Life In Bonita Springs

Food Truck Tuesday at American House | 246/365 Things to Do

Food trucks are all the rage these days and we’re seeing food truck events pop up all over southwest Florida and in Bonita Springs, Florida. 

The Senior Blue Book and American House sponsors the food truck event at American House which is located at Coconut Point near the new medical center and Mirasol.

If you’re looking to try the food trucks for lunch you can find them on Tuesday in Estero.   You can learn more by following their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SeniorsBlueBookLeeCollier

This photo is of the schedule through 2019.

Upcoming there will an Octoberfest with food trucks.

Blues & Bloodys Sunday Concert Series | 244/365 Things to Do

Throughout the summer and into the fall the Blues & Bloodys concert series is held every Sunday in Bonita Springs at The Promenade shopping center which is located at the main entrance to Bonita Bay.  The Promenade is an outdoor mall with a water feature built amongst a public green space and outside “Center Bar”. 

If you’re looking for things to do in the summer or just a casual Sunday-funday activity stop by.  In addition to Sunday Concerts, The Center Bar  also hosts other artists playing live music or singing live.  We frequently get the family together to watch Wendy Renee perform there.  You can keep tabs on the upcoming events here: https://www.facebook.com/TheCenterBarBonita

Read also: Dance Party with Wendy Renee | 230/365 Things to Do

Silent Disco Millennial Brewing Fort Myers | 243/365 Things to Do

Here’s is something unusual and fun if you’re looking for fun things to do in Southwest Florida.  A silent disco!  In a nut shell the attendees wear headphones tuned into the DJ or whichever DJ they prefer. Sometimes there are multiple DJ’s playing at the same event.  I was leaving Coconut Point Mall and saw a sign for a Silent Disco coming today at Millennial Brewing in Fort Myers. 8p.m. to 1 am.

Millennial Brewing has a variety of events so if you’re looking for fun things to do follow their Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialBrewing/. 

Another interesting event coming up at Millennial is:

October Fest Fort Myers, Florida | 233/365 Things to Do

Wine Fall Showcase at Deromos | 242/365 Things to Do

Owner Francis J. Cuomo and his team invite you to DeRomo's Fall Wine Showcase. Sample incredible wines along with delicious small bites and tasty treats from DeRomo’s Gourmet Market which is located in Bonita Springs at The Promenade shopping center in front of Bonita Bay.

The crew at Deromo’s will have stations of food and featured wines, including DeRomo’s private label wines, throughout Promenade along with live entertainment. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Empty Bowls Naples, a nonprofit that raises money and awareness in the fight against hunger.

• Tuesday, September 24, 2019
• 5 – 8 pm • $20 per person
• Wristbands can be pre-purchased in advance online at DeRomos.com/shop

Wild Turkey Preserve Fort Myers | 241/365 Things to Do

If you are looking for fun, inexpensive things to do  take a walk through Wild Turkey Preserve in Fort Myers, Florida near the Lehigh area. It’s a great trail and suitable for all ages and levels of mobility. Most importantly if you know anyone who is a military buff they will find interest looking at some of the remaining training items from when WWII training exercises were held in Southwest Florida.

Angela, the kids, Moto and myself  took a tour of the preserve a few years ago.  It’s stroller friendly. We did it with a one year old and it was a breeze.  There’s plenty of parking, too. If you are here in the winter months Conservation 2020 volunteers give free guided tours to help you learn about the plants and animals. 

Keep in mind that it’s a little hot in the summer so go early June through October. You can read the entire review and see photos here:

Wild Turkey Strand Preserve | Fort Myers, Florida

Lunch at Metro Diner Bonita Springs | 239/365 Things to Do

One of the restaurants our family likes to eat lunch at is Metro Diner located at the Center of Bonita in Bonita Springs, Florida.  It has a really large menu of comfort food and a little something for everyone.  One of the things that “the girls” like is the spinach wrap which can have chicken added.  Most of us are not meat eaters so we choose this sandwich because it’s so tasty.  II t has a few fried jalapenos in it and avocado. The men love the many meals like burgers, roast turkey or meatloaf.  The kids menu has the standard so everyone gets something they enjoy.

Whether you go as a family or go along, you’ll enjoy dining at Metro Diner. It has a breakfast bar so if you’re dining alone or just grabbing a cup of Joe you can find a spot to eat facing the kitchen.  Metro Diner is at the corner of US 41 and Bonita Beach Road.

Visit the Iwo Jima Statue in Cape Coral | 238/365 Things to Do

The Cape Coral Iwo Jima statue was cast from the original.  It is visible from Veteran's Memorial Bridge crossing the Caloosahatchee River from Fort Myers, Florida to Cape Coral, Florida. The statue is located in Eco Park of Cape Coral. The Marine Corps League maintains the statue. Brick pavers are sold around the statue to defray the costs of upkeep. Southwest Florida visitors stand by the statue to pay their respects and remember those who fought for our country.

To learn more about the park visit: Eco Park Cape Coral

Read also: Vietnam Memorial Wall of SWFL 93/365 Things to Do 

Read also: Visit The Burrowing Owls 103/365 Things to Do

Cookie Decorating Night Chick-fil-A | 237/365 Things to Do

Family Night & Cookie decorating night at the Estero Chick-fil-A is coming up. We have one of the most socially active Chick-fil-A stores that I’ve ever seen. There is always something going on either community or family oriented.  If you decide to go to Cookie Decorating Night it takes place

Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 5 PM – 7 PM.  Bring the kids for a fun family night out.  Remember that kids 12 & under can decorate their own cookie and eat their yummy creations.

If you’d like to keep tabs on the future events of the Estero Chick-fil-A follow their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/esterocfa

Visit a Board and Brush Store  | 236/365 Things to Do

Last weekend a few of my girlfriends and I had a girl’s night out at Board & Brush which is a hands on wood sign workshop. Each person that attends the class can pick a board project - they vary from signs, trays, clocks, countdowns, and many more options. Board & Brush is a bring your own drinks and snacks place, so you can have wine, water, coffee, or whatever you choose to bring with you.

When you arrive there are a few tables with probably six projects set up on each table, you let them know when you book your appointment who you would like to sit with so your group is together. Your boards are already cut so it makes it very easy.

The class has multiple instructors to help walk around and explain each step. You get to choose your stains and paint colors and then all you need to do is distress the wood, sand it, maybe screw a few things, and paint it.

We loved this class.  It allowed us to get creative and enjoy each others company while making something custom for our homes!

There are three Board & Brush Stores in the area of Naples, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral. I highly recommend you check them out especially if you are looking for fun things to do with your girlfriends.

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About the Author - Jenna Hatfield is a life-long resident of Bonita Springs, Florida and mother of two boys.

Seafood at Pinchers Bonita Springs | 235/365 Things to Do

One of our family’s favorite places to eat seafood in Bonita Springs is at Pinchers.  We’ve been fans of the restaurant since it was a tiny hole in the wall, back in the day.  Pinchers serves a full menu and offers a full bar, as well.

Everything is super fresh and the portions are more than ample.  Last night we grabbed a bite – I had the blackened grouper with a huge side of green beans and a mountain of freshly cut French fries.  Jerry had the lobster roll with the green beans and fries.  We don’t know how they cook the green bean but they are out of this world.

If you go to Pinchers know that it is a great place for the family. It’s fun place so kids can be a little fussy and not stand out.  There is both indoor and patio seating.  The indoor seating offers a birds eye view of tons of memorabilia collected from local businesses.  Sign, monuments, nick-nacks and more.  Be sure to walk through if you chose to sit outside.

Pinchers is located on US 41 about a mile south of Bonita Beach Road.