As fall begins in Lee County, Florida, the region is preparing for a season of festivals, special events, and the return of popular attractions. The annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest will take place from September 19 to 28, featuring more than 60 singer-songwriters across over 80 performances at locations including Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach.
The festival opens with a preview party on September 4 at Swamp Cat Brewing Co. in Fort Myers. “For a sneak peek, tune in to Shellcast, the podcast that’s a beach break for your ears, featuring an interview with BMI singer-songwriter Angie K — who will also open for festival headliner Chris Young on Sept. 28.” Local favorite Sheena Brook and Angie K will host the event.
Unique performances are scheduled throughout the festival. On September 20, Frank Myers will perform with Cut the Chord String Quartet and Jimmy Nichols at Captiva Civic Center. Other highlights include songwriter sunset cruises hosted by Captiva Cruises and Silver King Water Taxi; LOCASH performing in Cape Coral; dinner experiences at Luminary Hotel & Co.; Americana Community Music Association showcases; Canvas and Chords art event supporting SWFL Reefs; and a pool-party performance by Grammy-nominated Chris Young at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina.
“Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is presented by BMI, iHeart Radio’s Cat Country 107.1, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods. For the full lineup and ticket information, visit IslandHopperFest.com or download the Island Hopper app.”
Several area resorts have announced renovations or reopenings ahead of fall travel season. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs is completing a multimillion-dollar renovation of its meeting spaces this fall to complement recent updates to rooms and amenities. Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel Island plans a soft opening on September 28 as the first fully rebuilt resort post-Hurricane Ian. South Seas Island Resort on Captiva has reopened amenities such as pools and restaurants while hotel plans continue.
Best Western Plus Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach has completed renovations and reopened with updated suites and facilities. Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina welcomes guests again after restoration work following its long history since opening in 1977.
White Pelican Villas is set to open in early 2026 on Sanibel as a rebranded property replacing former Beachview Cottages destroyed by Hurricane Ian.
Outdoor attractions are also offering new experiences this season. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve continues its wet walk programs through October 25 for visitors seeking guided nature walks into typically restricted wetland areas. Lovers Key State Park offers free educational programs throughout September (https://loverskey.eventbrite.com). Sun Splash Family Waterpark has opened Paradise Cove wave pool in Cape Coral—a $4 million addition—and plans movie events onsite (https://sunsplashwaterpark.com).
Causeway Islands Park has reopened after being used during rebuilding efforts for the Sanibel Causeway by FDOT (https://www.leegov.com/parks/beaches/causeway). Planned improvements include parking areas, restrooms with ADA accommodations, outdoor showers, drainage systems, shade structures, landscaping—with construction expected to begin late next year.
The sea turtle nesting season continues through October 31 along area beaches—residents are encouraged to shield lights visible from beaches to protect turtles returning annually to lay eggs.
Visitors can explore natural sites using digital passes like Sanibel Wild Mile (visitfortmyers.com/digital-passes/sanibel-wild-mile) or Parks Points & Perks pass that rewards visits across more than thirty parks until May 2026 (visitfortmyers.com/ParksPass).
Dining options are expanding as well: The Bubble Room restaurant on Captiva Island has reopened after three years of renovations following hurricane damage (https://bubbleroomrestaurant.com). Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina now operates under Cape Coral Bridge offering live music daily (slipawaycape.com). The Beach Bar returns on Fort Myers Beach after storm recovery (www.facebook.com/FMBthebeachbar), while Tap 42 Craft Kitchen opens at Bell Tower with rooftop bar offerings (tap42.com/locations/fort-myers).
Lazy Flamingo restaurant resumes service on Sanibel Island (lazyflamingo.com), Key Lime Bistro reopens in Old Captiva serving its signature pie (keylimebistrocaptiva.com), and Sweet Melissa’s—led by James Beard nominee Chef Melissa Donahue—welcomes guests again at its new location in south Fort Myers (sweetmelissasrestaurant.com).
Southwest Florida International Airport introduces new air services this fall from airlines including Frontier Airlines to Atlanta; Southwest Airlines adding Orlando-McCoy daily flights; Porter Airlines expanding Toronto service year-round; Allegiant launching flights from Allentown PA., Appleton WI., Des Moines IA.; American Airlines providing seasonal Phoenix flights; Delta Air Lines starting Salt Lake City service December; Sun Country flying weekly from Appleton WI beginning January.
Major annual festivals continue through autumn including Edison Ford Winter Estates Fall Festival October 18 (edisonfordwinterestates.org), Cape Coral Oktoberfest October 17-26 (capecoraloktoberfest.com), BIG ARTS Film Festival November 14-15 (bigarts.org/event/inaugural-fall-film-festival), American Sand Sculpting Championship November 20-24 (fmbsandsculpting.com), Holiday Nights celebrations late November into January across several locations.
Southern Living recently highlighted Bonita Springs’ natural attractions such as Bonita Beach and Lover’s Key State Park in an article about exploring Southwest Florida’s outdoors (“Explore a Nature Lover’s Playground in Southwest Florida”, southernliving.com/bonita-springs-fl-11783779).
Local initiatives like neighborhood mural projects led by Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau with partners such as Fort Myers Mural Society encourage community engagement through public art displays around parks and public buildings.
For further details about upcoming events or visitor information visit www.visitfortmyers.com.
