There are hidden gems scattered in towns and cities throughout Southwest Florida for families to explore. Beyond the beaches, zoo, and water parks are lesser-known spots just waiting to be found. Summer is the time to explore, try something different, and head to a neighboring community or one in an adjacent county for a new adventure. Here are some undiscovered enterprises right near our own backyards that are perfect for summer fun.
Collier County Hidden Gems
Naples
Revs Institute
Car lovers and curious kids alike are often surprised to discover Revs Institute, a museum filled with rare and historically important automobiles. The museum maintains a collection of more than 100 operational and historically significant automobiles built between 1896 and 1995. These cars blazed technical pathways, redefined aesthetic standards, and changed the world. Kids love the automobility gallery that shows the transformation of the automobile over time. They are fascinated by the 110-year-old car that has headlights illuminated by candles. Families enjoy getting fun facts from the museum’s volunteers. “The history is what makes Revs what we are,” said Samantha Slater, senior director of marketing. “It is really a blast from the past.”
2500 Horseshoe Drive S., Naples
revsinstitute.org
Old Naples
Naples Depot Museum
After being closed for more than three years following Hurricane Ian, the museum has reopened. Inside the restored Seaboard Air Line Railway passenger station, guests can see Seminole dugout canoes, a mule wagon, antique swamp buggy, vintage cars, and learn about trade and travel in Naples. But what children love the most is climbing aboard a restored silver 1947 Budd Tavern Observation train car and a 1909 red caboose.
1051 5th Ave. S., Naples
www.colliermuseums.com/Locations/Naples-Depot-Museum
East Naples
Bird Gardens of Naples
Families can get up close with colorful parrots, feed them unsalted nuts, and watch the birds play and socialize. The Bird Gardens of Naples is a nonprofit avian resource center that supports more than 150 birds from homes or facilities that could no longer care for them. The owners give free public tours every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting at 11 a.m.
1060 Purple Martin Dr., Naples
thebirdgardensofnaples.org
North Naples
Go Boats
One of the most unusual ways to explore the water in Naples is aboard a Go Boat from All Water Excursions. The circular inflatable watercraft resembles a giant motorized donut and cruises along at about five miles per hour. Children ride with an adult in the double Go Boats, making them a family-friendly way to explore the Cocohatchee River. Owner Jay Stemen says the slow pace is ideal for spotting dolphins, blue herons, osprey, and egrets commonly seen along the river. Go Boats “are great for older people to enjoy with their grandchildren and for parents and kids to experience together,” Stemen said. “It is just fun, unique, and different from anything else out there.”
12345 Tamiami Trl. N., Naples
allwaterexcursionsmarina.com
Marco Island
Marco Golf and Garden
At this unique attraction, visitors experience more than a traditional round of mini golf. The beautifully landscaped course doubles as a peaceful garden walk, with labeled tropical plants and flowers throughout the property that give visitors the feel of a small botanical garden while they play. “ It is a little surprise gem,” said former city councilwoman Becky Irwin.
971 Winterberry Dr., Marco Island
marcogolfandgarden.com
Golden Gate
Golden Gate Aquatic Center
Families looking for water slides and pools without the expense of a full-scale water park will find plenty to enjoy at Golden Gate Aquatic Center. Admission is just $1.50 for children and $2 for adults, giving visitors access to a heated pool, children’s activity pool, wading pool, a 177-foot open slide, a 122-foot enclosed slide, and 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards.
3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Naples
www.collierparks.com/collier_park/golden-gate-community-park
Ave Maria
Christmas in July
More than 90 percent of the activities in Ave Maria are for residents only. But everyone is welcome to visit the free Christmas in July event from noon to 5 p.m. on July 25 in the town center. Families can enjoy Christmas décor, holiday music, food and drinks, face painting, and hopefully a visit from Santa.
Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria
avemaria.com
Immokalee
Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch
At the original homestead of cattleman Robert Roberts and his family, visitors can explore 15 carefully preserved buildings spread across a 13-acre historic site. The property offers a glimpse into daily life on an early 1900s Southwest Florida cattle ranch and citrus grove, showing how pioneer families cooked, farmed, worked, and lived.
1215 Roberts Ave. W., Immokalee
www.colliermuseums.com/Locations/Immokalee-Pioneer-Museum-at-Roberts-Ranch
Everglades City
Museum of the Everglades
Collier County’s smallest museum is filled with stories from the region’s colorful past. Visitors can learn about the area’s early settlers, pioneers, and adventurers, as well as the wealthy travelers and sportsmen who later made their way to Everglades City. Housed in a restored 1920s-era building from the Collier County boom years, the museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
105 W. Broadway Ave., Everglades City
www.colliermuseums.com/Locations/Museum-of-the-Everglade
Ochopee
Skunk Ape
Headquarters
One of the strangest and most unusual places in Florida might be a small roadside attraction dedicated to the mysteries and tales of the Skunk Ape. There are also exhibits with snakes, alligators, a caiman, tortoises, and turtles.
40904 Tamiami Trl. E, Ochopee (on Trail Lakes Campground property)
www.skunkape.info
Fort Myers
Dim Jandy Ranch
Families looking for hands-on animal encounters can spend time cuddling baby goats, petting cows and donkeys, and visiting chickens and other farm animals at Dim Jandy Ranch. Children can even help bottle-feed some of the baby goats. The ranch also offers goat yoga sessions for ages 12 and older, followed by time to explore the farm. Owner Jen Buffington said the baby goats are always a favorite with visitors, and families enjoy the chance to interact closely with the animals, including occasional Highland calves. By appointment only.
13151 Pinto Lane, Fort Myers
dimjandy.com
San Carlos Park
Three Oaks Park
This public park has all the usual park amenities: a playground, walking and biking paths, and shaded picnic areas, but it also has fishing. The catch and release pond is a favorite for fishing for largemouth bass, spotted tilapia, and Mayan cichlid.
18251 Three Oaks Pkwy., Fort Myers
www.leegov.com/parks/parks/threeoaks
Fort Myers Beach
Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center
Rebuilt after Hurricane Ian destroyed much of its old facility, the science center invites visitors to explore coastal ecosystems in its new space. A boardwalk winds through nearby mangroves, and inside the center guests can observe hermit crabs and look forward to an upcoming touch tank exhibit.
The center also hosts an annual free kids fishing tournament each June, featuring complimentary bait, snacks, lunch, and prizes for every child. According to Joanne Semmer, center president, the event is designed to be accessible and fun for all families.
161 Bay Rd., Fort Myers Beach
ostegobay.org
North Fort Myers
Walker Farms
At this North Fort Myers farm, visitors can see the inner workings of a real beehive. Owner Joyce Walker will be on hand to explain the bee-to-honey process to visitors.
6251 Bee Charmer Lane, North Fort Myers
www.walkerfarmshoney.com
San Carlos Island
Pieces of Eight
Walk the plank onto a 65-foot replica of a Spanish galleon. There are treasure chests, dancing, limbo, cannon fire, pirate games, and nautical nonsense during these cruises that include sharing in some victory booty on the way back to port.
Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruises, 2500 Main St., San Carlos Island
www.floridapiratecruise.com
Cape Coral
Rotary Park Environmental Center
Spanning 97 acres, Rotary Park Environmental Center combines a nature preserve, playground, butterfly house, and environmental learning space in one destination. The 4,200-square-foot environmental center is home to snakes, lizards, turtles, and fish, many of which are surrendered former pets.
Outside, visitors can explore an upland area that includes a butterfly garden, dog park, walking paths, fitness stations, and nature trails. The park also features the Liam J. Perk playground, designed by local parents in memory of their son.
5505 Rose Garden Rd., Cape Coral
www.capecoral.gov/departments/parks_recreation/recreation_facilities/rotary_park_environmental_center/index.php
Bonita Springs
Lions Park and Island Park
Just behind the old railroad tracks in downtown Bonita Springs are a pair of lesser-known public parks. Lions Park features a playground with a hill to roll down, a slide embedded in a hill, and lots of things to climb. From there head along a dirt path under a canopy of trees and over the curved red bridge to Island Park for a walk along the Imperial River.
www.bonitaspringsparks.org
Estero
Koreshan State Park
Explore houses and buildings dating back to the late 1800s and learn about the history of the Koreshan Unity, a visionary community that lived and worked there for decades. There is a 1929 Fairbanks-Morse Engine and the original machine shop. Bamboo towers along the walking trails. There are also a playground and picnic areas along the Estero River.
3800 Corkscrew Rd., Estero
friendsofkoreshan.org
Lehigh Acres
Jim Fleming Ecological Park
One of the very last remaining pieces of Lehigh’s original wetlands features a 500-foot boardwalk through some of the 3.5 acres of preserve land.
601 East County Lane, Lehigh Acres
www.la-msid.com/jim-fleming-ecological-park
Alva
Hope & Joy Sanctuary
Guests have the rare opportunity to interact with kangaroos, a camel, sloth and other creatures and can choose an introductory tour or a more in-depth experience. Joy Bartling founded Scatter Joy Acres in Nebraska in 2006 and then opened a second location in Alva this past January. They also offer educational programming designed to support individuals with diverse needs. “Animals make you feel better,” Bartling said. “I love big zoos, but with the smaller zoos you get the up-close-and-personal experience.” By reservation only.
19861 N. River Rd., Alva
scatterjoyacres.org
Buckingham
Buckingham Community Park
If your child likes to climb, Buckingham Park is built for them. The playground features a large climbing wall, natural rock structures, and a covered play area with slides and climbing elements designed for active exploration. Across the space, kids can move through oversized blue rings, scale poles and bars, and navigate a variety of climbing features designed in different shapes and heights. The park also includes open green space, shaded picnic areas, bike paths, and a dog park.
9800 Buckingham Rd., Buckingham
www.leegov.com/parks/parks/buckinghampark
Pine Island
Mangomania
Almost every festival in Southwest Florida is during the busy winter season, so it is refreshing for locals to have one in the summer. Pine Island’s Tropical Fruit Fair is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 11. The festival features tropical trees and fruit for sale, contests, live music, and vendors.
9940 Stringfellow Rd, St. James City
www.pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania
Boca Grande
Gasparilla Island State Park
This state park features the historic 1890s Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum – the oldest structure on Gasparilla Island and one of the oldest in Lee County. The U.S. Coast Guard operated the lighthouse until 1966. After 20 years of neglect, the lighthouse was renovated and reopened in 1986 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn about the history of the lighthouse and Boca Grande at the museum and visitor center.
880 Belcher Rd., Boca Grande
www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/gasparilla-island-state-park
Sanibel
Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum
This museum is about more than just shells. It is the closest thing Lee County has to an aquarium. There are about 60 species of mollusks and other animals from around the world. One of the most popular features of the Living Gallery are two large, interactive touch pools. The California sea hare in the interactive touch pool is a visitor favorite.
3075 Sanibel Captiva Rd., Sanibel
shellmuseum.org
Captiva
The Bubble Room
You go for the experience even more than for the food. There are three floors of retro décor with bubble lights, moving trains, photos of musicians and stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, plus over 3,000 antiques from the 1930s and 1940s on display. The Bubble Room, originally a family home, opened as a restaurant in 1979, and is known for its whimsical atmosphere and, vintage holiday décor, and layered cakes.
15001 Captiva Dr., Captiva
bubbleroomrestaurant.com
Babcock
Babcock Ranch Eco-tour
Guests take a 90-minute swamp buggy tour through the historic Babcock Ranch. Travel through Crescent B Ranch, a working cattle ranch with more than 14,000 acres of pasture land. See wild turkey, caracara, soft shell turtles, osprey, sandhill cranes, fox squirrels, and more. There are also free walking tours on 1.8 miles trail and a special sounds of the night tour.
8502 FL-31, Punta Gorda
babcockranchecotours.com
Punta Gorda
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary is the forever home for abandoned or mistreated exotic animals, such as bears, Apollo the cougar, and Achilles, Aphrodite, Kondo, and Bosu the lions. Hyenas, primates, tigers, reptiles, and birds also call Octagon home.
41660 Horseshoe Rd., Punta Gorda
www.octagonwildlife.org
Island Hopping
Explore the islands accessible only by boat. Take the ferry to Cayo Costa for some secluded beaches and hiking. The three-hour trip includes two hours on the beach and a 30-minute boat ride each way.
www.cayocostaferry.com
Captiva Cruises departs from Captiva and goes to North Captiva. Guests get a 30 minute cruise, then five hours to explore North Captiva.
captivacruises.com
Cabbage Key is believed to be the inspiration for Jimmy Buffet’s song Cheeseburger in Paradise. The island has an inn and restaurant, built in 1938. The restaurant, which sits on top of a Calusa Indian shell mound, has panoramic views of the island and Pine Island Sound. The walls are lined with signed dollar bills. There is also a short nature trail and water tower to climb.
cabbagekey.com
For additional summer fun ideas check out: