If you haven’t spent time in Southwest Florida yet, I want to be the person who tells you: you’re going to love it here. There’s something about this particular stretch of the Gulf Coast that gets under your skin in the best possible way. The beaches are extraordinary. The sunsets are genuinely unreal. The pace is slow and warm and completely unhurried in a way that makes a family trip feel like an actual vacation rather than a series of logistics to manage.
Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Estero sit right in the heart of this corridor, and together, they offer more wonderful things to do with kids than most people expect. Whether you’re planning a visit, thinking about making a move to the area, or just looking for a long weekend full of good things — here’s everything worth knowing.
Fort Myers
Fort Myers has real character. It’s got a beautiful downtown riverfront, genuine history, and the kind of variety that means everyone in the family is going to find something they love. It’s also the kind of place that rewards coming back — there’s always more to discover.
IMAG History & Science Center
This one is genuinely so good for kids. Over 60 interactive exhibits — touch live sea creatures, build things, run through a rainstorm, explore the natural history of Southwest Florida. It’s hands-on and engaging in a way that holds little ones’ attention for a really long time. If you’re visiting with a toddler or young child, put this at the top of your list.
Address: 2000 Cranford Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33916 — i-sci.org
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were neighbors here — which is a sentence I find completely delightful — and their restored estates along the Caloosahatchee River are beautiful and genuinely fascinating to walk through. The botanical garden has over 1,000 plant species that Edison collected from around the world. It’s one of those outings that feels educational without feeling like school, which is the best kind. Ben and I visited for the first time five years ago, and I have such sweet memories of slowly walking through the grounds.
Address: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901 — edisonfordwinterestates.org
Sun Splash Family Waterpark
For a day of just pure, uncomplicated fun — Sun Splash is it. Over 14 acres of water slides, pools, and attractions, with a Tot Spot designed specifically for younger children. It’s a full day and everyone leaves happy and exhausted.
Address: 400 Santa Barbara Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33991 — sunsplashwaterpark.com
Lakes Regional Park
This park is such a gem. It’s free to visit, has a train-inspired playground, bike and surrey rentals, swan pedal boats and kayaks on the lake, a miniature train that takes you through little villages along the route, and the free Railroad Museum of South Florida. There’s also an ice cream shop at the end — the Whistle Stop Ice Cream Shoppe — which makes it the perfect afternoon outing. Kids absolutely love it here.
Address: 7330 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33908 — leegov.com/parks
Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach has some of the most beautiful Gulf Coast water you’ll ever see — calm, shallow, and that gorgeous clear green color that makes you want to just stand in it for a while. It’s especially wonderful for families with little ones because the water is so gentle. The beach has been rebuilding beautifully since Hurricane Ian, and visiting is a genuinely meaningful way to support the community that’s worked so hard to come back.
Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs is one of those places that feels like a local secret even though it isn’t one. It sits between Fort Myers and Naples and has a warmth and a natural beauty that’s completely its own — less visited than its neighbors, which makes it feel that much more special when you’re there.
Bonita Beach Park
Wide, clean, calm, and genuinely beautiful — Bonita Beach Park is one of our favorite beaches in Southwest Florida. The water is clear, the sand is white, and the sunsets here are the kind that stop you mid-sentence because you can’t look away. Stay for the sunset at least once. You’ll understand immediately why people fall in love with this place.
Address: 27954 Hickory Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 — leegov.com/parks
Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park
Barefoot Beach is one of the last truly undeveloped barrier islands on the Gulf Coast, and it’s extraordinary because of it. No development in sight — just natural dune vegetation, clear water, and a quietness that feels genuinely rare. It’s one of those places that makes you exhale the moment you arrive. Go early on weekends because parking fills up fast (Really fast!) and you don’t want to miss it.
Address: 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 — leegov.com/parks
Lovers Key State Park
Lovers Key sits between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs and is one of the most rewarding nature experiences in the entire region. There’s a beautiful two-mile stretch of beach, kayak and canoe rentals, a guided eco-tour through the mangrove estuary, and consistently wonderful wildlife — dolphins, manatees, roseate spoonbills. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel completely present in the most wonderful way.
Address: 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 — floridastateparks.org
Promenade at Bonita Bay
If you want a relaxed afternoon of wandering, shopping, and finding somewhere good to eat — the Promenade at Bonita Bay is a really lovely option. It’s an open-air lifestyle center with a waterfront setting, great restaurants, and boutique shops. It’s walkable and genuinely enjoyable in that effortless way that the best outdoor shopping experiences always are.
Address: 26811 S Bay Dr, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 — thepromenadebonitabay.com
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Even if you’re not staying here, it’s worth knowing about the ResortPass day pass option — which gives you access to their gorgeous pools, waterslides, and lazy river for the day. It’s such a fun family option and one of those things that feels a little special without requiring a full hotel stay. Kids absolutely love it.
Address: 5001 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 — hyatt.com
Estero
Estero has grown into one of the most vibrant and genuinely family-friendly communities in Southwest Florida. It’s got wonderful shopping, beautiful natural spaces, and a community energy that feels warm and welcoming. It’s also incredibly well-positioned for exploring everything else the corridor has to offer.
Estero Bay Preserve State Park
Estero Bay is one of the most beautiful and ecologically rich estuaries in Southwest Florida, and it’s quieter and less visited than a lot of the more well-known parks in the region — which makes it feel like a genuine discovery when you find it. Kayaking through here is extraordinary, and the wildlife viewing is wonderful. It’s a peaceful, restorative experience that the whole family will love.
Address: Estero, FL 33928 — floridastateparks.org
Coconut Point Mall
Coconut Point is one of those open-air shopping centers that actually feels like a destination rather than just a mall. Beautifully landscaped, wonderfully walkable, great restaurants, a solid mix of stores — it’s genuinely enjoyable to spend time here. A great rainy afternoon option or a relaxed evening out when you want something easy and accessible.
Address: 23106 Fashion Dr, Estero, FL 34135 — simon.com/mall/coconut-point
Koreshan State Park
Koreshan is one of those genuinely surprising Florida experiences. It’s a beautifully preserved historic site along the Estero River — named after a utopian community that settled here in the 1890s — with restored buildings, native plant gardens, and wonderful kayaking and canoeing on the river. The history is fascinating, the setting is beautiful, and it’s the kind of outing that stays with you in a way that a regular beach day sometimes doesn’t. So worth a visit.
Address: 3800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 34135 — floridastateparks.org
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go
Go to the beach in the morning. The Gulf Coast beaches are at their most peaceful and most beautiful early in the day. The light is golden, the crowds are smaller, and the water is at its calmest. Plan beach time for morning and save your indoor and dining experiences for afternoon and evening.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen. The Gulf Coast ecosystem is extraordinary and worth protecting. Reef-safe sunscreen is widely available throughout the area and is absolutely the right choice here.
Don’t only go to the beach. The beaches are incredible, but some of the most memorable Southwest Florida experiences happen on the water, in the nature preserves, and in the wonderful local downtowns. Give yourself time to explore beyond the shoreline.
Visit in the shoulder season if you can. May through early June and October through November offer gorgeous weather, manageable crowds, and a more relaxed pace that makes everything feel easier and more enjoyable.
This part of Florida has a way of getting into your heart and staying there. We hope this guide helps you discover all the things we love most about it — and that you find your own favorite corners of this wonderful little stretch of the Gulf Coast.
