Surrounded by water, Cape Coral is a quaint coastal community with plenty to offer nature lovers, families and couples. This welcoming and vibrant community hosts many events from family-friendly movies in the park to farmers markets and special holiday celebrations. 

Developed in the 1950s to showcase its easygoing waterfront lifestyle, “The Cape'' boasts over 400 miles of canals that connect to the Great Calusa Blueway, the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico. Bring your boat, kayak or canoe to this boater’s paradise — or you can rent or charter from local businesses — and spend your days on the water. Lace up your hiking shoes and visit Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, which offers trails and boardwalks where you can spot eagles, ibis, herons, and other wading and migratory birds.

Cape Coral may have been built around the water, but with more than 1,500 acres of parks offering playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis amenities, and waterfront parks with boat ramps, kayak launches and swimming, there’s plenty to do on water and land. At Rotary Park, a nearly mile-long footpath that is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail cuts through uplands and salt marshes and offers bird sightings to quiet and patient watchers. Renowned for having the largest population of burrowing owls in Florida, you might see a burrow marked off with four PVC pipes or catch glimpses of these small owls all around the Cape. The annual Burrowing Owl Festival in February offers tours of burrows, special activities for kids, and informational sessions about this special bird and other important species to Southwest Florida.

With more than 90 miles of interconnected biking routes, Cape Coral has been designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Grab your handlebars and pedal through nature preserves and along scenic canals to marinas, beaches, and shopping and dining areas. One of Florida’s largest communities by land mass, take advantage of the unique opportunity to explore the nooks and crannies of the Cape on two wheels.

Waterfront restaurants, breweries and even a distillery offer amazing views that are rivaled only by the fresh food and bespoke beverages on offer. Known for its diverse culinary scene, the Cape’s unique local eateries offer foodies plenty of options to choose from. Adults can spend an evening out on one of the popular trolley events hosted by the South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association celebrating events like BaconFest in August or Spooktacular Drink & Treat in October.

Families will have a blast at the Sun Splash Family Water Park with over 14 acres of waterslides, kid-friendly play areas and a lazy river. Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park has something for every member of the family from go-kart racing and zip lines to mini-golf and an arcade.

Cape Coral’s laid-back atmosphere, diverse food scene, and access to waterways, nature and family fun make it a great destination. With so much to explore, Cape Coral will keep you coming back for more.