# Weekend getaways from Fort Myers–Naples with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/fort-myers-naples/weekend-getaways/

> The best trip within about five hours of Fort Myers–Naples for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.

Last checked: 2026-10-29.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Tampa (about 2 hr 45 min)

Creatures of the Night, ZooTampa’s family Halloween nights, from 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

- **Creatures of the Night**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, From 4 p.m., ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Event ticket. The zoo’s family Halloween nights. Official page: https://zootampa.org/events/creatures-of-the-night/

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Dec 4–6

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Other family getaways within 5 hours

We don't post event listings for these places. Check the official page for hours and what's on.

- **Lion Country Safari**, Loxahatchee, FL (about 3 hr from Fort Myers–Naples). You drive your own car through more than 300 acres where big herds roam open habitats, then park for the animal encounters. Official page: https://www.lioncountrysafari.com/
- **Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge**, Crystal River, FL (about 4 hr 15 min from Fort Myers–Naples). Crystal River has the only national wildlife refuge created specifically to protect habitat for the Florida manatee. Official page: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/crystal-river
- **Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex**, Merritt Island, FL (about 4 hr 45 min from Fort Myers–Naples). You can get a close-up look at Space Shuttle Atlantis, the only space shuttle displayed as if in flight. Official page: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

## Day trips any weekend

- **Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary**, Naples (about 45 min from Fort Myers–Naples). An Audubon sanctuary northeast of Naples with a 2.25-mile wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through old-growth bald cypress. Kids can pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the admissions desk. Hours: Admission 8am–1pm through Dec 15, then 8am–3pm Dec 16–Apr 30. Cost: $17 adults, $6 ages 6–14, free under 6. Official page: https://corkscrew.audubon.org/visit
- **Everglades National Park, Gulf Coast area**, Everglades City (about 1 hr 15 min from Fort Myers–Naples). The park’s gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands, with a kayak launch and wildlife watching at the new Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center. Boat tours into the islands leave daily from Everglades City. Hours: Visitor center open daily 9am–5pm. Cost: Park entrance pass $20–$35; buy it online, since the visitor center doesn’t sell passes. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/gcdirections.htm
- **Big Cypress National Preserve, Oasis Visitor Center**, Ochopee (about 1 hr 45 min from Fort Myers–Naples). A visitor center on the Tamiami Trail with exhibits on the Big Cypress Swamp and Junior Ranger books for kids. Hours: Open year-round except Dec 25. Cost: Free; the preserve charges no entrance fee. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Fort Myers–Naples with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Fort Myers–Naples are Tampa. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.

**What are good day trips from Fort Myers–Naples with kids?**
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples (about 45 min), Everglades National Park, Gulf Coast area in Everglades City (about 1 hr 15 min), Big Cypress National Preserve, Oasis Visitor Center in Ochopee (about 1 hr 45 min). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.

**Which cities are within an easy drive of Fort Myers–Naples?**
Sarasota–Bradenton (about 2 hr), Tampa (about 2 hr 45 min), Miami and Fort Lauderdale (about 2 hr 45 min), Lakeland (about 2 hr 45 min), Orlando (about 3 hr 45 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

**What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Fort Myers–Naples?**
Lion Country Safari (about 3 hr), Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (about 4 hr 15 min), Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (about 4 hr 45 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.

**Why is the same city picked more than once?**
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.

**Are the times and prices current?**
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.