Fort Myers – A Sweet Paradise

Struggling to figure out where exactly in Florida to vacation to? Me too! That is why I am here to summarize the best cities down the west coastline, starting at the top.

Destin

Destin, Florida — Photo by Vivian Joskowicz

A beautiful place to begin, Destin is a host emerald-green waters and powdery, white sand. It is known for being “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” for deep-sea fishing. Crab Island is a shallow-water sandbar with a party atmosphere, where visitors can rent pontoons or charters and enjoy floating bars and food vendors. At Baytowne Wharf, you can shop, eat, listen to music, or have a blast at the obstacle course. The Destin HarborWalk offers views of the water while strolling along the boardwalk full of restaurants and lively nightlife. Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park, tubing, go-karts, mini golf, boating, museums, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, zoos, and snorkeling are perfect family activities!

2. St. Pete

Much further down the state is St. Petersburg, or St. Pete. The downtown is bustling, highlighting the pretty Spa Beach, which is ideal for volleyball, kayaking, and paddleboarding. This destination has world-class art museums, shops and breweries along Central Avenue, Sunken Gardens, and the St. Pete Pier. Jet ski rentals, sunset cruises, and dolphin-watching tours are exciting excursions to book here as well! Not to forget, the city of Tampa is less than 30 minutes away, home of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, ZooTampa, and The Florida Aquarium.

3. Siesta Key

Conditions continue to worsen out here on Siesta Key 😎. #siestakey #FLA #fml #floridaproblems #florida #earlyretirement — Photo by Chris Lexow

Talk about stunning! Siesta Key is often named the #1 Beach in the United States, with the turquoise ocean and pure quartz sand which stays cool even with direct sunlight. You can use the free open-air trolley to travel between locations like Lido Key and the walkable village along Ocean Boulevard. Yoga on the shore, unique shopping experiences, tiki bars, live music performances, the farmers market, and bicycling are fun adventures to partake in there too. A short drive northeast will take you to the city of Sarasota, where you will find The Ringling Museum, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Solomon’s Castle, and the main street with galleries and stores, or take an hour drive northwest to Anna Maria Island for more pretty beaches!

4. Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers Beach Pier - Florida — Photo by Andrea Moscato

This stop in Florida will give visitors a mix of history, nature, and coastal charm. Places you will want to stop at include Brightwater Lagoon, Koreshan State Park, and Sanibel Island, popular for beachcombing. Times Square is the central hub for shopping and eating, with direct access to the pier. Or, The Promenade at Bonita Beach is a 45 minute drive north, with some of the finest retail stores and boutiques. By taking the Key West Express ferry, you will be able reach Key West or, seasonally, Marco Island for approximately $170 per person. This catamaran ride is perfect for a day trip, particularly if you prefer to not drive down and back.

5. Key West

At the very bottom of the state is Key West, with yet again gorgeous beaches. Snorkel the coral reef, visit the Key West Shipwreck Museum, take a dolphin-watching tour, watch a famous Key West sunset, or a two-hour boat ride to Dry Tortugas National Park. The island is exceptionally abundant in aquatic activities as well, such as sailing, parasailing, water skiing, scuba diving, and kayaking.

Let me know your favorite spot on Florida’s west side! Thanks for the read.

-xo, Nicole (:

New York City

Stopping in New York City during Christmastime is a must-do once in your lifetime. I have and despite the cold, really enjoyed the atmosphere. There are massive Christmas trees and ice rinks at the Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park. There, you can find a festive winter village with shops and food. Other holiday markets are found at Columbus Circle and Union Square. Holiday light displays are put up at Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where you can find a train show as well. Go to Radio City Music Hall to watch the Christmas Spectacular or Central Park for horse-drawn carriage rides. You can also take a trip over to Hudson Yards for the shopping center that is beautifully draped with lights.

Leavenworth, Washington

The city of Leavenworth transforms into a festive, Bavarian Christmas village, with holiday lights, shopping, and sleigh rides. Stroll through the town to the Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival every weekend in December, the Leavenworth Christkindlmarkt to experience a traditional German Christmas market, and The Gingerbread Factory for cookies and espresso. Icicle Gorge Trailhead is a pretty spot for winter walks, the Nutcracker Museum has thousands of nutcrackers from around the world, and skiing and snowboarding are available at Mission Ridge.

Maui, Hawaii

Maui offers a great combinations of festive, island-style Christmas celebrations such as the Lahaina Banyan Tree lighting or beach luaus, while also being able to still enjoy surfing on the north shore at Kanaha. Though not as hot as the summertime, an average of 77 degrees makes it ideal for swimming in the ocean and sunbathing at Ka’anapali Beach. Haleakalā National Park displays the diverse landscape of Hawaii, with the volcano and natural pools within the bamboo forests. You also must travel down the Road to Hana, being the world’s most scenic drive of waterfalls, the rainforest, the sea, and lava tubes.

Fort Myers, Florida

In Fort Myers, visitors can enjoy mild temperatures in the 70s while still enjoying the warm Gulf waters in December at Estero Island. This weather is suitable for shelling, kayaking, and soaking in the vibrant downtown culture. Holiday festivities include the Christmas Boat Parade, the Luminary Walk, and the Festival of Trees. Attractions there consist of visiting Manatee Park, taking dolphin cruises, and walking through nature trails at Lovers Key State Park. While there, it would be worthwhile to stop by Times Square, full of beachfront retail shops and restaurants, frequently featuring live music.

Southern California

Christmas Castle — Photo by Michael Saechang

Though a big colder, with weather being in 50s and 60s, southern California is still a nice place to add to your list. In Anaheim, you can visit Disneyland for some holiday magic or take a short drive down to the Santa Ana Winter Village. In Laguna Beach, you can celebrate Sawdust Winter Fantasy Festival or hike along coastal trails at Heisler Park. In Santa Barbara, you can see the annual Parade of Lights on the harbor, take a tour through the wine region, and walk the pier at Stearns Wharf for ocean views and fresh seafood.

Thanks for the read!

-xo, Nicole (:

Tag: Fort Myers

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