Discovering Gay Florida: Fort Myers

Fort Myers is known as Florida's tropical island getaway. Fantastic for a romantic getaway or a place to go with friends and chill out, Fort Myers offers the vibe of old Florida. With a beautiful natural environment, several amazing attractions, a few gay bars and delicious dining - you will want to seek out this tropical paradise.

There is a thriving gay scene in the area and several gay bars where you can meet some great new "friends" like Bottom Line Lounge (3090 Evans Ave. in Fort Myers), Tubby's Bar (4350 Fowler Street in Fort Myers) and Office Pub (3074 Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers.)

Nature lovers have a lot to discover about Fort Myers, which has more than just a gorgeous beach. Here are a few places to check out:

The Butterfly Estates
1815 Fowler St., Fort Myers, FL 33901

There are thousands of butterflies at this new eco-attraction. The Butterfly Estates includes a botanical garden and butterfly habitat with cascading waterfalls, lush tropical nectar plants and, of course, butterflies.

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33905

Enjoy a tour of 105 acres of subtropical environment. There are permanent and rotating exhibits of the natural history of southwest Florida on display plus butterfly, alligator and other animal presentations are scheduled daily. The Planetarium offers changing starlit astronomy shows.

Fort Myers also has many exciting places for art and theater lovers to explore. Here are a few to check out:

Alliance for the Arts
10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919

The Alliance for the Arts is a 10-acre campus with William R. Frizzell Cultural Centre and the Claiborne and Ned Foulds Theatre, as well as the Margaret Morrow Frizzell Amphitheatre.

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
13350 Edison Parkway, S.W., Fort Myers, FL 33919

The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall offers national Broadway productions, prominent entertainers, dance performances, popular ensembles and classical music concerts year-round.

The Big "M" Casino
Harbor Ct., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

This casino is located aboard a luxurious 186-foot gaming yacht! Visitors can enjoy blackjack, roulette, Let-It-Ride, 3 card poker and the slots, including Wheel of Fortune, Video Poker and more. There's an unlimited buffet on all cruises to keep you energized to gamble more!

Imaginarium Hands-on Museum and Aquarium
2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901

This interactive learning center focuses on the principles of science and the information about this geographical region. In it, visitors experience a Florida thunderstorm without getting wet, watch Eelvis the eel slither through the coral in one of three 900-gallon aquariums, get blown away in the Hurricane Experience and much more!

Historians will also enjoy the Fort Myers area. Afterall, this is the home of The Southwest Florida Museum of History (2031 Jackson Street in downtown Ft. Myers, FL 33901), and the Thomas Edison & Henry Ford Winter Estates (2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901).

The dining scene in Fort Myers is quite impresssive. The city has been labeled one of the "50 Cities That Sizzle," by Nation's Restaurant News along with Miami, New York, San Francisco and several other major metropolitan areas. The area is also known for having an abundance of fresh fish and therefore its a seafood lovers dream!

The Veranda
2122 2nd Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901

If you are looking for someplace romantic, with a rich history, check out The Veranda. The restaurant has been around for 32 years and is set in two turn-of the-century homes, offers a large wine list and delicious Southern Regional Cuisine.

Sasse Il Pizzaiuolo
3651 Evans Avenue in Fort Myers, FL 33901

This casual spot is a lot of fun and sassy - just as the name suggests (Sasse is pronounced "Sassy.") Enjoy fantastic Italian dishes and pizza from the wood-fired oven in their open kitchen. They also have a wine cellar called The Barrel Room where they offer tastings.

Matanzas Inn Restaurant
416 Crescent Street in Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Matanza's offers waterfront dining and a large variety of exceptional seafood! Located in Fort Myers Beach, the atmosphere is casual and beachy and if you are looking for a tasty meal with a fantastic view-this is your place!

Those looking for a laid-back gorgeous atmosphere should look no further than Fort Myers!