Summer Time Recreation in Southwest Florida

When the kids are out of school and it's hot and humid outside, but boring staying inside all day, what are you to do? Although many people in Florida conveniently own their own swimming pool not everyone has this advantage to staying cool. In my article, I will list some fun, inexpensive facilities you can visit this summer to beat the grueling Southwest Florida heat.

One of the best, inexpensive places I've found to take my 14 month old son is to the Fort Myers Aquatic Center. The Aquatic Center is a great facility located just off of Colonial Boulevard, at the end of Deleon Street. The Aquatic Center offers a delightfully large 20,000 gallon kiddie pool called the "Little Dipper". The Little Dipper, at its deepest is only about 18 inches deep and offers a water slide, tunnels and lots of fountain mechanisms for young children to enjoy! Just to the back of the Little Dipper lies the 226,000 gallon junior Olympic size swimming pool. This pool at its deepest is about 5 and ½ feet deep, and is handicap accessible. The facility offers swimming classes, has tennis courts and is very inexpensive to get into. Prices of admission are as followed:

Toddlers (0-2 years old) - FREE

Children (3-17 years old) - $1.50

Adults (18-64 years old) - $2.50

Seniors (65+ years old) - $2.00

Time of operation is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday , Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.. The Aquatic Center is opened on Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m. but is closed on Tuesday. If you have any additional questions you can visit the facilities website at www.cityftmyers.com/departments/publicworks/recreation/fleishmanpool.aspx. So check out the Fort Myers Aquatic Center, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

Another great inexpensive place to take your children during this summer is to Lakes Regional Park. Formally known as Lakes Park, Lakes Regional Park offers several activities for your child. Activities include a rock climbing wall, a village train, multiple person bike rentals, a playground and of course a water playground area. The park also offers several shelters that can be rented if needed. The park also boasts several quarried lakes and miles of paved pathway for walking, jogging, biking or any form of non-motorized transportation. Other than standard parking which is very inexpensive most the activities at Lakes Regional Park are free. Some activities such as the village train, facility rentals, bike and boat rentals will be an extra charge. If you want to find out more about Lakes Regional Park and it's many special events and activities you can go to www.leeparks.org .

The Cape Coral Yacht club is a great facility opened to the public seven days a week. The club features a swimming pool, public beach, picnic shelters, barbeque grills, fishing pier, playgrounds and much more. The Yacht club also offers swimming classes for all ages of people for a fee. The Cape Coral Yacht club even offers cruises aboard their 51 foot luxurious yacht named "cookie cutter". If you would like to know more about The Cape Coral Yacht Club and its many programs and events you can go to www.cpeporal.net/citydept/parks/pks_yachtclub.cfm .

If you are thinking about visiting one of our many area beaches to cool off this summer, you may want to consider Fort Myers Beach. Fort Myers Beach is located on beautiful Estero Boulevard and has several miles of white sandy beaches. Near town square your children can enjoy a public playground just a few feet away from the beach. Three are also several restaurants and shops around as well. Fort Myers beach offers a beautiful pier for fishing or beach gazing. Just across the bridge from Fort Myers beach is miniature golfing and surf shops. To save yourself some time and walking children through busy streets I would recommend getting to the beach early in the morning, perhaps around 9 a.m.. Because of the lack of public parking around the beach facility you may have to park quite a far distance from the beach. So getting to Fort Myers Beach early is key! If you would like more information on Fort Myers Beach and it's small town you can visit their official website which is www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov .

There are so many more beautiful facilities at your disposal her in Southwest Florida, these are just a few of them. I hope I was able to give you some inexpensive ways to keep cool this summer and keep your little ones busy as well!