Winter Estates– See the winter homes of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, stroll the botanical garden, explore the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory, and visit the recently renovated Edison Ford Museum.
- IMAG History and Science Center- This is a great place to get up close with marine life; they even have a touch tank.
- Catch spring training for the Minnesota Twins at the Lee Health Sports Complex.
- Discover hidden gems in downtown Fort Myers River District, such as making a reservation for the Wisteria Tearoom or catching live music at one of the many bars and restaurants.
- Check out one of the incredible nature events at the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium. They have night hikes, speakers, and sensory days.
- Nature lovers will want to explore the six mile cypress Slough Preserve.
Tips For Visiting The Beach with Baby
Baby Soph adventured to the sea for the first time at the ripe old age of 7 months. It was a lot to take in for such a tiny person, but she enjoyed it. We loved nothing more than to play in the sand and find little treasures to attempt to stick in our mouths.
It only took eating sand once to realize that it is not good. The ocean was scary at first, but over time, she would kick our feet in low tide with little waves. I only have a few tips for taking the baby to the beach that may help you during your travels if you bring a baby.
- Don’t forget baby sunscreen and sun hats. Babies burn in a minute, so don’t forget to have them covered and bring them with you if you will be out more than 45 minutes and need to reapply.
- Pick up your supplies at the local store instead of dragging it all with you through the airport. A Target was nearby, so we placed a pickup order for baby food, diapers, formula, and wipes. We walked into Target, picked up our order, and were on our way! EASIEST THING EVER! That way, we didn’t load the suitcases down, and we were able to pack our travel pack in play in one of the suitcases! LIKE HELL, I’m paying extra for them to fly my pack-in play down!
- Have layers available for the baby in the event it gets chilly or windy.
Enjoy every moment with your little one as they experience the beauty of the beach and ocean.
Looking for another great beach vacation? A Gulf Shores Vacation is always a good idea!
