< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
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Practical Information
Address 811 South Palm Ave, Sarasota, 34236; 941 366 5731; www.selby.org
Bus SCAT bus 17 on Tamiami Trail (US 41) stops nearby.
Open 10am–5pm daily
Price $46–68; under 6s free
Age range 5 plus
Activities Little Sprouts is a fun interactive program for pre-schoolers, with stories and games.
Allow 2 hours
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
The Circus Arts Conservatory
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Practical Information
Address 2075 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, 34239; 941 355 9335; www.circusarts.org
Bus SCAT bus 11 stops on Bahia Vista and runs hourly from downtown.
Open For performances; times vary, check website.
Price $42–52 for circus; circus arts classes charge a fee.
Age range 5 plus
Activities A wide variety of demonstrations of circus arts and classes are available. Check website for schedule.
Allow 2–3 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
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Practical Information
Getting there and around Air Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), in Fort Myers, serves most of the major and low-fare airlines from destinations in and outside Florida. A couple of carriers fly small planes between Fort Myers and Key West. Several taxi companies service the airport and provide transportation throughout the region. Naples and Key West have small airports with a limited service. Most visitors to Key West fly into Miami International Airport (MIA) and drive to the Keys.
Car Several rental car agencies are based at RSW. Note that all cars, including rentals, need a transponder device to use for the toll road from Miami to the Keys. Check www.sunpass.com/rentalcar for details.
Visitor information See individual entries.
Supermarkets Publix (www.publix.com) is the major chain here with outlets throughout this region. There is also Winn-Dixie, which is slightly more affordable.
Markets Different communities host farmers’ markets on various days, sometimes only in the winter or spring season. Contact tourist offices for details.
Festivals Edison Festival of Light, Fort Myers: junior parade with floats and street performers; www.edisonfestival.org (Feb). Conch Republic Independence Celebration, Key West; www.keywestchamber.org (Apr)
Opening hours Some facilities in the Everglades area close in summer and the fall. Many restaurants in the Everglades and Keys close for a month in the fall.
Pharmacies Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) pharmacies in Fort Myers and Naples stay open 24 hours. However, in the Keys, CVS (www.cvs.com) and Walgreens do not stay open all night. Be sure to stock up on medical supplies before visiting the Everglades and Keys.
Restrooms All major attractions, fast-food restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets, and gas stations have public restrooms.
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Fort Myers
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Practical Information
Address Edison and Ford Winter Estates: 2350 McGregor Blvd, 33901; edisonfordwinterestates.org. Southwest Florida Museum of History: 2031 Jackson St, 33901; swflmuseumofhistory.com. Imaginarium Science Center: 2000 Cranford Ave, 33902; www.i-sci.org. Naples Botanical Garden: 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples, 34112; www.naplesgarden.org. Manatee Park: 10901 State Rd 80, Palm Beach Blvd, 33905; www.leegov.com/parks. Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium: 3450 Ortiz Ave, 33905; calusanature.org
Bus LeeTran buses (www.leegov.com/leetran) to most sights
Visitor information Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, 2201 2nd St, 6th floor, 33901; www.fortmyers-sanibel.com
Open Edison and Ford Winter Estates: 9am–5:30pm. Southwest Florida Museum of History: 10am–5pm Tue–Sat. Imaginarium Science Center: 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, noon–5pm Sun. Naples Botanical Garden: 8am–3pm daily. Manatee Park: 8am–sunset. Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium: 10am–4pm Mon–Sat, 11am–4pm Sun
Prices Edison and Ford Winter Estates: $62–100; under 6s free. Southwest Florida Museum of History & Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium: $30–40; under 3s free. Imaginarium Science Center: $40–48; under 2s free. Naples Botanical Garden: $50–60; under 4s free. Manatee Park: $1 per car per hour or $5 per day
Cutting the line Arrive early, as parking lots fill up quickly.
Guided tours Admission to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates is by guided or self-guided audio tour. There is also an extensive Behind the Scenes tour.
Age range 2 plus for most sights; 6 plus for Edison and Ford Winter Estates and Southwest Florida Museum of History
Activities Edison and Ford Young Inventors family tours at 11am on Sat
Allow 3 days or more
Restrooms In all the sights
Good family value? Fort Myers Beach is known for its affordable accommodations and restaurants. Cape Coral, too, offers good value for families who don’t mind a drive to the beach.
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Sanibel and Captiva Islands
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Practical Information
Address Sanibel Historical Museum and Village: 950 Dunlop Rd, 33957; www.sanibelmuseum.org. Lighthouse Beach: East end of Periwinkle Way, 33931; 239 472 3700. CROW: 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, 33957; www.crowclinic.org. SCCF: 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, 33957; www.sccf.org
Car Rent a car from Fort Myers.
Visitor information Sanibel Island & rce, 1159 Causeway Rd, 33957; 239 472 1080; www.sanibel-captiva.org
Open Sanibel Historical Museum and Village: 10am–4pm Tue–Sat. SCCF: 8:30am–4pm Mon–Fri (Jun–Sep: till 3pm; Dec–Apr: Mon–Sat)
Prices Sanibel Historical Museum and Village: $20. SCCF: $10; under 18s free. CROW: $14–28; under 13s free
Cutting the line Sanibel’s sights are not usually crowded, except when school groups visit them.
Guided tours SCCF runs guided nature and beach walks and butterfly house tours seasonally.
Allow At least a day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Upper Islands
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Practical Information
Address Cayo Costa State Park: Cayo Costa, 33922; 941 964 0375; www.floridastateparks.org
Boat Water taxi from Jensen’s Marina (www.gocaptiva.com) on Captiva Island to the Upper Islands. Captiva Cruises (www.captivacruises.com) does lunch excursions to Cabbage Key.
Visitor information Sanibel Island & Captiva Island Chamber of Commerce, 1159 Causeway Rd, Sanibel Island, 33957; 239 472 1080; www.sanibel-captiva.org
Open Cayo Costa State Park: 8am–sunset daily
Price Cayo Costa State Park: $8
Cutting the line Avoid Cabbage Key when the Captiva Cruises lunch excursion is on the island.
Age range 3 plus
Allow Half a day or more
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
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Practical Information
Address 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel Island, 33957; 239 472 1100; www.fws.gov/dingdarling
Car Rent a car from Fort Myers.
Visitor information Sanibel Island & Captiva Island Chamber of Commerce, 1159 Causeway Rd, 33957; 239 472 1080; www.sanibel-captiva.org
Open 7am–sunset Sat–Thu
Price $5 per vehicle; $1 per cyclist or pedestrian
Guided tours For a narrated tour of Wildlife Drive, hop aboard the refuge tram (239 472 1351). The Sealife Nature Tour at Tarpon Bay Recreation Area (www.tarponbayexplorers.com), located south of the refuge
, includes a touch tank presentation.
Age range 3 plus
Activities Download activity and coloring books from the website. For information on Junior Manager activities, check at the refuge visitor center. At the Tarpon Bay Recreation Area, kayak, nature and sea life, and sunset boat tours take visitors into the area’s preserved rookeries, or along a mangrove estuary trail.
Allow At least half a day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
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Practical Information
Address 375 Sanctuary Rd, 34120; 239 348 9151; corkscrew.audubon.org
Car Rent a car from Fort Myers.
Visitor information Greater Naples Marco Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2660 N Horseshoe Blvd, 34104; www.paradisecoast.com
Open 7am–5:30pm daily (last adm 1 hour before closing)
Price $36; under 6s free
Cutting the line Call ahead to see if any school or youth groups will be visiting that day.
Guided tours The education staff leads tours early morning, at sunset, and at night in season. Check website for dates and timings.
Age range 5 plus
Allow 2 hours
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Naples
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Practical Information
Address Children’s Museum of Naples: 15080 Livingston Rd, 34109; www.cmon.org. Sun-n-Fun Lagoon: 15000 Livingston Rd, 34109; www.collierparks.com. Naples Zoo: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, 34102; www.napleszoo.com
Car Rent a car from Fort Myers.
Visitor information Greater Naples Marco Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2660 N Horseshoe Blvd, 34104; 800 688 3600; www.paradisecoast.com
Open Children’s Museum of Naples: 10am–5pm Mon, Tue & Thu–Sat, 11am–4pm Sun. Sun-n-Fun Lagoon: hours vary, check website for timings. Naples Zoo: 9am–5pm daily
Prices Children’s Museum of Naples: $40; under 1s free. Sun-n-Fun Lagoon: $38–52; under 4s free. Naples Zoo: $70–80; under 3s free
Guided tours The Naples Trolley (www.naplestrolleytours.com) runs tours of the town from Old Naples north to Vanderbilt Beach.
Allow A day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Marco Island
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Practical Information
Address Otter Mound Preserve: 1831 Addison Ct, 34145; 239 252 2961; www.colliergov.net. Tigertail Beach: 430 Hernando Dr, 34145; 239 252 4000; www.collierparks.com
Car Rent a car from Naples.
Visitor information Greater Naples Marco Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2660 N Horseshoe Blvd, 34104; www.paradisecoast.com
Open Otter Mound Preserve: daily. Tigertail Beach: 8am–sunset
Price Otter Mound Preserve: free
Cutting the line Arrive early as Tigertail Beach’s parking lot fills quickly in season, and on weekends.
Guided tours Check the website of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida (www.conservancy.org) for tours.
Age range All ages
Allow A day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Everglades National Park
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Practical Information
Address Flamingo Visitor Center: 38 miles (61 km) past entrance on Main Park Rd; 239 695 2945. Royal Palm Visitor Center: 2 miles (3 km) past entrance on Royal Palm Rd; 305 242 7237. Ernest Coe Visitor Center: 40001 State Rd 9336, Homestead, 33034; 305 242 7700. Shark Valley Visitor Center: 36000 SW 8th St, Miami, 33194; 305 221 8776. Gulf Coast Visitor Center: 815 Oyster Bar Lane, Everglades City, 34139; 239 695 3311
Car Rent a car from Homestead for the Main Entrance; Miami airport for Shark Valley Entrance; and Naples airport for the Gulf Coast Entrance.
Open Everglades National Park & trails: daily. Flamingo Visitor Center: mid-Nov–mid-Apr: 8am–4:30pm daily; all day in summer. Royal Palm Visitor Center: 8am–4:15pm daily. Ernest Coe Visitor Center: mid-Apr–mid-Dec: 9am–5pm daily; rest of the year 8am–5pm daily. Shark Valley Visitor Center: 9am–5pm daily. Gulf Coast Visitor Center: mid-Nov–mid-Apr: 8am–4:30pm daily (from 9am rest of the year)
Prices Everglades National Park (Ernest Coe & Shark Valley Entrance): $20 per vehicle; $8 per pedestrian or cyclist, under 17s free; no fee at Gulf Coast Entrance
Cutting the line The Everglades’ two seasons are dry (winter) and wet (summer). Low risk of flooding and fewer mosquitoes make winter the most popular time to visit. Be sure to carry bug repellent, especially in the wet season.
Guided tours Go for a 2-hour tram tour at Shark Valley (www.sharkvalleytramtours.com). Boat tours depart from the Flamingo marina and Gulf Coast entrance; call the visitor centers for schedule and prices.
Age range 6 plus
Activities Download the Junior Ranger Book at www.nps.gov/ever/forkids/beajuniorranger.htm, or ask for it at the visitor centers.
Allow At least 2 days
Café Buttonwood Café in the Flamingo Visitor Center
Restrooms In all visitor centers and campgrounds
Good family value? The Everglades offers year-round outdoor fun, with amazing wildlife to see and great trails to explore. The prices suit all budgets.
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Biscayne National Park
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Practical Information
Address 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, 33033
Car Rent a car from Homestead. The park provides boats to the main islands (305 230 1100).
Open Visitor center: 9am–5pm daily (Nov–Apr: 10am–5pm daily); grounds: 7am–5:30pm daily
Price Free
Guided tours The park conducts snorkeling, scuba, and glass-bottom boat tours Jan–Apr. Rangers run programs during the same season.
Age range 5 plus
Activities Pick up a Junior Ranger activity booklet at the visitor center.
Allow 1–2 days
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Miccosukee Indian Village
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Practical Information
Address MM 70, Tamiami Trail, Miami, 33194; 1 877 242 6464; www.miccosukee.com/indian-village
Car Rent a car from Miami airport.
Visitor information Tropical Everglades Visitor Center, 160 US 1, Florida City, 33034; 305 245 9180; www.tropicaleverglades.com
Open 9am–5pm daily
Price $36–48; under 6s free
Guided tours Museum and airboat tours run all day.
Age range 5 plus
Allow Half a day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Big Cypress National Preserve
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Practical Information
Address Ochopee 34141. Big Cypress National Preserve: 33100 Tamiami Trail E; 239 695 2000; www.nps.gov/bicy. Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center: 33000 Tamiami Trail E; 239 695 4758. Oasis Visitor Center: 52105 Tamiami Trail E; 239 695 1201
Car Rent a car from Naples.
Visitor information Greater Naples Marco Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2800 N Horseshoe Blvd, Naples, 34104; 239 252 2384; www.paradisecoast.com
Open Oasis Visitor Center & Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center: 9am–4:30pm daily
Price Free
Guided tours Free ranger-led tours in winter and spring.
Age range 6 plus
Activities Ask for a Junior Ranger activity booklet at either center.
Allow Half a day to a full day
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Everglades City
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Practical Information
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sp; Address Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve: 137 Coastline Dr, Copeland, 34137; www.floridastateparks.org. Collier-Seminole State Park: 20200 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, 34114; www.floridastateparks.org. Wooten’s Airboat Tours: 32330 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, 34141; www.wootenseverglades.com
Car Rent a car from Miami airport.
Visitor information Visitors Bureau, 2800 N Horseshoe Blvd, Naples, 34104; 2392522384; www.paradisecoast.com
Open Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, Collier-Seminole Park & Wooten’s Airboat Tours: daily
Price Fakahatchee Preserve: $3 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian. Collier-Seminole Park: $5 per vehicle
Guided tours Seasonal tours at Fakahatchee and Collier-Seminole.
< Practical Information: The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
Key West
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Practical Information
Address Key West 33040. Historic Seaport at Key West Bight: off Front St; www.keywestseaport.com 305 809 3801. Mallory Square: 40 Wall St; www.mallorysquare.com. Key West Aquarium: 1 Whitehead St; www.keywestaquarium.com. Eco-Discovery Center: 35 E Quay Rd; floridakeys.noaa.gov/eco_discovery.html. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: 601 Howard English Way; www.floridastateparks.org/forttaylor. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: 907 Whitehead St; www.hemingwayhome.com. Key West Lighthouse Museum: 938 Whitehead St; www.kwahs.org. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: 1316 Duval St; www.keywestbutterfly.com