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Post by templatequeen on Nov 8, 2015 23:54:09 GMT
We are going for Thanksgiving.... And tips or places, things we should do or see. We will be there from Wednesday to Sunday. I know we will be shelling.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,642 
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Nov 9, 2015 0:00:09 GMT
We were there in July. Everyone from the teen to the 80-something grandma loved the dolphin boat tour. We stayed off the island, so most food we ate wasn't there, but we did enjoy Doc Ford's food one evening. Enjoy your stay!
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Nov 9, 2015 0:04:50 GMT
We've been to Southwest Florida twice in the last two years for R&R. We love going to the beach and went to several including Sanibel & Captiva. I don't think there is much to do in the island but in the Fort Myers area there are more sight seeing opportunities. We went to the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford summer homes tour. Hopefully, a local will chime in as we were there to lay in the beach, read, collect shells.
It is so beautiful there - enjoy!
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Post by templatequeen on Nov 9, 2015 0:12:23 GMT
Did u get a lot of shells?
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 9, 2015 0:13:50 GMT
Just know that every time you go over the bridge, you have to pay.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,642
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Nov 9, 2015 0:16:17 GMT
We brought home two bucket loads of shells. Really pretty ones. And yes, know that the road to Sanibel Island is a toll road.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,496
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Post by ellen on Nov 9, 2015 0:43:35 GMT
We've been there several times and just love it. If I had to give a restaurant tip I'd say the Sanibel Grill for casual dining and Timbers or Traders for a more upscale meal. We like Doc Fords too.
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Post by beachbum on Nov 9, 2015 1:13:00 GMT
We live next door in Cape Coral, Sanibel is our go-to beach, in fact we were there today. Traders, Cips, and Jacaranda are a few of our favorite restaurants, as well as Key Lime Bistro on Captiva. There are 2 grocery stores Periwinkle Way (the main road) - Jerry's and Bailey's. Rent bicycles, there are miles and miles of great bike paths. Drive through or bike through the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, it's a great time of year to see lots of different types of birds, maybe spot an alligator or manatee. Shelling is usually best at low tide - make sure you have no live shells, live shelling is against the law ($500 fine, and there are some people who WILL call the law on you if they see you loading up live shells, especially sand dollars). The toll for the bridge is $6 and they don't take credit or debit cards. You only pay as you go onto the island. If you have any specific questions I'd be glad to answer. Sanibel is one of my favorite places on earth.
ETA- snowy egret in my avatar was taken on Sanibel!
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Post by birdy on Nov 9, 2015 1:18:15 GMT
I've never been (one of the places I'd love to visit someday), but my parents went and they said that it was one of their favorite vacations ever! Have fun!
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Post by LilyRose on Nov 9, 2015 1:22:34 GMT
I suggest joining the "Sanibel Island" group on Facebook. Lots of discussions on there on things to do, places to stay, shelling, etc.
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Post by zztop11 on Nov 9, 2015 2:15:55 GMT
Been there many times. It is just lovely. "The Cow" is a delicious fun restaurant. Great place to take kids. If you have the time, drive over to Captiva Island. The homes there are beautiful. "The Bubble Room" is a great place to eat on Captiva. Also, captivacruises.com is a great company to use to take a boat ride. Been on their boats at least 3 times. Once you are on the island you will not want to leave. Especially since you're only there a few days. Stroll over to the lighthouse on Sanibel. Very interesting and sometimes good shells. There are a few shell stores, in case you don't find too many. The last few years, I don't think the shelling is as good as it used to be. But it's still fun. And you will find some. Definitely go to the Ding Darling Nature Center. We take one of the "bus tours". I like to go on the last tour of the day when the lighting is a bit different. It takes about an hour or so and is also delightful. There is another park where you can canoe. Can't remember the name but it's before Ding Darling. There is a wonderful shell museum on the way to Ding Darling.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 28, 2024 14:28:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2015 2:28:19 GMT
My parents had a house there for about 20 years. I love Ding Darling wildlife preserve. My dad used to do the bird watching tours as a volunteer. I like the Lazy Flamingo bar food. Their grilled fish and their garlic bread is so good. Sanibel is a great place to bike. It's so flat -- you never need to go up a hill!
I love Sanibel, it's such a relaxing place to be.
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Post by stampnscrap1128 on Nov 9, 2015 2:33:30 GMT
I LOVE,LOVE, LOVE Sanibel Island! I've been there twice and cannot wait to go there again. The shelling is incredible, the sandy beaches are heaven on my bare toes. Definitely go to Ding Darling. The island is very ecologically minded and tons of trails for walking and bicycling. There is a pretty decent Trip Advisor discussion group for Sanibel that has lots of hints and suggestions. Enjoy your time there!
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Nov 9, 2015 2:39:03 GMT
we went in August, had a great time. We spend most of our time just sitting on the beach, picking up shells, visiting the shell shop.
We did go to the coolest theatre there, it was very small, but had current run movies. The seats were awesome... Island Cinema.
We went to "the cow" to eat and really didn't like it that much. The wait was long, the food was overpriced and it was loud in there. It was nothing special and I think our bill was around $100-125 for 5 people. For just... average food.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,496
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Post by ellen on Nov 9, 2015 19:24:40 GMT
We've eaten at the Island Cow a couple times. I think it's pretty average for dinner, but their breakfasts are really good. Breakfast is really good at Amy's Over Easy too. You have to have a grouper sandwich when you are there and the Lazy Flamingo serves a really good one.
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