Fort Myers vs. Sarasota…which should you choose for your next beach vacay?!
Fort Myers is known for its family-friendly tourist activities, abundance of wildlife, and impressive natural parks. Sarasota is known for its rich art and culture scene, fascinating museums, and world-renowned beaches.
They both have an abundance of outdoor activities and are great for a family vacation. But there’s a few small differences that set them apart!
This guide will cover the key differences between Sarasota and Fort Myers tourist activities, places to stay, nightlife, cost, and more. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what each city has to offer so you can plan your next vacation!
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Table of Contents
Fort Myers At A Glance
Closest Airports:
- Southwest Florida (RSW) 8.4 miles
- Palm Beach International 121 miles
- Tampa International 130 miles
- Fort Lauderdale International: 140 miles
- Miami International: 150 miles
Located in the heart of southwest Florida, Fort Myers is a popular vacation city. It’s known for its beautiful palm trees, nature preserves, and pristine white sand beaches.
In fact, Fort Myers has over 50 miles of white-sand beaches, and 3500 acres of wetlands! Whether you’re looking to do watersports on the beach or explore a nature preserve, Fort Myers has something for everyone.
In the city, Fort Myers has nature preserves, museums, planetariums, kid-friendly parks, historical sites, and many incredible seafood restaurants. If you love seafood, make sure to try a fresh lobster roll from Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, or eat oysters at Izzy’s Fish & Oyster!
For those looking to avoid crowds, the Captiva and Sanibel Islands are less than an hour from Fort Myers. These islands have more secluded, serene beaches so they’re popular spots for a day trip.
When it comes to nightlife, Fort Myers has plenty of wine bars, pubs, and nightclubs to enjoy a night out. Head to downtown Fort Myers or the Gulf Coast Town Center to go bar-hopping at some of the hottest nightlife spots.
Overall, Fort Myers is a great vacation spot if going on boat trips, enjoying delicious seafood, and doing outdoor activities is high on your list of things to do.
Things To Do In Fort Myers
Fort Myers has fun activities for travelers of all ages. The city has museums, breweries, nature preserves, planetariums, historical sites, flea markets, and more.
1. Beaches and Nature Preserves
With over 50 miles of white sand beaches, relaxing on the beach is a must for anyone visiting. Fort Myers Beach and Lovers Key Beach are the two most popular beaches in Fort Myers. You can collect shells on the beach, or relax while spotting dolphins and manatees in the water.
Fort Myers also has one of the few dog-friendly beaches in Florida – Bonita Beach Dog Park!
If you prefer exploring nature, the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has over 3,500 acres of wetlands, and is teeming with wildlife. You’ll get to spot otters, turtles, alligators, and diverse bird species as you stroll along this preserve.
2. Downtown Fort Myers
Stroll along downtown Fort Myers to visit historic buildings, gift shops, cafes, and try out many great restaurants. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon after the beach!
3. Museums and Parks
A must visit place for anyone visiting Fort Myers is the Edison Ford Winter Estates Museum. You’ll get to view Henry Ford’s previous home, Thomas Edison’s laboratory, and botanical gardens planted by Edison himself!
If you want to stroll along a park, the Centennial Park and Manatee Park are two natural parks that are free to visit. Centennial Park is a small park with picnic tables and walking trails that’s just minutes from downtown. The Manatee Park is another popular park with trails, kayak rentals, and rivers filled with manatees!
Day Trip To Captiva and Sanibel Islands
Just off the coast of Fort Myers, there’s two sister islands – Captiva and Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island is the most popular island to visit, and is around a 40 minute drive from Fort Myers. Sanibel Island has serene beaches, a lighthouse, farmer’s market, museum, and the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Head to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel to spot 245 different bird species, alligators, and manatees! Additionally, boat and kayak tours are especially popular on Sanibel Island for spotting dolphins, and manatees.
Looking for a quick Fort Myers Bucket List?! Here are some places you won’t want to miss visiting in Fort Myers.
- Sanibel Island and Captiva Island
- Key West Express Ferry Ride to Explore Key West
- Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Fort Myers Beach and Lido Key Beach
- 6 Mile Cypress Slough Preserve Hike
- Edison and Ford Winter Estates Museum
- Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
- Manatee Park
See more Tours and Things to do in Fort Myers HERE!
Sarasota At A Glance
Closest Airports:
- Sarasota-Bradenton International: 5 miles
- St. Petersburg-Clearwater: 47 miles (psst: extend your trip with 3 days in Clearwater!)
- Tampa International: 55 miles
Also located in Southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular vacation city known for its picturesque beaches, booming arts scene, and relaxed atmosphere.
Compared to Fort Myers, Sarasota is more known for its beaches. (Spoiler: They are some of the best beaches in the entire united states!)
It has many world renowned beaches, including Siesta Key, Lido Beach, Longboat Key Beach, Turtle Beach, and more. If spending time out at the beach is high on your priority list, Sarasota is the place to visit. In fact, Siesta Key is often ranked in the top 25 beaches worldwide!
Sarasota’s beaches are clean and have crystal clear waters so they’re perfect for swimming. Additionally, parking is (limited) free on all of the beaches, and they’re close to restaurants, shops, and bars.
Besides beaches, Sarasota has a rich art and culture scene, with museums, theaters, and art galleries. Make sure to stop by the Ringling Museum to explore the official state art museum of Florida!
With over 150,000 square feet, it has a museum of art, circus museum, botanical gardens, and a gift shop. Admission is $25 for adults, and it is free on Monday’s!
Just like Fort Myers, you won’t struggle finding delicious food in Sarasota. From fresh seafood to authentic Cuban restaurants, there’s plenty of great restaurants worth trying out.
All in all, Sarasota is a great vacation spot if spending time out on the beach, savoring delicious seafood, and museum-hopping is high on your list of things to do!
Things To Do In Sarasota
Sarasota is another popular spot for travelers of all ages. Whether you’re looking to lounge on the beach or go museum-hopping, Sarasota has something for everyone.
1. Museums, Botanical Gardens, and Aquariums
If you love art, visit the John and Mable Ringling Museum. The Ringling Museum is a large, over 1500 acre museum with a museum of art, circus museum, opera house, botanical gardens, and more.
This is a great place to stay for a few hours to admire impressive artwork, and shop souvenirs at the gift shop. Admission is $25 for the week, and free on Mondays.
Sarasota also has botanical gardens, marine aquariums, shopping centers, animal sanctuaries, and zoos in the city. City sightseeing trolley tours, walking food tours, and architecture tours are all available if you want to immerse yourself in the city’s art and culture.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is full of stunning tropical plants and orchids, while the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is home to over 100 marine species.
If you’re traveling with kids, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens are a must visit place. These botanical gardens have over 200 species of animals, and you’ll be able to hand feed free roaming flamingos!
2. Beaches
And no trip to Sarasota would be complete without visiting the world-renowned Siesta Key Beach. Sarasota has several picturesque white sand beaches, with Siesta Key and Lido Key being the most notable.
Siesta Key has restaurants, bars, resorts, and a farmer’s market not too far from the shore. Lido Key is a great beach for collecting shells, and is much less crowded than Siesta Key.
3. Shopping
For those looking to shop on vacation, St. Armands Circle is the place to go. This popular shopping center is right near Lido Key Beach, and has over 100 boutiques, galleries, and some of the best restaurants in Sarasota.
Looking for a quick bucket list? Here are some places worth visiting in Sarasota!
- Siesta Key and Lido Key Beach
- The John and Mable Ringling Museum
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
- St. Armands Circle
- Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- Downtown Sarasota
See more Tours and Things to do in Sarasota HERE!
Fort Myers Vs. Sarasota: Which destination is better for vacation?
Fort Myers and Sarasota are two locations that have pristine beaches, ample opportunities for outdoor activities, and rich cultural and art scenes.
In a nutshell, Fort Myers is the best destination if you’re looking to visit family-friendly tourist activities, explore natural parks, and go fishing.
Sarasota is the best destination for you if you prefer spending the majority of time at the beach, exploring botanical gardens, and museum-hopping.
However, that’s just scratching the surface. They both have much more to offer. The rest of this guide will cover the key differences in the beaches, climate, restaurants, cost, nightlife, and safety.
Fort Myers vs. Sarasota Beaches (The differences!)
Fort Myers and Sarasota both have pristine white sand and clear water beaches that are ideal for outdoor activities. Fort Myers beaches are not as impressive as Sarasota’s beaches, but Fort Myers has a dog-friendly beach.
Plus, the Sanibel Islands and Captiva islands have several stunning beaches not too far from Fort Myers.
That being said, Sarasota has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Siesta Key and Lido Key Beach are two popular beaches known for their powdery white sand and crystal clear waters.
Overall, Fort Myers beaches are more laid-back and secluded whereas Sarasota’s beaches are often more crowded. That said, Sarasota’s beaches are stunning and much better for swimming and sunbathing.
These are some of the best beaches in Fort Myers.
- Fort Myers Beach
- Lovers Key
- Bonita Beach
- Lighthouse Beach in Sanibel
- Tarpon Bay Beach in Sanibel
- Bowman’s Beach in Sanibel
- Turner Beach in Captiva
- Crescent Beach
These are some of the best beaches in Sarasota.
- Siesta Key Beach
- Lido Key Beach
- Crescent Beach
- Venice Beach
- Longboat Key Beach
- Turtle Beach
Sarasota vs. Fort Myers Climate (The differences!)
Both Sarasota and Fort Myers have a relatively warm climate year round, being located in Southwest Florida.
The average temperature in Fort Myers is 61 F to 90 F, and the average temperature in Sarasota ranges from 52 F to 90 F.
Fort Myers vs. Sarasota: Restaurants (The Differences!)
You’ll find the best restaurants in the downtown areas of Fort Myers and Sarasota. Both places have a variety of fine dining, seafood, traditional American, and international restaurants.
If you prefer seafood, traditional American food, or southern cuisine, Fort Myers is for you. Some popular restaurants in Fort Myers include Izzy’s Fish & Oyster, Ford’s Garage, and the Farmer’s Market Restaurant.
If you prefer fine-dining seafood restaurants, Cuban cuisine, and Peruvian cuisine, Sarasota is the place for you. Sarasota Is known for having some of the best Cuban and Colombian restaurants in Florida. Some of the best restaurants in Sarasota are Mirnas Cuban Cuisine, Columbia Restaurant, and Selva Grill.
Sarasota vs. Fort Myers: Cost (The Differences!)
Fort Myers is generally more affordable than Sarasota since Sarasota’s cost of living is 6.3% higher than Fort Myers.
However, the cost to travel to Fort Myers and Sarasota will ultimately depend on the hotels, transportation, and tourist activities you choose.
Each place has upscale hotels and restaurants, as well as plenty of budget-friendly options. Also, Sarasota has free public beach parking lots whereas the parking in Fort Myers Beaches is $2 per hour in most places.
Fort Myers vs. Sarasota: Nightlife (The Differences!)
Fort Myers and Sarasota have lively nightlife, especially in their downtown areas. Fort Myers has energetic nightclubs, trendy bars, comedy shows, and live music.
Some popular nightlife hotspots are the Celsius Nightclub and Space 39 Art Bar & Martini Lounge, and The Firestone Skybar and Martini Bar.
Similarly, Sarasota has plenty of beach bars, lively nightclubs, comedy shows, and live music. The Beach Club is a popular nightclub in Siesta Key, and Mccurdy’s Comedy Theater is a popular venue that serves food and drinks.
Safety
Both Fort Myers and Sarasota are generally safe for travelers, as they each have relatively low crime rates compared to other cities.
That said, always take the proper precautions to protect yourself such as being aware of your surroundings, concealing your belongings, and not walking alone at night.
FAQ: Fort Myers vs Sarasota
The best time to visit Fort Myers and Sarasota is between March and May, when the weather’s nice and the hotel rates are low. However, the cheapest time to fly to Florida is in September.
Sarasota is 76.9 miles from Fort Myers.
The best way to get from Fort Myers to Sarasota is to drive or take a bus. Bus tickets from Fort Myers to Sarasota are as cheap as $20.
The Greyhound Bus offers a transfer service 4 times a week, and the bus ride is only 1 hour and 15 minutes.
If you plan on driving, a round trip from Sarasota to Fort Myers would only cost you around $20 for gas based on current gas prices.
You can also take a flight from Fort Myers to Sarasota but it’s expensive, and takes longer because there are no direct flights available.
Port Charlotte Bay Resort is the best place to stay in between Fort Myers and Sarasota.
Port Charlotte falls in between both cities and it has a beach park, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and comedy club. It’s a 34 minute drive from Fort Myers, and a 52 minute drive from Sarasota.
If you prefer a luxury hotel, Palm Island Resort and Manasota Key Resort are good options. These resorts are around 45 minutes away from Venice Beach in Sarasota, and a little over an hour away from Fort Myers.
Sarasota is 76.9 miles from Fort Myers. Fort Myers Beach is 96.7 miles away from Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota.
The drive from Sarasota to Fort Myers is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers is 90.6 miles away from Sarasota, which is around a 1.5 hr drive.
Fort Myers and Sarasota are relatively safe and great places for families.
Fort Myers has plenty of kid-friendly tourist attractions including parks, science centers, planetariums, and wildlife refuges.
Similarly, Sarasota has marine aquariums, botanical gardens, parks, and animal sanctuaries. You can also go on boating tours to see dolphins in both places.
No matter which place you choose, Fort Myers and Sarasota are excellent places for a family vacation.
Guest Post from: Layla Pond from Leisure Trip Guide
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