Recovery mode

How long would it take the region to recover from Florida’s most damaging hurricane in nearly 90 years?

The answer came much faster than people suspected. Despite billions of dollars of damage, southwest Florida is largely open for visitors and ready to put the storm in the past.

Stretching roughly from Sarasota to Naples, the region is home to a wide variety of activities, including those appealing to nature lovers, foodies, golfers, history buffs, and of course, beachgoers.

Southwest Florida doesn’t have the club scene of Miami’s infamous South Beach, but if a party vibe is what you’re looking for, Fort Myers beach is a good mix of family and fun. If you crave something a little slower, drive over the causeway to Sanibel and Captiva Islands, where world-class shelling and birding are two big draws. Even in the busiest of seasons, it’s easy to have the beach to yourself as you watch dolphins and birds instead of parasailers and jet skiers.

For a day that combines great food, a comfortable boat cruise, and some interesting history, check out Captiva Cruises’ Useppa Island voyage. Today Useppa is a private island for the wealthy, but it proclaims a fascinating history. Archaeological digs of the area have revealed native settlers lived in the area while the island was still part of the mainland, and various tribes persisted until the Calusa Indians were forced off the land in the mid-1800s. In 1911 Barron Collier bought the island and updated the hotel, and in 1960 the property was used as a central camp and training area for the Bay of Pigs recruits. Cruise patrons can visit the hotel and enjoy lunch before heading back to Captiva, and hopefully spotting dolphins.

Being Florida, spring is a great time to visit for baseball fans. There are six spring training sites between Sarasota and Fort Myers, including the Braves in North Port, Red Sox and Twins in Fort Myers, Orioles in Sarasota, Pirates in Bradenton, and Rays in Port Charlotte. Many of those locations host minor league teams during the rest of the summer.

One of the best parts about southwest Florida is its location as an easy stop between Tampa and the Keys, or as a quick detour from Miami or Orlando. The region has grown substantially in the past few years, and it’s no wonder why. With museums, restaurants, beaches, and a wide variety of nature activities, southwest Florida suits everyone from a solo weekend traveler to a family looking for a weeklong vacation.

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