Babcock Ranch: Babcock Ranch is an innovative new town that sets a whole new standard for sustainable, responsible growth. It is the first solar powered town in America. Located in Southwest Florida just north of Fort Myers, Babcock Ranch combines the best of America’s great hometown traditions with all the conveniences of today and tomorrow. From the largest solar-plus-storage system operating in the U.S. today, the expansive public green spaces and trails to the gigabyte of fiber-optic connectivity standard to every home and and free wi-fi everywhere you may roam, it’s a place where families can benefit from the most advanced technologies, then walk out their doors to reconnect with nature and neighbors. When you're ready to explore all the nature that Babcock Ranch has to offer, take a bike or hike throughout our trail system and unwind. Out trails are open to the public, so anyone is welcome to use them. Babcock Ranch will ultimately include 19,500 homes and six million square feet of commercial space.
Bonita Springs: Bonita Springs, a welcoming beach community in Southwest Florida between Fort Myers and Naples, is home to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center. Fishing and outdoor activities are popular in Bonita Springs, as are the sparkling beaches. Bonita Springs also harbors Lovers Key State Park, a place so named because it once was an island so remote only lovers went to the trouble to seek its privacy. Today, you don’t need a boat to get to the beach. It’s easy to reach, but still not as well-known as many other state parks. The 2.5-mile beach is lined with natural vegetation and is perfect for beachcombing and birding.
For some off-leash excitement there’s the rightly named Dog Beach Park. It’s one of Florida’s only no-leash beaches and a big hit for both locals and visitors. The secluded shoreline and shallow waters make Dog Beach Park one of our best pet-friendly beaches, and when you get the chance, there are even more spots to explore.
Bradenton: It’s no accident that our unofficial logo is a pair of sunglasses and our motto “The Friendly City.” We’re pretty friendly, and we believe that our future really is that bright. We are located along Florida’s Gulf Coast, south of the greater Tampa Bay area and north of Sarasota. We think Bradenton is a wonderful place to raise a family, to work and to play. Bradenton is nestled on the beautiful Manatee River, and our Riverwalk allows many ways to enjoy the view.
We’re home to the Village of the Arts and LECOM Park, home of the spring training Pittsburgh Pirates, and we’re just minutes from beautiful Anna Maria Island, where the grandeur of Florida beaches is always on display. We also boast the Bradenton Blues Festival, which has rapidly ascended to become one of the best blues festivals in the country.
With so many things to be proud of about our city – public art, beautiful parks, fine dining and entertainment - the one thing we are most proud of is our residents. We have been strong and resilient together during a challenging year, and that has made us only stronger for our future.
Cape Coral: Cape Coral is a vibrant and friendly community with all the beauty that you expect from Southwest Florida. With over 400 miles of salt and fresh water canals, it is a boaters "Paradise". Cape Coral is made up of 114 square miles of land and is the largest city in Southwest Florida and the largest between Tampa and Miami. With golf courses, tennis courts, boat ramps, athletic parks, natural preserves and more, the quality of life in Cape Coral is second to none. The City of Cape Coral has some of the best parks and recreation programs in the state, providing all types of activities and programs for young and the young at heart. To satisfy the cultural and recreational needs of a diverse population, Cape Coral residents and visitors are within easy reach of all sorts of activities and amenities. Shopping and dining; theater and art; sports, from children's leagues to professional team; clubs and organizations that appeal to just about every taste and hobby; and environmental activities, from kayaking to visiting our burrowing owl neighbors. Our city continues to be a safe community while Cape Coral's police and fire department are proactive, working with the community to make it safe for all.
Estero: Estero offers access to beautiful beaches and warm sunny weather. Estero Bay, commonly used for kayaking, separates Estero from many of the nearby Gulf of Mexico beaches, but residents and visitors to the area can take advantage of neighboring beaches within a 15-minute drive. South of Estero, several Lee County beaches line the gulf waters in Bonita Springs. Bonita Beach Park is just 15 minutes from Estero and offers access to the north end of Bonita Beach.
Fort Myers: Nestled along the scenic shoreline of the Caloosahatchee River, the city has become an interesting blend of young and old. Sporting the youngest population in Lee County, with a median age of 32, the City of Fort Myers is also home to the historic winter residences of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Extensive renovation of the historic downtown waterfront is underway, with new restaurants, nightclubs, apartments, and artistic venues providing energy and growth. Throughout the year, Southwest Florida residents and visitors enjoy cultural events overlooking the river at Centennial Park and the Fort Myers Yacht Basin.
There’s always something to do in the Fort Myers area! We have many attractions and activities to make your stay exciting and interesting. There are activities for ALL ages! Golfing, skateboarding, ice-skating, roller-skating, nature walks, a hands-on museum, water park, planetarium, and much more for the family! Or if you want to just put your feet up and take it easy, some of the most beautiful beaches and resort hotels in the world are within a few miles of downtown Fort Myers. After taking in the beautiful sunset you can enjoy the Fort Myers nightlife, with its world class performing arts, many restaurants and watering holes!
Fort Myers Beach: Heaped with sugary white sand, Fort Myers Beach is a popular destination for visitors eager to engage in watersports such as parasailing and kayaking – or just as eager to simply relax on the inviting beach. Fort Myers Beach sits on a little barrier island, about seven miles long, and the beach is fabulous – wide, gradually sloping, and thick with the area's justifiably famed sand. Fort Myers Beach has accommodations in all price ranges and lots to do. Be sure to visit Lovers Key State Park, Bowditch Point Park, Times Square, or hop on the Key West Express for a fun trip down to the famous Key West. You can go on a dolphin eco-tour via wave-runner, or on a fishing charter. Just off the coast of Fort Myers Beach and easy to reach are the islands of Sanibel and Captiva.
Marco Island: Marco Island, the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, is located at southern tip of Florida's Paradise Coast. A beachfront paradise located north of the Gulf Coast entrance to Everglades National Park and 15 miles south of Naples, the island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and pristine mangrove estuaries on the other.
Marco Island is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches and offers world-class golf courses nearby, shopping and dining on Marco Island and in nearby Naples, the world famous Everglades National Park adjacent, and immediate access to both the Gulf of Mexico and the mangrove-lined estuaries of the Ten Thousand Islands for shelling, fishing, boating, bird and wildlife watching, kayaking and canoeing. In 2021 it is on of the 10 safest cities in Florida.
Naples: Naples, perched on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida, is famous for its high-end shopping, world-class culture and sophisticated dining. But Naples is also an affordable family destination that appeals to nature lovers and beach aficionados. Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are the focal points for Naples shopping in the historic downtown area, with numerous art galleries, chic clothing boutiques and home decor shops. When it comes time for lunch or drinks and dinner, enjoy your meal with a water view, whether you choose a swank Naples beachfront resort or a funky bayside bar.
North Port: For visitors who want to experience an up-and-coming and accessible community, the City of North Port is conveniently located in Sarasota County between Tampa and Fort Myers. Tucked beneath a thick canopy of oaks and pines, North Port is rich with archeological history and beautiful natural springs – including Warm Mineral Springs, which maintains an 85-degree temperature year-round and has one of the highest mineral contents in the world. There are plenty of opportunities to play inside this 104.3-square-mile community, with more than 26 parks and open spaces. Adventurous canoeing and kayaking opportunities are available within the city's estimated 80 miles of freshwater canals, the Myakkahatchee Creek during the summer months, and the Myakka River. North Port is the only city in the state with an entire state forest inside its city limits – the 8,000-acre Myakka State Forest. The city boasts several miles of horse trails, mountain bike trails, natural hiking paths, and bird watching opportunities. The City of North Port also offers a vibrant parks and recreation division that provides family events and activities for all ages year-round.
Pine Island: Pine Island is the largest island (18 miles long, 2 miles wide with five unique communities) of Florida’s Southwestern Gulf coast. We’re just 15 minutes from Cape Coral and 30 minutes from Fort Myers, but our secluded, small town atmosphere is a world apart! Surrounded by mangroves, three aquatic preserves, acres of palm, tropical plat and fruit groves; we have escaped the cement skyscraper development so predominant on other Florida islands. The waters of Pine Island Sound provide not only some of the finest fishing in Florida but are a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Hiking trails, kayak and canoe waterways, ancient Indian shell mounds will add to your outdoor adventures. Home to many artists, authors, song writers and poets, Pine Island is also known as “Florida’s Creative Coast”. Enjoy shopping in our fine are galleries and specialty shops. Dine in one of our wonderful fresh seafood restaurants and stay in our charming accommodations.
Port Charlotte: Port Charlotte, along Florida's welcoming Gulf Coast, is about halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, perfectly positioned to offer every manner of water-borne activities. Port Charlotte features more than 165 miles of waterways, providing access to Charlotte Harbor, the Gulf of Mexico, and miles of natural shoreline bordering Charlotte Harbor and the Peace and Myakka rivers. But that's not all. Seven of the 21 golf courses located in Charlotte County are found in Port Charlotte. Charlotte Sports Park is home to spring training for the Tampa Bay Rays. Tippecanoe Environmental Park in Port Charlotte offers hiking trails and wildlife viewing through 380 acres of scrub and pine flat-woods.
Punta Gorda: In addition to its beautifully restored historic district, Punta Gorda offers many natural attractions, waterside shopping and leisurely strolls along the Harborwalk and at Fishermen's Village on Charlotte Harbor. Easily reached by I-75 along Florida’s south-central Gulf Coast, Punta Gorda features streets lined with huge royal palms, old Florida-era tin-roofed homes with wide verandas, brick lanes, and street lamps and benches that leave an almost tangible old-Florida atmosphere. The A.C. Freeman House Museum in Punta Gorda is an authentically restored and furnished late Victorian-era home. Near the historic district of Punta Gorda, you will find Fishermen's Village. This unique waterfront destination includes gift, clothing, and specialty shops, seven restaurants, a military heritage museum, a 98-slip marina and fully furnished luxury villas.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands: The islands of Sanibel and Captiva are located west of Fort Myers, Florida. They are the perfect choice for your vacation whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family trip nature vacation or a new winter home. A true Florida treasure. Sanibel is one of the “Top 10 Best Florida Beach Towns and a popular tourist destination known for its sugar sand shell filled beaches and wildlife refuges. More than half of these two islands are made up of wildlife refuges, the largest being J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy 15 miles of unspoiled beaches, 25 miles of bike paths, 50 types of fish, 230 types of birds, 250 kinds of shells and 0 stop lights. The residents of Sanibel Island are passionate about keeping Sanibel, Sanibel. This means allowing Sanibel to thrive naturally. In fact, in 1963, when the Sanibel Bridge was built connecting the island to the mainland, unprecedented commercial and residential Sanibel real estate growth began to encroach upon the island so loved by its residents. As part of the Lee County, Sanibel was subject to the zoning ordinances for the county and was zoned to allow a population of 90,000 people within its 17.21 square miles of land. Wetlands would be turned in to golf courses and the dunes would be replaced by high rise condominiums. The quaint, natural feel could have been replace by a cement city, however residents did not sit back and let their beloved island get eaten up by cement. In 1974, the residents of the island voted to become an incorporated city. Two years later, the city adopted an innovative comprehensive plan, which utilized extensive environmental inventory of the island as a basis for all land use planning decisions. Due t the residents tenacity and endeavoring, over 60% of Sanibel Island is now a protected conservation preserve. Captiva Island, sometimes referred to as “Sanibel’s Little Sister” is nestled on the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is a beautiful tropical paradise.
Sarasota: Sarasota is just south of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast and was once the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Today, it hosts several cultural institutes, notably the Ringling Museum of Art, which showcases old masters and modern art. It’s also the gateway to miles of beaches with fine sand and shallow waters, such as Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach. And do not miss a visit to the Sarasota Jungle Gardens to feed a flamingo, sit on an alligator, or have your picture taken holding a reptile. Another beautiful place to check out is the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The gardens are best known for orchids, and a commitment to plant preservation. The elevated Rainforest Children’s Garden is an adventurous one-acre escape to one of the wildest places on earth, featuring half of the world’s known plant and animal species. And if baseball is your favorite past-time, there are seven major league teams that play spring training games near Sarasota.
