A Spot for a Picnic (and where to stock up) - The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel


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Lakes Regional Park ranks cool with families for its interactive water fountains, paddle boats, surrey bikes and more.

A Spot for a Picnic (and where to stock up)
Picnics are a year-round prospect in the Fort Myers and Sanibel area, and whether you prefer beach level or a picnic table, you’ll find ample sources for your outdoor meal and plenty of places to settle in.
By Chelle Koster Walton

Sculpture, Lakes Regional Park
Chelle Koster Walton

BT (before teenhood), when my now 16-year-old son, Aaron, thought it cool to hang out with his outdoors-loving parents, he begged for beach picnics. Jumping in our boat and throwing a sheet down on the sand at Lovers Key State Park or Cayo Costa mightily trumped a dinner at a nice restaurant or even at McDonald’s with a Playland, in his mind. The food didn’t matter, as long as there were cookies involved. He just loved the lack of structure and sense of adventure about the whole experience.

Picnics are a year ’round prospect in the Fort Myers and Sanibel area, and whether you prefer beach level or a picnic table, Yogi and Boo-Boo would approve of these favorites.

Before you go, stock up on ingredients at any grocery. Publix stores are the local favorite, and they have great deli choices, in case you want to forego the kitchen prep. I name a few other convenient gourmet, seafood and ethnic take-out spots for the more discriminating.

In Fort Myers, Lakes Regional Park ranks cool with families for its interactive water fountains, playground, paddle boats, surrey bikes and miniature train ride. Stop for gourmet sandwiches and salads (and – Aaron would be happy to know – cookies by the dozen!) to go at The Flying Pig.

On the northeast side of town, Manatee Park boasts its wintering resident population of gigantic but loveable manatees. Any time of the year, it makes a great place for family dining out of doors. Kids especially love the playground and the Nature Bingo or Eye on Nature (with provided magnifying glass) games that they can play along the habitat trails, including a butterfly garden and waterfront boardwalk. There’s a Publix down the road about a mile or, even closer, Maine’s Best Seafood for fish, crab cake sandwiches and the likes.

Manatee Park
Chelle Koster Walton

To picnic in Cape Coral, stop at El Mambo Cuban Restaurant for a taste of local heritage (and a mean Cuban sandwich and mango or papaya shake) en route to the Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park. It fronts the Caloosahatchee River with a fishing pier and a groomed sand beach where you can spread your picnic blanket. For the utmost in picnicking convenience and affordability, KC’s Riverstop sells breakfast sandwiches, burgers and wings al fresco at the pier’s land end. To cool off summer’s swelter, jump into the park’s swimming pool.

If you’d like some entertainment with your picnic, schedule your visit at Strausser BMX Park to coordinate with a bicycling event. Get there early to grab a picnic table and do some quality playground time.

Before heading to Fort Myers Beach, fill your basket and cooler with the finest picnic fare – imported cheeses, homemade bread, deli sandwiches and prepared hot dishes – at Sandy Butler. Kids love the beach at Lynn Hall Memorial Park for its playground and fishing pier. If you prefer something quieter, head north to Bowditch Point Regional Park or south to Lovers Key State Park. Although our favorite way to get to Lovers Key is by boat, you can get to the beach by driving to the park and taking the tram – or your own two feet. Call ahead to ask about special fishing, birding and tour boat programs during your visit.

Sanibel Island’s beaches are minimally developed. Still, you’ll find grills and picnic tables (if you want to keep your food out of the sand) at Bowman’s Beach. To go the extra gourmet step, stop at Andrea’s for fun import items, hand-made sandwiches and ready-made meals. Or try Bailey’s General Store for snacks and deli delights. And don’t forget the cookies. The white chocolate-macadamia nut variety is especially yummy.

Tips:

Call ahead to parks to see if it’s necessary to reserve picnic-shelter tables.

If you’re dining on the beach, keep all food hidden from the gulls until it’s time to eat.

Feeding the birds causes them to lose their natural ability to hunt and creates nuisances.

If you go...

Andrea’s Gourmet Market & Delicatessen, 239-472-9990, www.andreasgourmetmarket.com

Bowditch Point Regional Park, 239-765-6794, www.leeparks.org

Bowman’s Beach, 239-472-6477

Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park, 239-574-0806, www.capecoral.net

El Mambo Cuban Restaurant, 239-542-9995

The Flying Pig, 239-337-3744, www.theflyingpig.net

KC’s Riverstop, 239-549-5699

Lakes Regional Park, 239-432-2000, www.leeparks.org

Lovers Key State Park, 239-463-4588, www.floridastateparks.org/loverskey

Lynn Hall Memorial Park, 239-765-6794, www.leeparks.org

Maine’s Best Seafood, 239-694-2288, 800-676-5629

Manatee Park, 239-690-5030, www.leeparks.org

Sandy Butler Gourmet Market, 239-482-6765, www.sandybutler.com

Strausser BMX Sports Complex, 239-458-1943, www.capecoralbmx.org

Last modified on May 01, 2007

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