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6 Day Trips You Must Do in Southwest Florida
Whether you’re new to the area, lived here for years, or just visiting, Southwest Florida is packed with amazing day trips to explore. We’ve put together a list for you of nearby top rated Day Trips we highly recommend you try. You can find each activity listed on Trip Advisor , rated at a 4.5/5 star or higher.
#1 First on our list, take an eco-tour located in the backyard of Ave Maria. Orange Jeep Tours is a 90 minute, open-air jeep, narrated wildlife tour. This adventure will travel you throughout thousands of acres of untouched terrain trails, as you get a chance to spot rare animal species, discover local history and folklore. Tourists have seen a range of native wildlife such as American alligator, Whitetail deer, Osceola turkey, Florida Red-Bellied turtle, and a large variety of bird species. Mike, the narrator guide is extremely knowledgeable, informative and fun. Click here for special discounts.
#2 If you like to travel by foot, take a 2.25 mile board walk through pine flatwoods, wet prairie, around a marsh and finally into the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America at the Corkscrew Sanctuary . These impressive trees, relatives of the redwood, tower 130 feet into the sky and have a girth of 25 feet. Their massive branches are draped with mosses, lichens, bromeliads and ferns. The forest is also home to alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, red-bellied turtles, and a wide variety of birds.
#3 Next on our list, is the #1 ranked on Trip Advisor in Naples. Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre world-class garden paradise that features the plants and cultures of the tropics and subtropics including Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Florida. It is a hands-on interactive Children’s Garden along with 90 acres of beautifully restored natural habitats, walking trails and a Butterfly Garden offers educational entertainment and enjoyment for people of all ages.
#4 Only 10 minutes from Ave Maria, Lake Trafford Marina is a popular fresh water fishing lake. Some of the species found in the lake are Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Shellcracker, and Catfish. Live bait, tackle, rods and reels, cane poles, gigs, buckets, nets are available at the marina store. Lake Trafford is excellent for fishing, birding and spotting wildlife and with close to 3,000 alligators, you’re sure to spot some big ones!
#5 Get a chance to get up close to see manatees, alligators, dolphins, turtles, as well as many species of rare and endangered tropical birds with Double R’s Fishing and Tour Co . This is a 2.5 hour manatee viewing eco tour, the only local eco tour that starts in the heart of the Everglades, located in South Florida’s largest herd of manatees. The tour is fully narrated by knowledgeable local Captains and their boats are stable and comfortable.
#6 Last, but most definitely not least, only minutes from Ave Maria, you must visit this popular destination, which boasts one of the most pristine stretches of beach in the world . Visitors arrive to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park to sunbathe, bird-watch, fish, picnic, and search for seashells on a daily basis. Guided tours and interpretive programs occur on a regular basis by experienced rangers and volunteers.
When you live in Southwest Florida and Ave Maria, you are close to many exciting natural outdoor activities and adventures not limited to what we listed above. Keep busy throughout your entire year while having lots of fun making memories with loved ones and experiencing the natural beauty of our community just minutes from Naples, Florida.
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43. Take a Day Trip to Key West. Departing from both Ft. Myers Beach and Marco Island, the Key West Express can high-speed you to Key West in just three and a half hours. The 170' jet powered catamaran is a smooth ride across Florida Bay offering snacks and a spacious sundeck and makes a great day trip from Naples or Marco Island. Return the ...
Seeing a show at the Asolo theatre is one of the best things to do in southwest Florida! Asolo is one of the biggest theaters in Florida, and also one of the biggest repertory theaters in the nation, which guarantees that you'll have a top tier entertainment experience! The name comes from a village that inspired the founding director back in ...
The Southwest Florida road trips and scenic drives recommended by our website will keep you off the busy roads. This area of Florida is quickly growing, and the north-south roads can get really jammed up, especially during tourist season of December - April. Highway Map of Southwest Florida. I-75 is the north-south interstate in this region.
Whether you're new to the area, lived here for years, or just visiting, Southwest Florida is packed with amazing day trips to explore. We've put together a list for you of nearby top rated Day Trips we highly recommend you try. You can find each activity listed on Trip Advisor, rated at a 4.5/5 star or higher. #1
Matlacha. For something truly out of the ordinary and one of the best day trips from Naples just an hour away, head over to Matlacha Village! Pronounced "mat-la-SHAY," Matlacha means "big warrior" in Seminole! A quirky, historic fishing village, Matlacha feels like Key West, minus the crowds.
Best Places to Stay. One of the most stunning gardens found in Florida, the Naples Botanical Garden is an overload for the senses. Explore the lush vegetation and floral scents at this 170-acre landscape that includes a LaGrippe Orchid Garden, Kapnick Brazilian Garden and Smith Children's Garden. There's even a 90-acre nature sanctuary that ...
A beach day was much needed! Day Trip to Southwest Florida: Lovers Key to Fort Myers Beach. Not nearly as infected as the Miami area, the rest of the state has started to reopen their parks, beaches, and economies. Makes sense. Especially since social distancing is likely best done in the great outdoors.
Why You Should Visit Southwest Florida . Southwest Florida has on average 271 sunny days per year, so you can bet on the weather being beautiful during your stay. It's known for having some of the best seashell hunting in the world, a unique ecosystem surrounding the Everglades, and some of the softest white sand beaches in the US.
Things to Do in Southwest Gulf Coast, Florida: See Tripadvisor's 1,625,830 traveler reviews and photos of Southwest Gulf Coast tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in June. ... Half-day Tours (52) Trolley Tours (17) Art Museums (17) Day Trips (2) Fishing Charters (20) Piers & Boardwalks (11) Airport & Hotel Transfers (39 ...
Distance from Fort Myers - 30-60 minutes depending on where you leave from (Punta Gorda, Pine Island, or Sanibel/Captiva) plus a 30ish minute ferry ride. It is $2 for the park entrance, plus the ferry which is $35 from Pine Island, $45 from Sanibel/Captiva (+$6 toll if you're not staying here), and $48 from Punta Gorda.
Captain Bob's Everglades Adventure Tour from Naples. Explore the Western Everglades with a wildlife biologist! Guided transportation from the Naples area, interactive reptile presentation and an airboat ride! Book from Naples. Learn More. Nature Walk, Airboat Ride & Reptile Show! $80. 4 hours.
Southwest Florida Day Trips and Scenic Drives Our Facebook page has more than 130,000 followers who love off the beaten path Florida: towns, tourist attractions, maps, lodging, food, festivals, scenic road trips, day trips, history, culture, nostalgia, and more.
Time and distance: Everglades National Park is located approximately 80 miles from Fort Myers. Everglades National Park is a 1.5-million-acre wetland preserve located on Florida's southernmost tip. Complete your Fort Myers trips by taking two hours and a 24-minute drive to the home of Alligators and Big Cypress trees.
Southwest international airport. Where to stay in Southwest Florida. The 17 best things to do in Southwest Florida. 1. Visit the Beaches of Southwest Florida. 2. Go shell hunting on Sanibel Island. 3. Spend the Day at Everglades National Park.
One Florida day trips needs to be spent at Amelia Island. Since the year 1000, this island has been well loved by its visitors. Today, the island consistently ranks among the "Top 10 U.S. Islands" as voted by the Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards panel. It is bound to be one of the best Florida day trips ever.
Southwest Florida promises a delicious blend of classic and cosmopolitan destinations. Anna Maria Island. This seven-and-a-half-mile isle includes Anna Maria to the north, Holmes Beach at the center and Bradenton Beach to the south. The Island Trolley connects them all. Aside from the beaches, there's much to see and do on Anna Maria Island.
Spring Break Day Trips in Naples. There are a lot of great attractions in Naples that the kids will love on Spring Break. To name a few, there is the Naples Zoo, fishing on the Naples pier, the Children's Museum of Naples and more. There are lots of things to do with kids in Naples Florida.
Our Must Do directories include more than 100 of the best things to do when visiting each of the following Southwest Florida vacation destinations: Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island. Naples - Marco Island, Everglades City. Sarasota - Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Venice. Our bi-annual print and digital ...
Welcome to Paradise. Travel with confidence and don't miss a thing with our Southwest Florida Visitor Guide. Experience our pristine beaches, exciting environments, and vibrant neighborhoods. Whether you're a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, we hope you'll enjoy some of the hidden gems featured in this year's guide. View Visitor Guide.
3. Go Fishing. Southwest Florida is known as a fisherman's paradise. From shore fishing and backwater fishing to offshore fishing charters and sport fishing in the warm Gulf waters, there are plenty of opportunities for rewarding fishing experiences. The ultimate fishing charter is in the Ten Thousand Islands area for those wanting to hook redfish, shark, snapper, kingfish, snook, bonita ...
Fort Myers • Fort Myers Beach • Sanibel • Captiva. You may have planned your visit to the Fort Myers, Florida area because of the warm sunshine and beaches, but so many fantastic things to do are close by. A variety of interesting day trips and same day excursions are within easy reach of the Fort Myers area. Check the DEALS tab in the ...
Nokomis, FL 34275. Phone: (941) 488-2521. Fax: (941) 484-3296. Email: [email protected]. Web: www.AllAroundBus.com. We Offer A Wide Variety of Fun Day Trips Throughout The Surrounding Area! All Around Tours has been operating single-day escorted motorcoach tours for over 10 years. Our escorted tours are fun-filled and family friendly.
Southwest. Southwest Florida, and the cities of Fort Myers and Naples, spreads a welcoming blanket of sugar-white beaches and tropical warmth for all visitors, a comfortable blend of the classic and cosmopolitan. ... Relax on a front-porch rocking chair and try fresh citrus juices at the Grove House in Lake Wales or make a day trip out of a ...
PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida. Show Search. Search Query. Donate. ... one of many trips Crow has given to Thomas and his wife, ... In their day jobs, the justices are being paid $298,500 this ...
The Space City area site is now targeted to launch Aug. 29, ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend, which isn't as big a deal here, where the winter months are significant for tourism.
Summer is here and the kids are done with school! Last year, 35.1 million visitors came to Florida between July and September. AccuWeather predicts this summer will be hot in Florida ― as usual ...
Southwest adds daily, nonstop flights from Orlando International Airport to tropical destinations, including Cancun, Grand Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas.
June 6 A number of smaller places in the Southwest broke their daily heat records, too, including Kingman, Arizona (105), Needles, Nevada (115) and Death Valley, California (122), while Bishop ...
Boeing Space shared a post on X, formerly Twitter, at 11:44 a.m. confirming the launch. "After today's launch at 10:52 a.m. ET, #Starliner has reached a safe, stable orbit on its Crew Flight Test ...