Cool Off with These Indoor Activities
The weather may be heating up but Fort Myers has perfected the art of keeping it cool on vacation. Not only can you find ample air conditioning indoors, but much of the entertainment is clustered within neighborhoods so you can spend less time in the car and more time exploring. Explore ideas of fun things to do to cool off in the Florida heat this summer.
Surround yourself with arts and culture.
Inspiration is everywhere as you wander around art galleries and attend live performances.
Within the cultural hub of Fort Myers, all of those indoor experiences are within close proximity. Special exhibitions and musical performances are always on the calendar at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Just minutes away is the Alliance for the Arts, home to special events and live music and art classes, and next door the DAAS Co-Op Art Gallery celebrates the work of over 30 Southwest Florida artists.
Cape Coral is another artistic enclave worth spending a few days exploring. The Cultural Park Theatre is a pillar of the community’s cultural scene featuring a Broadway Series and concert performances. Head south to the Cape Coral Art Center where fine-art exhibitions and art classes welcome all enthusiasts.
Let the competition heat up.
You might break a sweat with these indoor activities, but it’s worth the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that comes with it.
Scale walls in Fort Myers at the Fort Rock Climbing Center, a 5,000-square-foot air-conditioned playground. With multiple walls for all levels plus a Kids Village, Princess Palace and a soft-play Toddler Zone, it’s an outing that was meant for the whole family. Fort Myers is also home to an innovative new space for all ages — Sandbox VR. Don full-body gear and immerse yourself in a whole different reality like battling pirates at sea or entering a mythical world of heroes and dragons.
Bring the whole family to enjoy all your favorite sports at Sports Challenge America in Bonita Springs. Go from classic bowling and pickleball to virtual games like golf, baseball and … zombie dodgeball? Sounds like a ball! Or gather up the troops to tackle an escape room — both classic and VR setups are available at Tropic Escape Room in Bonita Springs.
Go museum hopping.
Interactive learning and family-friendly fun go hand in hand in Southwest Florida museums. Pick a neighborhood and keep the whole crew engaged.
In Fort Myers, iconic museums are within a short distance of one another (although you’ll want to split your visits over two days). The Edison and Ford Winter Estates feature a 15,000-square-foot indoor museum commemorating the lives of two great innovators, along with the Edison botanic research library and 20 acres of botanical gardens. IMAG History & Science Center is an expansive attraction dedicated to STEM learning for all ages, with everything from an Engineering Lab to a 3,500-gallon aquarium. The Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium welcomes you inside with comfortable plush seats and the darkness of the night sky to gaze up at the constellations.
On Sanibel Island, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium connects you to the natural world of shells, mollusks and marine life. The nearby Sanibel Historical Museum and Village immerses you in the stories of the island — from the native Calusa people to the early pioneers of the 1800s — as you make your way through nine historical buildings.
Be fashionably cool.
Duck into an air-conditioned shop and strut out with a whole new summer wardrobe (or at least a souvenir or two).
Shopping is a favorite pastime in Bonita Springs and Estero, home to the Promenade at Bonita Bay, Coconut Point Mall and Miromar Outlets. While all have open-air designs, the countless brand stores, boutique shops and restaurants offer a cool respite any day of the year.
The historic River District is overflowing with locally owned businesses, including The Franklin Shops, which packs over 100 boutiques and galleries into a two-story emporium that’s brimming with one-of-a-kind artwork, clothing, gifts and more.
What’s your favorite way to stay cool? Whether you’re in the mood to be close to the water or relax in your own accommodations, we’ve got tips to keep you busy all summer long.
