SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Pick a town
Restaurants, music, events, beaches, parks, boating and local contacts for each town.
- Cape CoralHome base — 400+ miles of canals, Gulf access, the Yacht Club beach and waterfront living.~15 min from the house · 293 places · 25 big events →
- Fort MyersRiver District dining and music, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, spring training and the Caloosahatchee waterfront.384 places · 92 big events →
- Fort Myers BeachEstero Island's wide Gulf beach, Times Square, beach bars, shrimp boats and Lovers Key next door.111 places · 10 big events →
- Sanibel & CaptivaWorld-famous shelling beaches, the Ding Darling wildlife refuge and island bike paths.~45 min from the house · 147 places · 4 big events →
- Matlacha & Pine IslandColorful fishing village on Matlacha Pass, galleries, fresh seafood and Pine Island just across the bridge.113 places · 8 big events →
- Bonita Springs & EsteroBarefoot Beach and Bonita Beach, Koreshan State Park, Coconut Point and Hertz Arena.282 places · 27 big events →
- NaplesThe pier at sunset, Fifth Avenue dining, galleries and calm Gulf water.~60 min from the house · 429 places · 23 big events →
- Punta GordaCharlotte Harbor waterfront, Fishermen's Village, the Harborwalk and old-Florida downtown.~35 min from the house · 208 places · 21 big events →
ROAD TRIPS
Tampa Bay & Sarasota (2–3 hr)
- TampaRiverwalk, Ybor City, big-league sports and the biggest concerts.499 places · 8 big events →
- St. PetersburgWaterfront parks, museums, murals and a busy downtown.490 places · 7 big events →
- St. Pete BeachGulf beaches, tiki bars and sunsets on Pass-a-Grille.147 places · 2 big events →
- ClearwaterDowntown bayfront, Coachman Park concerts and the causeway.223 places · 3 big events →
- Clearwater BeachWhite sand, Pier 60 sunsets and beach bars.260 places · 9 big events →
- DunedinWalkable Main Street, breweries, Honeymoon Island and Caladesi.196 places · 6 big events →
- The BelleairsBelleair, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Beach and Belleair Shore — the historic Belleview Inn, Bluffs shops and quiet Gulf beach between Clearwater and Indian Rocks.51 places · 0 big events →
- Indian Rocks BeachSmall-town Gulf beach with Indian Shores next door — beach bars, the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary and walk-up beach accesses.61 places · 0 big events →
- SarasotaSiesta Key sand, St. Armands Circle, the Ringling and the arts.~1.5 hr from the house · 609 places · 13 big events →
Plan a road trip — Tampa Bay or the Florida Keys, with miles and drive times →
LONGER ROAD TRIPS
South Florida & the Keys (3–6 hr)
These are day-plus drives from the house, so they live in the road-trip planner with miles and drive times instead of full town guides.
- Key LargoFirst of the Keys — diving, snorkeling and the start of the Overseas Highway.Plan the drive →
- IslamoradaSportfishing capital, sandbars and waterfront tiki dining.Plan the drive →
- MarathonMid-Keys family beaches, the Turtle Hospital and the Seven Mile Bridge.Plan the drive →
- Key WestDuval Street, sunset at Mallory Square and the end of the road.Plan the drive →
- Fort LauderdaleBeach, boating canals and Las Olas dining on the Atlantic side.Plan the drive →
- West Palm BeachClematis Street, Worth Avenue across the bridge and Atlantic beaches.Plan the drive →
- MiamiSouth Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana and the big-city weekend.Plan the drive →
FLORIDA BAY
Everglades & Florida Bay
Each town has its own guide, map with Eat & drink and Sights & arts lists, and history page.
- HomesteadGateway to Everglades and Biscayne national parks, farm stands and Robert Is Here.Town guide →Map →History →
- FlamingoThe end of the Everglades road on Florida Bay — paddling, birds and crocodiles.Town guide →Map →History →
- Everglades CityStone crabs, airboats and the Ten Thousand Islands.