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 Specialty 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. Gulf Coast Model Railroad
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Shell Point Retirement Community's massive 43' x 41' model train display features several running trains and hundreds of recognizable miniature geographic landmarks. The popular attraction is open from October through April each year, with free tours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., conducted by Shell Point resident volunteers who enjoy model railroads as a hobby and want to share their interest with others. Landmarks to explore include Tallahassee's old Capitol Building, Pensacola freight yards, the Gainesville Gator Bowl, Walt Disney World, Kennedy Space Center with an orbiting space shuttle, Everglades National Park, the Sanibel Lighthouse, and even Shell Point Retirement Community. Be sure to check out the realistic "burning" house in St. Petersburg, with simulated smoke pouring out of the windows. The Gulf Coast Model Railroad has welcomed visitors since 1973, with Shell Point resident volunteers who serve as conductors on each journey "around the state." Ticket booth Millie welcomes more than 3,000 guests each year, many who write complimentary comments after their free tour (donations are appreciated).
2. Revs Institute
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 664 reviews
Revs Institute® is now open with limited capacity. Tickets must be purchased online for specific dates/times in advance. No telephone orders or walk-up visitors can be accommodated. Face coverings are mandatory. Revs Institute is dedicated to the study of the automobile past, present and future. Revs Institute offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to view over 100 of the most influential automobiles of our time. Many of the cars are unique or exceptionally rare, and each meets rigid standards of historical, technical, aesthetic or social significance. To enhance the visitor experience, specially designed interactive displays and artifact showcases are presented within four themed galleries. They include unique items from the extensive Revs Institute library and archives. Revs Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For information, visit revsinstitute.org.
Reviewed By 410ChrisM410 - Virginia Beach, United States
Amazing collection to see, overwhelming amount of fabulous vehicles from all eras, and an education in the history of the automobile and racing, and some of the development of the Naples area. Really fun museum if you are at all excited by sports cars, or have children who are.
3. Boca Grande Historical Society and Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By joannek390 - Albany, United States
This is a nice little museum with very helpful staff. There is a lot of history in the displays and it is nicely done. It is good to go on a Thursday as there is additional staff on who let you handle various shark teeth (including a Megalodon!) and other assorted things from the sea.
4. Blanchard House Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By 954cristinek
Very interesting and intimate museum focused on the early African-American citizens of Punta Gorda. While we were there we saw a really interesting exhibit on medical cures from early Africa on through the mid-1900s. Staff was friendly and helpful.
5. Hap's Cycles and Museum
6. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,607 reviews
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the only museum in the U.S. devoted entirely to shells and mollusks, and one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island. It features more than 30 engaging exhibits of stunning shells, showcasing some of the largest and rarest shell specimens in the world, including the goliath conch, lightning whelk and Atlantic trumpet triton, as well as common Southwest Florida shells, fossil shells and more. New in March 2020, “Beyond Shells: The Mysterious World of Mollusks” adds the live animals that create shells to its must-see experiences. New aquariums include live octopuses, giant clams, nautilus, nudibranchs and gastropods, and two 15-foot-long touch tanks let young visitors get their hands wet. For a perfect Sanibel experience, fun daily beach walks can be reserved, and the nonprofit museum’s scientists also conduct research with local mollusk species.
Reviewed By invertpaleo - New York City, United States
This has always been an amazing museum, and now it has many aquariums with live mollusks in them, and the live mollusks are fascinating to see! There are mollusks with shells like the Junonia (yes a live Junonia!), and ones without a shell like the octopus, the cuttlefish, and the seahares. If you like shells, you will love this place -- the only national shell museum. Sanibel is all about shells, so even if you are not shell-crazy, you may find this museum of interest because it covers so many shell-related topics. It is a little expensive but it offers so much for the price!
7. 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.
8. Bishop Museum Of Science And Nature
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 856 reviews
As the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast, the South Florida Museum offers engaging exhibits as well as educational programs that interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. In addition to permanent exhibits, the Museum features a constantly changing lineup of temporary exhibitions -- offering something new to discover with each visit. The Museum includes the all-digital Bishop Planetarium Theater and the Parker Manatee Aquarium. The Bishop Planetarium is the Gulf Coast's premier astronomy education facility, outfitted with a state-of-the-art Planetarium and projection system with stunning multimedia capabilities. The Parker Manatee Aquarium is a Stage 2 Manatee Rehabilitation Facility, where manatees that have been injured or orphaned are rehabilitated for return to the wild as part of the Manatee Rehabilitation and Release Partnership. The Museum has housed 36 rehabilitating manatees since 1988.
Reviewed By Megyeri - Washington DC, United States
Alone with an overview of the history and animals found in FL is an outstanding new children’s center (only 2 months old) complete with treehouse, hands on-exhibits and a personal staff member trained to accompany the children. We go here regularly while in FL just to see the Planetarium shows and listen to Howard, the most amazing, brilliant, and entertaining narrator who explains the solar system, stars, and our planet’s place in the galaxy. We followed one woman out who said, “I’ve never felt so small,” because after Howard explains the entire skies, we humans are indeed tiny. Currently on view in the planetarium for the holidays is an amazing show called Let it Snow—a festive visual feast for the eyes and ears of all that’s wonderful about the holiday season in sounds and graphics. Then too, there’s the twice a day show in the manatee habitat arena explaining their life cycles while watching two manatees feed, swim, and rise to the surface to breathe. There’s also a current exhibit on mythological creatures that many will find informative and colorfully displayed. Close to the waterfront, visitors can break for lunch and re-enter the museum on their tickets and parking is close and free! What a gem in Bradenton!
9. 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. ,
10. Ostego Bay Marine Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Welcome to the Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center located at 718 Fisherman's Wharf on San Carlos Island in Fort Myers Beach, Fl. For 26 years, the Center provides a Marine Science Experience through interactive exhibits, aquariums, touch tank, one of kind collections and unique displays. Open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with both guided and self-guided tours. A donation of $5.00 per adult and $3.00 for children over 6 years of age is suggested. Always FREE for Foundation Members. Call for feeding times, it's an opportunity to see many of our reclusive marine specimens that come out of hiding for lunch. Touch a starfish, put your head in the mouth of a shark, see how sea turtles hatch, and much more. Open by appointment only July 12 through July 28th as we are hosting our annual Children's Summer Camp.
Reviewed By BRKY21 - Lexington, United States
My family and I went on the working waterfront tour. Enjoyable and fun learning about the area shrimp industry. An enlightening, behind the scenes look at the workings of the shrimp operation.
