Talk about your variety vacation package! Bonita Springs boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Southwest Florida. Miles of deserted sand for strolling hand in hand, watching spectacular sunsets, the excitement of greyhound racing, boat trips. Who could ask for more? Follow these links for more information.
All the excitement of greyhound racing is on the Lee Island Coast year-round. The track features five distances to be run over a quarter mile oval. Find fine cuisine in the air-conditioned Clubhouse Sky Region Dining Room, where all tables are trackside. Bet to win, place, show, quiniela, trifecta or trisuper to win up to a $20,000 jackpot. From Christmas to Easter, the track is open seven days a week. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first race at 7:30 p.m. For matinee racing, doors open at 11 :30 a.m. with the first post time at 12:30 p.m. General admission is $2, Clubhouse $3.50, box seats $1 and parking is free.
From May through December, races are held nightly, except Sundays and Mondays; doors open at 6:30 p.m. for 7:30 p.m. post-time. Matinees are on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday; doors open for matinees at 11:30 a.m. with first race post-time at 12:30 p.m. Handicapped accessible. Location: Old 41 at Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 33923, I-75, exit 18 (2 miles west); (941) 992-2411.
Explore waterways once inhabited by the extinct Calusa Indians as your native Floridian guide helps you spot dolphin, endangered manatee, birds and other wildlife that live in the state's first aquatic preserve. Learn about the history of the Calusa Indians and how they constructed shell mounds that make up many of the islands that dot the coastline. Location: 4.7 miles north of Bonita Beach Road off U. S 41 at the end of Coconut Road, Bonita Springs, FL 33923; (941) 992-2200.
Established in 1936, making it one of Florida's earliest wildlife attractions, Everglades Wonder Gardens includes in its collection Florida panthers, Florida black bear, American crocodiles and alligators, tame Florida deer, trained otters, snakes and birds. The attraction is open every day except Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with tours operating continuously until 4 p.m. Admission for adults is $8, $4 for children ages 3 to 12. Handicapped accessible. Location: Old 41, 1 mile North of the Dog Track, Bonita Springs, FL 33923; (941) 992-2591.
Experience the thrill of riding in a giant swamp buggy through three different environments of the Florida wilderness. Travel on the abandoned, historic Tamiami Trail. See rare panthers, alligators, raccoons, gopher tortoise, and a large variety of wild birds in their natural environment. Venomous reptile shows in each tour. Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Tours are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 3 to 12. Location: I-75 south to exit 18, west to Old U.S. 41, south one mile on left, Bonita Springs, FL 33902. For information and reservations call (941) 498-9050.
$17.50 ensures a part or full-day of canoeing on the Estero River, a Florida designated canoe trail that runs gently to the Gulf of Mexico. Kayaks can be rented for $ 12.50 per person, per day. Both singles and doubles are available. The river is in its natural state and otters, various types of birds and alligators can be seen. Camping is available nearby at Koreshan State Historic Site. Canoe and kayak rentals, fishing gear and bait available. Location: 20991 S. Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41 South), Estero, FL 33928; (941) 992-4050.
At Koreshan Historic Site, the curious find only remnants of a religious sect, which practiced equal rights for women long before the concept was popular. They lived by the "Golden Rule," by doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, and had a communal lifestyle that included shared ownership of property. The Koreshan Unity was established in 1894 by Dr. Cyrus Read Teed, a Union Army Medical Corps veteran. He had been inspired by a vision or "great illumination," which instructed him to change his name to Koresh, meaning Cyrus in Hebrew, and moved his followers to Southwest Florida. The city they envisioned would cover 300 miles, with 400-foot wide streets and be home for 10 million people. It never quite materialized, and at the peak of its popularity the settlement had only about 250 residents. Of the original 60 buildings, 12-14 remain, including Teed's home. There is also a one-of-a-kind globe, illustrating Koreshan belief that man resides on the inside surface of the earth, gazing at the solar system within. The site, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is being restored to its original condition. Guided tours are available for a nominal charge. The park, open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, also features nature trails, boat ramp, canoeing, fresh and saltwater fishing and camping. Cost is 3.25 per vehicle, up to eight people and $1, each additional person. The original Koreshan Unity is now the Koreshan Unity Foundation on the east side of U.S. 41 opposite Koreshan State Historic Site and is now called the World's College of Life Building & Koreshan Headquarters. Open for lectures and tours of the building from 1-4 p.m., five days a week and weekends for four or more people by appointment. Location: South U. S. 41, Estero, FL 33928, I-75, exit 19; (941) 992-0311. The Koreshan Unity Foundation and library, which offers lectures on the Koreshans and the environment, is located across from the park on the east side of U.S. 41 at 8661 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL 33928; (941) 992-2184.