After the meeting, it's time to relax in paradise - The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

After the meeting, it's time to relax in paradise

CONTACTS:
Jackie MacKay (407) 814-0014 or (407) 496-1770
Nancy Hamilton (239) 338-3500

LEE COUNTY, FL -- There's more than just warm weather, beautiful scenery and a host of meeting venues to attract groups to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Meeting planners seeking a slice of paradise for their group attendees and guests are finding that the area has a delightful selection of dining, arts, entertainment, and shopping venues to enjoy.

Dining
Fort Myers is recognized by Nation's Restaurant News as one of the "50 Cities That Sizzle," along with Miami, New York, San Francisco and other major metropolitan areas. According to the trade publication, Fort Myers "has something for everyone." From the cities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Bonita Springs to the islands of Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Captiva, there are restaurants to suit any budget or mood. Best of all, even the most elegant restaurants tend to have relaxed dress codes and will accommodate more casual attire. As a matter of fact, some of the most informal establishments even welcome patrons in swim wear!

Of course, with the abundance of local fresh fish, shrimp and clams, seafood is the centerpiece of many restaurant menus. From the eclectic Euro-Asian style of Roy's in The Promenade in Bonita Springs to the more traditional seafood offerings of The Timbers and its adjoining Sanibel Grill sports bar on Sanibel Island, the choices are almost endless. There's even a bit of fame to be found. The Cabbage Key Inn, north of Captiva and Useppa islands, is where, reportedly, Jimmy Buffett was inspired to write the hit, "Cheeseburger in Paradise" after eating one of the inn's huge, juicy burgers.

But seafood isn't the only reason for the popularity of many restaurants around The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. For example, as the name suggests, the Sanibel Steakhouse started locally and is so big with beef lovers that it has expanded to locations in Bonita Springs and Naples.

Ambience is what draws many meeting groups to some of the area's more unusual restaurants. At the ultra-casual Barnacle Phil's on the barrier island of North Captiva, everything but the signature black beans and rice is brought to picnic tables in plastic baskets. To the north on Gasparilla Island is The Pink Elephant. Known for its "Floribbean" menu, it is one of several restaurants accessible by boat and part of the world-renowned Gasparilla Inn which was established in 1911. On the other end of the dining spectrum is The Veranda. The converted home (actually two turn-of-the-century residences) is a downtown Fort Myers landmark and features a beautifully landscaped, open-air courtyard and a varied menu with Southern accents. Another highly original spot is The Bubble Room on Captiva Island, nationally recognized for outrageous portions of red velvet cake, Key Lime pie and other oversized homemade desserts.

Naturally, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel is home to some of the world's most picturesque, waterfront restaurants, including The Mad Hatter at Blind Pass on Sanibel and The Mucky Duck on Captiva Island, Windows on the Water at the Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel, The Tarpon House Restaurant at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, The Lighthouse Restaurant, The Channel Mark and Vincenzo's on the Bay in Bonita Springs.

Meeting planners looking for a comprehensive list of all restaurants and lounges on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel can contact the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau at 1-888-231-6933 (U.S. and Canada) or visit the Web site at www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

Arts & entertainment
From dinner theater and Broadway productions to museums and festivals of fine arts and crafts, meeting attendees can enjoy the world of art and entertainment on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.

"Cultural and artistic enrichment opportunities provide an especially attractive incentive for group attendees to bring the family along," said D.T. Minich, CDME, executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. "We are fortunate to be living in an area that focuses on the best in life, including the arts. That's what makes this the perfect place to visit any time of the year."

The Lee County Alliance for the Arts is based in the 12,000-square-foot William R. Frizzell Cultural Centre, which encompasses an exhibition gallery, the 200-seat Claiborne & Ned Foulds Theater, an outdoor amphitheater and art education classrooms. The Centre is home to Theatre Conspiracy, a professional equity theater group; The Film Society of Southwest Florida; the Southwest Florida Historical Society; and Lee County Art in Public Places. Popular gatherings include the Art Royale, Walk Thru the Arts, India Festival, Israel Independence Day, Irish Heritage Society and Jazz Alliance.

The Arcade Theatre, a renovated 393-seat Victorian playhouse built in 1908 in downtown Fort Myers, combines early Florida charm with 21st century technology. Audiences are treated to live theater, dance and music of every variety. And, Lee County's professional Florida Repertory Theatre produces award-winning dramas and comedies year-round, even winning first regional rights for New York hit plays.

The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall is located on the campus of Edison College and the University of South Florida in Fort Myers. The hall hosts national Broadway productions, world-renowned entertainers, dance performances, and popular and classical music concerts year-round. Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Lee County's only professional symphony orchestra, is among the featured performers. Adjoining the Barbara B. Mann Hall, the Edison College Gallery of Fine Art exhibits works of nationally and internationally renowned artists.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is Fort Myers' dining and entertainment showplace. Year-round "dinnertainment" includes a sumptuous buffet with garden fresh salad bar, hot entrees and side dishes, and lavish dessert tables. After dining, patrons sit back, relax and enjoy a full-length, professional Broadway-style, live theatrical performance. The Playbill Bar offers a pre-dinner or post-show cocktail. Across the hall, the intimate 100-seat Cafe Cabaret restaurant whips up innovative menus with a theatrical theme. The theater also is available for hosting meetings.

Cultural Park fine arts center in Cape Coral is home to the Cultural Park Theatre Company, Cape Coral Arts League, Cape Coral Historical Museum and Cape Coral Council of Arts and Humanities. Featured events include rotating fine arts gallery exhibits, musicals, plays, concerts, classes and workshops, special events and recitals. Rental space for meetings also is available, with a public conference room seating up to 14 people.

The Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island was built in 1894 as a one-room schoolhouse. Rich in local history, it was transformed into a cozy playhouse for quality community theater by islanders Ruth and Philip Hunter and has been in operation since 1964. Professional musical revues run year-round.

Shopping
Visitors from around the world can enjoy a veritable feast of shopping opportunities along The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. From one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs found in boutiques, art galleries and flea markets to the familiar labels of upscale malls and outlets centers, the Fort Myers/Sanibel area is a shopping haven with something for everyone.

On Sanibel, there's Periwinkle Place, a cluster of intimate shops set in a park-like atmosphere with covered walkways shaded by banyan trees. Its original art and fashions capture the magic that is southwest Florida. Captiva Village Square presents novel gift shops and galleries displaying turn-of-the-century antiques and art from the area's heyday, when Lee County hosted inventors like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

In Fort Myers Beach, Times Square vibrates with activity. This highly-traveled pedestrian hub and shopping center finds both bare feet and high heels acceptable. Seafarer's Village is the place to go for beach treasures and souvenirs. In Fort Myers, Royal Palm Square is known for its colorful local venues, including a dinner theater, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants. And, downtown Fort Myers, the city's entertainment district, surrounds shoppers with charming historic architecture and newly renovated shops and buildings.

Near the exclusive neighborhood of Bonita Bay in the city of Bonita Springs, The Promenade has upscale shopping and an unparalleled dining palazzo. More than 20 fashionable boutiques, including apparel shops, "Florida Casual" boutiques, and an art gallery ensure a satisfying shopping experience amid the greenery.

There's no lack of shopping malls in the area either. As the largest indoor shopping mall in southwest Florida, Edison Mall in Fort Myers showcases more than 160 specialty shops and eateries. For outdoor shopping, sample the Miromar Outlets in Estero or the Tanger Factory Stores in Fort Myers. Upscale shops ensconced within a tantalizing Spanish style plaza can be found at Fort Myers' Bell Tower Shops. And, Cape Coral's 350,000-square foot Coralwood Shopping Center offers affordable convenience just over the bridge from Fort Myers.

For more information about meetings and all the many dining, arts, entertainment, and shopping choices on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel (formerly the Lee Island Coast) include: Sanibel & Captiva islands, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs & Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres. Images are available upon request.