You can enjoy a nice walk on a wooden boardwalk that runs through mangrove forests or relax in one of the many tranquil sitting areas that dot the grounds. Your trip begins in Fort Myers, Florida. These Sarasota islands are home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Then hit the road again for the 90-minute drive to Sarasota, where you can catch an opera performance, stroll the downtown art galleries, or gawk at the gaudy architecture of circus magnate John Ringlings mansion. The halfway point is Punta Gorda, FL. The grounds are open to the public to view the exterior of this historic beachfront beacon up close. The restaurant food was quite delicious and convenient as we were starving after our 1.5 hour drive. The most well-known art museum in Sarasota is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, recognized as the State Art Museum of Florida. Bowmans Beach is one of the most popular beaches boasting great amenities such as picnic tables, playground, restrooms, outdoor showers, bike racks, charcoal grills and 218 parking spots, handicap accessible with free handicap parking. We all had fun on our first trip here, family of 6. the way, check out the full road trip planner: In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private How far is Siesta Key from Fort Myers? At the fishing pier, youll get great shots of local fishermen reeling in their catches. Please give this place a visit, if you are ever in Arcadia, FL! . Found some pretty shells, water was very clear. The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which overlook Sarasota Bay is a lovely spot for a peaceful stroll, even if your not a keen gardener, is a great place to relax. The top stops along the way from Siesta Key to Fort Myers (with short detours) are Fort Myers Beach, Edison & Ford Winter Estates, and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Florida's snowbirds can be easy to mock, but not this pair. It has 60 rooms which you can see while exploring the houses many exhibits. 17 years ago Save Trying to determine which area we want to stay for our vacation. The exact coordinates of the midpoint are: 27 5' 28" N 82 7' 11" W Parking is $5 an hour, you prepay and put slip in your car. Phone:(941) 366-5731Specialties:Botanical Gardens . OWS is an amazing facility! This Florida Town Has One of the Best Beaches in the U.S. - Travel Plan along with your friends with live syncing and collaborative editing. We love renting bikes and seeing cities through riding around so when we found out there was a bike path to Sanibel Lighthouse and Beach we knew that would be the way for us to get there. The entry fee is reasonable and they offer an annual membership too. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is worth a visit even if you aren't particularly interested in horticulture. there is a trail that parallels the beach for about a mile, leading to the Peter & Michelle S to calculate the distance between cities. To see photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Clearwater tour planner. Located on McGregor Boulevard, the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford are two of Fort Myers most popular historical attractions and give visitors a unique glimpse into the lives of ultra-wealthy high-rollers more than a century ago. Lovers Key State Park is comprised of four islands and makes a great destination for any season. Never dig through your emails again access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place. The area above the beach is thickly wooded and You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. They have kayaks for rent, and you can bring your own and launch there. Highly recommend going out in the kayaks (the tour sounds cool if you've got time!). I cant say enough amazing things about this place! Mapplethorpe show was well done, and helped rehabilitate him for me. Exhibits are devoted to shells in art and history, shell habitat, rare specimens, fossil shells, common Southwest Florida shells, and more. The straight line flight distance is 15 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 1.3x of the flight distance. Current time in both locations is 1:40 pm. When finished it should be really nice. The beach views and sand are gorgeous! Known for stunning sunsets, expansive sands, clear water and great for shelling! The animals look well cared for and happy with their environment. Ballpark is home to Boston Red Sox spring training & amateur league baseball games. Basic group campground with fire rings, water & benches in a riverside 58-sq.-mi. Although there were tons of people, the field around the spring is very large and accommodating. Yacht Club Community Park has a beach and pier on the Caloosahatchee River. The Selbys were wealthy but preferred a quiet life. I have never seen such a collection. Nice big playground, shaded seating with plenty of parking. See time and distance between places, and optimize your route to get the most of your day. It looks like this building has classes for the arts, but we were there for the antique shop. Other popular stops include Myakka River State Park Youth Camp, Fishermen's Village, and Bowman's Beach. by Flickr user As one of the most popular beaches near Fort Myers, visitors can not only collect beautiful conch shells but enjoy the clear water or simply take a romantic walk along the beach. We went there several times with our kids during our Florida holidays and it was always an experience. Cape Coral is a city in southwest Florida, known for its many canals. The very popular Bowmans Beach in Sanibel Island is home to beautiful seashells, but you will have to put in some effort to find your gorgeous shells. Siesta Key is not part of the Florida keys, found in Southern Florida. Colorful paintings by Lovegrove in a brightly hued building with gardens featuring eclectic decor. Your directions start from Siesta Key, FL 34242, USA and end at Fort Myers, FL, USA. The tour lasted half an hour. If you visit just one botanical garden in Florida, choose Selby, which has the world's largest scientific collection of orchids and bromeliads more than 20,000 species. I arrived right when they opened. The remote coast of Bowmans Beach offers some of the best shelling opportunities on Sanibel Island. Its spread across multiple directions and has shaded walkways . So many great shops to go to! Large conservation area with scenic landscapes & activities like fishing, hiking, hunting & camping. Exactly what I needed to plan a trip. Mote Marine Aquarium is a nonprofit marine research institute designed by world-class marine scientists. Not to mention, it shelters some of the worlds largest shells, including the horse conch, lightning whelk, Atlantic trumpet triton, and Goliath conch. Katie from Los Angeles asked:What's the best neighborhood in Fort Myers for a first time visitor? Why? Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Siesta Key. So much fun! It would take 52 minutes to go from Siesta Key to Punta Gorda and 51 minutes to go from Fort Myers Beach to Punta Gorda. Bowmans Beach is one of many beaches on Sanibel Island, and on the western portion of the island.Its a protected site, with no developments going on, which leaves a pure and natural landscape to enjoy for all. 10:00 am start in Siesta Keydrive for about 30 minutes, 10:30 am Venice (Florida) This beach has no homes, condominiums, Fort Myers' Edison & Ford Winter Estates is a historical complex featuring a mansion, manicured formal gardens and other beautiful sights. From its humble beginnings in 1984, the world-class Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the ONLY museum in the United States devoted solely to shells and mollusks. I highly recommend it! All these divisions possess the most advanced standard of technology. The iron skeleton tower was built in the 1880s and had a spiral staircase in its center. Let me start by saying the birds here are rescues and most likely would not survive in the wild. For me this is the best experience of meyakka river park. Fort Myers to Siesta Key drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. Spend the morning shopping at the luxurious St. Armands Circle before popping over to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for a short tour through their fabulous orchid exhibit. There are some freaky cool creatures in this place, including a giant octopus. Punta Gorda (3 answers) Oscar Scherer State Park is home to Florida scrub jays. They also had some food vendors which we partook in a few treats since it was getting late and it was a replacement for dinner. Ft. Myers Beach or Siesta Key? - Siesta Key Forum - Tripadvisor Stained glass windows, wooden artworks, a wooden ship that houses a restaurant, and innumerable other treasures all hand made by Arthur Solomon. Halfway between Fort Myers and Siesta Key To reach the midway point from Siesta Key to Fort Myers, you would drive for about 40 minutes or roughly 38 miles from Fort Myers to the halfway stop. Then we rented kayaks for the 2 hour kayaking trip on our own They give you a map and it's pretty simple to find the manatees they tell you where they're hanging out that day. Siesta Key to Fort Myers drive road conditions from Siesta Key to Fort Myers flattest route from Siesta Key to Fort Myers Plan your road trip at Signage is a bit confusing at first since they share an entrance with a camping area. travelers and answer their questions about Siesta Key! to double check the weather. 13209 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, USA. Mote Marine OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Caspersen Park Beach in Venice is a treasure trove for shark's teeth -- some prehistoric -- that wash ashore. Planning travel has actually been fun instead of tedious because of this app. It definitely has a lot of little shells, but finding big ones is very hard to do. Driving from Siesta Key to Fort Myers should take you 1 hr 22 mins in normal traffic. Report inappropriate content This attraction is rich in history and gives you a true taste of Florida. distance from Siesta Key to Fort Myers, or go to the main page Drive to Siesta Key, and spend the rest of the day on Siesta Key Beach. Peace River Wildlife Center is a non-profit wildlife refuge and education center inside Ponce de Leon Park. The halfway point is Punta Gorda, FL. The petting zoo is HUGE. While driving around Boca Grande one thing you dont see many of is vintage classic cars; these days its more golf carts than muscle cars, but Punta Gorda has the solution to that with the Muscle Car Museum. You won't regret the drive and the visit. It is a good place for kids as well, if they like sculptures and creations out of recycled material. With 20 acres of historical buildings and botanical gardens set along the Caloosahatchee River, it offers plenty of room to explore and find that perfect Instagram shot. Nice spot. The vanilla, keylime, pineapple, and mango. But turns out there is a direction you should go around the spring, lol. Head to Bowmans Beach, one of the best dog beaches in Florida!. The only vegetation around is the natural one that grows, which opens up the scenery. So that means we really need Recommended option Bus, taxi Take the bus from Sarasota Cattlemen Transfer Center to Ft Myers Bus Station 41660 Horseshoe Rd, Punta Gorda, FL 33982, USA. Walkong through the exhibits was easy and straightforward. We always like coming here. If you are looking to learn and have an incredible experience with nature this is the museum for you! Gas from Siesta Key to Fort Myers would cost around $7 to $17 USD, depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Kids playing area. The total driving distance from Siesta Key, FL to Fort Myers, FL is 75 miles or 121 kilometers. Now finally, let's look at an actual flight from PGD connecting through AVL and arriving at PGD flying on Allegiant Air LLC. Food is expensive yet most of it was well received. There are 3 ways to get from Siesta Key to Ft. Myers Airport (RSW) by bus, car or towncar Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. So cute. 1 hour, 23 minutes Find out how many hours from Siesta Key to Fort Myers by car if you're planning a road trip. The Ringling Museum of Art is the state art museum of Florida and has a remarkable collection of artwork, statues, circus history, and so much more. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum brings people back to nature by showcasing the beauty of shells and the creatures that made them. Manatees have been known to swim under kayaks and pop up next to them, providing excellent opportunities to photograph these gentle giants from your kayak. Fishermans Village is perfect for exploring the old florida culture. I would highly recommend checking it out if youre in the area and have some time to explore! That's what Trippy is perfect for, The lighthouse has been a staple of the area since 1884 and is a popular stop for locals and visitors alike. Its quite a unique experience. Towering above a lush, green wildlife refuge, the Sanibel Island Lighthouse is the first sight youll see when youve reached the island. Make sure you check road conditions Even if Myakka State Park is not big it had lots of things to see on the way. We rented for 2 hours & saw a ton of manatees! You do not feel like you are in Florida at all!! 0:05. Typical strip mall. It holds one of Americas most important art collections and visitors shouldnt miss the Rubens Galleries, Turrell Skyspace or the classical sculpture garden in the grand courtyard. We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information. The seat would move as you explored the ocean. What a beautiful day for a beach trip!. CHET WAS OUR GUIDE, he was super knowledgeable and very informative. I was just there today and spoke to a guy on the 2nd floor. The learning lab features a hands-on play area for children, displays, games, and a tank with indigenous mollusks. Traverse City. Also they have place to sit and eat and souvenir shop, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA. How far is Siesta Key, Florida from Fort Myers, Florida? Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb while Henry Ford was the pioneer of the early automobiles. fastest possible straight line between Fort Myers, Florida and You will see the worlds greatest circus museum, as well as a great Asian art museum and art museum. The top cities between Siesta Key and Fort Myers are Sarasota, Fort Myers Beach, Punta Gorda, Venice, Bradenton, Cape Coral, and Englewood. We had a baby so we just drove to the other parking lot closer to that building because it was hot outside. Things To Do In Sarasota, Venice, & Siesta Key - Must Do Visitor Guides How to get from Fort Myers to Siesta Key - 1MAP 38 Best Stops Between Fort Myers Beach and Siesta Key - Wanderlog The whole area is clean and well organized. Absolutely beautiful place we visited it in the middle of December. Facility is currently under construction. The Manatee Park will give you a chance to meet these gentle giants up close from the observation decks. This is my first visit in over a decade and they've made changes. Why not take a stroll along the port and watch the sunset while you're here? Was hoping to come in for a tour while vacationing, but time flew by and we only were able to visit on an off day. Find pet-friendly stops. What's the best neighborhood in Fort Myers for a first time visitor. You may have to return a few times to take it all in. Bring snacks and water and be prepared to walk a bit for the restroom. most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. There are bathrooms, trails and picnic areas adjacent to the center and a gift shop too. Many owners were present and loved chatting about their rides.. On weekends, you can grab lunch and the food was perfect for our family. Other green spaces include Centennial Park, with its interactive fountain, and the Monty Andrews Arboretum at West Blalock Park. Overall, most paintings didn't appeal to me. Many great places to sit and reflect or read. So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from We got a great haul of strawberries recently!! Animal tourism is a tricky thing to write about and I often veer away from promoting it unless I know its ethical, but Mote Marine Aquarium is one of the good ones. We bought a few to take home. Enjoy a meal in one of the 3 coffee shops/cafes and free perks like free Don't see what you're looking for? Great time! 26 minutes off the main route, 78% of way to Fort Myers. Love Luna the white owl and spirit the talking crow. Drive for 21 minutes then stop in Gulf Gate Estates and stay for 1 hour. This natural history museum is the only one accredited in the United States devoted solely to shells and mollusks. After we paid $20 for 4 hours we unpacked and took that 10 minute walk to the beach (with small kids). The castle is a very unique place. This pretty beach in Sanibel Island is a favourite amongst visitors thanks to its many amenities and isolated location. Pack lightly. How to get from Fort Myers to Siesta Key by bus or car - Rome2rio John Ringling was the founder of the Ringling Bros. circus and later became the co-owner of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. My first time going and it was great! I cant imagine anyone not loving this app! See the big-eyed owls, long elbowed bats, tortoises, and baby squirrels living at this amazing center. Camping along the way? With a 100-year-old Banyan Tree as the centerpiece, the garden is full of caves, swinging bridges, waterfalls, and more. Pack a lunch and just sit in the gardens and take it all in! Donation requested to enter is $5 or $3 for children. Once secluded beach now accessible by boardwalk & tram is home to manatees, dolphins & bald eagles. The Museum of Art is spectacular and contains over 4,500 years of art from Europe, Asia, and America. Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list. I really liked the Glass exhibition. Top cities between Siesta Key and Fort Myers, Best stops along Siesta Key to Fort Myers drive. 2:42. The estimated cost of gas to go from Siesta Key to Fort Myers Beach is $12.32. Beach is very nice. Take the John Ringling Causeway, Highway 789, over Sarasota Bay. Departure airport: Charlotte County Airport (PGD), Arrival airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA). you'll be able to customize this plan, choosing your own airports We love the U Pick and just meandering around. Nonstop drive: 75 miles or 121 km Driving time: 1 hour, 23 minutes Even though you can drive this distance straight through, it might be more interesting to stop along the way. In the distance you can see wetlands, prairies and the dense hammocks of South Florida. Great for an extended walk. plane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city. Where is Siesta Key in Florida. How I would have loved to have been apprenticed to a genius of that caliber. The Circus museum has miniature model of the circus from the beginning to the end. They have a few different areas with concessions and bathrooms. Recommended option Taxi, bus, line 19 bus Take a taxi from Fort Myers Beach to Ft Myers Bus Station In order to get to this place, you do have to travel through an HOA neighborhood. I'm glad, however, that I hadn't paid to view the art. The mid-island location of Bowmans Beach also comes with a consistent breeze. and flights. Perhaps the best thing about Bowmans Beach is that it offers you enough space for solitude. Distance between Fort Myers, FL and Siesta Key, FL Drive for 16 minutes then stop in Nokomis and stay for 1 hour. Historic Sites2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901MoreLess Info. Family-friendly public beach built in 1950s with lifeguards, boardwalk & canoe & kayak launch. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes What he began to do was to collect Chevys. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving Since Lovers Key State Park is a state park, its lands get a little bit more care and protection than other beaches. Limited parking. It has restrooms and change areas and there is ample parking. Downtown Sarasota Campus1534 Mound StreetSarasota, FL 34236(941) 366-5731.