For some kids, fun stuff includes a swing, a slide, and a kiddy pool. For others, who are older or more adventurous, fun consists of extremes like ziplining, rock-wall climbing, and jet skiing. In Southwest Florida, they can find all levels of fun.  

 Gator Mike’s in Cape Coral is an entire park of fun, including go-karts, batting cages, a virtual reality arcade, bungee jumping, axe throwing, and paintball. “We’ve got the fun—check out our 650-foot zipline that gets you going up to 27 mph flying over our mini-golf course and one-acre fish pond—before landing on the other side of the pond,” says owner Chris Scuderi. 

Plus, the park offers food and drinks, and parties and events, including the annual Halloween Frightmare. The younger ones will enjoy feeding the always-hungry fish and turtles in the fish pond. 

IF YOU GO 

Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park 

35 NE Pine Island Road, Cape Coral 

239-574-4386; gatormikes.com 

Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident and regular contributor to TOTI Media. 

OTHER LOCAL FUN SPOTS 

Holiday Water Sports

Three Fort Myers Beach locations; holidaywatersportsfmb.com 

Pink Shell, 250 Estero Blvd. 

239-765-4386 

Best Western, 684 Estero Blvd. 

239-463-6778 

Diamondhead, 2000 Estero Blvd. 

239-765-2252 

The Edge Johnny Nocera Skate Park

1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples 

239-213-3027; naplesgov.com 

Sky Zone Fort Myers

14181 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers 

239-313-5448; skyzone.com/fortmyers 

'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa

15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva 

800-223-5865; tween-waters.com/activities 

YOLO Watersports, Inc.

11534 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva 

239-472-9656; yolowatersports.com