Vacationing to Fort Myers in Southwest Florida is a popular option for travelers because the city offers the best of both worlds: A vibrant and walkable downtown paired with nearby serene beaches along the Gulf Coast.

Stay in a cozy bungalow along the beach, luxury estate, or high-rise with the best views and take in the beaches and natural beauty by day and then enjoy unique restaurants, a rooftop bar that overlooks the Caloosahatchee River, and other downtown Fort Myers attractions by night.

Whether you’ve been to downtown Fort Myers before or this is your first time, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about visiting downtown Fort Myers, from hidden gems, the best place for a slice of pizza, local events, to some cool tidbits on the area’s history and some of the famous faces who helped nurture it into the thriving hub of culture we know it as today.

Is Downtown Fort Myers Walkable?

One of the most desirable things about visiting downtown Fort Myers is its walkability. If you will have a car during your stay, there are two parking garages from which to choose, with ample space available. If you are visiting during an event like Art Walk or Music Walk, it’s best to arrive early and ensure that you have enough time to find parking.

Downtown Fort Myers is part of the historic River District. Exploring the city on foot is one of the best ways to get around since there is a large concentration of historic buildings and beautiful architecture to admire. Walking tours are available if you’d like to immerse yourself and learn more about the area’s history.

If you visit during the fall and want to experience some spooky local history, True Tours offers Stories of the Stones Cemetery Tours to learn about Fort Myers’ most famous and infamous pioneers. Founded in the late 1800s, you never know what you’ll find in Fort Myers.

What Are The Best Downtown Fort Myers Restaurants?

Along the way, you’ll walk by some restaurants that are hard to resist. Some are great for a midday lunch after a morning of shopping or boating; others are perfect for a date night or a stylish night out with the family.

If you’re looking for unique hidden gems, The 86 Room is one you must put on your list. Located at 22 Patio De Leon and only open in the evenings, it has strong prohibition-era vibes down to the decor, drinks available, and clothing worn by the bartenders.

Bruno’s of Brooklyn is another local favorite. If you enjoy home-cooked Italian food in a fine dining setting, get over to 2149 First St. as fast as possible when visiting downtown Fort Myers. Open for lunch and dinner, it can be a fabulous date night spot, a place for celebrations, and a great place to gather with friends and loved ones.

If you’re in the mood for late-night pizza, Downtown House of Pizza Fort Myers, known affectionately as DHOP, is where you must go. It is located at 1520 Hendry St., right in the heart of downtown Fort Myers, and is open late. It also has lots of seating available, making it an excellent spot for a quick, delicious bite any time of day.

What is the Fort Myers River District?

The brick-paved streets of the downtown historic district in Fort Myers, FL, are home to the most historic buildings in Southwest Florida. The River District is in and encompasses most of downtown Fort Myers, and many of its buildings are from the early 1900s when the area became more popular and built up. When you’re walking around and enjoying the atmosphere visiting downtown Fort Myers, it’s easy to feel like you’ve been transported back to the 1920s while you take in the buildings, paved streets, and the city’s architecture.

Henry Ford and Thomas Edison even used to vacation in Fort Myers, and their homes are still standing minutes from downtown Fort Myers, with tours available throughout the day. The palm trees you see lining McGregor Boulevard leading into downtown Fort Myers are also supposed to be planted by Edison.

The Ford’s Garage restaurant at 2207 First St. is a must when visiting downtown Fort Myers. It is known for its tribute to Ford by its décor and fun atmosphere for every occasion.

Another beautiful old building that’s just as nice on the inside as on the outside is the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center, known for all types of art exhibits and events throughout the year. Made of limestone from the Florida Keys, the building opened in 1933. Look closely at the walls, and you’ll see coral formations and seashells.

Downtown Fort Myers Events for Your Next Southwest Florida Vacation

Downtown Fort Myers hosts various events year-round that showcase the local community.

Monthly events include Art Walk on the first Friday and Music Walk on the third Friday of the month, from 6-10 p.m. Free access to galleries, exhibitions, and live performances is a great way to end the week with those you love the most.

Special events locals and visitors look forward to each year include the Edison Festival of Lights in February, which holds the title of the largest night parade in the Southeast. Local businesses and organizations go all out each year decorating floats, and regional marching bands put on a stellar performances through downtown Fort Myers.

The first weekend of February is also home to ArtFest, which highlights over 200 artists.

If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to check out the Taste of Lee in November. The family-friendly gathering shows off Lee County’s local restaurants. There is also music and a kid’s area.

While not technically an event, downtown Fort Myers shopping, with its many unique shops, can be fun and interesting, like an event all its own.

Ask us for more information when you book your stay, and we’ll see what’s happening while you’re here so you don’t miss out on any fun.

Finding the Perfect Vacation Rental in Downtown Fort Myers

Downtown Fort Myers has been a hub for creating unique, lasting memories and experiencing all that Southwest Florida has offered for many years. It is one of the most unique parts of Fort Myers and a truly treasured part of our community. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Whether you’re staying in Fort Myers and plan on visiting downtown Fort Myers often during your stay, or you’re staying nearby in Cape Coral or Fort Myers Beach and want to spend a day or two exploring downtown Fort Myers and the surrounding area, this guide will make sure you don’t miss anything the River District has to offer.

Let us know what type of vacation rental you’re looking for and how close you’d like to be to downtown Fort Myers, and we’ll find something that checks all the boxes. Your vacation rental sets the tone for your trip. We can accommodate large groups, beach views, and easy beach access, something cozy for two, or those wanting to stay in a luxury high-rise with some of the best coastal views you can find.

Browse our fabulous Fort Myers rentals to get started. We can’t wait to help you find your dream rental and hear what you love the most about visiting downtown Fort Myers.

Southwest Florida is home to the only museum in the United States that’s dedicated solely to seashells and mollusks. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is a natural history museum and aquarium located on Sanibel Island, in Southwest Florida, on the Gulf Coast.

It showcases shells from all over the world and is home to marine wildlife, including octopuses, Giant Clams, and conchs. Children will love the hands-on touch pools, and the whole family can enjoy the daily gallery and aquarium talks. If you’re dreaming about escaping somewhere warm and tropical and want to learn something new, a vacation to the best shell museum in Florida is in order.

A vacation to Sanibel Island is an excuse to treat yourself. Visiting the shell museum and gaining a new understanding of the area’s beauty and marine life is a bonus.

What is Sanibel Island’s Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum?

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, often regarded as the best shell museum in Florida, opened in 1995. It is the information and reference center for shell enthusiasts and scientists interested in marine, terrestrial, and freshwater mollusks along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum was established in 1990 with a gift of land from brothers John, Francis, and Sam Bailey, in memory of their parents, Frank P. Bailey and Annie Mead Matthews. Truly a local creation, the museum’s building was designed by architect George “Tutts” Tuttle Jr., from nearby Captiva Island.

The museum is a great place to visit for the whole family, offering something new and exciting for people of all ages. A variety of temporary exhibits are available for exploration, as well as more than 30 permanent exhibits, including the Great Hall of Shells, which features over 550,000 shells to examine. The Living Gallery of Aquariums also displays over 60 species of marine life. You could spend your entire vacation taking in all that the best shell museum in Florida has to offer and still return to discover something new.

The Great Hall of Shells is currently under construction after being destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022; however, we are excited to share that it is slated to reopen in summer 2025. Pricing has been reduced while the main shell exhibits on the second floor are undergoing redesign and installation.

PRICING (see the Museum’s Website for updates):

• $12 for adults
• $10 for seniors and veterans
• $8 for youth who are 12 to 17 years old, educators, and students
• $5 for children who are five to 11 years old
• Free for museum members, children younger than five, and active military members

The museum is closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day, and will close at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Please keep this in mind if you’re vacationing in Southwest Florida in the winter and plan accordingly.

You’ll find the Shell Museum at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road in Sanibel, Florida. If you plug it into your GPS, you should have no problem finding the location. If you’re not staying on the island, you’ll love the drive over the causeway. Embrace the emerald-turquoise water, families enjoying the small beaches on each side of the road, and the beautiful shore birds flying overhead.

The Living Gallery of Aquariums is open each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Florida Seashell Identification Chart – Southwest Florida Edition

Looking for seashells has a name — Shelling — and can be enjoyed by both serious collectors and beginners.

The main shell you need to know how to spot is the coveted Junonia. It’s a rare find on the islands because they usually live far offshore. It can be spotted by its distinctive pattern of creamy white with brown dots. A type of sea snail usually occupies the Junonia, and its shell allows it to camouflage with the sand on the ocean floor.

Here is the comprehensive guide from the best shell museum in Florida about all the other shells you may find on your next Southwest Florida vacation.

If you’re interested in learning everything you can about shells and mollusks, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium hosts a variety of lectures, classes, and beach walks throughout the year. It is truly a monument to shelling in Southwest Florida and around the world.

Where Do You Find the Best Shells During Your Florida Vacation?

It’s no question that some of the best seashells can be found on Sanibel Island — and that’s no accident. This is because Sanibel is shaped like a dolphin and curves perpendicular to the coastline, meaning the southern currents help all kinds of shells from around the world wash up on the island’s shore. Some of the best shells can be found on Sanibel’s southern tip because its east-west orientation doubles as a shovel to scoop up seashells from all over the globe.

Imagine waking up each morning and walking down to the beach to see which unique and incredible seashells you can find. You can keep them all for yourself or bring them back as souvenirs for your friends.

Another option, just as beautiful as Sanibel, is Captiva Island, located about 20 minutes down the road.

Here are some Sanibel beaches to keep in mind for finding the best seashells:

1. Lighthouse Beach has a lot of the smaller shells, but don’t give up. The selection can expand as you progress along the breathtaking coast.
2. If you’re looking for larger treasures, we recommend visiting the north end of Captiva.
3. On the way there, you’ll pass Sanibel’s Blind Pass Beach or cross the bridge over the pass to Turner Beach on Captiva’s south end. These are excellent spots as well.

To blend in and feel like a local, do the “Sanibel Stoop,” a fancy term meaning to bend at the waist to pick up a seashell. The stoop is a popular sight on the islands and a rite of passage.

Planning Educational Vacation Ideas

Besides enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the world, there are numerous benefits to planning an educational and informative trip to Sanibel Island. Learning about the area’s shells and marine life — or learning anything new on a vacation — can help instill confidence, enhance social skills, and foster curiosity and critical thinking.

It also helps create lasting memories that kids will cherish for years to come.

The Bailey-Matthews Museum is also home to one of the most impressive aquariums in Southwest Florida.

Everyone will love the exhibits in the Living Gallery of Aquariums. Watch the behavior of mollusks and learn about their anatomy, how they grow, what they eat, and so much more.

A special hands-on play area for children is available, featuring displays, games, and a tank with indigenous mollusks for investigation.

Finding a Vacation Rental Near the Beach So You Can Find the Best Seashells

If you’re looking for a vacation rental on Sanibel Island near the best shell museum in Florida, we can help you find the perfect home that checks off all the boxes. Whether it’s a cozy beach bungalow, a luxury home with ample space that’s steps from the beach, or a well-appointed rental with resort-style amenities, Royal Shell has got you covered. We’re local and we know the area well. We’re happy to share our knowledge with you, too. Start planning your next vacation, and visit the best shell museum in Florida.

One of the main reasons many choose to vacation along Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast is because of its beautiful beaches and tranquil emerald-turquoise waters. If you have children with you or you’re young at heart, you may be wondering how to build a sandcastle that will rival all other sandcastles.

This guide on how to build a sandcastle on vacation in Southwest Florida will help you learn how to pick the right spot, gather the best tools, build a strong foundation, and construct a sandcastle that a king or queen could call home.

For an added bonus, readers will also learn about one of the most unique competitions in Southwest Florida. Each year, professional sand sculptors gather on Fort Myers Beach and construct sandy creations that can only be described as a work of art. They are huge and provide extraordinary detail.

How to Build a Good Sandcastle Foundation

Whether you are staying on Sanibel or Captiva Islands, Fort Myers Beach, or Naples, there are some seriously good beaches to explore.

The first thing you should do is find a spot along the shore where the sand is the most pliable. Keep yourself a good distance from the waves breaking onto the shore so your structure doesn’t get destroyed. A great sandcastle foundation sets the tone.

The main thing a sandcastle needs is a water source. A self-replenishing water hole can help you access a never-ending water supply. You’ll want to mix equal parts sand and water for the best sand castle mixture. Add water to a bucket first, then dry sand for easier blending. Pile the sand from your water hole and compact it into a round, level base that’s two to three feet in diameter. This is how to build a good sand castle foundation because it adds height and ensures proper drainage for your creation.

How to Build a Big Sandcastle

If you want to learn how to build a big sandcastle on vacation, a solid foundation is the first step, and it can also help you build a giant structure.

Step one for building a big sandcastle is to create a large pile of sand without digging any holes. Scoop the top layer of sand off from a large area away from the water since the sand is finer and more pliable. Some recommend tracing a large circle in the sand and building up a pile of sand using shovels.

Step two is adding a lot of water, which means buckets and buckets. Try pouring the water, packing it down with your feet, and repeating several more times.

Step three is building up the pile so it is a good height, about two feet tall. One secret weapon master sandcastle sculptors use is a five-gallon bucket with the bottom cut out to help form the towers and other structures of the castle. To begin forming a tower, place the bottomless bucket upside down on top of the pile of sand.

Step four is filling the bucket one-third full with sand and adding more water until the water level is above the sand level. Next, stir the sand by hand to ensure uniformly wet sand. Then, gently tap the sides of the bucket to help uniformly pack the sand down. You can use varying bucket sizes with the same technique to get towers with different heights. Make sure you let the form drain for a few minutes before gingerly removing them by carefully pulling the buckets over the top of the tower.

You can also get creative by building walls to connect the towers and drawing in details on the towers with the end of a paintbrush. Consider shaved-out sand to form tunnels and cut details into towers with an icing spatula or other kitchen tool. A melon baller can help make doors and windows.

What Do Professional Sandcastle Builders Use to Make a Sandcastle?

Having an arsenal of tools and building materials is the secret weapon when it comes to how to build a sandcastle that will stand the test of time. Many of these tools are inexpensive and easily already found around the house:

• Big plastic or metal shovel
• Simple sand shovel
• Stainless steel straw or paper straw for little details
• The back of a paintbrush for drawing
• Melon baller for windows
• Five-gallon buckets
• One-gallon buckets
• Icing spatula for more details on towers
• A hack saw blade for creating majestic rounded staircases

If you purchase some of these tools and don’t have room to bring them back home, the next vacationer will be happy to use them to create their own work of art.

What is the American Sand Sculpting Championship on Fort Myers Beach?

One of the most Florida traditions has returned to Fort Myers Beach, and it is a must-see if you take a beach vacation in Southwest Florida during the fall.

The Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship has been a Fort Myers Beach staple for over 30 years, attracting more than 15,000 attendees to celebrate world-class artistry, creativity, and community spirit.

It’s normally held in late November and showcases a handful of Master Sculptors and Advanced Amateur Sculptors from around the world. The sand sculpting championship is worth visiting each year to see these amazing artists showcase their extraordinary talents in the art of sand sculpture.

In addition to a relaxing day at the beach and an excuse to explore Fort Myers Beach, the festivities include a wide range of food and beverage options, live entertainment, and offers lessons in sandcastle building. For younger visitors, there is a dedicated sand play area for children to enjoy building their own masterpieces.

The Sand Sculpting Championship is one of our favorite parts of the fall in Southwest Florida. Some of these structures are gigantic; you’ll never forget the detail. In the past, artists have created castles that look like they could come out of a Disney movie, and other types of imaginative creatures. This gallery of past winners doesn’t do them justice, but it gives you an idea of what you’ll find.

How Do I Find a Vacation Home in Southwest Florida on the Beach?

By following this guide on how to build a sandcastle on vacation you can be proud of, you’ll not only learn a new skill, but you’ll create special lasting memories with your loved ones that you’ll be able to treasure for years to come.

Whether staying on Fort Myers Beach, where the Sand Sculpting Championship happens each year, is more your speed, or you prefer to discover the beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, the Gulf Coast is full of miles of coastline to enjoy.

Fort Myers Beach is the best option if you enjoy more nightlife and walkable restaurants. Sanibel and Captiva are more private and enjoy a slower pace. Locals call it getting on Island Time.

Whether you’re looking for a spacious home on the beach that can accommodate all members of your group, a cozy two-bedroom bungalow within walking distance to the beach, or a luxury high-rise with sweeping views of the coast, we can help you find the perfect home to set a soothing tone for your vacation. Give us a call today to get started.