Niki’s guidebook

Niki
Niki’s guidebook

Best Local Restaurants

The Fish House is my absolute favorite patio to go later afternoon, or to sit and watch the sunset. It is on the backwater, so you can sometimes see dolphins, manatees, and all sorts of fish. It is a relaxed and casual atmosphere, and I highly recommend the hot blue crab and shrimp dip or bam bam shrimp as an appetizer. My go-to entrée is the corn flake battered grouper basket. The Fish House is about a 5 minute walk from the condo.
75 locals recommend
The Fish House Restaurant
4685 Bonita Beach Rd SW
75 locals recommend
The Fish House is my absolute favorite patio to go later afternoon, or to sit and watch the sunset. It is on the backwater, so you can sometimes see dolphins, manatees, and all sorts of fish. It is a relaxed and casual atmosphere, and I highly recommend the hot blue crab and shrimp dip or bam bam shrimp as an appetizer. My go-to entrée is the corn flake battered grouper basket. The Fish House is about a 5 minute walk from the condo.
Doc's is one of the only restaurants in the area that is located on the beach, and it is right at the closest beach access to the condo! I walk or bike down there all the time to catch sunset. You can sit outside at tables that are on the beach. I love the pizza here. There is also a sports pub upstairs, so you can watch the game while overlooking the Gulf. *It is cash only, but there are a couple ATMs at the restaurant. Doc's is about a 15-20 minute walk from the condo.
122 locals recommend
Doc's Beach House
27908 Hickory Blvd
122 locals recommend
Doc's is one of the only restaurants in the area that is located on the beach, and it is right at the closest beach access to the condo! I walk or bike down there all the time to catch sunset. You can sit outside at tables that are on the beach. I love the pizza here. There is also a sports pub upstairs, so you can watch the game while overlooking the Gulf. *It is cash only, but there are a couple ATMs at the restaurant. Doc's is about a 15-20 minute walk from the condo.
Coconut Jack's is very close to the beach and is located on the backwater. A great place to stop and have dinner after you have watched sunset at the beach. They have fabulous cocktails, and a great Happy Hour from 3pm-5pm daily! No matter the time of year, this place is packed! But you can always sit at the bar or walk out on the dock while you wait for a table. It is only about a 15 minute walk from the condo.
113 locals recommend
Coconut Jack's Waterfront Grille
5370 Bonita Beach Rd SW
113 locals recommend
Coconut Jack's is very close to the beach and is located on the backwater. A great place to stop and have dinner after you have watched sunset at the beach. They have fabulous cocktails, and a great Happy Hour from 3pm-5pm daily! No matter the time of year, this place is packed! But you can always sit at the bar or walk out on the dock while you wait for a table. It is only about a 15 minute walk from the condo.
The Island House is a favorite among the locals. There is often live music, as well as trivia nights. It is also a great place to watch sports. Great food, great atmosphere, and it is a short 10 minute walk from the condo!
Island House Cafe
3801 Bonita Beach Rd SW
The Island House is a favorite among the locals. There is often live music, as well as trivia nights. It is also a great place to watch sports. Great food, great atmosphere, and it is a short 10 minute walk from the condo!
Enzo's is one of the best Italian restaurants in Bonita! They have a full bar, a fantastic wine list, and so many authentic, homemade dishes to choose from. Located right across the road from the condo, this is a great option for a romantic fine dining experience.
19 locals recommend
Enzo's Italian Restaurant
4351 Bonita Beach Rd SW
19 locals recommend
Enzo's is one of the best Italian restaurants in Bonita! They have a full bar, a fantastic wine list, and so many authentic, homemade dishes to choose from. Located right across the road from the condo, this is a great option for a romantic fine dining experience.
A Table Apart is one of the most unique fine dining experiences. People come from all over to enjoy the array of global cuisine, Le Cordon Bleu cooking techniques, and high quality, fresh ingredients. Often you can find locally sourced ingredients from small vendors, and it has been rumored that the chef himself at times would go diving for seafood that was featured on the menu. This restaurant is in high demand and has a limited capacity, so a reservation in advance is likely necessary. A Table Apart is right across the street from the condo.
23 locals recommend
A Table Apart Restaurant (Closed Summer June 22 - August 2019)
4295 Bonita Beach Rd SW
23 locals recommend
A Table Apart is one of the most unique fine dining experiences. People come from all over to enjoy the array of global cuisine, Le Cordon Bleu cooking techniques, and high quality, fresh ingredients. Often you can find locally sourced ingredients from small vendors, and it has been rumored that the chef himself at times would go diving for seafood that was featured on the menu. This restaurant is in high demand and has a limited capacity, so a reservation in advance is likely necessary. A Table Apart is right across the street from the condo.
Wylds Cafe is known for having exceptional Modern American Cuisine, and the dining room features works from local artists. The wine selection is is extensive, and so is the beer list with several hard to find micro brews available. The shrimp and lobster risotto is incredible, and so is the 12oz NY strip. You will need to call ahead for a reservation, but Wylds is a great place for a special occasion or romantic date night. It is right across the road from the condo.
Wylds Cafe
4271 Bonita Beach Rd SW
Wylds Cafe is known for having exceptional Modern American Cuisine, and the dining room features works from local artists. The wine selection is is extensive, and so is the beer list with several hard to find micro brews available. The shrimp and lobster risotto is incredible, and so is the 12oz NY strip. You will need to call ahead for a reservation, but Wylds is a great place for a special occasion or romantic date night. It is right across the road from the condo.
Taco Mix is consistently ranked one of the best authentic Mexican restaurants in SWFL. Family owned, it has been here for decades! Located right across the road from the condo, you absolutely must take advantage of the convenience to enjoy some of the best Mexican food I have ever had!
7 locals recommend
Taco Mix
4288 Bonita Beach Rd SW
7 locals recommend
Taco Mix is consistently ranked one of the best authentic Mexican restaurants in SWFL. Family owned, it has been here for decades! Located right across the road from the condo, you absolutely must take advantage of the convenience to enjoy some of the best Mexican food I have ever had!

Shopping

Miromar Outlets is one of the best places to shop while visiting SWFL! There is a wide variety of shops, as well as some excellent restaurants, and usually live music as well. The deals are well worth it, and it is only about a 20 minute drive from the condo! You might have to bring an empty suitcase with you when you visit, so you can take advantage of all the sales!
349 locals recommend
Miromar Outlets
10801 Corkscrew Rd
349 locals recommend
Miromar Outlets is one of the best places to shop while visiting SWFL! There is a wide variety of shops, as well as some excellent restaurants, and usually live music as well. The deals are well worth it, and it is only about a 20 minute drive from the condo! You might have to bring an empty suitcase with you when you visit, so you can take advantage of all the sales!
Waterside is an upscale, luxury, outdoor shopping mall featuring over 60 high end specialty stores, as well as some great dining options. It is a beautiful place to grab a coffee and walk around, with water features located throughout. Waterside is about a 20 minute drive from the condo.
278 locals recommend
Waterside Shops
5415 Tamiami Trail N
278 locals recommend
Waterside is an upscale, luxury, outdoor shopping mall featuring over 60 high end specialty stores, as well as some great dining options. It is a beautiful place to grab a coffee and walk around, with water features located throughout. Waterside is about a 20 minute drive from the condo.

Sightseeing and Things To Do

The Naples Botanical Garden, is an extraordinary space to be able to visit and be completely immersed in nature. The gardens not only feature local plant species, but they also partner with botanical gardens and arboreta in Latin America and the Caribbean, to conserve threatened plants and to conduct research. Depending on the timing of your visit, you might be able catch a special event or seasonal feature, such as the Night Lights over the holidays.
259 locals recommend
Naples Botanical Garden
4820 Bayshore Dr
259 locals recommend
The Naples Botanical Garden, is an extraordinary space to be able to visit and be completely immersed in nature. The gardens not only feature local plant species, but they also partner with botanical gardens and arboreta in Latin America and the Caribbean, to conserve threatened plants and to conduct research. Depending on the timing of your visit, you might be able catch a special event or seasonal feature, such as the Night Lights over the holidays.
The Naples Zoo is nationally accredited, and features many rare animals residing within a tropical garden of exotic plants. Some of these plants are from as far back as 1919! In addition to seeing giraffes, monkeys, bears, pythons... you can also see more rare animals such as anteaters and even a fossa from Madagascar! A unique fact about the Naples Zoo, is that it is completely donor funded, and is an award-winning charitable nonprofit organization.
407 locals recommend
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd
407 locals recommend
The Naples Zoo is nationally accredited, and features many rare animals residing within a tropical garden of exotic plants. Some of these plants are from as far back as 1919! In addition to seeing giraffes, monkeys, bears, pythons... you can also see more rare animals such as anteaters and even a fossa from Madagascar! A unique fact about the Naples Zoo, is that it is completely donor funded, and is an award-winning charitable nonprofit organization.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is great way to experience the Everglades ecosystem, that is rich in history! It consists of a 2.25 mile boardwalk through pine flatwoods, wet prairie, around a marsh, and finally into the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America. The sanctuary is home to hundreds of alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles, wading birds, songbirds, raptors, and so much more! A beautiful way to see the ecosystem that this part of the world is so well known for.
34 locals recommend
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Boardwalk
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Boardwalk
34 locals recommend
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is great way to experience the Everglades ecosystem, that is rich in history! It consists of a 2.25 mile boardwalk through pine flatwoods, wet prairie, around a marsh, and finally into the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America. The sanctuary is home to hundreds of alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles, wading birds, songbirds, raptors, and so much more! A beautiful way to see the ecosystem that this part of the world is so well known for.
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are spread out over 20 acres of historical buildings and gardens including the 1928 Edison Botanical Research Laboratory. Open to the public since 1947, Edison Ford is a National Register Historic Site and is one of the most visited historic home sites in America! Highly recommend visiting the estates while you are visiting! An incredible piece of history!
459 locals recommend
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor Blvd
459 locals recommend
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are spread out over 20 acres of historical buildings and gardens including the 1928 Edison Botanical Research Laboratory. Open to the public since 1947, Edison Ford is a National Register Historic Site and is one of the most visited historic home sites in America! Highly recommend visiting the estates while you are visiting! An incredible piece of history!
FastTrax, has go kart racing, bowling, arcade games, an outdoor bar and patio, and much more entertainment! This makes for a really fun way to spend an afternoon or evening! The go karts reach speeds up to 45 miles an hour, and track your race data for you to review afterwards!
38 locals recommend
FastTrax Fort Myers
17455 Summerlin Rd
38 locals recommend
FastTrax, has go kart racing, bowling, arcade games, an outdoor bar and patio, and much more entertainment! This makes for a really fun way to spend an afternoon or evening! The go karts reach speeds up to 45 miles an hour, and track your race data for you to review afterwards!
The Everglades Wonder Gardens opened in 1936, and is one of the few remaining historic resources of this type in Florida. It was the first major tourist attraction to open helped put Bonita Springs on the map. You can even sponsor and officially name one of the animals! It is only a short drive away from the condo.
75 locals recommend
Everglades Wonder Gardens
27180 Old 41 Rd
75 locals recommend
The Everglades Wonder Gardens opened in 1936, and is one of the few remaining historic resources of this type in Florida. It was the first major tourist attraction to open helped put Bonita Springs on the map. You can even sponsor and officially name one of the animals! It is only a short drive away from the condo.

City/town information

Fort Myers Beach features 7 miles of pristine sugar-sand beaches, with lots of shops, restaurants, and fun experiences. Spend the day exploring the island by bike, scooter, or segway, or out on the water with a kayak, paddleboard, or jet ski. You can take a sunset boat cruise, or have an adventure on a pirate ship! There is so much to see and do here!
436 locals recommend
Fort Myers Beach
436 locals recommend
Fort Myers Beach features 7 miles of pristine sugar-sand beaches, with lots of shops, restaurants, and fun experiences. Spend the day exploring the island by bike, scooter, or segway, or out on the water with a kayak, paddleboard, or jet ski. You can take a sunset boat cruise, or have an adventure on a pirate ship! There is so much to see and do here!

Traveler advice

Getting around

No car needed!

There is so much to do within walking distance from the condo! There is also a bike rental shop right across the street. Uber and Lyft are also available in the area, as well as public transportation.
Ways to save

Groupon

I recommend checking Groupon for local deals on fishing charters, paddle board and kayak rentals, jet ski rentals, boat tours, and many other excursions.