25 Exciting Things To Get Out To See And Do In Fort Myers Beach For Fun With Kids

We’re currently snuggled inside, while the temperatures are subzero here in Michigan with a “Polar Vortex” going on outside. This has me particularly dreaming of warmer days of family fun in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

For the past decade we have made it a tradition to spend a week every winter on Estero Island. We visit my dad who spends the winters as a snow bird there. It is a great little get away to break up the long winter months of the cold…and from missing grandpa.

Since we’ve been there so often, we’ve gotten out and about to experience quite a lot of fun with the kids through the years. Following is a list of 25 fun family friendly activities within Fort Myers Beach.

• Spend The Day At The Beach
• Hop On The Trolley
• Visit The Library
• Walk On The Pier
• Spend A Day At Lover’s Key State Park
• Take in A Guided Beach Tour at Newton Park
• Visit the Mound House and Grounds
• Take Your Maities On A Pirate Cruise
• Head to Key West By Boat
• Tour the Back Bay or Gulf On A Dolphin Cruise
• Go For A Walk Through Mantanzas Pass Preserve
• Go Birding At Bowditch Point Park
• Shop, Eat & Explore Downtown Near Times Square
• Book A Fishing Charter
• Play At The Park
• See A Movie
• Go Bowling
• Play Putt Putt
• Get Ice Cream
• Chill at Crescent Beach Family Park
• Watch Dogs Splash and Play At The Dog Beach
• Learn About Local Marine Life At Oswego Bay Marine Science Center
• Grab Fresh Treats at the Farmer’s Market
• Go For A Swim At The Community Pool
• Take In A Sunset

Spend The Day At The Beach

Obviously this is one of the top attractions of Fort Myers Beach…The beach! Visitors can access the beach by way of many public access points located along the entire length of the island. While traveling along Estero Boulevard, the main road of the island, you will see “Beach Access” signs where public access is available. They may or may not have convent parking and if so, will likely require hourly metered payment or flat rate parking lots.

Hop On The Trolley

It may not be a real, vintage trolley, but the kids like the look and the excitement of going for a ride. The Trolley runs the entire length of the island, from Bowditch Park to Lovers Key State Park. It will set you back less then a dollar for a one-way ride or you can purchase all day passes. This is a fun way to get downtown from your accommodations and avoid dealing with parking and traffic in driving there yourself.

Trolley stops are indicated by a blue and white TROLLEE sign (note the LEE for Lee county, who operates this transportation service).

There is also a free beach tram that runs seasonally in the prime winter season from the Bowditch Park to the Library.

Download a winter 2019 schedule and route map HERE

Visit The Library

Fort Myers Beach Public Library is a big beautiful building, where you will find more than just books. On the exterior you will find a tide clock (which to be honest, we are still unclear on how to read)

They have several exhibits including a shell collection. This allows the kids to see and learn more about the shells they may find in the region. The library offers many scheduled events and talks including weekly story hour for the kids. The library is a great free option for some rainy day fun.

Be sure to ride the elevator!

Walk On The Pier

There’s just something cool about walking out over the water on a pier. The Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier is right down in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the business district. We often like to stroll out on the pier just after the rush of sunset seekers and enjoy an evening breeze and twilight. There is a little bait shop located about half way out to the end where you can find snacks, drinks, fishing gear, souvenirs and more. The kids enjoy watching the fisherman as they reel in their catches from the large platform at the end of the pier.

Spend A Day At Lover’s Key State Park

We really love Lover’s Key State Park for a change of pace from our typical beach days along the condo lined beaches found along much of FMB. The beach is more natural in feel and typically a bit less crowded.

The kids think it’s particularly fun that you park your car and ride a tram out to the beach.

You can also rent canoes and kayaks at the park, which we did do one year. And even saved a few dollars on that rental thanks to a Living Social deal that was going on at the time.

There are also miles of bike and hiking trails, refreshments, changing rooms, a campground, playground, places to fish and informative programs and talks that go on throughout the year and more. One year we packed a cooler of snacks and lawn chairs and headed to the state park after dinner one evening to enjoy the music of several original songwriters performing at a pavilion at the beach.

Take in A Guided Beach Tour at Newton Park

Every Tuesday at 9AM, there is a guided group beach tour that begins at Newton Park. It is led by by a master naturalist from the Mound House. As the group walks the beach, the guide points out shells and creatures found along the beach that day. They answer questions and lead discussions about specimen that are encountered.

While at this fun and family friendly little park in Fort Myers Beach, you will enjoy several amenities. These include outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic tables, shade providing shelter and bocce ball courts.

Visit the Mound House and Grounds

The mound house is a museum and beautiful grounds overlooking Estero bay. It’s the site of an ancient Calusa indian shell mound. They offer many educational opportunities and guided explorations of the bay by kayak. It’s also an great place to picnic or fish.

Take Your Maities On A Pirate Cruise

Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise is a fun family outing. It’s a 90 minute boat ride through Mantanzas Pass to the Gulf of Mexico. The ride is filled with entertainment of pirate shenanigans, interactive games, dance parties and more. We had quite a lot of fun. There are restrooms, a full service bar and snacks available onboard making it quite comfortable. Several cruises are available throughout the week and reservations are strongly suggested.

You can usually find a small discount coupon in attraction maps found around town.

Head to Key West By Boat

From Fort Myers Beach, you are about a 5.5 hour drive from Key West. Or just 3.5 hours by the high speed ferry Key West Express.

A few years ago we took my grandmother on the ferry to Key West. At over 90 years old, she had mentioned many times that “I’ve always wanted to go to Key West”. So, my son and I helped her check that trip off her list when we took the ferry for a day trip to the island.

You can use the ferry as a day trip and return the same day, or stay a night or two, whatever you like. It’s comfortable travel, you don’t need to worry about driving or parking or gas, etc. Just sit back and enjoy the ride with your friends or family. Get up walk around, get a snack, play some cards.

Check out this Ultimate Guide To The Family Friendly Florida Keys for things to do once you arrive there.

Tour the Back Bay or Gulf On A Dolphin Cruise

There are several different cruises available, some departing from downtown near Nervous Nellies, some over the bridge and some at the south end of the island near Santini Marin. This is something that you can usually find a Living Social deal for to save a significant amount of money. We’ve done a couple over the years and it always fills the kids with delight to get up close to see manatee and dolphin while going for a boat ride.

Go For A Walk Through Mantanzas Pass Preserve

This is one of our favorite walks on the island. Much of it is a board walk through mangroves and it leads out to a great view of the back bay.

You won’t usually run across too many people out there. It’s a nice place to get away from the crowds and enjoy a shaded escape from the sun while taking in the nature of the island. Occasionally you can catch a guided walk here, which we did one year and it was so educational.

This is one place that we visit every single time we visit.

Go Birding At Bowditch Point Park

Bowditch Point is a part at the northern tip of the island, which makes it an amazing spot to enjoy the best of both worlds…the exciting waves of the gulf and the peaceful calm of the bay. This is a popular spot for shelling. It is also a designated birding trail. There are many amenities to make it a great spot to spend the day. Parking is paid by the hour. Or you can take the trolley to save from the stress of parking.

Shop, Eat & Explore Downtown Near Times Square

Times Square is the central spot for picking up souvenirs, having a bite to eat, or sitting to enjoy a drink while listening to live music. It’s fun to stroll through with family especially when combined with heading to the pier or the park to play.

Book A Fishing Charter

Looking to get out on the water to catch some fresh fish for dinner? There are many different fishing charters to be found around Santini Marina. You can fish off shore or in the back bay. We have booked a day of fishing with a local captain, enjoyed getting out on the water with them to catch some fish. They even clean and fillet them for you when you return to the dock. Then they are ready to go home and cook for dinner.

Play At The Park

There are a couple parks with playgrounds that we frequent after dinner to let the kids get another load of energy out. One is at the south of Fort Myers Beach, a fun playground which is part of Lover’s Key State Park. It is easily visible from the road.

The other is right downtown along side the beach by the pier and Times Square. Both have enough fun activities to keep the kids entertained for some time while parents can get off their feet and relax for a bit while sitting back to supervise.

See A Movie

The island does have it’s own movie theater, showing first run movies daily. We enjoy walking to The Beach Theater after dinner at least one evening of our stay. At this theater you will actually find different seating options including chairs around tables. This makes it easiest to enjoy food from their menu of many food options.

Go Bowling

You can find bowling in Fort Myers Beach at Beach Bowl. This alley is actually a little ways over the bridge and onto the mainland. They are open daily for bowling on their nostalgic lanes. They also have a full service bar, refreshments and a game room. This is another option for rainy day or evening fun for the family while staying in Fort Myers Beach.

Play Putt Putt

Our visit to FMB, is never complete without playing at least one round of miniature golf. There are two courses, not far from the bowling alley just mentioned. Smugglers Cove and Jungle Golf are both fun places for the family. And again, something that you may be lucky enough to snag a Living Social deal for. If not, there are often coupons in the attraction fliers around town. Or check their websites for discounts too!

Get Ice Cream

Seriously, we eat more ice cream on vacation than we ever do while home. There’s just something about going out for ice cream when we travel that just seems to happen on repeat. Whether you are at the south or the north side of the island, you will find more than a handful of great options for a cool creamy treat.

Chill at Crescent Beach Family Park

This is part of the Lee County park system and is located right in the heart of the downtown business district at the foot of the Mantanzas bridge. It offers beach access, portable restrooms, picnic area and sand volleyball courts. This is a good option if you want to take in the beach for the morning and then walk to Times Square for a lunch break.

Watch Dogs Splash and Play At The Dog Beach

You may not have a dog with you while visiting Estero island, but if you have animal lovers in tow, they will surely enjoy this spot. It’s a place were canines are welcome to roam free and splash and play in the water. It is a county park with free parking, and doggie showers. But important to note, there are no real restrooms, only pota potties!

Learn About Local Marine Life At Oswego Bay Marine Science Center

Just over and practically under the big bridge, on San Carlos island is a quant museum. Oswego Bay Marine Science Center showcases local marine life through aquariums, touch tanks, interactive demonstrations and exhibits. It’s quite affordable and a good rainy day or for a break from the suns rays.

Grab Fresh Treats at the Farmer’s Market

This market is set up in the parking lot of the Santini shopping plaza two days a week from fall to spring. Here you can score fresh produce, baked goods, honey, arts, crafts and more. It’s a fun little walk through the stands and a good place to grab a quick and healthy snack while out and about. The trolley even stops right out in front of this plaza making it easy to get to.

Go For A Swim At The Community Pool

This is honestly one thing that we still have not done. The hours at the Fort Myers Beach Community Pool had just never lined up with our daily itineraries. I believe they have expanded their days and hours which would make it easier for us now. Although most days, my kids are happily content with the pool at the condo complex where we stay. But I very much would like to hit up the community pool one of these days for the variety. It looks like it would be a lot of fun with a kiddie area, water slide and floating obstacle course.

Take In A Sunset

Of course, no trip to Fort Myers Beach seems complete without taking in at least on sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. One of my favorite times of day on the beach is just after sunset, walking the beach in the twilight.

---

While you are headed out and about to take in family fun around Fort Myers Beach, let me give you one important item to keep in mind…TRAFFIC. It can take much more time to get around on this island than you imagine before you experience it. So, keep that in mind and allow lots of extra time to get where you are going, especially if you have reservations.

I hope you enjoy and use this list of fun things to do as a family on Fort Myers Beach.

Have you been to Fort Myers Beach?…what are your favorite family activities there?

Are you planning a trip to Fort Myers Beach?…which of these activities are you most looking forward to?