Furry Memories Begin at Fort Myers Beach, Florida
- Luie Boone
- 5 hours ago
- 13 min read
This travel spot is featured in our sixth blog series, Mutts Mingle.
Luie Boone just had a light bulb moment. Not a regular idea. A real, bright, glowing light bulb moment. Why? Well, Luie Boone just learned that a very famous inventor named Thomas Edison used to live in Fort Meyers, Florida. Yes, that Thomas Edison. The one who helped invent the light bulb. Which explains why Luie Boone suddenly feels extremely inspired.
But Edison didn’t just invent things. He also helped give Fort Meyers its nickname of "The City of Palms." Around 1907, Edison funded the planting of rows of royal palm trees along McGregor Boulevard to help beautify the road leading into town. Those palms thrived in the Florida sunshine and eventually grew incredibly tall, creating the dramatic palm-lined roadway that still defines the area today.
Edison was also experimenting with plants at his winter estate. He created a large botanical garden where he studied tropical plants while searching for new sources of rubber. In 1925, he planted a small four-foot banyan tree that he had brought from India for his research. Over time, that tiny tree grew into a massive canopy that now spreads across more than an acre, making it one of the largest banyan trees in the continental United States.
This brings us to Luie Boone's light bulb moment: If one very smart hooman could plant a few palm trees and accidentally turn an entire city into the City of Palms, then one very smart dog should also be able to plant something important. Luie Boone isn't sure what that something will be yet. Possibly fiddles. Possibly sticks. Possibly a very important experimental bone.
First, however, Luie Boone must travel to Fort Myers and carefully investigate Edison’s palm trees in person. This is clearly how all great experiments begin. You observe the work of the original inventor, study the results, and then return home to attempt your own version. What Luie Boone knows for sure is that Thomas Edison planted palm trees, so he'll return home to Wisconsin and plant… something. Science will decide.
With this brilliant scientific plan forming in his mind, Luie Boone is ready to begin his research trip to Fort Myers. Fort Myers Beach, Florida, is a dream destination for travelers who don’t want to leave their furry friends behind. With its soft, white sandy beaches, calm Gulf waters, and vibrant island atmosphere, it offers countless opportunities for dogs and their humans to enjoy the sun, surf, and outdoor adventures together. The main beach is ideal for leisurely strolls along the shore or for letting your pup explore the sand and splash in the gentle waves, though dogs are required to be on a leash here. Even with the leash rule, the wide, open beach gives pets plenty of space to sniff, play, and soak up the sights and smells of the coast.
For dogs who need a bit more freedom, Bonita Beach Dog Park offers a safe place where pups can enjoy some off-leash fun. Here, dogs can romp in the sand, chase balls, and socialize with other pups while their humans relax nearby. The park’s open layout gives energetic dogs plenty of room to run and play, making it a favorite stop for visitors traveling with their furry companions.
Nature-loving pets and their hoomans will find a peaceful escape at Lovers Key State Park. The park features scenic trails and boardwalks that wind through mangroves and coastal habitats, offering a quieter alternative to the busier beaches. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their hoomans while exploring these picturesque paths, spotting local wildlife, and taking in the salty Gulf air at a relaxed pace surrounded by natural beauty.
Luie Boone would also like to point out that the place is called Lovers Key State Park, which sounds very romantic. Luie Boone assumes this means the trails are meant for slow walks together while admiring the view. He fully supports this plan, especially if the walk eventually leads to snacks.
In addition to the main beach and these key spots, Fort Myers Beach also has smaller dog-friendly parks and walking areas that give pets plenty of opportunities to explore. Dogs can wander along shaded paths or splash near the shoreline while their hoomans enjoy the relaxed island atmosphere. With its soft beaches and welcoming vibe, Fort Myers Beach makes it easy for both dogs and their hoomans to enjoy a fun getaway!
Dining out with your dog is also easy thanks to the many restaurants that offer pet-friendly outdoor seating. Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant welcomes dogs at outdoor tables overlooking the back bay, while hoomans enjoy fresh seafood and other island favorites.
Nervous Nellie’s also provides outdoor tables where pups can relax beside their hoomans while everyone enjoys the waterfront setting. Luie Boone believes outdoor dining is a very serious part of vacation research. Someone must sit patiently under the table and watch for falling shrimp. It’s a big responsibility, but Luie Boone is willing to make that sacrifice for the sake of science. Also, he promises to only eat the shrimp that's plain and hooman-approved, because garlic butter shrimp (as tasty as it sounds) is strictly off limits for responsible pups that want to live through their vacation.
Beyond beaches and restaurants, Fort Myers Beach offers plenty of ways to make your trip memorable. Kayaking excursions that welcome dogs, along with wildlife trails and nature walks, provide fun ways to explore the area together. Simple moments like walking along the shore at sunset or searching the sand for seashells can quickly become highlights of the trip. Luie Boone is especially interested in this shell situation. He has heard the beaches around Fort Myers are famous for them, and he plans to inspect each one very carefully.
Of course, it’s important to bring water, shade, and waste bags so your dog stays comfortable under the Florida sun. Even a professional beach investigator like Luie Boone needs to stay cool.
Just a short drive from Fort Myers, Sanibel Island offers another beautiful coastal escape for travelers exploring Southwest Florida with their dogs. Connected to the mainland by the scenic Sanibel Causeway, this relaxed barrier island is known for its shell-covered beaches, abundant wildlife, and laid-back atmosphere that makes it perfect for a peaceful outing with your pup.
Dogs are welcome on Sanibel’s beaches as long as they remain on a leash, allowing visitors to enjoy long shoreline walks while searching for the island’s famous seashells. The calm Gulf waters and wide stretches of sand give pups plenty of room to explore while staying close to their hoomans.
Nature lovers traveling with pets can also explore the scenic surroundings of J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where certain trails and outdoor areas allow leashed dogs. The refuge is home to mangrove forests, tidal flats, and a wide variety of birds and coastal wildlife, giving visitors and their pets a chance to experience one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Southwest Florida. Luie Boone understands this means there will be many birds. He plans to observe them very closely. From a respectful distance. While sniffing everything, because his kitty brother, Tobi, requires a detailed bird report upon returning home from vacation.
Sanibel also features more than 25 miles of shared-use paths that connect beaches, parks, and shopping areas across the island. These paved trails are perfect for leisurely walks with your dog while enjoying the island breeze. Many visitors also like to stop along the sandy islands of the Sanibel Causeway before reaching the main island, where the gentle water and open shoreline create a relaxing place to stretch your legs with your pup.
Dining on Sanibel is just as welcoming for dog owners, with several restaurants offering outdoor seating where pets can join their hoomans. Lazy Flamingo is a longtime local favorite known for its laid-back atmosphere and fresh seafood baskets. Their fish tacos are especially popular with locals and feature fresh mango salsa with crisp coleslaw. Luie Boone is very interested in this restaurant for research purposes. Not the tacos. The fish. He heard that visitors can even bring their own catch, already cleaned and filleted, and have the chefs cook it island-style. Luie Boone believes this system has a lot of potential... only if his hoomans can successfully catch a fish, which he knows from thirteen years of fishing attempts isn't guaranteed.
With its peaceful beaches, scenic nature areas, island paths, and welcoming restaurants, Sanibel offers a relaxing extension of any trip to the Fort Myers area. It’s an ideal place for travelers who want to slow down and explore the beauty of Florida’s Gulf Coast while keeping their four-legged companion by their side. And, don't forget, Luie Boone also believes it's an excellent place for serious shell inspection!
Luie Boone insisted this very important pup be included in the blog. This is Donald, a yellow lab guide dog who helps his human, Terry Galgano, navigate daily life. Donald was nominated for Hero Dog of 2025.
Galgano served 25 years in the U.S. Army and now works with the Blinded Veterans Association. Because she is legally blind, Donald helps guide her safely through busy places like airports, streets, and buildings when she travels for work. Donald is also known to enjoy liverwurst ice cream made just for dogs at Peter’s German Café in downtown Fort Myers, which Luie Boone believes is a very respectable food choice.
Donald did not win Hero Dog of 2025, but he was a finalist. Sgt. Bo ultimately took home the title. You can read more about Hero Dog Awards here:
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Sandy Getaway
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 7 beds and 3 full baths.
Photos by sunpalacevacationhomes.com
It features the following amenities:
Canal front home with small dock
You can fish right off the dock
First primary bedroom has access to the balcony
Second primary bedroom has access to opposite side of the balcony
Covered patio with several seating options
Private heated pool with spill over spa
669 yards to beach access 22 (that's only a 9 minute walk!)
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
We’re staying at a vacation rental called the Sandy Getaway, which feels like a very accurate name for what is about to happen to my paws and fur. I already know there will be sand everywhere. In my paws. In my fur. Possibly in my ears. This seems like an acceptable vacation risk. The house sits right on a canal with amazing views, a private heated pool with a spillover spa, a shaded patio, and a dock where my hoomans plan to fish. Sometimes dolphins swim through the canal, and I might see them from the balcony or the dock. I recently learned that dolphins sometimes swim alongside orcas for minutes, hours, or even weeks. At first it looks like they’re playing, which I think is very interesting ocean behavior. Moby will be interested too. Moby is my stuffed whale pal. He doesn’t usually come everywhere with me, but for this trip he’s coming along. I’ve been telling him all about the canal, the dolphins, and the sunsets from the balcony. He was especially impressed by the dolphins swimming with orcas. He considers it professional whale inspiration. Moby will be joining me for poolside naps, balcony patrols, and beach sniffing adventures!
For more about dolphins and whales becoming unlikely ocean friends, Luie Boone suggests you read more about their surprising swimming partnerships here:
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing to Fort Myers Beach, Florida!
Harns Marsh
Harns Marsh is a beautiful wetland area that offers a peaceful escape into the heart of nature. Visitors can wander along the boardwalks and enjoy views of the plants and wildlife that call this marsh home. With its quiet atmosphere and wide open scenery, it’s a great spot for nature lovers and photographers. Luie Boone would also like to point out that marshes contain many very interesting smells.
Plan to spend at least 60 minutes here with your pup to fully enjoy the surroundings. The visit is free, making it an easy outdoor adventure. Harns Marsh also has a well-maintained trail that runs about four miles around the water, giving dogs and their hoomans plenty of space for a long walk. It’s also a good area for fishing from the shore or from a kayak. Luie Boone plans to supervise the fishing very carefully, just in case he needs to jump into the water and chase the fish into his hooman's fishing hook.
Mound House
Looking to add a little history to your beach day? Step off the sand and into more than 2,000 years of history at Mound House, the oldest standing structure on Fort Myers Beach and one of the area’s most unique cultural sites. Built on top of an ancient shell mound created by the Calusa people, the museum offers a fascinating look into Southwest Florida’s Indigenous heritage, coastal ecology, and local history.
Visitors can explore the grounds and walk the property with their pooch while enjoying views of Estero Bay. The site is open daily from sunrise to sunset, making it an easy stop during a morning walk or evening outing. Luie Boone finds it very impressive that humans built a house on a giant pile of shells. He would like to respectfully inspect those shells.
Kayak Excursions Pelican Bay
Situated between San Carlos Bay and Estero Bay, Pelican Bay is a great place to paddle with your pooch. You can stay in the calm, protected waters of Pelican Bay or venture farther out toward the mangrove islands scattered through Hurricane Bay and Hell Peckney Bay. These winding waterways create a peaceful setting to explore while enjoying the coastal scenery.
There are several unique routes to discover when launching from Pelican Bay, and dogs are welcome to ride along for the adventure. Kayak Excursions Pelican Bay is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Luie Boone believes riding in a kayak is a very important responsibility, especially if dolphins happen to appear nearby. He'll need to bring Moby along to help foster a dog-hooman-whale-dolphin friendship!
Prairie Pines Preserve
Prairie Pines Preserve spans 2,684 acres and offers plenty of space for outdoor exploration. The preserve stands out for its pet-friendly policies, making it a great destination for dog owners. With designated pet trails and convenient clean-up stations, visitors can enjoy walking their dogs while taking in the park’s scenic surroundings.
The well-maintained trails provide plenty of room for dogs and their hoomans to explore together. Prairie Pines Preserve has become a favorite spot for pet lovers in the area thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and natural beauty. Birds and wildlife often seen here include wood storks, red-headed woodpeckers, and marsh rabbits. Luie Boone would like to remind everyone that rabbits are extremely interesting and should be observed respectfully. From a distance, of course.
Bowman's Beach Park
Bowman’s Beach Park on Sanibel Island attracts seashell collectors from all over and is also a fun place for pups to splash in the gentle Gulf waves. Adventurous beachcombers can walk for miles along wide stretches of white sand covered in shells, making it one of the best shelling spots on the island. Luie Boone heard the beach is covered in shells and immediately decided this requires very careful investigation.
This beautiful, secluded beach also features dog-friendly hiking trails that wind through natural coastal areas before reaching the shore. Isolated and picturesque, Bowman’s Beach is one of the most popular spots on Sanibel and is well worth the short five-minute walk from the parking area to the beach. Please note there is a parking fee.
Historic Sanibel Lighthouse
The historic Sanibel Lighthouse was built in 1884 and was one of the first lighthouses along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Requests for a lighthouse had been made as early as 1878, but the $50,000 needed for construction was not approved until 1883. Once funding was secured, the 98-foot iron structure was completed in just three months and first lit on August 20, 1884 by the lighthouse’s first keeper, Dudley Richardson.
The lighthouse originally ran on kerosene oil, which the keeper had to carry up a 127-step spiral staircase to keep the light burning each night. Today the lighthouse sits within Lighthouse Beach Park, a popular place for shelling, fishing, enjoying sunsets, and walking along the beach with your pup. Luie Boone respects the lighthouse keeper’s dedication, but he is very glad his vacation duties do not include climbing 127 stairs while carrying oil. Visitors should also be mindful to avoid nesting shorebirds and sea turtles while exploring the area.
John Yarbrough Linear Park
John Yarbrough Linear Park in Fort Myers is a true urban oasis that stretches for six miles. Named after a former Lee County Parks and Recreation Director, this long, scenic park features a well-maintained paved path that is popular with walkers, runners, cyclists, and dog owners. As you follow the trail, you’ll cross the Ten-Mile Canal several times, with water views and shady stretches that make the walk especially relaxing. Luie Boone appreciates any trail that goes on for miles, because that means there is a lot of ground to sniff.
Along the route, visitors may spot a wide variety of wildlife. Birdwatchers often see wading birds, and sometimes even an eagle or osprey. On rare occasions, trail users might also notice an alligator resting near the canal. Covered picnic tables appear at several points along the trail, providing a welcome place to rest when the Florida sun gets strong or when a quick rain shower rolls through. The park feels less like a simple pathway and more like a destination, inviting visitors and their pups to slow down and enjoy the outdoors.
Nervous Nellie's
Nervous Nellie’s, located in Fort Myers Beach, is a casual, pet-friendly eatery where Fido is welcome to join you at an outdoor table overlooking the water. Dogs can even enjoy something from the dog menu while their hoomans relax and take in the lively waterfront atmosphere.
The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including drunken wings, seafood quesadillas, sandwiches, seafood pots, steaks, salads, oysters, ribs, and the famous World’s Largest Shrimp and Lobster Cocktail. Pair your meal with one of their signature tropical cocktails and you’ve got the perfect island dining experience.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
The sand at Fort Meyes Beach, Florida, can get hot really, really, really fast. By late morning, it can actually burn a dog’s paw pads if we’re not careful. I can already picture it. One step onto sizzling sand and suddenly Moby and I are hopping around looking for shade. Moby will be safely clutched in my mouth the entire time so he doesn’t get left behind. So we’ve made a very responsible beach plan. Early morning walks when the sand is still cool, lots of sniffing along the shoreline, then relaxing in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Once evening comes and the sand cools down again, we’ll head back out to explore while the sunset makes the whole beach glow. Moby is excited. I’m excited. And with careful paw placement, we’re both ready for a very sandy adventure.