When you’re settling into the riverfront lifestyle for a season or longer, part of the fun of living like a local is discovering the quirky history that makes Southwest Florida so unique. If you're a fan of vintage cinema or unusual pop-culture trivia, you might be surprised to learn that right up the river in Cape Coral sits the filming location for one of the most famous cult camp classics of the 1960s: The Fat Spy (1966) - click to watch it in full for free on YouTube. Sta

Looking for a taste of authentic Bavarian tradition just minutes from North Fort Myers? Dust off your dirndl or lederhosen and take a quick drive to Cape Coral’s Oktoberfest at the German-American Social Club, bringing Southwest Florida’s premier fall celebration back for two action-packed weekends every October! Meet the Hosts: The Club was created in 1964 as a non-political organization dedicated to good fellowship and cultural preservation. Their mission is to keep German

Looking to trade the typical vacation routine for a true Florida adventure? Just a short drive from North Fort Myers at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, you can step off the boardwalk and trek directly into the heart of a lush, water-filled cypress swamp on a guided "Wet Walk." While most visitors view the 3,500-acre wetland ecosystem from the safety of the dry boardwalk, these special seasonal excursions invite adventurous guests to wade right into knee- to chest-deep r

When the Southwest Florida heat kicks in, there’s nothing better than finding a cold treat. Luckily, North Fort Myers has several local favorites worth adding to your vacation itinerary. Start with Daddy Dee’s Ice Cream Parlor, a longtime North Fort Myers favorite known for its old-fashioned atmosphere, huge selection of flavors, sundaes, milkshakes, floats, and oversized ice cream sandwiches. The model trains running around the shop make it especially fun for families. For s

Some places simply feel like Florida, and Sun Harvest Citrus is one of them. For seasonal visitors staying in North Fort Myers, a stop at this longtime local favorite is an easy way to experience a little of Southwest Florida’s citrus-growing heritage. Sun Harvest has been part of Florida’s citrus tradition for generations, and what makes a visit especially appealing is its commitment to fruit grown and sourced right here in Florida. It’s real fruit, grown with real care by r

Our riverfront getaways provide a unique opportunity to completely unplug and embrace the peaceful rhythm of the water. Whether you’re looking to relax or explore, here is how to maximize every moment of your stay. ⚓ Anchor Your Day Around the Sun Waterfront living has its own natural schedule. Early morning is when the water is typically at its absolute stillest—the perfect time to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee on the lanai and watch the glassy reflection of the sky. As the af

If your idea of a perfect afternoon involves hunting for hidden treasures, uncovering mid-century gems, or finding that one-of-a-kind piece of retro decor, forget the modern shopping malls. Southwest Florida’s best-kept retail secret isn't a mall at all—it’s a three-mile stretch of North Cleveland Avenue (U.S. 41) known to locals as "Thrift Alley." Because North Fort Myers has long been a favorite haven for seasonal residents and retirees, the secondhand shopping here is unma

While many think of Florida as a winter destination, locals know that summer is when the region truly comes alive with a vibrant, tropical energy. In the summertime, North Fort Myers transforms into a playground of long days, warm river breezes, and events that celebrate the height of the sunshine season. June: Art, Music, and Tropical Rhythms June kicks off with a creative flare. Just across the Caloosahatchee, the Downtown Art Walk, (1st Friday, every month) and Music Walk

Looking for a splash of color to brighten your vacation? One of our favorite "hidden gem" activities in North Fort Myers and the downtown River District is exploring the vibrant street art created by the Fort Myers Mural Society. This local nonprofit has transformed our city walls into a massive, open-air gallery. From massive 8-foot-high scenes at McCollum Hall to the historic storytelling at the River Basin—where 57 murals depict our early connection to the Caloosahatchee R

If you’re tired of playing "weather roulette" with your vacation days, it’s time to set your sights on North Fort Myers! While the rest of the country is bundled up in parkas or dodging snowflakes, our biggest dilemma is usually choosing between flip-flops or going barefoot by the pool. When winter rolls around, we trade the "Polar Vortex" for what we call "Chamber of Commerce" weather. Imagine bright blue skies and a perfect 75°F breeze that makes you want to spend every wak

Whether you're looking for a competitive night out with friends or a family adventure with a side of alligator feeding, the area surrounding Riverfront Retreats at Bay Pointe has some fantastic "alternative" golf spots. Topgolf Fort Myers: features climate-controlled hitting bays that make it a perfect year-round destination regardless of the Florida humidity. No golf experience is required—microchipped balls track your accuracy and distance while you aim for giant targets wi

For many travelers, Southwest Florida is synonymous with the beach. But for those who know where to look, North Fort Myers offers a different kind of green. While the "City of Palms" across the river gets much of the fame, our side of the Caloosahatchee is a hidden gem for golfers who want variety, accessibility, and a more relaxed pace of play. From your home base at Riverfront Retreats at Bay Pointe , you are a short drive from some of the region’s most storied and scenic

If you’re taking a post-dinner stroll through the downtown River District, you might suddenly find yourself walking through a "soup" of glowing letters. No, it’s not a dream—it’s the Caloosahatchee Manuscripts , one of the most mesmerizing public art installations in Florida. Located right on the sidewalk in front of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center , these two massive bronze cylinders (sometimes called Lux ) were created by the world-renowned artist Jim Sanborn . If that

If you’ve ever driven down McGregor Boulevard, you’ve witnessed one of the most iconic landscapes in Florida. It is because of this breathtaking, tree-lined corridor that Fort Myers earned its famous nickname: The City of Palms . The story begins with the city’s most famous winter resident, Thomas Edison . When Edison first arrived in 1885, Fort Myers was a rough-and-tumble cattle town. He envisioned something more majestic. To beautify the city, Edison imported and planted o

The name "Fort Myers" traces its roots back to a time of conflict and a story of unrequited love. In 1850, during the Seminole Wars, a military base was established on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River . The fort was built to serve as an operations hub for the U.S. Army, but its name was actually a wedding gift of sorts. Myers himself, a career military officer and future Quartermaster General of the Confederate States Army, allegedly never even set foot in the city that

Long before the first Spanish explorers sighted the Florida coastline, Southwest Florida was the domain of the Calusa , the "Fierce People." Unlike most settled societies of the era, the Calusa did not rely on agriculture. Instead, they built a sophisticated, powerful empire based entirely on the bounties of the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico. Known as the "Shell Indians," the Calusa were master engineers. Instead of clearing forests for crops, they harvested mi

If you want to experience the true heart of Southwest Florida, you have to get off the pavement and onto the water. The Great Calusa Blueway is a 190-mile marked paddling trail that meanders through the coastal waters and inland tributaries of Lee County, and some of its most enchanting stretches are right here in North Fort Myers . Named after the Calusa Indians who once dominated these shorelines, the trail offers a serene escape for kayakers and paddleboarders of all ski

If you are strolling through the Fort Myers River District, you might find yourself doing a double-take at a rusted iron figure playing chess or a life-sized horse seemingly frozen in time. These are the "Iron Giants" of Colombian artist Edgardo Carmona , a 23-piece collection that has become a permanent staple of the Fort Myers public art scene. Originally brought here as a temporary exhibit from Paris, these Cor-Ten steel sculptures were so beloved by locals that the City p

Charlie Creek is a favorite destination of amateur paleontologists, who scour the creek bed for fossils. If you’re looking for a real-life treasure hunt, look no further than the Peace River . Just a short drive north of Bay Pointe, this "blackwater" river is one of the premier spots in the world for finding fossils. Millions of years ago, Florida was underwater and teeming with massive marine life; today, the river’s current slowly erodes the banks, revealing secrets from th

Lakes Regional Park is the ultimate inland escape. Just a short drive from our North Fort Myers vacation rentals, this 279-acre park was once a rock quarry, but today it is a lush haven for families, fitness buffs, and nature lovers alike. The park’s "claim to fame" is undoubtedly the Lakes Park & Gulf Railroad . This 1/8th-scale miniature train takes you on a 15-minute journey through woods and over bridges—even passing miniature villages. If you have little ones, the massi