Five Parks and Nature Outings for Kids
A playground, splash pad and miniature train at Lakes Park, a manatee refuge, a cypress slough boardwalk, a nature center with a planetarium, and a riverfront park downtown.
Picked and checked by hand; updated when hours, venues, menus, or source pages change.
Lakes Park pairs a playground and a children's garden with walking and bike paths, picnic areas and a splash pad. The splash pad runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in cold weather. The Railroad Museum of Southwest Florida runs miniature train rides here, normally on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; check the county's posted train hours for temporary changes.
- Park open 7 a.m. to dusk; parking is paid, and pets aren't allowed except service animals.
- Address: 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908
Manatee Park is a non-captive warm-water refuge, so manatees come and go on their own. Viewing is best in late December, January and February, when Gulf water is cold; April through early December falls outside manatee season. Beyond the viewing areas, there's a playground, a butterfly garden, a walking path, picnic areas, restrooms and a public kayak launch.
- Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; parking is paid, and bicycles stay at the rack outside the park.
- Address: 10901 State Road 80 (Palm Beach Blvd), Fort Myers, FL 33905
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a quiet nature walk rather than a playground. An elevated, accessible 1.2-mile boardwalk runs through the wetland past five observation decks, and there's a butterfly garden plus an interpretive center with interactive exhibits. Running and biking are prohibited, double-wide strollers aren't recommended, and restrooms are near the entrance.
- Boardwalk and garden open dawn to dusk; the interpretive center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is paid and can be limited on busy mornings from December through April.
- Address: 7751 Penzance Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33966
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is a ticketed outing rather than a free public park, with nature trails, live animals and a planetarium. Daily planetarium shows are included with admission. Programs change, so ask at the front desk for the day's show schedule when you arrive.
- Get to the planetarium before a show starts, since there's no entry once it begins.
- Address: 3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33905
Centennial Park is a 10-acre city park downtown along the Caloosahatchee River. Pair the playground with a picnic or a stroll; there are benches, a pavilion, volleyball, a fishing pier, boat docks and a launch ramp. The park is ADA accessible.
- The covered pavilion can be rented for up to four hours; request it at least five working days ahead by calling the city's Recreation Division.
- Address: 2000 W. 1st Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901