This Friendly Florida Beach Town Has More Canals Than Venice

Situated on Florida’s Southwest Coast, Cape Coral is famous for its winding canals and warm waters filled with marine life. The friendly beach town boasts over 400 miles of waterways, many leading directly to the Gulf of Mexico, making it a favorite among boaters. It's a popular spot for families too, with parks, museums, and top-notch restaurants. The town even hosts a vibrant weekend farmer’s market and has a variety of accommodations, from upscale resorts to boutique hotels.

If you've been contemplating a trip to one of Florida’s most welcoming beach towns, here's a guide to everything you should see and do during your visit to Cape Coral. 

Things to Do 

Visit the Ecological Preserve 

The Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is a 365-acre haven for birding and offers a unique 1.2-mile loop trail that promises a picturesque walk. There’s no entry fee, and the park is open year-round from 8 a.m. to dusk. Before your hike, stop by the visitor’s center for insights on the local wildlife, and keep your eyes peeled for heron and ibis sightings. 

floridahikes.com, 2500 SE 24th St, Cape Coral, FL

Enjoy a Beach Day on Fort Myers Beach

Cape Coral is home to a few small public beaches, but we recommend heading to nearby Fort Myers Beach. Just 15 minutes from Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach has a lively pier and offers water sports like parasailing, jet skiing, and paddle boarding. After working up an appetite, head to the boardwalk, which is lined with casual restaurants serving burgers and seafood. End the day watching the sunset from the pier or watching the street entertainers in Times Square. 

Spend the Day on the Water 

One of the best ways to experience Cape Coral is on a boat. The waters around Cape Coral are full of marine life, and it’s not unusual to spot dolphins and manatees during a ride. Dolphin Boat Tours offers dolphin tours during the day, or you can opt for an evening to watch the sunset. The boat tour comes with an experienced captain, and you can bring your own food and snacks. 

Visit the Farmer’s Market 

If you’re here on the weekend, swing by the Cape Coral Farmers Market, open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. The market offers a mouthwatering selection of homemade pastries, jams, and pickled veggies, along with Florida-grown fruits and vegetables. After picking up a few snacks, spend the morning strolling through the booths for some take-home souvenirs like natural soaps, essential oils, and handmade jewelry. 

capecoralfarmersmarket.com, SE 47th Terrace and SE 10th Place, South Cape, FL 

Explore Cape Coral Historical Museum 

Take a break from the heat and head indoors to explore the Cape Coral Historical Museum, which has a collection of letters, photographs, and maps that tell the story of early Cape Coral. The museum offers guided tours each hour, and there’s a butterfly garden outside. Check the museum’s site before visiting, as the museum often hosts workshops and live music events throughout the month. 

capecoralmuseum.org, 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33990 

Where to Eat and Drink

Indulge in Comfort Food

There are a few reasons why Point 57 Kitchen & Cocktails is one of Cape Coral’s most popular restaurants. The restaurant is a haven for fresh seafood like steamed mussels, crab cakes, and fish tacos. You also can’t go wrong with the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich or the short rib grilled cheese sandwich. Save room for a slice of chilled Key Lime Pie or Grandma’s Butter Cake, a decadent brown butter cake topped with whipped cream. 

point-57.com, 3522 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Enjoy Asian-Inspired Bites 

Sleek and inviting, Stone’s Throw opened in 2023 and has already attracted a loyal following. The bar and restaurant have a pretty impressive collection of domestic and imported wines and a curated menu of custom cocktails. The menu features seafood and steak dishes, like calamari and braised short ribs, and a few Asian-inspired dishes, like General Tso’s chicken sandwich, tuna poke nachos, and pork potstickers. 

stonesthrowcc.com,1339 Cape Coral Parkway E, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Savor Fresh Seafood 

You’ll likely not get fish any fresher than at Fish Tale Grill. The restaurant owners opened Merrick Seafoods in 1991 and sold fresh seafood to restaurant owners and residents.  Based on the store’s popularity, the owners expanded and opened Fish Tale Grill in 2013. Some of the restaurant’s main courses include clams, spicy lobster, and a seafood tower piled high with Gulf oysters, king crab, and local clams. 

bestseafoodcapecoral.com,1229 SE 47th Terrace B, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Enjoy a Hearty Weekend Brunch 

Cape Coral’s 10 Twenty-Five restaurant is popular for its brunch menu, which includes generous portions of biscuits and gravy, French toast topped with cannoli cream, and a decadent chicken and donuts entree that features buttermilk fried chicken alongside churro donuts and sweet potato fries. The brunch specials are reserved for Saturdays and Sundays and include the option of mimosas. 

10twentyfive.net, 1025 Santa Barbara Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Feast on Authentic Mexican Cuisine 

In downtown Cape Coral, Monarca’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine Bar & Grill offers a robust menu of tasty Mexican-American dishes. The restaurant features generous plates of tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, and chimichangas, along with vegetarian options. Don’t leave without trying the homemade flan and curator leches cake, and ask for a table outside to enjoy the canal views.  

monarcasrestaurants.com, 1604 SE 46th St, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Share Afternoon Appetizers 

As the name suggests, Gather is a homey restaurant for gathering with friends or family for shared dishes and a few drinks. From Tuesday through Sunday, from 4 to 10 p.m., the restaurant offers “gathering plates” of pork belly steam buns, street corn, and ahi tuna tostadas to be shared at the table. The restaurant also has happy hour specials of empanadas and truffle cheese fries, which can be paired with the cocktail of the day. 

gathercape.com, 5971 Silver King Blvd STE 116, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Where to Stay 

Rest at a Resort

The Westin Cape Coral Resort and Marina Village is a sleek, contemporary resort with a prime location overlooking the marina. Each guestroom has a private screened-in balcony with views of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caloosahatchee River, or the Mangrove Preserves. You can dine at three different restaurants and lounges across the property or opt for room service. There’s also an on-property salon, three sparking pools, and complimentary group yoga. Sign up for the complimentary 2-hour dolphin tour that leaves from the hotel twice a day, seven days a week. 

marriott.com, 5951 Silver King Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Stay at a Boutique Hotel in the Historic District 

If you want to be in the middle of the action in Cape Coral’s historic district, consider the Dolphin Key Resort. The property has 100 rooms and a heated swimming pool, and it’s close to dining, shopping, and restaurants. The hotel is also home to the Tiki Hut Bar and Grill, which has an all-day menu and live entertainment six days a week. 

dolphinkeyresort.com, 1502 Miramar St, Cape Coral, FL 33904