Lee County in Florida is highlighting a series of events, new openings, and updates for visitors this fall. As autumn begins, the area sees the return of festivals, farmer’s markets, and special deals at local accommodations and attractions.
The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns for its 11th year from September 19-28. The event will feature over 60 singer-songwriters in more than 80 performances across Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach. Notable artists include Angie K, Chris Young, Frank Myers with Cut the Chord String Quartet and Jimmy Nichols, Ruby Amanfu and Sam Ashworth on a sunset cruise, LOCASH at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, Lilly MacPhee aboard the Silver King Water Taxi, Julianne Ankley and Tim McGeary at Luminary Hotel & Co., as well as Danny Myrick and Katrina Cain during Canvas and Chords. “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.” The festival is presented by BMI along with other partners; more details are available at islandhopperfest.com.
Several hotels have announced updates or reopenings following hurricane recovery efforts. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation of its meeting spaces with completion expected this fall. Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel Island plans to reopen September 28 as the first fully rebuilt resort after Hurricane Ian. South Seas Island Resort on Captiva has reopened amenities such as pools and restaurants; Best Western Plus Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach has also reopened after renovations. Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina welcomes guests again with its historic cottages.
In addition to lodging news, several attractions are offering new experiences. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is hosting wet walks through October 25 that allow participants into areas usually off-limits under guided supervision (https://sloughpreserve.org/wet-walk-season-2025). Lovers Key State Park offers free educational programs throughout September (https://loverskey.eventbrite.com). Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral has opened Paradise Cove—a $4 million wave pool with seven wave patterns—and plans movie nights (https://sunsplashwaterpark.com).
Causeway Islands Park has reopened after serving as a staging area for rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway following damage from hurricanes; additional improvements are planned through 2026 (https://leegov.com/parks/beaches/causeway). Efforts continue to protect wildlife during sea turtle nesting season which runs through October.
Visitors can participate in digital pass programs like “Sanibel Wild Mile” (https://visitfortmyers.com/digital-passes/sanibel-wild-mile) which encourages exploration of natural sites such as CROW Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife and J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Another initiative called “Parks, Points & Perks” allows visitors to earn rewards by checking into parks around Lee County using a free pass delivered via text or email (https://visitfortmyers.com/ParksPass).
Among new dining options is Tap 42 Craft Kitchen and Bar at Bell Tower in Fort Myers; Sweet Melissa’s restaurant has relocated from Sanibel Island to south Fort Myers following storm damage.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) has announced expanded air service including routes by Frontier Airlines to Atlanta; Southwest Airlines to Orlando-McCoy daily starting soon and Chicago-O’Hare weekly from November; Porter Airlines now flying year-round between Toronto and RSW; Allegiant adding flights from Allentown PA starting November 13; Appleton WI starting November 21; Des Moines IA starting November 21; American Airlines offering seasonal Phoenix service; Delta Air Lines launching weekly Salt Lake City flights December 20; Sun Country adding Appleton WI weekly January 30.
Upcoming annual festivals include the Edison & Ford Winter Estates Fall Festival October 18 (https://edisonfordwinterestates.org), Cape Coral Oktoberfest October 17-26 (https://capecoraloktoberfest.com), BIG ARTS Film Festival November 14-15 (https://bigarts.org/event/inaugural-fall-film-festival), American Sand Sculpting Championship November 20-24 (https://fmbsandsculpting.com), among others.
Dining venues reopening post-hurricane include The Bubble Room on Captiva Island (“Bubble Bread…and memories are back”), Lazy Flamingo on Sanibel Island (“With its original menu…the restaurant is open!”), Key Lime Bistro (“it’s still serving its iconic Keyline pie!”), Sweet Melissa’s (“Chef Melissa Donahue…has reopened her popular restaurant”), The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach (“With a new building that is a walk-up…this island favorite is a huge part of the Fort Myers Beach recovery story”).
A neighborhood mural program led by Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau in partnership with Fort Myers Mural Society features interactive murals across locations such as Estero Community Park and Veterans Park Lehigh Acres.
For more information about current offerings or travel planning resources—including webcams—visit https://visitfortmyers.com/webcams.
