Fort Myers, Florida: The Laid-Back Getaway My Boyfriend and I Needed

Looking for a Florida getaway that feels relaxing without requiring a long trip from Atlanta? Fort Myers, Florida, might be the underrated destination you’ve been overlooking. From beautiful sunsets on Fort Myers Beach and waterfront cruises to cute date-night spots, delicious food, and resort activities, here’s how my boyfriend and I spent our first vacation together in Fort Myers.

Sometimes you don’t need a passport, a six-hour flight, or an itinerary packed from sunrise to sunset. Sometimes you just need to get away.

For my boyfriend and me, our first vacation together was exactly that. We wanted somewhere in Florida that we’d never visited before, but we also didn’t want to travel too far from Atlanta. After looking at our options, we decided on Fort Myers, Florida. And it helped that Southwest had $75 flights to Ft. Myers.

And honestly?It was exactly the reset we needed. Instead of trying to see every attraction and squeeze a million activities into a few days, we wanted a vacation where we could slow down, spend quality time together, eat good food, explore a little, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

Fort Myers delivered all of that and then some.

Why We Chose Fort Myers for Our First Vacation Together

When you’re planning a couples getaway, especially your first vacation together, you want a destination that gives you options without making you feel like you have to do everything.

Fort Myers immediately felt like that kind of place.

It’s far enough from Atlanta to feel like you’re actually getting away, but still relatively easy to reach compared with many other Florida destinations. And because neither of us had been to Fort Myers before, we got to experience the destination together.

That was important to me. I didn’t want to revisit somewhere I’d already been a million times. I wanted us to have those “we’ve never done this before” moments together. So we packed our bags, headed to Southwest Florida, and made Fort Myers our first vacation as a couple.

Where We Stayed: Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach

For our stay, we chose Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach, and the location couldn’t have been better for the type of vacation we wanted. We stayed right on Fort Myers Beach, which meant we didn’t have to spend the entire trip getting in a car and driving somewhere just to relax.

We could walk to the beach. We could ride bikes. We could watch the sunset. We could grab food without leaving the resort. Basically, we could slow all the way down.

One of my favorite things about the resort was having access to complimentary bikes. We were able to ride along the beach and explore the area at our own pace.

There’s something about riding bikes near the water that immediately makes you feel like you’re on vacation. No rushing. No traffic. Just the two of us riding around, enjoying the scenery and each other. And when we weren’t riding bikes, we could simply walk down to the beach in the evening and watch the sunset. For a couple looking for a relaxing Florida getaway, that alone is a vibe.

Margaritaville Fort Myers Beach Made It Easy to Stay Put

One thing I appreciated about the resort was that we didn’t have to leave to have a good time. There are multiple restaurants and places to eat on site, and we enjoyed the food throughout our stay.

I’ve stayed at several Margaritaville properties before, and one thing I’ve consistently noticed is that the hotels tend to feel updated, the staff is welcoming, and the service is solid. This stay was no different. I honestly didn’t have any complaints about the hotel. But what really made the resort stand out for this particular trip was the entertainment.

Resort Activities Made Our Vacation Even More Fun

Margaritaville offered different activities throughout the week, including things like:

• Karaoke
• Trivia
• Bingo
• Live entertainment
• Resort activities

And I loved having those options because we didn’t have to plan every single minute of our vacation.

We could spend the day relaxing, grab something to eat, hang out at the beach, and then decide later if we wanted to participate in an activity. That’s exactly the type of vacation I needed. Sometimes the best itinerary is not having an itinerary.

A Waterfront Tiki Cruise Through Fort Myers

Of course, we couldn’t visit Fort Myers and stay by the water without getting out on it.

We did a tiki cruise, and because of where we were staying, getting to the cruise was super convenient. Once we were on the water, we were able to relax, take in the scenery, and check out some of the beautiful homes along the waterfront.

And when I say some of these houses were giving MILLION-DOLLAR HOMES, I’m not exaggerating. It was such a fun way to see another side of Fort Myers.

Instead of simply driving around the city, we got to experience it from the water. For a couples trip, I definitely recommend adding a boat or tiki cruise to your itinerary. It’s relaxing, scenic, and gives you plenty of opportunities for cute couple photos.

Date Night in Downtown Fort Myers at Hogwash

We also ventured away from the beach and headed downtown. That’s when we discovered Hogwash. And when I tell you this place caught me off guard in the BEST way.

Hogwash is located in downtown Fort Myers, but when you walk inside, it honestly feels like you’ve stepped into a completely different city.

The aesthetics were super cute, the atmosphere was fun, and the drinks were really good.

It’s the type of place where you can actually dress up a little, grab a cocktail, and have a proper date night. My boyfriend and I loved it. If you’re looking for Fort Myers date-night ideas, I’d definitely add a cute downtown cocktail stop like this to your itinerary.

TikTok Sent Us to Hook’s Fish and Chicken and TikTok Was Right

Now let’s talk about the food. Because y’all know I’m going to find somewhere to eat. 

I had seen people on TikTok talking about Hook’s Fish and Chicken, so naturally, I had to see what all the hype was about. And I’m happy to report, TikTok did not disappoint.

We tried the chicken with their special seasoning, and it was GOOD. Sometimes social media recommendations are a hit or miss situation. This one was definitely a hit.

If you’re exploring Fort Myers and want something more casual and flavorful, Hook’s is worth adding to your food list.

Date Night at Sweet Melissa’s Restaurant

We also wanted to have one nice dinner away from the resort, so we made our way to Sweet Melissa’s Restaurant. And y’all…This restaurant was GOOD.

Sweet Melissa’s is locally owned, and Chef Melissa Donahue is doing her thing in that kitchen.

Everything we tried was delicious. We started with the crab pasta appetizer, and I’m still thinking about it. It was buttery, warm, packed with crab, and full of flavor. And they were definitely not stingy with the crab. My only complaint? I needed MORE.

Honestly, I wish they offered it as an entrée because I could have eaten an entire plate.

I also ordered the duck with confit fried rice and a puree, and the flavors were incredible.

My boyfriend ordered the roasted redfish with andouille ravioli, and his dish was just as good.

What I loved most was that the food didn’t need anything added to it. No extra seasoning. No sauce. No hot sauce. Nothing.

The dishes came out flavorful exactly as they were supposed to be.

Sweet Melissa’s would be perfect for a date night, girls’ night, family dinner, or special occasion.

Basically, bring whoever you want because everybody can eat well here.

Fort Myers Is the Quiet Florida Escape I Didn’t Know I Needed

After spending several days in Fort Myers, I realized something.

This destination is a hidden gem. And maybe that’s exactly what makes it so appealing.

Fort Myers doesn’t feel like you have to constantly be “doing something.”

You can spend the morning at the beach. Ride bikes. Have lunch. Take a nap. Watch the sunset. Grab a cocktail downtown. Go on a boat cruise. Eat a really good dinner and call it a day.

That was exactly what we needed.

Why Fort Myers Is Perfect for a Couples Getaway

If you’re planning a romantic getaway in Florida, Fort Myers gives you the perfect combination of relaxation and things to do.

You can make the trip as active or as laid back as you want.

For couples, you could easily build an itinerary around:

Beach time:
Spend the day relaxing on Fort Myers Beach.

A sunset:
Walk down to the water and watch the sun go down together.

A bike ride:
Explore the beach area on complimentary or rental bikes.

A boat experience:
Book a tiki cruise or another waterfront excursion.

Date night:
Explore downtown Fort Myers and grab cocktails.

Foodie stops:
Try local restaurants and seafood spots.

Resort time:
Take advantage of the activities and restaurants at your hotel.

And if you’re anything like us, you can leave plenty of room in the schedule for absolutely nothing. Because that’s a vacation too.

The Perfect Weekend Getaway From Atlanta

For travelers based in Atlanta, Fort Myers is worth considering when you’re looking for a Florida weekend getaway or a quick couples escape.

We specifically chose Fort Myers because we wanted somewhere we hadn’t experienced before without making travel complicated.

And it worked. Our first vacation together wasn’t about checking off every tourist attraction.

It was about spending time together. It was about trying new restaurants.

It was about laughing, riding bikes, sitting by the water, watching sunsets, and simply being present. And sometimes that’s exactly what you need from a vacation.

Would I Go Back to Fort Myers?

Absolutely. I would definitely return to Fort Myers to explore more of the city because, honestly, we barely scratched the surface.

But for this particular trip, I wouldn’t change much. We wanted a reset, and staying on Fort Myers Beach gave us exactly that.

Margaritaville gave us a convenient home base with restaurants, entertainment, beach access, and activities, while our excursions into downtown Fort Myers allowed us to experience another side of the destination.

It was the perfect balance.

If you’re looking for a Florida destination that offers beaches, good food, date night spots, waterfront experiences, and plenty of opportunities to slow down, don’t overlook Fort Myers.

It’s a great choice for couples, girls’ trips, families, or anyone who simply needs a little reset.

And for me, there’s something even more special about knowing that my boyfriend and I now have Fort Myers as one of our first vacation memories together. We came looking for somewhere new. We found a place that let us relax, explore, eat well, and enjoy each other.

And sometimes, that’s the best kind of vacation.