Being the avid hikers that we are now, we were itching to go out and explore what the surrounding Estero, Florida area has to offer. As we researched different parks to go to, we quickly came to the realization that our mountain climbing days were over for a bit, as the greatest elevation gains were all under 20 feet! Nevertheless, we wanted to go experience some nature at sea level and we are glad we did!
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
We started out our Saturday heading up to this 3500 acre preserve near Fort Myers, where we hopped onto a 1-mile boardwalk full of wildlife and slightly differing environments. You should get to the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve early as the parking lot fills up quick ($2 to park at a self-pay kiosk). We figured a 1-mile boardwalk might take us 20-30 minutes but were sorely mistaken. While this area is just a flat boardwalk, you’ll likely see tons of different animals, such as alligators, herons, anhingas, otters, and frogs, and tons of different vegetation. There is so much going on that you must really take your time and try to observe everything in quiet. It ended up taking us a little over an hour to complete the full loop, but it was a great start to the day.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
The start of the slough.
We found gators!
And birds!
And snakes!
And turtles!
And knees!
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
The start of the slough.
We found gators!
And birds!
And snakes!
And turtles!
And knees!
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is located at least 30 minutes east of Naples, but it is well worth the drive. You do not pay for parking, but it is $14 for an adult pass or $6 for college students in order to enter their 2.5-mile boardwalk. Again, there is so much you can observe in the natural silence, whether it be animals or the differing ecosystems, that it will take you longer than anticipated. You will go through grasslands, then back into swamps, and even through the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America. It is home to the Super Ghost Orchid, which is only in bloom during the hot summer months. Here we were able to see even more alligators, as well as multiple types of birds, including a loud woodpecker and blue heron. It probably took us two hours to make our way around the whole boardwalk.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
We were impressed by the trees in this area!
And of course, the birds! (Egrets here)
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
We were impressed by the trees in this area!
And of course, the birds! (Egrets here)
Manatee Park
We then headed back up north to Fort Myers in order to end our Saturday observing the body pillows of the sea- manatees! Manatee Park also gets super packed, especially on weekends, so make sure you’re ready for that. Parking will cost you $2 per hour or $5 for a whole day. They have a park you can stroll through that brings you along a river front where you can see the manatees hanging out. This time of year (Jan-Feb) is the best opportunity to see multiple manatees as they have all come inland to stay warm due to the open waters becoming colder in the winter. You can also rent kayaks from the park at an hourly rate and go out on the river where they are all chilling! We decided to do this and would both say that this experience was much better than watching them from land. A lot of the kayakers stay near the launch point, and here you can see some manatees, but there is truly too much commotion to see much. So, we paddled up the river maybe a few hundred yards to be alone and stayed near the mangroves on the right side to try and see more. Sure enough, there was a manatee every 15 seconds it seemed like coming up for air right next to our kayaks, and we never knew which direction they were going to come from! We definitely recommend getting away from any crowds in order to become one with the manatees.
Manatee Park in Fort Meyers
The manatee viewing dock – all of those lumps in the water are manatees!
Waiting for the sea cows to come up for air!
Adam becoming buds with a manatee!
Look closely for the light blob 🙂
Manatee Park in Fort Meyers
The manatee viewing dock – all of those lumps in the water are manatees!
Waiting for the sea cows to come up for air!
Adam becoming buds with a manatee!
Look closely for the light blob 🙂
Downtown Fort Myers
To cap off the day we then drove into the downtown area of Fort Myers for some food and drink. We actually ended up parking at the Millennial Brewing Company lot, grabbing a beer or two there (recommend the Imperial Brown Ale), and then walking the 0.75-1-mile distance into the happening central bar and restaurant area. We also went over to the Coastal Dayz Brewery where we snagged a beer flight and some tacos, which were both solid, and then went home. If we had had a better idea of what downtown Fort Myers was all about beforehand, we would have definitely hung out there longer. It had a great vibe around dinner time and we’re guessing it doesn’t die down too early.
Fort Myers Downtown Historic District
Millennial Brewing Co
We weren’t expecting a mimosa bar option!
They have cool events here like a boxing match!
Coastal Dayz Brewery
A relaxed vibe 🙂
Fort Myers Downtown Historic District
Millennial Brewing Co
We weren’t expecting a mimosa bar option!
They have cool events here like a boxing match!
Coastal Dayz Brewery
A relaxed vibe 🙂
Florida Panther Refuge
On Sunday morning we went south for a little over an hour drive down to the Panther Refuge park. You take I-75 S most of the way, and then you come across exit 80 for highway 29 N and take a left. Just as you drive across the overpass, you’ll take another quick left to turn into the park. Don’t miss your turn here or you’ll have to take a very long detour… We learned the hard way that I-75 does not have very many options for U-turns in this area. There is no parking fee- probably because they don’t want to come after any idiotic person who decides to do this 1-mile hike in a park filled with the last 200-some Florida panthers on the planet. The park literally has a 10+ foot tall fence all around it to keep the panthers in. Luckily for us humans, panthers are nocturnal hunters, and there are only rare sightings of them during the day. Anyway, the loop path around the park is pretty run down right now and is overgrown, likely from the after effects of Hurricane Irma. We would recommend going to the other parks we’ve mentioned over this one.
The scary looking entrance into the Florida Panther Refuge.
Cool jungly areas even though this wasn’t our favorite hike!
Some interesting facts about the Florida Panther!
The scary looking entrance into the Florida Panther Refuge.
Cool jungly areas even though this wasn’t our favorite hike!
Some interesting facts about the Florida Panther!
Florida Swamp Buggy Races
While we were a little further south, we decided to look up other things to do on Sunday that might be fun. We came across tickets to the annual Swamp Buggy Races at the Florida Sports Park, and we were so glad we did. First off, the swamp buggies come in different classes of engines, from 4 cylinder to 8 cylinder and everything in between, so you get a great mix of determination and speed. Second off, the concessions around the park are great, with our personal favorites being the ribs and giant fresh squeezed lemonade. Third off, it is just a ridiculous sport/culture to be a part of and everyone should witness it at some point. They race through 5 feet of muddy water for crying out loud!
Swamp Buggy Races: one of the hickest things you can do.
A swamp buggy up close!
A swamp buggy in action!
A taste of the races!
The 4-cylinder buggy race.
Located at the Florida Sports Park in Naples.
Swamp Buggy culture includes tubs of fresh-squeezed lemonade!
And healthy food options.
Swamp Buggy Races: one of the hickest things you can do.
A swamp buggy up close!
A swamp buggy in action!
A taste of the races!
The 4-cylinder buggy race.
Located at the Florida Sports Park in Naples.
Swamp Buggy culture includes tubs of fresh-squeezed lemonade!
And healthy food options.
Marco Island
The Florida Sports Park is actually very close for access onto Marco Island- maybe about a 20-minute drive. As far as Marco Island goes, it is very residential, with a lot of canals leading up to the backyards of a lot of properties that have personal boats. We never made it to any of their beaches, but I’m sure they have some stellar sand down there just like the rest of the southwest Florida coastline. After watching some buggy races, we were kind of thirsty for some beer. We headed to the Marco Island Brewery and Taproom for a beer flight and a giant soft pretzel and were very satisfied. We can’t say there was an amazing beer at Marco Island Brewery, but they were all reasonably good.
Marco Island Brewery & Tap House
Nice patio with lots of TVs!
Decent beers accompanied by a giant pretzel!
Marco Island Brewery & Tap House
Nice patio with lots of TVs!
Decent beers accompanied by a giant pretzel!
Keeping in mind that most of the trails in southwest Florida will be interpretive and short boardwalk trails, you should have a great time strolling around and watching some tropical wildlife! You won’t find any strenuous hikes around here, but if you want a good core/upper body workout there’s always plenty of kayaking trails.
You are making me jealous! Have fun in Key West this weekend…
Thanks! We had a blast in Key West (blog to come soon)!
Wow! Do they bet on the Swamp Buggy Races? I want one of those pretzels!
Not formally, but I’m sure there are some side bets happening 🙂 And yeah, soft pretzels are one of our faves! We discovered some great ones in Key West this past weekend!