Alexandra Gordon
Staff Writer
The current semester has posed numerous challenges for both faculty and students here at Florida Gulf Coast University.
As we enter the Fall 2020 semester, it is essential to remember to continue social distancing and actively participate in the outlined FGCU Safety Guidelines.
This compiled list of things to do & places to visit offers numerous ways to get out of the house or dorm when you are going to stir crazy.
Things to Do on Campus

• Visit the Waterfront at North Lake Village– Did you know that FGCU has its own beach located in the student living in North Lake Village? The beach offers a host of water activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing, and on the weekend, the waterfront is a great place to make new friends.

• Get Started on your Service-Learning Hours– FGCU’s service-learning is a requirement to graduate. Students who entered in their freshman year at FGCU have to complete 80 hours while most transfer students need only 40 hours. No one wants to spend their last semester running around like crazy volunteering or even inputting your earned hours in Gulfline’s SharePoint technology. Even now there are opportunities for service learning, many of which allow you to work remotely.

• Events on Campus– Although most of the events have been postponed or canceled, the faculty has worked extremely hard to convert many of the typical events on campus to online events with meetings in Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Take a look at the social event calendar to see if any interest is of interest to you.

• Visit the Food Forest– The FGCU Food Forest is a student-run botanical garden that highlights tropical and subtropical species that grow well in South Florida. It is a free resource for everyone and serves as a place of peace from the chronic stress of daily life.

 
Places to Visit Off-Campus
• Sidney & Bernie Davis Art Center
2301 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901 The Sidney & Bernie David Art Center offers a multidisciplinary cultural experience in the historic River District in Downtown Fort Myers. The center has concerts, festivals, special events, guest lectures, and art exhibitions and updates their schedule every month with new events! Head out for an early dinner and experience what the center and the district have to offer!
• Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905 The Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is a hidden gem in SWFL. The center houses injured wildlife that may never get released back into the wild. The Planetarium hosts three shows per day and changes their topics monthly. They even host a unique laser show over the weekends that could make the grumpiest old-men smile.
• Lakes Regional Park
7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL, 33908 Lakes Regional Park easily accessible pathways make it a perfect place to go bike riding. This regional park also includes a new butterfly garden and rentals for both land and water activities.
• Manatee Park
10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers, FL, 33905 There is no creature more beloved in Florida then the manatee. This waterfront park is a non-captive warm water refuge for the Florida Manatee. Although the optimum viewing time doesn’t begin until late December, the park has many other intriguing amenities, including hiking trails, fishing, a boardwalk, an amphitheater, paddle craft landing and launch, and picnic shelters. They also offer food concession stands, but I would put together for a picnic and go exploring!
• Koreshan State Historic Park
3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL, 33928 This historical park attracts history buffs and outdoors lovers through history and outdoor activities such as kayaking, camping, fishing, and boating. Rentals are available at the front gate and spending an afternoon canoeing with a friend or two is an excellent way to breathe fresh air in the outside world!
• J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL, 33957 Grab some friends and go for a drive to Sanibel Island’s J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Open every day except for Fridays; their wildlife drive is four miles long and accessible from three hiking trails. The Refuge offers a 90 minute guided tour on a tram with a knowledgeable guide. You can also hike the trails, visit the Bailey Tract, and participate in bird watching. Wildlife Drive has two designated kayak/canoe launch sites where The Tarpon Bay Explorers lead guided kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddleboard tours of Commodore Creek and Tarpon Bay.