Quote from: LaJollaRedSo, yeah?
I live in South Florida now...I think I'm going to do it. The rink is a few hours away, so I think I'll just make it to one night, but any recommendations for things to do in Estero the afternoon of the game?
Well, the second day it'll be our game...
Quote from: LaJollaRedSo, yeah?
I live in South Florida now...I think I'm going to do it. The rink is a few hours away, so I think I'll just make it to one night, but any recommendations for things to do in Estero the afternoon of the game?
As to what to do before the game, there is shopping at the Miromar Outlet Mall which is next door to the arena. Other shopping / dining options are the Coconut Point Mall (route 41 in Estero ~ 10 min from the rink, south of Corkscrew Road) and Gulf Coast Town Mall (up the road from the rink, Alico Road and Ben Griffin Intersection). Both Gulf Coast and Coconut Point have mega-movie theaters, so if the weather is bad, you can catch a flix.
If you are a golfer, you can try and get a tee time at one of the many local courses. However, with the snowbirds (and their visiting families) now down, might want to book that in advance. I can get you a few recommendations if needed (my parents are golfers).
There is the Ding Darling wildlife preserve on Sanibel. However, due to the traffic (only 2-lanes.. one way in each direction roads on Sanibel and it moves at a crawl), I would recommend this only if we have the late game (which we do on Saturday). It is a $6 toll (cash or sunpass) to cross the sanibel causeway. Sanibel is a quaint place to travel around (might want to rent a bike), so if you do have time a nice way to spend the afternoon (lots of shops, restaurants)
If you have kids, there is the Naples Zoo (haven't been, so can't comment much beyond that it exists), and I think a Manatee viewing area somewhere in N. Ft. Myers. Also in N. Ft. Myers is the Shell Factory, and the Imaginarium in Ft. Myers (near downtown).
If you have a designated driver there are some breweries: Ft Myers Brewery (https://www.facebook.com/FMBrewhttp://), Point Ybel (http://www.pointybelbrew.com/) is opened on 12/14 and the Naples Beach Brewery (http://www.naplesbeachbrewery.com/). The latter seems to only have tours/tastings and doesn't appear to sell food or beer on the premises. The Ft. Myers Brewery usually has food trucks on the premises and sells its beer in growlers.
Hope this helps and if Google maps says that it should take 20 min to get somewhere, add in some extra time, especially if your travels take you on Route 41.
I'll be there. Not sure yet if my usual +2s are coming along too.
I was thinking about it but thanks to absurd rental car prices in Florida I decided to pass. I'm already getting robbed enough for airfare this Christmas season.
Quote from: LaJollaRedSo, yeah?
I live in South Florida now...I think I'm going to do it. The rink is a few hours away, so I think I'll just make it to one night, but any recommendations for things to do in Estero the afternoon of the game?
Several years ago we rented kayaks from this place and had a good time paddling around for a couple of hours. http://www.tarponbayexplorers.com/
Quote from: LaJollaRedSo, yeah?
I live in South Florida now...I think I'm going to do it. The rink is a few hours away, so I think I'll just make it to one night, but any recommendations for things to do in Estero the afternoon of the game?
A good pre-game lunch spot that we like is Luna Rossa in the Miromar Mall right by the rink - good pizza and other Italian stuff at reasonable prices.
A couple of years ago we spent some time in Koreshan State Park, on Corkscrew west of 41 - it's the site of an old religious commune and there are some historical buildings and it's an interesting place to walk around outdoors and kill some time.