The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel offer more than just another sunny beach

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

LEE COUNTY, FL -- There's more than just warm weather and beautiful scenery to attract visitors to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Travel agents seeking a slice of paradise for their clients are finding that the area has a delightful selection of dining, arts and 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, and the islands including 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!

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 and juicy burgers.

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

Furthermore, ambience draws many people 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 noted original spot is The Bubble Room on Captiva Island. It is nationally recognized for outrageous portions of red velvet cake, Key Lime pie and other oversized homemade desserts.

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

Travel agents looking for a comprehensive list of all restaurants and lounges in The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel can contact the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau toll-free at (888) 231-6933 (U.S. and Canada) or visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

Arts & Entertainment
From dinner theatre and Broadway productions to museums and festivals of fine arts and crafts, travel agents' clients will find the world of art and entertainment is livelier than ever on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.

"Cultural and artistic enrichment opportunities for everyone – children, adults and families – are abundant in the Fort Myers/Sanibel area," said D.T. Minich, CDME, executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. "We are so 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."

Several local organizations and venues offer activities that appeal to residents and visitors alike:

Lee County Alliance for the Arts
10091 McGregor Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 939-2787
www.artinlee.org

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.

Arcade Theatre
2267 First St.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 332-4488
www.floridarep.org

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. 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.

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
8099 College Pkwy., S.W.
Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 481-4849 box office
www.bbmannpah.com

The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall is located on the campus of Edison Community College and the University of South Florida in Fort Myers. The hall hosts national Broadway productions, world-renowned entertainers, dance performances, including 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. They also present a chamber orchestra series at BIG ARTS' Schein Performing Arts Hall on Sanibel Island. A new Stained Glass series fills area churches with graceful music. For upcoming performances, travel agents can call (239) 418-1500 or visit www.swflso.org.

Adjoining the Barbara B. Mann Hall, the Edison Community College Gallery of Fine Art exhibits works of nationally and internationally renowned artists. The Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For gallery information, call (239) 489-9313.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
1380 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 278-4422
www.broadwaypalm.com

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.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday at 6 p.m., followed by show time at 8 p.m. Matinee days vary. Ticket prices for the "show only" or for the dinner package range from $21 to $44 per person. Children's and group prices are available. The theatre is handicapped accessible.

Cultural Park
528 Cultural Park Blvd.
Cape Coral, FL 33990.
(239) 772-5862
www.culturalparktheatre.org

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. "Arts and culture are vital elements in the quality of our lives. They must be nurtured and encouraged to grow because they benefit everyone," said Marilyn Graboes, past-president of the Cultural Park Theatre board. Rental space for meetings and local events is also available, with a public conference room that seats up to 14 people.

Schoolhouse Theater
Periwinkle Playhouse
2200 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 472-6862

The Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island is named after an original 1894 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.

BIG ARTS
900 Dunlop Rd.
Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 395-0900
www.bigarts.org

BIG ARTS is a non-profit arts and culture organization that presents musical concerts, art exhibits, an annual art fair, distinguished speakers forum, workshops and classes and other community programs.

For a complete schedule of current Lee County art and cultural events, festivals, and performances, travel agents will find the "Everything to Do ˜ Calendar of Events" at www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

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.

Artists and designers come to Lee County for inspiration, and the result is a bountiful collection of boutiques and galleries. On Sanibel, Periwinkle Place, a cluster of intimate shops set in a park-like atmosphere with covered walkways shaded by banyan trees, offers original art and fashions that capture the magic that is southwest Florida. The Village's fine art stores showcase original aboriginal artifacts of the native people of Africa, Australia, the Americas and the Artic. There's also The Olde Sanibel Shoppes and Mel Fisher's Treasure Company, featuring sunken treasure, including 400-year-old emeralds, rare and dated coins and priceless artifacts.

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. Chadwick's Square has boutiques ranging from contemporary craft stores with tropical fare to comfortable beachwear shops.

On 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, souvenirs, "Florida-casual" styles and distinctive decoratives.

The Royal Palm Square in Fort Myers 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, resort-casual boutiques, and art galleries ensure a satisfying shopping experience amid the greenery and waterscapes.

Major roadways and side streets of Cape Coral are filled with delightful choices for shopping. Furniture and jewelry stores offer original pieces, and specialty boutiques house everything from handmade candles to posh art galleries.

For shell lovers, the Shell Factory is the ultimate shopping outlet. Its 189 acres of shopping and exhibits boast more than 5 million seashells and shell novelties. In addition to shells, ambling explorations yield shell jewelry, coral, shark teeth, tropical clothing, glass blowing, and African art.

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 150 specialty shops and eateries. 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 those with their eye on name brand quality for a lower price, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel can unlock a treasure trove of great deals. Tanger Sanibel Factory Stores and Miromar Outlets house hundreds of shops for apparel, house ware and gifts, highlighted by leading manufacturers and designers.

Travel agents wanting more information for their clients about the all the many dining, art and entertainment, and shopping choices on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel can visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

-30-

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel 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.