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