Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers, Florida was honestly one of the most peaceful and…read morebeautiful places we visited in Southwest Florida. The entire preserve feels like stepping into untouched Old Florida, and the elevated boardwalk makes it super easy to explore without disturbing the wildlife or getting ankle-deep in swamp water... which honestly feels like a win. The preserve is incredibly well maintained, and everywhere you look there's something interesting to see. We spotted birds, turtles, fish, and even saw signs warning about alligators nearby. The towering cypress trees and reflections in the water made the entire walk feel calm and almost surreal. One thing we really loved was how quiet and relaxing it was. Even though it's located in Fort Myers, it feels completely removed from the city. It's the perfect spot if you enjoy photography, wildlife, nature walks, or just slowing down for a little while. The educational signs throughout the preserve also made the experience more meaningful because you actually learn about the ecosystem and why wetlands are so important in Florida. This is absolutely one of the best hidden gems in Fort Myers and a place we would gladly visit again. Check out our video on our socials @reessroots

This beautiful nature preserve features a raised boardwalk that winds through the slough, passing…read moreseveral scenic ponds along the way. The atmosphere here was incredibly peaceful, and the slow pace made it the perfect way to start the morning. Along the walk, we spotted plenty of wildlife -- including birds, squirrels, lizards, bunnies, and even an otter playing near the water. The boardwalk trail isn't very long and has multiple benches along the way, making it a relaxing spot to take breaks and soak in the surroundings. There's also plenty of shade, which kept it comfortable despite the Florida humidity. We had brought along bug spray, expecting mosquitos, but it turned out to be unnecessary -- we didn't see any the entire time we were there. It was a calm, refreshing start to the day and a great spot for anyone who enjoys nature, wildlife, or just a peaceful walk.

I really wanted to love Lakes Park Children's Garden because honestly... the park itself is…read moreBEAUTIFUL. The location is great, it's gated, and at first glance it feels like the perfect spot to take kids, especially if you're just trying to kill time like we were before a flight. But I'm going to be real, the safety concerns completely changed the experience for me. It gets VERY crowded, and there's a big mix of people coming in and out. There were tons of kids, which is expected, but a lot of them were not supervised and were honestly pretty rough/mean. It didn't feel like a calm, safe environment where you can just let your kids play without constantly hovering. Also... the slides were SO hot. Like, borderline unusable hot. That alone was frustrating. The biggest issue for me though was the bathrooms. They are far from the main play area, and as a mom, there was no way I felt comfortable letting my kids go alone. When I did go, the bathrooms were extremely dirty, and I noticed syringes in a nearby area which was honestly alarming. That completely shifted my level of comfort. It also gave off the vibe that it's a place where people hang out who aren't necessarily there for the park, if that makes sense. I will say again, the park itself is beautiful and has so much potential. But just because it's gated doesn't mean it's actually safe. If you go, just be VERY vigilant, especially if you have more than one child. This is not a "sit back and relax" kind of park in my opinion.

All Children's Park is a brand new playground along the Caloosahatchee River in Centennial Park in…read moredowntown Fort Myers. The full name of the playground is the Lizbeth Benaquisto Inclusive Playground, in honor of the former state senator who pushed the legislation that set aside state funds for the playground."We were very particular there was going to be a playground that was successful for kids with very unique abilities," Benaquisto said at a January 2021 council meeting. "They have never had a safe place to play." The playground has swings, slides, and numerous climbing structures. I love all of the uniquely Florida touches like the puffer fish, manatee, and the Model T car in honor of Henry Ford who had a winter home in the city along with Thomas Edison. This is one of the nicest playgrounds I have ever seen and the kids playing on it we're having a ball. Best of all it is ADA accessible so children of all abilities can enjoy it. The new playground is a fantastic addition to Centennial Park.

We went to see a pretty sunset, but there's a pier in the way and it's not a huge park. It's quite…read moretiny actually but it's a cute little area a cool tree and the neighborhood is bougie

I really enjoyed my time here. This very small park is between two large homes in a residential…read moreneighborhood alongside the river. From the street, a stone path walks you under a large shade tree to the benches by the water. I would have liked to sit for a bit but the rain had just been through and everything was wet. Still, a lovely spot. Thank you to Getty E. and Rosa B. Snell, who donated the park to the residents of Fort Myers in 1927. There is no marked parking so I have no idea if they enforce any street parking rules. Good luck with that. [Review 13334 overall, 652 of 2020.]

great park! theres surrey bike rentals available. the miniture train is nice too! lots of…read moreparking.has a nice lake and a wooden boardwalk across the lake. highly recommend

We love this park! On any given day, you can walk or bike around the lakes. They offer bike and…read morepaddle boat rental options and a train to ride. Today, we rented the pedal cart for four and another for two. Our teen grandsons and their friends really had fun! Plus, they saw a small gator, a fairly big green iguana and a snake (in addition to all the beautiful birds). Wednesday mornings they have a very nice farmer's market with quite a few vendors. Put it on your to-do list!

quiet, nature-filled spot with walking trails, wildlife viewing, and access to the water. There's a…read moresmall entrance fee along with a nominal parking fee (about $1.50 per hour). The park's trails are short and easy to navigate, winding along shaded paths that take you along the water's edge. While we didn't spot any manatees on this visit, it was still a nice, relaxing stop. Instead, we saw plenty of rabbits, squirrels, and lizards along the way. There's also a small fishing dock where people were casting lines, and if you're looking for something a bit more adventurous, you can rent kayaks at a nearby location within the park. We stayed for about an hour, enjoying the sunshine and slow pace before heading out. It was the perfect low-key outing -- light activity, peaceful surroundings

Well as long as looking at manatees IS NOT a goal, I recommend this place. We spent about 45…read moreminutes here hopeful to catch a glimpse, without success. They have lined the bottom of the viewing area with black plastic and the water looks very murky as a result. We saw a few fish leap out of the water, less than a dozen lizards VC and the top few inches of one alligator. Parking was $2 an hour and easy to pay with a C QR code. The bathrooms were clean and there is a cut gift shop with a nice variety of items. The walking trails were plenty close to nature while still feeling protected from the alligators. They had a few volunteers available to talk to as well.

What a fantastic park the new Centennial Park turned out to be…read more Our kids absolutely love this park and they are always asking to go back. There is something for every age and even adults can enjoy the park with their kids, at least I do lol Even for kids with sensitivity traits also enjoy this park very much. My oldest son has autism and he really likes the net swing. There is a very tall tower and slide but there is also an area for toddlers with shorter slides. The park looks well maintained and it gets pretty busy during the weekend. It used to be free to park but there is a fee now and you have to pay for it using the app so make sure to bring your phone if you decide to drive here.

Centennial Park is a stunning green haven with properly-saved paths and a picturesque pond that is…read moreperfect for picnics. Although some of the device at the playgrounds should use a few updating, they're current. There is plenty of parking and clean facilities, but the region can get crowded on weekends. Perfect for family vacations in case you get there early.

John Yarbrough Linear Park is more a paved nature trail, but it is still a very nice place to spend…read morea bit of time. It was a bit overcast when I was here, but the rain held out until maybe twenty minutes after I left. It has a small parking lot and has a nice enough pavilion on the property. All in all, I would recommend here.

Nicely shaded in parts and riding along the canal is a plus…read more We enjoyed a leisurely ride and stopped at 6 mile for a break. There are numerous benches covered and uncovered. Great trail!!

If you want to change from beach scenery to more nature theme setting, try Caloosahatchee Regional…read morePark (CRP) in Lee Country along the Caloosahatchee River in Alva. You can set up camp, ride mountain bike and Equestrian trails or hiking in CRP. For mountain bike and equestrian trails, go to Parking Lot #3 known as North Park Entrance. For hiking, go to Parking lot #2 or Main Park Entrance. For camping go to Parking Lot #1 or Campground Entrance! You must register for camping and have a campsite assigned to you or your group! BBQ pits and benches are available. There is a lodge with a kitchen and ice machine that can accommodate up to 80-100 participants. Before you go to CRP, make sure you call and plan out your activity ahead. Some trials may not be available in the raining season. Check your mountain bike to ensure they are in excellent working condition as there is an advanced or more difficult biking trials. No dogs or alcohol are allowed in the park! Caloosahatchee Regional Park is a hidden gem in Lee County! Bring plenty of water and enjoy the nature, hiking or camping!

Beautiful trails. Comfortable lookout areas over the river. A large covered area with several…read moretables. Very well maintained. Clean restrooms.

Awesome park with trail around little pond. Bathrooms and picnic area makes for a great lunch spot!…read moreTot park for ages 2-5 and older park for 5-12 year olds. Well maintained with fresh mulch and nicely cut grass. Water fountain water barely bubbles out but we brought our own so it wasn't really an issue. Playgrounds are clean and maintained as well. Made for a great morning adventure with the kids. We came on a Thursday morning with our dogs and we were the only ones in the park. Dogs ran free and had a great time. Pack a lunch. Stay for a while and enjoy the parks.

I was here for a picnic lunch and to check out the playground. While I ate, I watched a few careful…read moreparents keeping an eye on their toddlers as they climbed and played and generally had a great time burning off their excess energy. ​This 40-acre property was donated by Rutenberg Homes https://www.yelp.com/biz/arthur-rutenberg-homes-fort-myers-2 for use as a park and opened to the public in 1977. The park has a baseball/softball field, basketball courts, picnic areas with grills, racquetball courts and tennis courts. There is a concessions area when there are big games going on. Plenty of parking. Plenty of shady spots. It's a great park. [Review 13369 overall, 687 of 2020.]

Beautiful area to set up a picnic. Play area fully gated and perfect for the little ones.read more

A nice park, boat ramp and playground next to the Midpoint Bridge…read moreThis is a 5-acre park at the east end of the Everest Parkway and to the south of the Midpoint Bridge. It has a fair-sized parking lot that could handle about 25-30 trucks and trailers or cars. The park offers a saltwater boat launch facility with access to the Gulf of Mexico via the Caloosahatchee River. It is approximately 10.9 statute miles from the Sanibel Causeway Bridge and just south of the Midpoint Bridge. If you don't have a boat it is also a great location to sit and enjoy a beautiful view or take your children to the playground. The parking lot and boat ramp are on the north side of the park. The south side has a grassy area with an open grassy area and tree covered portion along the Riverview part. This section has a concrete sidewalk that follows along the river and to the south side of the park, several covered tables, restrooms and a very nice, new playground surrounded by a fence. The park has parking fees for boat trailers ($15/day) according to their webpage. It is a very nice park with a lovely river view.