Fort Myers Sanibel Area Day Trips
Sarasota: Ringling Museum of Art
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a cultural attraction that’s a testament to John Ringling of the famed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, his wife, Mable, and the legacy he left to his beloved Sarasota.
Cà d’Zan, John and Mable’s palazzo on Sarasota Bay, is modeled after mansions in Venice, Italy. With art and furniture the couple gathered from around the world, the 56-room mansion is a reminder of the opulence enjoyed by the rich and famous during the Gilded Age.
The Art Museum houses not only Old Masters paintings by Rubens and Van Dyck but also a vast cache of Western and non-Western art. The Circus Museum tells the story of the greatest show on earth, with the world’s largest miniature circus, costumes, performer highlights and vintage equipment, including circus wagons.
Details
About an hour north of Fort Myers in Sarasota, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays until 8 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults, $10 for children 6 to 17. Tours of Cà d’Zan are reserved at the time of ticket purchase. 941-359-5700, www.ringling.org.
Naples: Shoppers’ Paradise
A shopper’s (and gourmet’s) paradise awaits in Old Naples, about 40 miles south of Fort Myers.
Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are beautiful, pedestrian-friendly shopping areas that offer unique boutiques, fine art and collectibles and outdoor cafés. Fifth Avenue South features palm trees, wide sidewalks and Mediterranean-inspired architecture, as well as art galleries, clothing boutiques, restaurants and the nearby von Liebig Art Center. The Downtown Naples Association holds monthly Evenings on Fifth, with live entertainment, street art shows and themed events.
Third Street South is a short walk from the Naples Pier. This shopping and dining area offers a number of art galleries. Collectors flock to this area in search of the next piece for their collection and the inside scoop on up-and-comers. Rounding out the choices are upscale clothing boutiques for men, women and children, home furnishings shops and fine jewelers. And when it’s time for lunch or dinner, you won’t have to venture far – you’ll find 11 restaurants within a one block area.
Details
Third Street South, 239-434-6533, www.thirdstreetsouth.com
Fifth Avenue South, 239-435-3742, www.fifthavenuesouth.com
The Everglades: Natural Florida
The Gulf Coast Visitor Center of Everglades National Park is located in Everglades City, in the southern reaches of Collier County, about 90 minutes south of Fort Myers. From here, visitors can learn about human and natural history on a narrated boat tour or set out on a ranger-led canoe trip through the Ten Thousand Islands.
Birds and aquatic life, such as manatees and dolphins, are frequent sights throughout the year. Start inside the visitor center, where the varied ecosystems in the Everglades and maps of the intricately laced coastline are on display.
Details
Gulf Coast Visitor Center, 239-695-3311, www.nps.gov/ever
Key West: Tropical Excursion
Take a day trip to the live-and-let-live community of Key West, at the tip of the Florida Keys.
Key West Express operates high-speed catamaran service from 1200 Main, Fort Myers Beach, to Key West, a three-and-a-half-hour trip. Adult round-trip passage is listed as $145, but passengers are encouraged to call for reservations and to inquire about current pricing and specials.
While in Key West, enjoy the unusual architecture, influenced by ship captains and plantation owners, narrow streets and tropical atmosphere, great island-style dining options and fabulous people watching. Popular pastimes are cycling around the old town center and visiting author Ernest Hemingway’s home.
Details
For up-to-date rates and schedules, call Key West Express at 888-539-2628 or visit www.seakeywestexpress.com.
