SWFL Insider

Like the zebra longwing, which holds the honor of Florida’s official butterfly, the state’s lower left wing (aka Southwest Florida) has metamorphized in the past few years on its way to becoming a thing of beauty, a symbol of resilience. As coastal areas continue to reinvent themselves and shake off the impact of 2022’s destructive Hurricane Ian and Miton in 2024, they introduce fascinating new facets to redefine their wild, natural, sunny cultural character.

Culinary explosion

The most robust growth of the region reflects in its ever-compounding gustatory delights. The latest trend brings indoor-outdoor entertainment complexes where neighbors gather to eat, drink, dance and socialize. Celebration Park in Naples and Rooftop Riverside in Bonita Springs started the upswing of food truck dining coupled with bars and live music.

More recently, Backyard Social in Fort Myers brings its rendition with eight food trucks circling a 300-person capacity hall for drinking and playing games -- from cornhole to duckpin bowling. It attracts the student crowd from nearby Florida Gulf Coast University. Then came Bay Street Yard in downtown Fort Myers, with its stage and Jumbotron screen to keep the entertainment large and lively. Food trucks and repurposed shipping containers update the definition of food court in this outdoor space.

In Bonita Springs, watch for the genesis of Sugarshack Downtown, an outgrowth of music-making that will bring regional and national acts to the stage. Its partnership with Maine’s Brickyard Hollow brand of food and drink ensures another entirely fresh way to party day and night.

Out on the islands, fans cheer the return of longtime culinary institutions along with new-to-the-scene gems. Like old friends, Lighthouse Café, Gramma Dot’s, Sanibel Café and The Original Cheeburger Cheeburger are back on Sanibel Island, showing off facelifts and, in the case of iconic Lighthouse Café, a new and bigger location. In a delicious game of musical chairs, Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant, a mash-up of the old Mad Hatter and Island Cow restaurants, has remastered the original Lighthouse Café location for an entirely delightful outcome.

Fort Myers Beach, too, welcomes back longtime favorites like Island’s Pancake House and Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant. At the same time, Margaritaville Beach Resort injects new vitality with Jimmy Buffett-inspired beach hangouts like the Lah De Dah Beach Bar and Grill and It’s Five O’clock Somewhere. JWB Grill takes the tropical vibe up a notch with fine coastal cuisine and a beach overlook.

Yucatan Beachstand Bar & Grill once more juices up the lively vibe around FMB’s Times Square, and Yucatan Waterfront Bar & Grill has made a Matlacha comeback on Pine Island.

Like Margaritaville, Sunseeker Charlotte Harbor resort has elevated the foodie cred in Port Charlotte with options ranging from a classy food court to sit-down topnotch restaurants such as Stretto, serving Coastal Italian, and Maury’s steakhouse – all overlooking the expansive, cobalt blue beauty of the waterfront.

One of the best culinary surprises to make the scene this past year, Blossom & Brie opened a field-to-plate wonder on the grounds of the former Rosy Tomorrows Farm in North Fort Myers. The happy, specially tended farm animals are still there, plus the owners have added hydroponic produce to its field-grown repertoire.

Playgrounds and getaways

Of course, the huge news this year on the topic of Southwest Florida accommodations is Great Wolf Lodge, a 20-acre resort and waterpark complex east of south Naples. Newly opened this fall, it accepted only overnight reservations at first, but with plans to offer day passes in the future. Non-guests can purchase an activity pass for non-waterpark games and attractions and enjoy any of the resort’s several dining outlets.

Elsewhere around the region, the beach is still the best place to stay and most beach resorts have returned in the Naples and Marco Island area. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island beach accommodations are building back and building better. Fort Myers Beach stalwarts like Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina and DiamondHead Beach Resort have opened their doors and steadily upgraded vacation spots that have survived hurricanes and time. On Sanibel, Sundial Beach Resort & Spa is expected to accept overnight guests this month, and Casa Ybel Resort will open its accommodations by next year. In the meantime, Sundial offers day passes for access to the beach, dining, pool, and other amenities.

New in the neighborhoods

The very concept of day passes is somewhat new to the region, perhaps a product of hurricane recovery that kept accommodations closed after certain resort facilities had reopened. Or perhaps the two new destination resorts – Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach and Sunseeker Charlotte Harbor – ignited the trend with the availability of opportunities to enjoy exclusive amenities, such as an adult pool level and a beach club, without spending the night.

Other initiatives and developments have given new life to our neighborhoods. One especially colorful project brings the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau together with the Fort Myers Mural Society to create street art that defines each of the county’s 10 communities. By spring 2025, the mural trail will be complete, a complement to Fort Myers’ already rich mural culture and a tradition started decades ago in Punta Gorda.

At Babcock Ranch in the region’s northern reaches, The Shoppes at Yellow Pine expands the young community’s retail and commercial offerings with eateries specializing in pizza, Asian cuisine, grilled food and ice cream.

On Fort Myers Beach, the rebirth of Bayside Park brings the community together for a free concert series waterfront every Sunday afternoon. North Naples continues to exude youthful energy as it undergoes a makeover at Mercato shopping center that includes the addition of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema with food, drink, luxe theaters and even mini golf.

Events that define

The community of Sanibel Island has a lot to celebrate this season. In November, it threw a 13-month-long party cheering the 50th anniversary of the city’s incorporation, a result of a grassroots movement to keep the island a sanctuary for nature and wildlife. A time capsule reveal, holiday tree lighting, Luminary Stroll, historical events, art shows and community festivals fill the calendar. Taste of the Islands even made its return in its original outdoor party format at City Hall.

Another welcome comeback festival, the American Sand Sculpting Championship brings artists, families and other festival-goers to Fort Myers Beach in November to compete, demonstrate and simply admire masterpieces arising from granules on the beach.

Other signature annual festivals across the land include the Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda, Edison Festival of Lights in Fort Myers, Collier County Fair & Exposition in Naples, and various seafood festivals, art fests and spring training competitions.