Top Things to do in Southwest Gulf Coast
Top Hotels in Southwest Gulf Coast
- 1. Bayfront Inn 5th Ave
- 2. Golden Host Resort
- 3. Naples Grande Beach Resort
- 4. West Wind Island Resort
- 5. Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
- 6. Carlisle Inn
- 7. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Punta Gorda, an IHG Hotel
- 8. Compass by Margaritaville
- 9. Hyatt House Naples/5th Avenue
- 10. Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
What to do and see in Southwest Gulf Coast, Southwest Gulf Coast: The Best History Museums
Floridas Southwest Gulf Coast contains a constellation of enticing coastal gems. Stunning beaches, including Ft. Myers Beach, Tigertail Beach and Pensacola Beach, fringe the Gulf, down the I-75 from Tampa to Naples. Sanibel Islands shelling attracts thousands. Cape Corals waters are paradise for flyfishing. Golfers adore spectacular courses in Marco Island and Naples. Glorious sunny days and deliciously warm turquoise waters beckon in this often overlooked corner of the Sunshine State.
Restaurants in Southwest Gulf Coast
1. Naples Historical Society's Historic Palm Cottage
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 349 reviews
Naples Historical Society's Historic Palm Cottage is Naples oldest house (1895) and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Open for house tours and historic district walking tours.
Reviewed By RSaari
We loved the Palm Cottage tour. The tour guide was knowledgeable and gave us an amazing presentation about the early days of Naples Florida.
2. Military Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
The Military Heritage Museum recently moved to a new location: 900 W. Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda Fl . Just a few steps away from Fishermen's Village, the Museum has over 17,000 sq ft of exhibit and activity areas. On the first level, take a walk-through history through three unique galleries; from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. Visit the Hall of Hero's gallery and its special Medal of Honor exhibit. On the second level become part of history, through simulations and virtual reality including aircraft, tank, and naval simulators. Take a special forces "parachute jump" or drive a "tank" - two incredible virtual reality experiences we offer. Also found on the second floor is our Academy Library and ancestry research. Be sure to visit the War Room, Library and our our 247-seat Gulf theater.
Reviewed By Daleanator - Punta Gorda, United States
The overall quality is amazing with the inexpensive entry. This is a wonderful place to both learn and teach history with a wonderful group of volunteers and workers. From the extensive displays of artifacts to the amazing virtual reality goggles, this really is a place to learn and explore history.
3. Lee County Black History Society
4. Lemon Bay Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Perpetuating the legacy of the past and honoring the pioneer settlers of the Englewood, Florida and Lemon Bay area.
Reviewed By Movingman143 - South Venice, United States
I walked the grounds, entered the Cemetary, read the headstones and plaques, visited the little church. Amazing history and story of the early settlers. Cool experience.
5. The Ringling
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,113 reviews
The Ringling is located in Sarasota, Florida and preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling. It is home to the State Art Museum of Florida, the historic Ca' d'Zan Mansion, Bayfront Gardens, the Art Library, two Circus Museums, and the Historic Asolo Theater. The grounds and gardens are free to visit, and the Museum of Art offers free admission on Mondays.
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States
The Circus Museum is closed for renovations as are an art gallery. The new Kotter-Koville Glass Museum is at the entrance to Ringling and is free to view. It has beautiful and diverse glass pieces; worth a visit. Admission--free with NARM, MARP, and ROAM memberships--provides admission to the fantastic Tibbals Learning Center, the grounds around Ca'd'Zen, and the truly outstanding and extensive art museum. Additional fees are charged to view Ca'd'Zen for the first floor or other floors. It used to be free to do a self-guiding of first floor and a fairly reasonable charge for two other floors. Now there is a high price, which is understandable when considering the very costly upkeep of the property. Still such high prices exclude this family. Ringling is for all ages and necessitates hours to enjoy.
6. Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,580 reviews
Visitors to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will enjoy seeing the winter residences of famous inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. There are historical buildings, award-winning gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Inventions Museum. The museum has hundreds of inventions, artifacts and special exhibits. Edison Ford offers many tour options, including special "Inside-the-Homes" and "Inside-the-Lab" Tours on select days. The audio tour is available in English, Spanish, German and French. Historian led tours are also offered in German on select days. Group tours can be arranged in advance.
Reviewed By 123Shane - Calgary, Canada
Very scenic area and gardens with two beautiful homes that provide a glimpse into American history. My wife and I enjoyed a relaxing walk through the gardens and learned about two of the very influential business men and their families. The museum on site was also very educational. Definitely a excellent visit in the Fort Myers area.
7. Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse sits at the Southern tip of Gasparilla Island in Gasparilla Island State Park. The oldest structure on the island was built in 1890 and saw five Lighthouse Keepers and their families make this harbor-style dwelling home. The Light marks the entrance to Boca Grande Pass and is still an active aid to navigation. It currently houses a lovely history and nature museum and gift shop operated and maintained by Barrier Island Parks Society. Our mission is to Inspire, Educate, and Preserve. While there is no admission fee, it is operated on donations. Your donation at the front door and/or your purchase at the gift shop, keeps the Lighthouse Museum open to the public and provides for many educational programs throughout the four local barrier island state parks; Gasparilla Island State Park, Cayo Costa State Park, Don Pedro Island State Park and Stump Pass Beach State Park.
Reviewed By ALB63 - Hanover, United States
Recently, as part of a bus tour, we visited the Historic Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum. There were many interesting displays and exhibits. We were fortunate to have a volunteer lead us through the various rooms and tell us so much about the early inhabitants of Gasparilla Island, the export of phosphate from the island and the keepers of the light house. There is also a small gift shop. We learned a lot on our visit and highly recommend this to anyone visiting Florida.
8. Manatee Village Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Manatee Village Historical Park is an outdoor museum in Bradenton, FL, with historical buildings and artifacts.
Reviewed By DGW49 - Port Clinton, United States
There is a general store and displays of artifacts. There is a cracker house that is a complete reproduction of a way of living back in the day. An old train (steam) and a boat works. It's free.
9. Sanibel Historical Museum and Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
A delightful village museum that recounts the island's history through photographs, exhibits and live presentations.
Reviewed By Departure282900
The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is a truly underrated experience for those who love the island, its charm and history. Consisting of about a dozen original buildings from the early 20th century, well before the causeway was built, when the only means of accessing Sanibel was the ferry, the historical village includes the (second*) original Bailey's General Store, several original homes, the original Post Office and school building, and MANY fascinating historical objects and displays. Volunteers give informative talks about life on the early island, and a real sense of what it meant to live there. We have been coming to Sanibel since the early 1970's and I had never visited the museum; what a fool I've been! A really great time and great teaching opportunity for kids. * -- The original original was destroyed in a hurricane.
10. Collier Museum at Government Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Nestled on five acres of native Florida landscaping, our flagship museum at the County Government center in Naples offers newly created exhibits and galleries that capture the full panorama of local history. Pack a picnic and linger a while in the museum's shady backyard. Then do a little exploring on your own in our native gardens, restored Naples cottages, the archaeology lab, Seminole village or Calusa Indian camp. Enlarged twice, the museum's main gallery offers over 10,000 square feet of new displays, plus a traveling exhibit room, lecture hall, and gift shop.
Reviewed By TravelBean024 - Valencia, Spain
Being Europeans, holidaying for Winter, on Marco, we had a list of places we would like to see during our stay. We were pleased we had a Sat.Nav., as, this is, as many say, not easy to spot, watch the building number as you drive on Tamiami, as you will need to get into the far right lane to make the exit into the Government Center, for the Museum, car park. One moment, you are on a six lane main road, then you are in a quiet, roomy car park. The Museum is sign posted, and from outside, looks quite small. This is because the entrance is a reception area, with a double door at the rear, out to the exhibits. We were warmly greeted, and given tips, and a plan. We were also pleasantly surprised to hear, that admission was free of charge. Once outside, through the rear doors, we found it difficult to believe, that we were so close to the traffic. We started by the platform, with the full size train engine, then visited all the different small cottages, and followed the history of Naples, and Collier County. Lots of trees, and flowers around, and, pretty flat, with gravel pathways. We found a wooden garden bench, across from the small orchid rotunda, and enjoyed a lovely, peaceful picnic, joined by squirrel, and several small birds - lovely !! This is not a very large place, so, allow one - two hours, depending if you wish to picnic, or not. There are no restaurants inside here. A very informative, and, enjoyable time. Thank you, to the very knowledgeable gentleman, who greeted us, and gave us information, on how to make the most of our visit. We certainly did, and enjoyed every minute. ,
