Top Things to do in Southwest Gulf Coast
Top Hotels in Southwest Gulf Coast
- 1. Bayfront Inn 5th Ave
- 2. Golden Host Resort
- 3. Naples Grande Beach Resort
- 4. West Wind Island Resort
- 5. Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
- 6. Carlisle Inn
- 7. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Punta Gorda, an IHG Hotel
- 8. Compass by Margaritaville
- 9. Hyatt House Naples/5th Avenue
- 10. Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
Countries
5 Educational sites in Southwest Gulf Coast That You Shouldn't Miss
Floridas Southwest Gulf Coast contains a constellation of enticing coastal gems. Stunning beaches, including Ft. Myers Beach, Tigertail Beach and Pensacola Beach, fringe the Gulf, down the I-75 from Tampa to Naples. Sanibel Islands shelling attracts thousands. Cape Corals waters are paradise for flyfishing. Golfers adore spectacular courses in Marco Island and Naples. Glorious sunny days and deliciously warm turquoise waters beckon in this often overlooked corner of the Sunshine State.
Restaurants in Southwest Gulf Coast
1. BIG Arts (Barrier Island Group for the Arts)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
To create great arts, entertainment and learning experiences that always inspire, enrich and delight.
Reviewed By 60donaldd
Last night we went to a wonderful function at Big Arts out on Sanibel Island. Big Arts sponsored an open house style event with an art show with 2 separate exhibits, a live band and dancing, free admission and free food and beverages. They served 3 different craft beers from one of the areas local brewers. There was a wine station serving both red and white wines. There was a gourmet coffee station and they served small bites like fried coconut shrimp and ahi tuna canapés through out most of the evening. It was a perfect night, the weather was gorgeous, there were over 400 people that attended from all age groups and every one appeared to be having a wonderful time and we certainly did. This was not our first visit to Big Arts. We have attended some of their past theater productions and have always had a great time. A special thanks to Lauren Huff for curating the art exhibits and Michael Dest for coordinating all of the logistics for the event. You both did a great job. Keep up the good work Big Arts, you can always count on us to come back.
2. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 429 reviews
Established in 1968, CROW is one of the nation's leading wildlife rehabilitation hospitals for Florida's native and migratory wildlife. A non-profit veterinary hospital, CROW provides medical care for more than 200 species and about 3,500 injured, sick and orphaned wildlife patients every year, with the goal of returning them to their natural habitat. CROW provides educational opportunities for students from across the United States and other nations to participate in wildlife rehabilitation process while introducing them to conservation medicine. Although the Hospital and its patients are not open to the public, CROW does provide a Visitor Education Center with interactive exhibits for all ages and live feed cameras of the Hospital intake room and patient enclosures. “Wildlife Walk” Guided Hospital Tours are offered for a chance to go “behind-the-scenes” and see the veterinarians in action. Registration in advance for the tours is required, please see website for available dates.
Reviewed By 214tinar
Our party visited Dec 2019. We had an hour long presentation about snakes with an ambassador Indigo snake who was quite feisty. After being told some crucial differences between venomous and non venomous snakes we felt a little more confident about how to deal with one in the wild. After an excellent talk we were shown to the clinic. An injured pelican arrived while we were there and was examined and X rayed (we could see into the examination room through a window). Once the examinations and treatments of the emergency patients were over we had a walk through so we could see how the patient areas are organised. The animal ambassadors are the ones that interact with visitors - there was an American Kestrel ambassador in one of the rooms keeping an eye on us. The patients are not photographed and don't interact with visitors - which is reasonable given that they are patients not exhibits. This is an exceptional clinic - doing some great work for injured animals - including those poisoned by red tide. Good to know that the modest fee for our tour goes towards supporting the work here.
3. Ostego Bay Marine Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Welcome to the Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center located at 718 Fisherman's Wharf on San Carlos Island in Fort Myers Beach, Fl. For 26 years, the Center provides a Marine Science Experience through interactive exhibits, aquariums, touch tank, one of kind collections and unique displays. Open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with both guided and self-guided tours. A donation of $5.00 per adult and $3.00 for children over 6 years of age is suggested. Always FREE for Foundation Members. Call for feeding times, it's an opportunity to see many of our reclusive marine specimens that come out of hiding for lunch. Touch a starfish, put your head in the mouth of a shark, see how sea turtles hatch, and much more. Open by appointment only July 12 through July 28th as we are hosting our annual Children's Summer Camp.
Reviewed By BRKY21 - Lexington, United States
My family and I went on the working waterfront tour. Enjoyable and fun learning about the area shrimp industry. An enlightening, behind the scenes look at the workings of the shrimp operation.
4. Kowiachobee Animal Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Kowiachobee animal preserve is a 501C3 educational and rescue faculty. There are over hundred animal to see your children can feed some of them hands on. Animal range from goats hogs mini pot bellie pigs, exotic mammals , exotic birds , reptiles and 12 big cats!
Reviewed By 392enderw
Had a lot of fun and met some very caring and compassionate people rescuing and caring for some very interesting and personable animals. Call first and also check out their "Wish List" for things to donate. My Mom brought towels and some cleaning supplies that she had sitting around and we stopped to pick up a few more things on the list. Feels good to help in a small way and where else can you tell a joke to a zebra and make it laugh?
5. IMG Academy
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 174 reviews
IMG Academy is the world’s leading integrated academic and athletic training establishment. For more than 30 years, IMG Academy has helped countless youth, adult, collegiate and professional athletes realize their full potential in life and in sport.Today, the Bradenton, Fla.-based campus attracts 30,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries annually. IMG Academy offers youth camp and academy programs in a variety of sports, as well as athletic and personal areas of development. Additionally, IMG Academy offers training programs for professional athletes, teams and leagues from around the world
Reviewed By mariarH3204HD
We had a great experience at IMG. Coach Mike and Heather worked with our daughter and were really attentive to helping her improve her game. We got the breakthrough camp and using the KVEST and TrackMan helped us to gain and understanding of where she needed to improve. I see a lot of hit n miss reviews and thought I’d give my opinion. If you’re a parent expect ur kid to be ready for the PGA or LPGA after IMG camp, maybe that’s the problem. Lol. We hoped to learn a few things to improve her game and we got that and more. Yea it’s expensive but if it wasn’t then the class ratios would have too many kids. Thanks Coach Mike and Heather. Also Alex (Cool Clubs) and Coach Jay & Robbie were very helpful with their breakthrough sessions.
