Life In Bonita Springs

Yoga at Happehatchee Estero, Florida | 306/365 Things to Do

The class is Peaceful Yoga in Nature with Kathryn is held every Wednesday at 10:00am.  This class is a calming, stress-relieving yoga class to stretch and strengthen the body gradually. The emphasis is on the building awareness of the breath and the body. Asanas (a physical practice of yoga poses) are practiced at a slower pace with attention to alignment and detail. These yoga postures, originated as sitting poses for meditation, became later movements in hatha yoga, adding reclining, standing, inverted, twisting, and balancing poses to the meditation seats. Asana poses are steady and comfortable. The Peaceful Yoga classes are recommended for all levels looking for a soothing, relaxing and restorative yoga experience. Yoga classes at Happehatchee are $10.00.

The Happehatchee Center is a nature sanctuary for peace and healing. The Center is positioned on 4.5 acres of subtropical forest, spanning 150 feet on both sides of the Estero River. It is located at 8791 Corkscrew Road, Estero, Florida. If you are looking for fun things to do in Estero call Happehatchee at 239-992-5455 to sign up for a yoga class.

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

Weekend Trip to St. Augustine  | 305/365 Things to Do

Did you know that one of the most historic cities in Florida is St. Augustine?  Rich in history, St. Augustine is visually appealing to tour any day of the year but it is particularly beautiful during the holidays.  The city dresses up and there are a variety of ways you can take a tour to see the beautiful Christmas lights and holiday decorations.

Carriage rides: Wine and Carriage Tour, 904-325-3911.

Boat tours: Scenic Cruise Nights of Lights Tours, (904) 824-1806.

Trolley tours: Old Town Trolley Holiday Tours, no reservations needed.

Many people claim that St. Augustine is truly the best winter town in Florida, making for one of the sweetest and most memorable experiences come Christmas time. If you are looking for fun things to do for a weekend trip from Bonita Springs, Florida consider a trip to St. Augustine.  It’s a little less than a five hour drive from Lee County Florida.

The Fair at Fenway South Fort Myers | 304/365 Things to Do

The 2019 Fair At Fenway South is three big weekends every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 8th -24. The Fair at Fenway South, at Jet Blue Park, will feature agricultural exhibits, educational exhibits, live entertainment, free shows including Racing Pigs, Award-Winning Magic Shows, Hypnosis shows, Motorcycle Stunts, High Flying Pages Trapeze Show, Wolves of the World educational exhibit, Animal Petting Corrals, rides, games, and all your favorite fair food.

There is so much to see and do for the entire family. If you are looking for fun things to do with kids in Fort Myers, this is definitely a good time.

Be sure to visit www.fairatfenway.com for money saving specials and daily entertainment event schedules.

Village Pub Naples Venetian Village | 303/365 Things to Do

How about a great intracoastal waterway view and a great lunch all in one tidy spot? The Village Pub in Naples at the Village on Venetian Bay offers just that.  You can enjoy great pub fare and comfort foods and the beverages of your choices indoors or out, covered or in the sun.

The restaurant is a fun nautical theme.  There are pickles at every table so you can enjoy a little something-something while you wait for your order to arrive.  One of the reasons I love The Village Pub is that they offer the Impossible Burger.   That means there is something for me to eat and all sorts of real meat shaped objects for the manly men in our family.

The restaurant is somewhat casual and kids would be comfortable.  You will enjoy watching the boats go by and every once in a while you might also see a dolphin or two.  Parking is free and if you have little people with you bring a change of clothes or a bathing suit for there.  Venetian Village has a splash pad for kids!

Sand Sculpting Championship Ft Myers Beach |  Things to Do

Fort Myers Beach is hosting its 33rd Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship and Beach Festival. This event is scheduled during November 22 until December 1, 2019 at 6890 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, Florida!  If you miss this year you can find future events. It’s an annual event.

This year’s championship promises to be exciting and inspiring. It will be the largest sand sculpting competition in the United States. It will include over 30 sculptors representing eight nations, 16 masters competing solo, 10 masters competing in doubles, 10 advanced amateurs competing in the Florida State Championship, and nearly 50 sculptures, making the largest sand sculpting event of its kind in the United States.

Furthermore, the event will include quick sand speed sculpting, and sand sculpting demonstrations. There will be a kid’s activity area, a variety of over 40 arts and crafts vendors, live music, as well as food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The final Saturday of the San Sculpting festival will feature a special viewing called “Sand under the Stars”. From 6:00pm until 9:00pm the sculptures will be illuminated in a spectacular display under the night sky.

Tickets are $8.00 ages 5 and up. Kids 4 and under are free. A family with 2 adults and two children over ages 4 is $25.00

Free parking and shuttle service will be provided at the Lover’s Key grass lot located at 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931.

Medieval Times Orlando Castle | 301/365 Things to Do

One of our favorite things to do in the Orlando area is to go to the Medieval Times dinner show. We really enjoy all aspects of the show from the horses, the jousting, to the friendly competition. If you were to ask Aiden and Madison they will tell you that they like to eat with their hands and not get in trouble.

The castle opens about seventy-five minutes prior to the dinner show. You can choose between two show times 6pm or the 8:30pm. Once you get to the castle you check in and then you can either take a trip through the Medieval museum or head into the bar/gift shop area. The museum has a lot of items on display that were used during the medieval time period. After you check in, and walk into the castle, you get handed a crown that is the color of the knight you will be rooting for. Of course there is than the obligatory photo opp followed by the bar and the gift shop.

They seat you by the color knight you are rooting for. Once you enter, you see the arena and are taken back by how big it is. You also see six different areas that are painted to match the color of the knights. Once you find your row and sit down the show begins. They have a fixed menu. If you have a specific diet, they do have items to accommodate, you just have to ask. For the last 10 years or so, the meal has been Tomato Soup with Garlic Bread, Roasted Chicken, Corn on the Cob and twice baked potato. They have the pre show where they show you all of the tricks that the horses can do, and even show off the beauty in a hawk. Once the meal is complete, the battles begin.

From beginning to end, the dinner show is 2.5 hours. I recommend doing this show, because it was one of my favorites as a child. As an adult, I just love watching the faces of the children. My kids always talk about the “horse show” for years after.

Orlando is about 3.5 hours drive from Bonita Springs, Florida. It’s a great day trip if you have a driving partner or you can spend the night and take in different attractions the following day.

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Angela Griffith is a wife and mother of two young children.  She is also Realtor living in the Heitmans area of Bonita Springs Florida.

Grab a Beyond Burger at TGIF | 300/365 Things to Do

Yes, I’m one of those people who eat the plant based burgers. I’ve just not been a meat eater for about 35 years … I’ve cheated with a few shrimp, though.  I do love the Impossible Burger and the Beyond Burger. One of the things that most households do is discuss where to eat, ad nauseam.  One of the ways we just get to the bottom of where to eat is to go to TGIF at Coconut Point Mall.

I’m not a huge franchise diner but TGIF is one of the places that I can get a Beyond Burger and Jerry can get a hamburger. Not just any hamburger, either.  He actually loves the burger. However it is prepared he just loves it.  We are both happy when we eat at TGIF plus, since we don’t drink, we get out the door usually under $20, which is a deal in SWFL. 

If you’re an Impossible Burger or Beyond Burger Fan, I’ve also had them locally at The Village Pub Naples at Village on Venetian Bay.

Also, if you’re looking for fun things to do don’t forget that on Tuesday night there Bingo at TGIF with a cash payout prize!  You can have some fun while you eat that burger!

Trivia Night In The Garden at SoHo | 299/365 Things to Do

Starting November 4th at 7pm, every Monday will be Trivia Night In The Garden at Downtown Social House! Hosted by ZIMCO Entertainment's all star comedians, prizes powered by Fort Myers Brewing Company & Y100 Florida!

Come join us in a battle of the wits and win great prizes like swag, food, drinks, gift cards, event tickets & more! If you’re looking for fun things to do in Fort Myers consider joining in at Trivia Night.

There is a chance to win every round, then one lucky team will take the weekly trivia crown prize! Free to play! Attendees can enjoy $5 Appetizers, Classic Cocktails & Domestic Steins!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween  | 298/365 Things to Do

Disney is just over 125 mile north of Bonita Springs, Florida. As a family, we were pass-holders for about 2 years. Within the time frame, we managed to do explore all of the parks, and enjoy some of the extras that Disney offers for pass-holders. It has been about 2 years since we have ventured onto Disney property and Madison has been asking to go for a while. I was looking at tickets and decided that taking the kids to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween would be a good idea.

This is a separate event that is held at Magic Kingdom. Disney offers special ticket prices for Florida Residents. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween event is from 7pm-Midnight at Magic Kingdom. The park is open from 9am-6pm for regular park visitors, so if you are on vacation you are still able to enjoy the park. At 4pm they start allowing MNSSH guests into the park if you want to enjoy the park a little before the Halloween festivities begin.

During the event, there is special areas that have “trick or treat” stations that hand out candy. There are special parades, shows, characters in costume and of course a fireworks display. We also noticed that there were some dance parties, one geared towards the littles that was Monsters, Inc. themed, and another to the tweens that was Descendants teamed.

All of the shops and rides are open to enjoy. We hit a few of our favorites - Buzz Lightyear, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain.

If you’re looking for fun things to do with kids in the Bonita Springs area you are only a few hours drive to Orlando and the Magic Kingdom. As you can see the event was a hit and left the kids exhausted.

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Angela Griffith is a wife and mother of two small children.  She is also Realtor living in the Heitmans area of Bonita Springs Florida.

Fort Myers Boat Show | 297/365 Things to Do

The Fort Myers Boat Show is an annual event that takes place in Centennial Park at the Fort Myers City Yacht Basin.  There are boats of all styles and sizes from over 130 boat and yacht manufacturers on displayed on land and in the water.

Also at the Fort Myers Boat Show are hundreds of accessory exhibits feature everything from engines and electronics to boat lifts, boating services, fishing gear, clothing and just about anything else you might need on the water.   If you are an avid boater or your goal is to live in a gulf access home in Bonita Springs, a trip to the Fort Myers Boat Show will show you all the latest and greatest nautical accessories and toys available.

The 2019 Fort Myers Boat Show is Nov 21-24.  The address for your GPS is 2000 W First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901.  See you at the boat show!