15 Fun Things to Do in Fort Myers at Night

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Just north from where the Everglades relent their domination of southwestern Florida, the city of Fort Myers straddles the Caloosahatchee River as it empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

While many come to bask in the sun on its white sandy beaches and beautiful barrier islands, there are plenty of fun things to do in Fort Myers at night as well.

It's a vibrant city full of clubs, beach bars, restaurants, historical architecture, and perhaps even some ghosts. No matter what brought you to this tropical state or how you choose to fill your days, this list will have you spending your nights in style!

• 15 Fort Myers things to do

15 Things to Do in Fort Myers, Florida at Night

Fort Myers Things to Do Map

A map of Fort Myers. Use the map to explore all the things to do.

Kick back on Sanibel Island

Situated off the Florida coast, this barrier island is a popular trip for people looking for things to do at night in Fort Myers.

Once dark has set in, though, you can enjoy the still-warm night air at one of Sanibel Island's many beach bars. Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille or Key Lime Bistro are great spots to grab dinner and cocktails on a seaside patio, and RC Otter's has a good family atmosphere if you're traveling with kids.

Race hermit crabs on Captiva Island

For an even more laidback nightlife, you can head to the more remote Captiva Island, just north of Sanibel. After soaking up the sun on pristine, white sandy beaches, stick around to catch a majestic sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.

Night owls on Captiva island can enjoy live entertainment, karaoke events, and even race hermit crabs against one another at the Crow's Nest Bar and Grille. It is one of the unusual things to do in Fort Myers after all!

Be careful, though, as the commentator during this ridiculous race will roast both the crabs and their probably intoxicated human backers!

Get dinner and a movie at Gulf Coast Town Center

The Gulf Coast Town Center brings a little bit of everything to Fort Myers. It has shopping, dining, fitness centers, grocery stores, and even a Courtyard Marriot Hotel. This makes it both a convenient refueling stop and an easy way to spend a day beating the heat.

It remains open into the late evening, and visitors can enjoy dinner at one of its many restaurants before catching a movie at the cinema.

Try your luck at the Seminole Casino Hotel

Just about forty-five minutes outside of Fort Myers in Immokalee, Florida, you can try your luck at the Seminole Casino Hotel.

Once there, the casino offers its guests a variety of slot machines and table games, along with excellent dining options, bars and lounges, and live shows.

As the name implies, you can also take advantage of their hotel rooms to make it an overnight trip from Fort Myers. Before heading back, you can rent an airboat to explore nearby Lake Trafford or catch a drag race at Immokalee Regional Raceway.

Spend a night in Fort Myers River District

The River District in Downtown Fort Myers is a charming trip back to the city's roots. The brick-paved streets are lined with palm trees and host an impressive array of boutiques, restaurants, and historical buildings, many of which date back to the mid-1800s.

In the evening, the city springs to life with people looking for what to do in Fort Myers at night. They typically have no problem finding their way to the many bars, nightclubs, dance floors, and even the occasional celebrity DJ that makes an appearance in this vibrant, tropical city.

Head to Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island

Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island is a favorite destination for southern Florida beach bums, and not just while the sun's up.

In addition to happy hours and excellent dining, you can find live music nearly every night of the week at places like Dixie Fish Co., Cabanas Beach Bar & Grille, and Shuckers.

There's live entertainment and plenty of things to do in Fort Myers at night all up and down this stretch of beach, so check the calendar to see what's happening during your visit.

Party hard at Lani Kai Island Resort

This resort is not for the faint of heart, but if you're visiting Florida more for fun than for rest, you should definitely check out the Lani Kai Island Resort.

Its location in the heart of Fort Myers Beach means that it's surrounded by many Fort Myers attractions. However, the on-site nightclub, two rooftop restaurants, and bar-to-beach service mean that you won't have to go far to find things to do at night in Fort Myers.

Find intrigue and steak on the Murder Mystery Dinner Train

Murder may be a dish best served cold, but your dinner doesn't have to be. On Fort Myers' Murder Mystery Dinner Train, you'll enjoy a five-course meal with wine and cocktails while channeling your inner Sherlock Holmes to solve a murder most foul.

You'll have forty miles and nearly four hours to rout out the killer in this live murder mystery show, and it could be anyone.

• Did that waiter seem a little disgruntled?
• Did that couple seem a little TOO nice?

Keep your wits, enjoy your food, and trust no one.

Sail away on a Sunset and Dolphin Cruise

For a trip to Southwest Florida, there's nothing more iconic than a sunset and dolphin cruise on the Gulf of Mexico.

This two-hour tour departs from Gateway Marina in Fort Myers Beach and whisks you out of the city and into the mangrove forests of Estero Island.

Next, you'll head through Big Carlos Pass where the dolphins often hunt fish before heading further out into San Carlos Bay for a very memorable sunset.

As the sky darkens on your way back, you'll see the night come alive in Downtown Fort Myers.

Get spooked on a Haunted History of Fort Myers Walking Tour

For a spooky night on the town, you can join the Haunted History of Fort Myers Walking Tour. Anywhere with such a long history is sure to have some skeletons, and you'll find this Florida town especially peculiar.

Wandering spirits seen from the corner of the eye, apparitions in photographs, and unexplained noises have all been reported by unsettled residents and guests.

This tour will take you through some of the common legends behind all this reported paranormal activity and leave you to decide what you believe.

Get enchanted on a Haunted pub Crawl

What is there to do in Fort Myers at night if you like both ghosts tours AND bars? If this is you, you'll hit the jackpot with a Fort Myers Beach Haunted Pub Crawl.

On this tour, ghosts, history, magic, and booze all intermingle.

• Was it a miracle, the triumph of the human spirit, or the twisted whims of a malevolent spirit that influenced events in the city's past?
• How did my beer disappear already?

All of these questions and more will both trouble and inspire you as you learn to see Fort Myers through new (blurry) eyes.

Sample local beer at Fort Myers Brewing Company

Fort Myers Brewing Company is a must-visit for craft beer lovers in Southwest Florida. It was started by a couple of transplants, one from San Diego and one from Michigan, and has become a town staple since it opened its doors in 2013.

Their small brewing operation has grown into an enormous, rotating tap list meant to satisfy a wide range of tastes from stouts to sours and everything in between.

They also host trivia events, burger nights, and live music, so check their schedule and show up thirsty.

Head to Times Square for a walk on Fort Myers Beach Pier

Just off of Fort Myers Beach, Times Square is the heart of Estero Island. There are plenty of places to sit and eat outside while a variety of street performers provide entertainment.

It is also ideally situated by Fort Myers Beach Pier, a locale that offers some of the most stunning sunset views in a city crowded with them. It's a pleasant walk that extends far beyond the beach to see the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico, and it's a view you'll remember for years to come.

See a comedy show at the Laugh In Comedy Cafe

The Laugh In Comedy Cafe is one of the most entertaining things to do at night in Fort Myers. They've been pulling in the best touring comedians in the country for nearly three decades and will make a great addition to your trip to Florida.

As a comedy cafe (as opposed to a comedy club), they open their doors early and serve dinner before each show begins, which can really help to simplify an evening if that's what you're in the mood for.

Join the fun at the Edison Festival of Light Parade

In honor of the inventions of part-time Fort Myers resident Thomas Edison, the Festival of Light Parade stomps through the streets of Fort Myers each winter. Enthusiasts from all over the United States come to show off their floats and join with local participants, marching bands, and city officials.

The parade is the largest night parade in the American southeast and typically lasts for two hours while spectators jostle for the best spots from which to watch the spectacle.

Conclusion

For many visitors to Fort Myers, their nights offer the best parts of their trip. Sitting in the warm night air with food, drinks, and a salty breeze from the sea is a strong argument for flipping nocturnal.

There's an energy that the city gives off at night after the retreat of the often oppressive sun. While the heat of the day can breed a slow pace in tropical places, the nights tend to perk things up.

This certainly holds true in Fort Myers, and hopefully, this list will provide you with inspiration for your next trip here.

This article was edited by Loredana Elena.

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