01 Fort Myers

Riverfront Revival & Gulf Coast Gateway

Fort Myers is a historic city on the Caloosahatchee River undergoing a remarkable downtown revival. The River District has transformed into a walkable destination with restaurants, breweries, art galleries, and entertainment venues. As the gateway to Southwest Florida, Fort Myers offers big-city amenities at a fraction of the cost of Naples, with beautiful beaches just minutes away on Estero Island.

Fort Myers, Florida - Riverfront Revival & Gulf Coast Gateway
Fort Myers River District Revival

02 Overview

What Makes Fort Myers Special

  • The River District, Fort Myers' revitalized downtown historic district
  • Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island with the iconic pier
  • Edison & Ford Winter Estates, historic winter homes of the inventors
  • Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium with native wildlife
  • Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve with elevated boardwalk trails

03 Dining

Where to Eat in Fort Myers

Top Picks

Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro
The Standard
Ford's Garage
Fathoms Restaurant & Bar
Plaka Greek Taverna

Dining Events & Specials

Promotion

Fort Myers Restaurant Week

Annual dining event featuring prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at Fort Myers restaurants.

2026-09-01 — 2026-09-30

See Our Restaurant of the Week

04 Events

Live Music & Events in Fort Myers

Music Venues & Performing Arts

The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon

Country / Rock / National Acts

Southwest Florida's premier concert hall and country-western venue. The Ranch hosts regional and national touring acts across country, rock, and alternative genres. Features multiple bars, a large dance floor, and a lively social atmosphere.

2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW

Broadway / Concerts / Comedy

The region's largest performing arts venue, Barbara B. Mann Hall hosts Broadway touring productions, national concerts, comedy shows, and symphony performances in a 1,800+ seat auditorium.

Fort Myers

Caloosa Sound Amphitheater

Concerts / Festivals / Outdoor

Outdoor waterfront amphitheater in downtown Fort Myers hosting concerts, festivals, and community events along the Caloosahatchee River. A newer addition to Fort Myers' entertainment scene.

2101 Edwards Dr, Fort Myers

The Buddha LIVE

Rock / Indie / National Acts

Downtown Fort Myers' premier live music venue hosting regional and national touring acts. A cornerstone of the Fort Myers River District music and nightlife scene.

Downtown Fort Myers River District

Restaurants, Bars & Waterfront Spots with Live Music

Fort Myers Brewing Company

Acoustic / Variety / Brewery

Popular craft brewery with regular live music, food trucks, and a dog-friendly atmosphere. A community gathering spot in Fort Myers with rotating local and regional acts.

Friday-Sunday
Fort Myers

Nervous Nellie's

Island / Acoustic / Variety

Iconic Fort Myers Beach bar and restaurant with live music daily on its waterfront deck. Known for its frozen drinks, fresh seafood, and lively beachfront atmosphere.

Daily, afternoons & evenings
Fort Myers Beach

Festivals & Annual Events

Music Walk Fort Myers

Free monthly event in the River District featuring live music at dozens of venues, closing streets for a festival atmosphere.

third Friday monthly, 6-10 PM

River District, Downtown Fort Myers

Nearby — Worth the Drive

Cape Coral

Cape Cabaret

Intimate dinner theater and cabaret venue in Cape Coral featuring live music, comedy shows, tribute bands, and special events. A popular entertainment destination for the Cape Coral community.

Cape Coral

Cultural Park Theatre

Cape Coral's community performing arts theater producing musicals, plays, concerts, and youth productions throughout the year. A cultural gem in the Cape Coral arts scene.

Cape Coral

Rusty's Raw Bar & Grill

Waterfront restaurant at Cape Harbour with live music on the deck overlooking the marina. Features local bands playing island tunes, classic rock, and acoustic sets.

Cape Coral

Cape Coral Oktoberfest

Annual German-themed festival with live music, authentic cuisine, beer gardens, and family activities.

See Full Events Calendar

This Week

What's Happening in
Fort Myers

Your guide to live music, festivals, dining, family fun, water sports, arts, and more happening in Fort Myers right now.

Happening Today

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05 Activities

Things to Do in Fort Myers

Family & Kids Activities

IMAG History & Science Center

Interactive museum with hands-on science exhibits, planetarium, live animal displays, and rotating special exhibitions.

Tue-Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 12-5 PM

Lakes Park Family Outings

450-acre county park with playgrounds, train rides, pedal boats, splash pad, and miles of walking trails.

Daily 7:30 AM-sunset

06 Beaches & Water

Beaches & Water Activities

Fort Myers Beach

Popular beach town on Estero Island with pier, shops, and dining.

Lovers Key State Park

Pristine beach park between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs.

Water Activities & Charters

Fishing Charter

Fort Myers Fishing Charters

Deep-sea and inshore fishing charters from Fort Myers Beach targeting grouper, snapper, tarpon, and more.

Daily, half-day & full-day

Eco Tour

Caloosahatchee River Eco Tours

Guided eco-tours along the Caloosahatchee River exploring wildlife, mangroves, and the river's unique ecosystem.

Tuesday-Sunday, 9 AM & 1 PM

07 Real Estate

Fort Myers Real Estate Market

Price Range
$225K - $2M+
Median Home
$365,000
Median Condo
$240,000
Market Insight
Fort Myers offers affordable entry to Southwest Florida with a wide range of housing options. The downtown condominium market is growing with new River District construction.

08 Pros

Advantages

  • Revitalized downtown River District
  • More affordable than Naples and Sarasota
  • Excellent cultural and entertainment options
  • Proximity to Southwest Florida International Airport
  • Great beaches within 15-20 minutes

08 Cons

Considerations

  • Urban sprawl and traffic congestion
  • Some areas still gentrifying
  • Intense summer heat and humidity
  • Hurricane risk especially near the coast
  • Higher crime rates in some neighborhoods

09 Schools

Education in Fort Myers

District
Lee County Schools
Rating
Full Schools & Family Guide

Lee County Schools serve Fort Myers with several highly-rated options. Fort Myers High Schooland Dunbar High School serve different parts of the city. Canterbury School is a top private option.

Fort Myers High SchoolCypress Lake High SchoolCanterbury School

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