Things To Do In SW Florida

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape from your weekly routine or a weekend away at a historic hotel, the Belleview Inn in Belleair, Florida just minutes away from Clearwater Beach is a perfect choice. The newly renovated Inn is a unique architectural gem that provides you with a rare opportunity to take a step back in time.

 

The Belleview’s Unique History

Located in Belleair, Florida, the Bellview Inn has a very unique and captivating history. Originally constructed in 1897, this historic Florida hotel began as one of Henry Plants’ original destinations for his railroad. Sadly, the 35-room inn was forced to close its doors more than 10 years ago after hurricane damage nearly destroyed the historic site.

Three years ago, a developer took on the monumental task of restoring the Bellview to its former glory.  From the restoration of the Inn’s original wood exterior to the repair of nearly 100 panels of stained glass in the recreated Tiffany Room, the hotel’s renovation was completed with so much attention to detail. read more

Roy’s wagyu beef mandu

Take a tasting trip through Korea without leaving Florida thanks to the new prix fixe menu at Roy’s Bonita Springs. The three-course Taste of Korea menu includes a choice of appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert, giving you a chance to enjoy an entire Korean meal in a beautiful restaurant setting.

Roy’s crispy calamari salad

Start your meal with a selection of wagyu beef mandu or crispy calamari salad. The wagyu beef mandu was a delicious Korean dumpling with a tangy firecracker dipping sauce. And the crispy calamari salad was topped with fried calamari, Asian pear, and a yummy sesame miso dressing.

Roy’s sesame-crusted salmon bibimbap

The Taste of Korea menu has two entrees to choose from. The delicious 48-hour galbi boneless beef short rib comes with a side of kim chee mash, bok choy mung, and bean sprouts. And the sesame-crusted salmon bibimbap is complemented by shiitake mushrooms, spinach, and gochujang quail egg for a lighter dinner option.

Roy’s 48-hour galbi boneless beef short rib read more

The beaches of southwest Florida are some of the most beautiful in the country. But if you’re traveling with pets, you may be wondering where you and your dog can enjoy the beach together.  If you’re searching for a good place to enjoy the surf with your dog, check out one of our picks for the best dog-friendly beaches in Southwest Florida.

Things to know about the dog-friendly beaches in Southwest Florida

Most dog-friendly beaches in Southwest Florida require your dog to be on a leash, except for Bonita Beach Dog Park. It’s important that you research the specific requirements for bringing your dog to the beach for any of the beaches you will visit. It’s also important to be prepared, bring everything you need for your dog. Most important of all be sure to pick up after your dog. Taking care of the beaches will ensure they continue to be dog-friendly. Here are some great tips for taking your dog to the beach.

Bonita Beach Dog Park

Located on a strip of beach on the edge of Lover’s Key State Park in Fort Myers Beach , the Bonita Beach Dog Park is a leash-free beach park. Here dogs roam free and play with each other. It’s so much fun to go for pets and their owners. There is even a doggie shower station to rinse the sand off your dog before leaving! Take into account that this doggy beach is subject to incoming and outgoing tides. Depending on the time and dayo you might have to wade through water during high tide. read more

Whether you’re planning a family getaway or a weekend staycation, the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village has everything you’ll need to enjoy a family vacation in Cape Coral. Since we are locals we often go to the hotel for dinner at Marker 92 or just for a walk along the beautiful marina.  The area is gorgeous, surrounded with beautiful mangrove forests and great waterfront views. 

Great Location

The Westin Cape Coral is the only luxury hotel in Cape Coral, it is just 13 miles from downtown Fort Myers and steps away from some of the best restaurants in the area, most of them great water views .  That means you can enjoy a private retreat at the Westin with all the conveniences of the city.

Located on the Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral, the resort’s grounds offer amazing water views. From the resort, you can view the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the Caloosahatchee River and Tarpon Point Marina. From enjoying the panoramic views of the serene water from the comfort of our room or walking around the resort to take in the scenery up close, there was never a time when we didn’t have something beautiful to look at during our stay. read more

Stand up paddle boarding is not just one of the best full body workouts, it’s also a great way to enjoy the water.  Southwest Florida is a fantastic place for paddleboarding with lots of options to enjoy the beautiful beaches and estuaries and view nature from the water.

Best places for paddle boarding in Southwest Florida

Paddleboarding is a great way to explore Southwest Florida from the water. Whether you’re doing it for the first time or you’ve already fallen in love with paddle boarding.

The Caloosa Blueway Paddling Trail is a great place to start with over 190 miles of marked paddling trail you’re sure to find your favorite spots for paddleboarding in Southwest Florida. Just grab a  Caloosa Blueway Paddling Trail map here to find all of the launch locations across Fort Myers, Pine Island, Sanibel and Estero.

Lover’s Key State Park is a great place for paddling. Arrive there early in the morning and avoid windy days so there are no waves.

Tapon Bay in Sanibel is also a great spot for paddling. Located in the J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Reserve there are two launch sites.  Commodore Creek Kayak Trail is a very peaceful paddling trail along the mangrove forest with tranquil waters ideal for novice read more