Lee County Sports Complex to cheer on this minor league, a member of the Florida State League and affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Games are April through September and often feature special events like parades and fireworks.
Skatium, 321-7510 2250 Broadway, Fort Myers CityFtMyers. com
This is the place to go in Fort Myers for youth and adult hockey leagues— both ice and in-line— as well as a fitness center and classes ranging from yoga to Zumba, youth basketball, an arcade room and other recreational activities.
FAMILY FUN
Coralwood 10, Marquee Movie Theater, 458-2543 Coralwood Shopping Center 2301 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral MarqueeCinemas. com
See the latest films in this 10-theater cinema complex.
Imaginarium Hands-On Museum and Aquarium, 321-7420 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers I-Sci. org
Kids of all ages love this educational playground with interactive exhibits. Get up-close and personal with live marine animals at the touch tank, test your meteorology skills and touch clouds at this hands-on museum and aquarium.
Mike Greenwell’ s Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park, 574-4386 35 N. E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral GreenwellsFamilyFunPark. com
Enjoy go-carts, miniature golf, batting cages, midway rides and arcade games at this amusement complex established by the former Boston Red Sox left fielder.
Rick Treworgy’ s Muscle Car City,( 941) 575-5959 3811 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda MuscleCarCity. net
This museum showcases muscle cars of the 1960s and’ 70s— GTOs, Corvettes, Camaros and more. It also has a’ 60s-themed diner and memorabilia gift shop.
Seminole Gulf Railway, 275-8487,( 800) 736-4853 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers
SemGulf. com
All aboard for a murder-mystery show and dinner. You will become part of the mystery as you dine on a five-course meal. Performances are Wednesdays through Sundays.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark, 574-0558 400 Santa Barbara Blvd. SunSplashWaterPark. com
Thrilling water slides like the X-celerator, Thunder Bump and Terror Tube keep adventure-seekers of all ages coming back while gentle currents and pools offer more relaxing enjoyment at this cityowned waterpark, open March through September. With more than 12 acres of wet and dry attractions, the park includes a family pool, kiddie area, sand volleyball and concessions. Season passes are popular with residents.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Babcock Wilderness Adventures,( 800) 500-5583 8000 State Road 31, Punta Gorda BabcockWilderness. com
This Old Florida outpost showcases wildlife and ranch life. A swamp-buggy tour through Telegraph Swamp and around this working cattle ranch will give you a close-up look at alligators and plenty of other native wildlife and farm animals. Reservations for eco-tours are required.
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 275-3435 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers CalusaNature. org
Nature trails, exhibits and bird and butterfly aviaries provide visitors firsthand experience with Southwest Florida’ s natural environment and creatures, while the planetarium offers a look at the stars and planets. The 105-acre center also features picnic areas and programs for children.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and Blair Audubon Center, 348-9151 375 Sanctuary Road West, Naples( 15 miles east of I-75 at Exit 111, Immokalee Road) Corkscrew. Audubon. org
This 13,000-acre Audubon preserve is a destination for birders from around the world. Stroll the two-mile-plus boardwalk through the wetlands, which provide habitat for more than 200 species of birds, plus deer, bears and alligators.
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Everglades National Park, Gulf Coast Visitor Center, 695-3311 815 Oyster Bar Lane, Everglades City, a two-hour drive from Cape Coral( South on I-75 toward Miami, then south on S. R. 29) www. nps. gov / ever
The 1.5 million-acre“ River of Grass” encompasses much of the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. Of the several facilities and visitor centers in the park, the closest to Cape Coral is the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, a jumping-off point for boaters to explore the Ten Thousand Islands. Take a guided boat trip to learn about this unique area, and watch for alligators, wading birds, dolphins and manatees.
J. N.“ Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 472-1100 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel Island www. fws. gov / dingdarling
Known to birders worldwide, the refuge is home to more than 200 bird species, including the brightly colored roseate spoonbill, as well as alligators, bobcats and otters. Drive, bike, walk or take a guided tram tour through the refuge’ s 6,000 acres of marshes, mangroves, lakes and forests. The Education Center is open daily except for federal holidays. Wildlife Drive, the road through the refuge, is closed every Friday.
Lakes Regional Park, 533-7275 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers LeeGov. com / parks
At the center of this popular Lee County park is a 158-acre lake, where non-motorized boats are available for rent. Surrounding it are paved trails, picnic shelters and children’ s playgrounds— a favorite spot for family gatherings and company picnics as well as quiet strolls. Check out the community garden, ride the scale model railroad, or rent a bicycle to pedal around this 280-acre park.
Manatee Park, 690-5030 10901 State Road 80( Palm Beach Blvd.), Fort Myers LeeGov. com / parks
This is a good place in the winter months to see manatees, the endangered creatures that dwell in the Gulf in summer and seek the warm water by the Florida Power & Light plant in cold weather. These gentle, plant-eating creatures are often within easy