A kitschy (read: tacky) tourist attraction, the Shell Factory and Nature Park, 5 miles north of the Caloosahatchee River Bridge on U.S. 41 (tel. 800/282-5805 or 239/995-2141; www.shellfactory.com), not only carries one of the world's largest collections of shells, corals, sponges, and fossils, but also has bumper-boat rides, a light show, a gallery of African art, a small zoo, and two restaurants. Inside the store, entire sections are devoted to shell jewelry and shell lamps; many items cost less than $10, some less than $1. The Shell Factory is good for a rainy day, but if it's sunny, why pay for shells when you can collect them for free on the beach? Open daily from 9am to 9pm.
Outlet shoppers will find a large Levi's store, among other major-brand shops, at the Sanibel Tanger Factory Stores, on the way to the beaches at Summerlin Road and McGregor Boulevard (tel. 888/SHOP-333 or 239/454-1616; www.tangeroutlet.com). Another Levi's, plus Brooks Brothers, Donna Karan, Dockers, Fila, Nike, Reebok, Nautica, and many more stores, are at the much larger Miromar Outlets, on Corkscrew Road at I-75, Estero (tel. 239/948-3766; www.miromar.com), about halfway between Fort Myers and Naples. Both outlet malls are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from 11am to 6pm.
A once sleepy bedroom community near Fort Myers, Cape Coral now features great shopping in the form of the Cape Harbour Marina (5703 Cape Harbour Dr.; tel. 239/945-6116; www.capeharbour.com), a yachting community featuring quaint shops, boutiques, and restaurants, including Rumrunners (tel. 239/542-0200), a fun waterfront restaurant and bar.
