Tourist in Your Own Backyard

Wonderful getaway choices in Southwest Florida

Sometimes you just need to get away― but then realize you can’t. Luckily we live in a popular tourist destination making for a wonderful local vacation! Here is a great three-day itinerary for being a tourist in your hometown. p.m. FRIDAY EVENING Check into The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. Head to The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill to grab a drink, listen to some live music and watch a perfect sunset over the water. SATURDAY a.m.

Start the morning with a coffee and a croissant sandwich at the cute bar or an outdoor table at Perk & Brew. This local coffee shop is a great way to start your day. Head back to the hotel to enjoy some relaxing time at the pool. noon

Enjoy a fun day out on the water with a BBQ Donut Boat rental. These boats are a barbecue, picnic table and a boat all in one, a unique way to have lunch while enjoying the water! p.m.

Head to Nauti Mermaid, a casual dockside restaurant at your hotel. You will get to watch another beautiful sunset while enjoying a light meal on the water with live music in the background.

SUNDAY a.m. Head to Matalacha for breakfast just over the drawbridge at the Perfect Cup Roastery & Cafe. Take a stroll around all the beautiful art galleries. noon

Spend the last few hours of your staycation seeing the best of nature Southwest Florida offers with an ecological dolphin/ lunch cruise through Banana Bay Tour Company. During this threehour tour see dolphins, a variety of birds and other wildlife, have lunch on Picnic Island and see the natural mangrove creek forest.

Mandy Carter is a local mom with a passion for family travel, a popular travel blogger including her own family blog at Acupful.com and the Digital Content & Engagement Editor for TOTI Media.