Located about three and a half hours south of the Villages of Citrus Hills, Fort Myers offers everything a traveler could want from a South Florida town along the Gulf Coast.

Between the local wildlife, outstanding food, and history that is unique to the area, there is more than enough to keep you busy over a weekend trip to Fort Myers.

If you’re looking to plan your next 48-hour getaway, these are a few ideas we would recommend for exploring Fort Myers.

Day One - Burgers, Boats, Southern Food, and Ghosts

Assuming that you are going to be hungry when you first arrive in Fort Myers, our first stop is going to be Fat Katz for a delicious lunch. This fun and friendly gastropub goes all out to class up the typical sports bar favorites like burgers, cheesesteaks, and salads. Don’t skip the hummus dip!

Once we have our bellies full, the next stop on our Fort Myers getaway will be the History and Eco River Cruise from Pure Florida Fort Myers. This 90-minute cruise will get you out on the Caloosahatchee River where you can see tons of local wildlife, as well as unique views of all of the most popular Fort Myers attractions.

For dinner on our first night in Fort Myers, we are heading to Fancy’s Southern Cafe for one of the best southern-style meals you will find anywhere. This amazing restaurant plays all of the southern hits like Fried Okra, Fried Green Tomatoes, Chicken-N-Waffles, and Country Fried Steak in an upscale, white-tablecloth atmosphere.

After dinner, the plan is to head back out into the city to participate in the Haunted History of Fort Myers Walking Tours. These 90-minute tours leave at 8 pm on most evenings and take guests past some of the most famously haunted spots in Fort Myers.

Day Two - Wildlife, Crab, History, and Steak

After staying out late with the ghosts on our first night in Fort Myers, we are going to kick off day two by getting back out in nature at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. You can spend as long as you want exploring the trails that lead off of the 1.5-mile raised boardwalk here, and you can expect to see a wide range of South Florida wildlife as you venture through the preserve.

Now that we’ve worked up an appetite at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, we’re heading to Trap House Krab and Seafood for a unique lunch that will blow your mind with flavor. You pick your combination of seafood here, and everything is served in similar aluminum take-out pans topped with the most amazing garlic butter sauce you’ve ever tasted.

You can’t come to Fort Myers for the first time without visiting the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, so that is where we are heading next. This gorgeous campus offers a collection of historic buildings surrounded by award-winning gardens, which is what makes this one of the most popular tourist destinations in Fort Myers.

Our second dinner in Fort Myers is going to take us to El Gaucho Inca, which serves Peruvian and Argentinian style dishes that will completely blow your mind. Definitely start with the Trio Ceviche, and then just order whatever meats and sides look most appealing to you from there. You will not be disappointed!

If you are looking for a nightcap following the meal, you can take a quick ride up to The 86 Room in the River District for a craft cocktail with a classic speakeasy-style vibe. The drink menu is always changing here, but feel free to ask for your favorite!

Day Three - IMAG, Crave, and Shopping

The IMAG History and Science Center is the first stop on our last day in Fort Myers, and you definitely don’t have to be a kid to enjoy everything that this place has to offer. With 60 different exhibits, live shows, a massive aquarium, and 3-D movies, there really is something for everyone to enjoy here.

We like to finish up our 48-hour getaways with a fantastic brunch option, and one of the most popular places for breakfast and brunch in Fort Myers is Crave. There are plenty of options to choose from on their locally sourced menu, but the best place to start is always going to be their selection of twists on Eggs Benedict.

Before heading back home, we are going to make one last stop in Estero to check out the shopping at Coconut Point. There are more than 100 unique shops to explore in this open-air mall, so you can grab plenty of souvenirs to remember your 48-hours in Fort Myers.

After spending 48 hours taking in all that Fort Myers has to offer, you will have just barely scratched the surface of what is possible in this fun South Florida town. So don’t think twice about planning what will surely be the first of many quick getaways to Fort Myers!