![]() ![]() Most days you'll find local beach volleyball addicts hanging out by the volleyball net (where else?), drinking beer and getting ready for the ultimate game. Park in the Lee County parking lot for a dollar an hour, or invest $6 and park all day in the Collier County lot (the entrance to the lot is cleverly hidden to the right of the Barefoot Beach gated community entrance), and prepare yourself for some fun in the sun. Cheers!įor the perfect afternoon of fun in Bonita the only real option is going to the beach, the center of all social and recreational activities in town. Low prices make the Pub even more alluring: most sandwiches and entrees cost about $7. Although the menu offers the usual array of ham, turkey and tuna melt sandwiches, there is also a good selection of genuine British dishes such as Cornish Pastrie (ground beef, carrots and peas wrapped and baked in flaky pastry and served with a deliciously thick brown gravy), Cottage Pie (same ground beef, peas and carrots topped with mashed potatoes and assorted cheeses, then baked and served piping hot) or the classic Fish and Chips, a house favorite. With sixteen draft lagers and ales to choose from and its Old World décor the Pub, as its known to locals, is one of the best places in Bonita to enjoy a lunch that is not only is good, but also out of the ordinary. But trust me, the British Open Pub in Bonita delivers better food and is definitely cleaner than its long lost English cousins. There's something about a dark, cool, quiet pub that makes you want to hop on the next plane to London and have bangers and mash near Piccadilly Circus. For a look at more lively gators stop by the swamp pit and witness a slightly disturbing feeding frenzy that will remind you of the even more disturbing spectacle you can see at some of the all-you-can-eat buffets around town. Unfortunately Joe II spends most of the day hiding on the bottom of his private pool, so if you really want to see a 10 foot gator your best bet is taking a look at Big Joe II's dead predecessor, who's been stuffed and is on display in the museum. During the guided tour you'll listen to many incredible anecdotes about the eclectic pair and their reptile handling family, but the real attraction at the Wonder Gardens is Big Joe II, the giant gator. The Gardens were opened in 1936 by Bill and Lester Piper, two brothers with a passion for exotic and possibly dangerous animals. Possibly the only historical site left in Bonita Springs, the Everglades Wonder Gardens are a must-see for anyone who's interested in gators, panthers and old school Floridians. So go on, order that Ruben with curly fries. Owner Cindy, a salad-for-breakfast lover, offers both breakfast and lunch all day, every day. Not in the mood for eggs and bacon? No problem. Build your own broccoli and jalapeno jack three egg omelet, indulge in a gigantic egg, ham and cheese bagel or try the biscuits and gravy. ![]() The food itself is a little pricier than its equivalent at Perkins or IHOP, but it's definitely a tastier and healthier alternative to the big name chains. ![]() The coffee is strong and tasty and for those in need of a hangover cure ask about their beer selection - an ice cold Stella Artois almost always does the trick. Upon entering the café you will instantly feel as if you have landed on a tropical island: bright pastel colored walls, surfboards and beach towels all suggest that the beach is right around the corner. ![]() If you want to start the day with some good breakfast without feeling like you've entered a geriatric hospital, stop by the Tiki Bar Café on Bonita Beach road and grab a bite to eat. Synchronize your watches and follow these directions it's time to explore Bonita.īreakfast and Lunch from 6:30 a.m. The trick is steering clear of the boring mediocrity of ever-present chain restaurants and tourist traps, and going for places and activities that are a little off the beaten path. Spending a decent day in Bonita is not impossible. But in the past decade things have (slightly) changed for the better. Fun was hard to come by, trust me, I was there. Ten years ago Bonita Springs was nothing but a nondescript Gulf-side town where the only dining options were McDonalds and Subway. ![]()
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