Life In Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs Invitational Art Festival | 316/365 Things to Do

The Bonita Springs Invitational Art Festival is being held November 23/24, 2019.  Located at The Promenade at Bonita Bay, Art Festival is by invitation so the artists are vetted and the works are superb quality.

November marks the best and beginning of the fabulous weather in SWFL so you can enjoy the best of local the local Bonita Springs Invitational Art Festival in the great outdoors but still slightly under cover.  The Promenade is an outdoor shopping and dining area. There are a variety of restaurants and deli’s so you can also plan lunch around your Art Festival adventure.

If you are looking for fun things to do in Bonita Springs consider a trip to the Bonita Springs Invitational Art Festival. 

You can learn more about future art festivals at: www.facebook.com/PromenadeAtBonitaBay

 Sunday Bloody Mary at Naples Grande | 315/365 Things to Do

The next-level Bloody Mary phenomenon has met it’s match in Naples, Florida. If you’re a fan of an outrageous Bloody Mary put the Naples Grande Hotel on your list of must-stops.  

If you have to convince yourself that “it’s good for you” keep in mind that it It has all the nutritious breakfast nutrients: tomato juice for a shot of vitamin C, hot sauce to clear any toxins from your system, celery for added hydration, and alcohol for, um, disinfecting your body. It's basically a smoothie made with vegetables and all sorts of things that make it next-level.

At the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida, however, you can make your morning Bloody Mary a full meal thanks to their gigantic Bloody Mary bar that includes 75 different food toppings for your drink, resulting in a whopping 48,000 possible combinations. It’s like a Bloody Mary buffet topper.

If you’re looking for unusual and fun things to do in Naples, consider a trip to the Naples Grande and be sure to either walk out to the beach or take the tram down the boardwalk. It’s another little hidden gem in Southwest Florida.  Learn more here: Bloody Mary Bar in Naples

Bonita Fest at Riverside Park | 314/365 Things to Do

The event formerly known as Taste of Bonita has been downsized to Bonita Fest. Per the tradition of the event every November, the event and attire is casual. It’s a great way to get out and meet your neighbors and have a good time in downtown Bonita Springs, Florida.

There are food and beverage vendors and the group performing is a Jimmy Buffet tribute band called the Caribbean Chillers.  If you go there is parking nearby and at the vacant lots across from Wonder Gardens and Benson’s grocery store.

The Christmas lights are up so when the sun goes down it will be very pretty in the downtown area.

The Bonita Fest event is run by the Rotary Clubs with proceeds benefiting local programs and international  programs.   If you’re looking for fun things to do this is a great event that benefits people both near and far.

Christmas on Third Naples Florida | 313/365 Things to Do

One of the most fun things to schedule around the holiday time is a trip to 3rd Street South in Naples, Florida. Besides the great decorations and fabulous people (and car) watching they turn bubble machines on that are on each lamp post. It snows in Naples!

The entire downtown area is decorated for the holidays. There are a few highlights that include the tree lighting ceremony and a live nativity scene.  You may have to park quite a distance away from the festivities on tree lighting night. It is a sea of people. Otherwise, make dinner reservations at a local restaurant and enjoy a stroll around the downtown area.  For other fun things to do in downtown Naples read also: Third Thursday on Third Naples Florida | 174/365 Things to Do

Nokomis Beach Drum Circle | 312/365 Things to Do

Every Wednesday and Saturday evenings at Nokomis Beach, approximately two hours before sunset, the community comes together by forming a drum circle to celebrate the ending of the day. Folks participate as drummers, musicians, dancers and spinners. One and all come together in gratitude to celebrate life, relax and rejoice in the paradise we are privileged to live in. Everybody is invited to participate by playing, listening, dancing and joining in the sunset celebration of the drum circle.

A circle is drawn for drummers or those with musical instruments to sit around. Please leave space for the drum circle as it is a sacred place and respect the flowers, decorations and other memorabilia the tribe has placed there. There is no smoking in or around our circle and please refrain from bringing alcohol. By county ordinance there is no glass allowed on the beach, just like at Bonita Beach and Barefoot Beach. Drummers of all ages and types come together for a jam session. Feel free to bring chairs, food and drinks. Find a comfy spot and enjoy the rhythms as the sun sinks into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Nokomis Beach Drum Circle is located in Sarasota County at the main beach area on Casey Key (207 Casey Key Road, Nokomis, FL 34275).  Nokomis is a little over an hour North of Bonita Springs – Estero, Florida.   If you are looking for fun things to do consider attending the Nokomis Drum Circle.

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About the author.  Gisela Chamberlin is a Bonita Springs resident and an art enthusiast.

Shabbat at Temple Shalom Naples | 311/365 Things to Do

Located on Pine Ridge Road in Naples, Florida is Temple Shalom. It’s a lovely place of worship that offers a variety of services and organized activities for for all ages and stages of life.  Members and visitors partake in meaningful social action programs and celebrate Jewish holidays and life cycle events with friends and family, including Shabbat.  

Temple Shalom has a full calendar of events so be sure to visit their website.  You can learn more about Temple Shalom at www.naplestemple.org.

The White Pelicans on Sanibel | 310/365 Things to Do

Go in search of White Pelicans! In the fall each year white pelicans show up in our area to either winter over or stop for a rest on their route south. The white pelicans go as far south as South America. They are one of the largest North American birds and are a majestic site to see. They can be seen by the hundreds at low tide at Ding Darling on Sanibel Island.

The white pelicans also can be seen flying around Pine Island, which is west of Fort Myers, and the Causeway leading to Sanibel Island. I have often see them in smaller flocks at Lovers Key State Park near Dog Beach. You can check Ding Darling’s Facebook page to see when they arrive each year so that you don’t miss them. This year they arrived the first week of Nov. No one knows how long they will stay so get out and enjoy these wonderful birds.

If you’re looking for fun things to do on Sanibel visit Ding Darling and look for the White Pelicans!

Read also: Ding Darling National Refuge Sanibel Island

Watch Nesting Eagles in Bonita Springs 39/365 and

Visit Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area 55/365 and

Harns Marsh Lehigh Acres | 308/365 Things to Do

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About the author: Melinda Cochran is photographer and Southwest Florida resident. You can find more of her images at: https://www.facebook.com/journeythroughmyeyes/.  If you know of a great place for Melinda to capture wildlife in action send a message in the comments section of this post.

Captain & Krewe Lobster & Oysters | 309/365 Things to Do

The long story short is that the Griffith/Sandford show got a little crazy on Veteran’s Day.  We attended a ceremony at Cambier Park but there were heat issues and someone (Jerry) enjoyed a complimentary ride to the emergency room with lights and sirens. It was hot and he was wearing a black suit in the sun so … Florida is no joke, people. Stay hydrated.  Shout out to  EMS and Greater Naples and everyone who stopped by to check on him from North Collier.

After our long day in the E.R. when we were finally discharged we went back to the park to find his suit jacket which was laying on a bench and then we thought we should finally eat something.  Captain & Krewe is just across the street from the park so we dragged ourselves in there and grabbed a quick mid afternoon bite to eat.

Per the usual, we have our favorites and every restaurant and our favorite at Captain & Krewe is the lobster roll. It’s a great sandwich and so different from many of the other local lobster rolls. I also consider myself a French fry aficionado and I just love their “fries” which are basically slabs of baked potato, deep fried.  Again, there is nothing like it in the area.  

I did notice that Captain & Krewe has a great oyster menu and I thought I’d share.  Oysters are my own personal nightmare but I know many other people like them. 

If you are looking for fun things to do consider a trip downtown to Naples.  The Naples Pier, Naples City Dock and the shopping districts aren’t far from Captain & Krewe so you can line up a few fun things to do in one spot within walking distance.

Harns Marsh Lehigh Acres | 308/365 Things to Do

Harns Marsh a a very lovely quiet preserve in Lee County, Florida. It is paradise for bird watchers. You can often find Snail Kite, Limpkin and other wading birds along with ducks, sandhill cranes and numerous other birds. You can also see an occasional alligator and turtle.

Harns Marsh has a very well maintained trail that is approximately four miles around. This is also a good area to fish from shore or from a kayak. You could picnic here but there is nothing on site such as public toilets and only one bench on the path.

Harns Marsh is open from 7 AM to 6 PM daily. It is a bit hard to find but well worth the effort to get there. The address of Harns Marsh is 38th St W, Fort Myers, FL You should do a search on Google Maps and directions will lead you right there.

If you are looking for fun things to do a trip to Harns Marsh is a short and sweet path to view great wildlife.

Read also: Watch Nesting Eagles in Bonita Springs 39/365 and

Visit Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area 55/365

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About the author: Melinda Cochran is photographer and Southwest Florida resident. You can find more of her images at: https://www.facebook.com/journeythroughmyeyes/.  If you know of a great place for Melinda to capture wildlife in action send a message in the comments section of this post.

Veteran’s Day Bonita Springs - Naples | 307/365 Things to Do

Both the City of Bonita Springs and the City of Naples hold Veteran’s Day events and ceremonies at their main parks. Per tradition, the events are always held on the eleventh month, on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hours so on November 11th at 11:00 a.m., which is in homage to the day that WWI ended.

The Naples ceremony  is held at Cambier Park in Downtown Naples. The Bonita Springs event is held at Riverside Park in Downtown Bonita Springs.  Seating is often limited so if you have mobility issues you may consider bringing your own chair.

Thank you for your service, Veterans!