7 Unique Experiences You’ll Love in Southwest Florida

08.01.2025 - 10:36 / matadornetwork.com

Southwest Florida is a vacationer’s dream. That comes as zero surprise to anyone who’s had the pleasure of digging their toes into the warm, white sands that stretch from Fort Myers to Sanibel Island and beyond. You could happily spend your vacation trawling for seashells and building pint-sized castles, but there’s a lot more to this region than its beaches — including some unique experiences that you might only find here.

Whether you’re into camping, murder mysteries, or high-flying helicopter rides, Southwest Florida is nothing if not memorable. Here are seven activities to help you turn up the adventure during your next unforgettable visit to the islands, beaches and neighborhoods of Fort Myers.

Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods

If you love the outdoors, consider a weekend glamping trip to see Fort Myers in all of its natural glory. You can camp in style at Koreshan State Park with Timberline Glamping. The extra spacious tents are decked out in sleek furnishings, with either a king bed and two bunk beds or matching queen beds. Each safari-style abode also comes with a fridge, coffeemaker, and air conditioner for optimal comfort. When you’re not lounging in your tent, get to know the property the exciting way by going biking, paddleboarding, kayaking, or fishing.

Another perk of Timberline is that its state park setting allows you to learn more about Florida’s history. The park gets its name from Dr. Cyrus R. Teed, who relocated from Chicago and established a utopian community here in 1894, calling it Koreshan. While on site, be sure to visit the Koreshan Unity Settlement, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and features 11 immaculately maintained historic structures.

Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods

There’s exactly one museum in the entire country that’s officially recognized for its collection of roughly half a million shells and myriad living mollusks. It’s called the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, and it’s located on Sanibel Island — the “Seashell Capital of the World.”

Among the museum’s permanent and rotating exhibits are special exhibitions that’ll really open your eyes to the wide world of shells. Themes range from how seashells have been used in fashion to spotlights on specific shell families, starting with glittery abalone. You’ll also learn a lot about mollusks over at the aquarium displays and two touch pools, which collectively hold more than 60 different species. Fun fact: The mollusk classification not only includes shelled sea creatures like clams and scallops but also some larger marine animals.

Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods

Cabbage Key, a tiny island off Pine Island with 100 scenic