Discover Fort Myers, Florida — From Nature Preserves to Beaches and Beyond

City sophistication, sandy beaches, a “swamp buggy” tour of Florida wetlands — all these things are possible in Fort Myers, along with golf, good food and the area’s own Times Square, a buzzy downtown nightlife district. Because it’s slightly inland from the Gulf shoreline, this southern Florida city is different from the fun-in-the-sun beach towns that line the coast.

For one thing, it has one foot in an ecosystem that’s a bit like the Big Cypress National Preserve (and the Everglades), just a little farther south and protected by barrier islands. Plus, the glittering stretches of sand include the much-loved Sanibel Island, just 25 miles away. Here’s how to make the most of three days in the City of Palms.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Discover North Fort Myers

Find your footing in Fort Myers with a heaping Southern-style breakfast. Farmers Market Restaurant has been in business since 1952, making it the oldest eatery in the city — and one that now has an actual farmers market next door. Corned beef hash and the biscuits and gravy platter draw raves here.

Cross over the Caloosahatchee River to North Fort Myers en route to an eco-tour at Babcock Ranch, a vast swath of preserved land that accommodates an actual working ranch along with wetlands and swamps.

Your ride is a kind of tricked-out bus helmed by a knowledgeable guide who will point out gators, panthers, boars, cranes and other creatures in their natural habitat. Alternatively, there’s a mile-long trail across palmetto plains — suitable for kids and walkers of all abilities.

Stay at Babcock Ranch for lunch at the Lake House Kitchen & Bar. Another Southern meal is coming your way, featuring Brussels sprouts, fried gator bites and skillet mac and cheese, among other favorites.

You’re headed back to the Caloosahatchee River for an eco-tour of another sort — this time on the river itself.

An optional (and kitschy!) stop along the way is the one and only Shell Factory & Nature Park. At the heart of this park there is, indeed, a shell emporium, billed as the world’s largest (and at 50,000 square feet, who are we to challenge the claim?). There’s a candy-colored, old Florida feel to the other attractions: mini golf, bumper cars, a zip line, paddle boats and the like.

Okay, back to nature. Reserve a spot on a boat operated by Manatee & Eco River Tours. If you arrive an hour before sunset, the ride aboard the 40-foot-long River Queen will give you a new view of the city and its shores — and of the sun setting behind Pine and Sanibel islands, at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee.

Once docked back at the marina, you’re steps away from an open-air dinner at the Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill, which not only has its own sandy beach and live music but its own outdoor pool. This place just feels like vacation, with its open-water views, fruity drinks and grills crowded with fresh-caught fish and seafood. Cheers!

Saturday: Island Hop

Pack your beach bag and climb on board Fort Myers’ public trolley service, which will deliver you to Estero Island and its 7-mile coastline, white-sand beaches and warm Gulf waters for swimming, skimboarding, fishing and more. (During peak beach season, the trolley is the easiest way to go, given traffic and parking challenges.)

Find MoJoe’s Coffee Café for a healthy, beachy breakfast — organic açai bowls, avocado toasts and smoothies are on the menu — best enjoyed in the shade of a 30-foot-high rubber tree.

Once a citrus-growing area, Estero is now all about freewheeling fun, with activities and attractions to keep you there all day. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak at Holiday Water Sports, which also offers parasailing (novices welcome!) and Jet Skis.

Stop for lunch at the Smokin Oyster Brewery (S.O.B., for short), dubbed the “classiest dive” on Fort Myers Beach.

Dig in to a combo bucket (oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, corn, potatoes and crab), the “Captain’s Fish Dip” with oysters and, if it’s that time of day — and we’re not here to judge — pick your poison from a long list of tropical drinks, including the “S.O.B. Tea,” made with vodka and sweet tea.

Connected by land, Lovers Key State Park makes a wonderful end point for a late-afternoon bike ride. If you didn’t already get your kayaking in (or even if you did), rent one at Lovers Key Adventures and paddle along the park’s protected waterways for a chance to spot manatees, dolphins, alligators, osprey and bald eagles.

Back in town, shake off the sand and stroll through Fort Myers’ own Times Square, a pedestrian-friendly area with shops, restaurants and nightly entertainment. End the night with dinner at Ford’s Garage, known for their burgers, brews and lively atmosphere.

Sunday: Explore Downtown

Begin your morning marveling at native Florida butterflies at the Butterfly Estates & Florida Native Butterfly Society Conservatory.

A late breakfast at Bullig, located inside the conservatory, is also a treat. Try their house waffles, made with a recipe that has been passed down for three generations. The cheeky hot drinks menu features “Tinder Date,” a sweet cocoa concoction, and “Dirty Bee,” a latte made with raw honey.

After breakfast, tour downtown on foot with stops at sculptures by acclaimed Colombian artist Edgardo Carmona and at the Fort Myers City Hall to look at the fountains. Do some boutique-hopping around First Street — and don’t miss the two-story Franklin Shops, housed in a renovated circa-1937 hardware store and featuring jewelry, fashion and art.

Brunch is served until 4 p.m. at Oxbow — grab a table overlooking the river and tuck into crowd-pleasing fare ranging from bagels and lox to low country shrimp and grits. After lunch, tour the lush Edison & Ford Winter Estates, just south of downtown. With 20 acres of gardens, this gracious circa-1885 property served as Thomas Edison’s Florida vacation home.

If you’d prefer some hands-on science, opt for a visit to IMAG History & Science Center, which offers 60 interactive exhibits featuring turtles, snakes, frogs, alligators, stingrays and a bearded dragon. An impressive 3,200-gallon aquarium built by Animal Planet’s “Tanked” is home to hundreds of tropical fish.

For your final Fort Myers meal, make your way to the Silver King Ocean Brasserie for some of the top seafood dishes in southwest Florida. End your night with a refreshing cocktail at the Beacon Social Drinkery atop the Luminary Hotel, which offers stunning, 12-story views over the Caloosahatchee River.