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Cape Coral

Cape Coral Background

Cape Coral History

Cape Coral Fast Facts

Economy

Activities

Beaches
   Whether it's just a day at a beach or a honeymoon at a luxury beachfront resort, some of the world's best beaches are within a few minutes’ drive from Cape Coral. Renowned for its shelling, Captiva and Sanibel boast six distinct beach areas easily accessible by boat or highway from Cape Coral. From the cozy seaside cottages of Sanibel’s Tween Waters resort to the luxury accommodations and amenities of Captiva’s South Seas Resort, the beaches of the Cape Coral area are perhaps its most significant drawing card. Glistening white sand, mounds of seashells, azure water, plentiful fish and wildlife — there is something for everyone at the 13 area beaches within an hour's drive of Cape Coral.
 
Arts, Culture and Nightlife
   Residents of Cape Coral have less than an hour's drive to enjoy the rich cultural environment afforded by the city of Sarasota or the upscale shopping and restaurants of Naples. Strategically located between these two cities, Cape Corallites can sit down to a fine meal in Naples or attend a Broadway play in Sarasota in less time than it would take a New Yorker to catch a cab to the Broadway theater district. Sarasota, renowned for its theater and arts as well as its trendy nightlife, is the cultural and late-night playground for Cape Coral residents.
   For those searching for a trendy boutique or the latest Ralph Lauren fashions, a quick drive south on I-75 to Naples will satisfy the most discriminating tastes. Bargain shoppers don't have to leave town to find the mainstream national retailers and popular outlet stores; the Miromar Factory Stores, Tanger Sanibel Outlets and Coral Isle Factory Stores are all within a few minutes of downtown.
   Flea markets are quite popular with residents as well; there are four located in the area.
   Last-but-not-least specialty retailers can be found at Fisherman's Village, Periwinkle Place, Seafarers Village and Chadwick Square.

Attractions
   Thomas Edison’s winter home, located 15 miles south of Cape Coral, is one of the area's most prominent attractions. One can easily spend a day there, touring the museum, viewing the exotic plants on the botanical tour or relaxing on the Electric Launch River cruise.
   Kids can explore their fantasies in the Imaginarium Museum and Aquarium, which includes interactive exhibits, fish and Florida wildlife. Kids also can enjoy the 12-acre Sun Splash water park, complete with waterslides, giant tube rides and wave action.
   Those who prefer wildlife in a more natural setting can rent a canoe and paddle through the Four Mile Ecological Park, accessible from the city's riverfront launch site. The park consists of more than 365 acres of mangroves, marshlands and tidal streams. One of the few remaining saltwater wetlands in the area, the park also performs important ecological functions, including filtering of pollutants, protecting against erosion, and providing habitat for birds and other wildlife.
   Even more significant for wildlife preservation is the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, located on Sanibel Island. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge is 6,300 acres of protected wetlands, islands and mangroves. Thirty-two mammal species, 51 reptile and amphibian species, and 238 bird species have been identified in the refuge.
   Finally, just a few hours to the north of Cape Coral is the Orlando entertainment mecca of Disneyworld, Epcot Center and the myriad of activities that surround the Disney empire.

Sports and Recreation
   For the amateur sports aficionado, there are dozens of parks and sports complexes in the Cape Coral area. With more than 400 miles of canal front property in Cape Coral, fishing, canoeing, boating and sailing activities are accessible to everyone. There are dozens of golf courses in the Cape Coral-Fort  Myers area, many of which are open to the public.
   A year-round sport in Florida, tennis is popular with all age groups. One can find a local tennis tournament nearly every weekend, with plenty of public and private courts on which to practice.
   Those who enjoy professional sports will need to travel no further than two hours to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Devil Rays and Lightning, or take in a spring training game in Fort Myers. With the year-round warm weather, the toughest decision is which activity to choose.
 
Food and Restaurants
   It's all about seafood. Scrumptious shrimp and scallops, tender fresh group, tasty conch fritters — Floridians enjoy some of the best seafood in the world. Whether it's eating peel ‘n’ eat shrimp with a cold beer at the local fish camp, or elegant dining on lobster tail and key lime pie, the common denominator is fish, freshly caught and prepared. Cape Corallites have no shortage of great seafood restaurants, or they can go down to the docks and buy fish fresh off the boats and prepare it at home.

Schools

Maps of Cape Coral

Written by Margaret Bowles exclusively for CoastParadise.com.

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