usvi-on-line
Sanibel
I don't want it to sound like I don't like Captiva, because it's really nice, but it's sooooo small with limited restaurants and no bike riding. No riding because there aren't any bike paths, so it could be dangerous.
We do visit for the day, but then we're out of there.
The thing about Sanibel is you can be on the beach and feel so removed from everything, but you have the option of many restaurants, biking and shopping if you want. Shopping is really only on Perwinkle.
I'd stick with Sanibel and I'll look up some places for you.
We do visit for the day, but then we're out of there.
The thing about Sanibel is you can be on the beach and feel so removed from everything, but you have the option of many restaurants, biking and shopping if you want. Shopping is really only on Perwinkle.
I'd stick with Sanibel and I'll look up some places for you.
"Paradise...it's a state of mine"
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
It is done. We booked at Shalimar but not in one of the cottages (as I said, they were booked), in unit 11 which is the second (top story) of the motel, beach-front. It seems perfect for us. Well, it has to be now, it's done. We wanted the Gulf right at our feet and an old Florida feel, I think we have that. And, a pool, if we want it. My mood has seriously improved.
Now, on to restaurants on the beach...ideas?
Now, on to restaurants on the beach...ideas?
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
Get in the mood. Shalimar is really laid back Florida. Good people.
Most of the restaurants are not on the beach. There's one, and i can't remember the name, but it's at the Holiday Inn. Outside on the beach. Haven't been there in years.
Doc Fords-We've always had good food there
Island Cow - Huge portions, anyhing you get there is really good
Lighthouse Cafe - Breakfast, it's where the cops go
)
Lazy Flamingo - Great grilled sandwiches
West End Deli - Good sandwiches for the beach
Bailey's and Jerry's are the only two (small) markets on the Island. Jerry's has a small shopping center with the birds outside. Very pretty entrance. Either one is good for getting whatever you want, plus Jerry's has a liquor store, as opposed to just beer.
Grandma Docs - on the water, but they didn't have AC the last time we went. It was pretty hot, but good food.
Thistle Lodge - very good food,a fancy place to go for dinner, but we liked it. Romantic. On the beach.
Good luck!
Most of the restaurants are not on the beach. There's one, and i can't remember the name, but it's at the Holiday Inn. Outside on the beach. Haven't been there in years.
Doc Fords-We've always had good food there
Island Cow - Huge portions, anyhing you get there is really good
Lighthouse Cafe - Breakfast, it's where the cops go
)Lazy Flamingo - Great grilled sandwiches
West End Deli - Good sandwiches for the beach
Bailey's and Jerry's are the only two (small) markets on the Island. Jerry's has a small shopping center with the birds outside. Very pretty entrance. Either one is good for getting whatever you want, plus Jerry's has a liquor store, as opposed to just beer.
Grandma Docs - on the water, but they didn't have AC the last time we went. It was pretty hot, but good food.
Thistle Lodge - very good food,a fancy place to go for dinner, but we liked it. Romantic. On the beach.
Good luck!
"Paradise...it's a state of mine"
Yay, onto the food part! My favorite....Doc Fords is always good, but the Mucky Duck is my favorite. Go early, have some cocktails and watch the sunset during dinner....More fun than a girl should be allowed to have!
http://www.muckyduck.com/
http://www.muckyduck.com/
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Sanibel
Speaking of Doc Ford's, you may want to pick up one or two of his novels to read before you go. And the Mucky Duck has been our old standby for years--great place to do the sunset, pretty good pub food too! I second the Thistle Lodge as a great romantic spot. We also used to get to Jacaranda a lot in the days before we limited ourselves restaurantwise.
In October we ate at the upscale restaurant at Tween Waters and it was really superb. And the Mad Hatter just at the end of Sanibel, across from the Castaways Cottages is an upscale eatery. It was closed in October but I ate there the previous February. Pricey, but yum.
If we are in Florida this fall, we will probably get over to Sanibel, especially if they run their "Half Crazy" sale on the rooms at Tween Waters. If you are crazy enough to come midweek anytime between Labor Day and before Columbus Day, they will give you the room for half price. A hurricane special. I will update the list for you then. What a great reason for a Sanibel trip this fall--I need to do some scouting for Marcia!
In October we ate at the upscale restaurant at Tween Waters and it was really superb. And the Mad Hatter just at the end of Sanibel, across from the Castaways Cottages is an upscale eatery. It was closed in October but I ate there the previous February. Pricey, but yum.
If we are in Florida this fall, we will probably get over to Sanibel, especially if they run their "Half Crazy" sale on the rooms at Tween Waters. If you are crazy enough to come midweek anytime between Labor Day and before Columbus Day, they will give you the room for half price. A hurricane special. I will update the list for you then. What a great reason for a Sanibel trip this fall--I need to do some scouting for Marcia!
Another vote for Thistle Lodge - romantic place. We like Granma Dots (at the marina) for a very casual place with good food. I was in Sanibel in early April for 2 days and my friends took me to breakfast at Jerry's. They have a little cafe. I wasn't expecting much, but the feta-spinach omelet was great, as well as the rest of breakfast. I always enjoy going to Jerry's shopping center and walking around visiting the birds. Had a good (huge) breakfast last year at Island Cow.
Last year we visited the Sanibel Historical exhibit. They have old buildings from around Sanibel in one area with interesting information on the history of Sanibel. They had a schoolhouse, a general store filled with old grocery items from the period, and several other buildings. Its not well advertised, but a very nice exhibit and worth seeing. I seem to recall it was near the library.
I love Sanibel - have a great trip.
Last year we visited the Sanibel Historical exhibit. They have old buildings from around Sanibel in one area with interesting information on the history of Sanibel. They had a schoolhouse, a general store filled with old grocery items from the period, and several other buildings. Its not well advertised, but a very nice exhibit and worth seeing. I seem to recall it was near the library.
I love Sanibel - have a great trip.
Hi,
Thought I'd bump this up as we're headed to Sanibel in early May.
We're looking to rent a boat to visit Cayo Costa and other islands. Any recommendations? It's just 2 of us and hubby is an experienced boater.
Kayaking in Tarpon Bay sounds fun, as well.
Thanks for all the restaurant suggestions.
Thought I'd bump this up as we're headed to Sanibel in early May.
We're looking to rent a boat to visit Cayo Costa and other islands. Any recommendations? It's just 2 of us and hubby is an experienced boater.
Kayaking in Tarpon Bay sounds fun, as well.
Thanks for all the restaurant suggestions.
janet
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
If you like birds and animals, make a stop at Periwinkle Park campground. When you come onto the island and make a right onto the main street, its down a little ways on the left. They have a bird rescue sanctuary with exotic and local birds (love the toucans and parrots), two kinds of lemurs, and a pond with various kinds of ducks. Take some quarters so you can feed the ducks. Its a nice little spot to enjoy the birds and animals. When we ride bikes, we like to ride onto the campground and visit.
Kayaking at Tarpon is definitely fun. It can be a challenge to get through the mangrove canoe trails when the tide is running fast. Its definitely a unique experience.
We used to rent a boat at Tween Waters and go up to Cayo Costa. We always saw lots of dolphins along the way. We haven't done this for years (due to our Caribbean addiction), but it was very fun.
Always love to bike ride. When ride through Bailey's Tract, we always see alligators (if one would want to see alligators).
When I visited my parents recently, we went to Sanibel for the day. If you like to shop, there are some nice stores in Periwinkle Place. Its a lovely shopping area with beautiful landscaping. Jerry's plaza also has a few nice shops. We ate lunch at Grandma Dots and had excellent grouper sandwiches. One reason my mom likes to go to Sanibel is for the quilting fabric store. I can't even sew a button, but she makes nice things. The store has all kinds of quilting paraphernalia.
Love Sanibel. Have a great trip!
Kayaking at Tarpon is definitely fun. It can be a challenge to get through the mangrove canoe trails when the tide is running fast. Its definitely a unique experience.
We used to rent a boat at Tween Waters and go up to Cayo Costa. We always saw lots of dolphins along the way. We haven't done this for years (due to our Caribbean addiction), but it was very fun.
Always love to bike ride. When ride through Bailey's Tract, we always see alligators (if one would want to see alligators).
When I visited my parents recently, we went to Sanibel for the day. If you like to shop, there are some nice stores in Periwinkle Place. Its a lovely shopping area with beautiful landscaping. Jerry's plaza also has a few nice shops. We ate lunch at Grandma Dots and had excellent grouper sandwiches. One reason my mom likes to go to Sanibel is for the quilting fabric store. I can't even sew a button, but she makes nice things. The store has all kinds of quilting paraphernalia.
Love Sanibel. Have a great trip!