It’s spring, and Fort Myers keeps celebrating its recovery, one day at a time—happily the news continues to be good. As of posting time, there are nearly 9,900 guestrooms open throughout Lee County—with more coming soon. As this continues to be a developing story, please check with individual businesses regarding their status before booking clients.
For information on What’s Open in Fort Myers, visit visitfortmyers.com/open.
Fort Myers Reopenings and New Openings
CROW (Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife) on Sanibel Island has reopened and moved back into its hospital, where it takes care of injured wildlife daily. As rebuilding continues, its gift shop has also reopened Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. crowclinic.org
Diamondhead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach is accepting reservations for stays beginning April 14 while the property works toward a full recovery. diamondheadfl.com
If your clients are dreaming of a Fort Myers Beach visit, the beach cam and pool cams at Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina are back up and working again at pinkshell.com/live-webcams
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge has reopened, and includes the Wildlife Drive, narrated tram tours (limited schedule), Bailey Tract, most of Indigo Indigo Trail, Wildlife Education Boardwalk, Wulfert Keys Trail and the Visitor & Education Center, including the Nature Store. dingdarlingsociety.org
Also, from the refuge, the Tarpon Bay Explorers recreation concession offers limited facilities, rentals, tours and hours. Visit tarponbayexplorers.com for hours, days of operation and reservations.
Sanibel Historical Village has reopened on a limited basis from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Guided tours are at 10:30 a.m. As assessment and repairs continue, four buildings and a Sanibel Lighthouse exhibit are open. sanibelmuseum.org
Prairie Pines Preserve in North Fort Myers has reopened with 18 miles of hiking, equestrian trails and wildlife viewing. leegov.com/parks/preserves/prairiepines
Wa-Ke Hatchee Park in Fort Myers has reopened from dawn to dusk daily with amenities that include its off-leash dog park, pickleball and tennis courts and other amenities. The recreation center and playground remain closed. leegov.com/parks/centers/wake
Airport Updates
New air service at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
Breeze Airways: Hartford (BDL) and Providence (PVD) begin this summer. The RSW-BDL flights will operate twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday starting May 17, and the RSW-PVD service will start July 13 and operate three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Sun Country Airlines: Eau Claire (EAU), weekly
American Airlines: Austin (AUS), daily
Avelo Airlines: Raleigh-Durham (RDU), weekly; Wilmington (ILG), weekly
Attractions and Entertainment
J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling Day Conservation Carnival returns to Lakes Park. In its 34th year, the event returns to Lakes Park in Fort Myers on April 22. The celebration also observes Earth Day and LeeTran’s Free Transportation Day. WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) will be at the center of the free “Ding” Darling Day at Lakes Park. Besides mobile, interactive nature experience tours, a full day of Conservation Carnival activities is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free outdoor activities include carnival games, prizes, archery, a dunk tank, a rock-climbing wall, Earth Day crafts, artist-in-residence programs, guided bilingual birding walks, a biking tour, guided mindfulness programs, live music, food and educational interactions with other local conservation organizations. dingdarlingday.com
The Bailey-Matthews National Museum on Sanibel continues to offer limited hours and exhibitions Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. However, there is an opportunity for clients to get involved in a citizen science project: Snail Search of Lee County. To learn about the biodiversity walks and how to participate, visit shellmuseum.org/snail-search
Cape Coral Quest: Clients can win prizes and explore
The City of Cape Coral and Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods have teamed up to launch the new Cape Coral Quest app for a fun way to explore the area and a chance to win prizes through Nov. 30. Direct your clients to the directions at visitfortmyers.com/cape-coral-quest to collect a Cape Coral Quest Pass to participate on any mobile device.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral has opened and plans to extend its season through Thanksgiving. sunsplashwaterpark.com
Restaurant News
Boops by the Bubble Room has reopened for sweet treats on Captiva Island. The daily menu returns with ice cream, cakes and coffee, while the Bubble Room and Emporium are under repair. (239) 472-5558 The Bubble Room on Facebook
Jordan’s Wine Bar and Cellar opened in Cypress Lake Plaza in Fort Myers. facebook.com/jordanswinebar
Rosalita’s Cantina has opened in the former 400 Rabbits location on Captiva Island. rosalitascantina.com
Bonita Bills Waterfront Café, Fort Myers Beach, has reopened. bonitabills.com
Annual Festivals and Events
34th Annual “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival, Lakes Park
April 22
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/ding-darling-days
13th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival
May 17-21
fortmyersfilmfestival.com
11th Annual “Ding” Darling and Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament
May 19
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/tarpon-tournament-1
Captiva Pride Weekend
June 2-4
tween-waters.com/captiva-pride-weekend
National Seashell Day
June 21
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 22-Oct. 1
island-hopperfest.visitfortmyers.com
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
November TBD
fgcu.edu/siwc
39th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral
January 2024 TBD
capecoralfestival.com
ArtFest Fort Myers, Downtown River District
Feb. 2-4, 2024
artfestfortmyers.com
21st annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
February TBD
Rotary Park
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
February TBD
edisonfestival.org
Spring training 2024, February and March
Boston Red Sox
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
mlb.com/redsox/tickets/spring-training
Minnesota Twins
Lee County Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
mlb.com/twins/tickets/spring-training
25th Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March TBD
readfest.org
ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers
March TBD
echonet.org/events/global-food-and-farm-towardl
