Captiva Island, Florida.
Chapel by the Sea located on Captiva Island.
If this Wednesday has you dreaming of a weekend getaway, you’ve come to the right place. You still have plenty of time to get it together, pack-up the car and clear your schedule for Friday afternoon. This weekend, we’re cruising to Captiva Island.
Captiva Island will have you channeling an island vibe much different than our beloved Miami Beach. We’ve done the research, and here are the places to eat, drink and get married.
It will be impossible for you to miss the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge while visiting Captiva. Named after Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and pioneer environmentalist Jay Norwood Darling, the refuge spans 6,300 acres and provides visitors more opportunities to camp, hike, canoe and nature watch than one could cram into a single weekend.
Tame your appetite at the Mucky Duck, a legendary locals spot. Here the food is great, the beer is cold and the sunsets are breathtaking. If you enjoy a great game of darts, this is also the place to be. For fine dining, head over to the Old Captiva House located in the ‘Tween Waters Inn. Here Executive Chef Jason Miller prepares mouthwatering island cuisine, plus all pastries and breads are baked fresh daily.
A must-see while there is the historic Chapel By the Sea. It was originally built as a schoolhouse that doubled as a church in 1901. Now, this charming chapel serves as a seaside meditation site, nondenominational church and popular wedding spot. (Perfect place to elope, perhaps?)
While there are hotels in Captiva, we recommend living more like a local and staying at one of the small cottages or inns on the island. Also, be prepared to pay a $6 toll to cross the Sannibel Causeway on your way to Captiva Island (although, no fee to return to the mainland). Get driving directions here.
See you on Monday!
Chapel by the Sea; 11580 Chapin Lane, Captiva; 239-472-1646.
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge; One Wildlife Drive (off Sanibel-Captiva Road); 239-472-1100; www.fws.gov/dingdarling.
Mucky Duck; 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva Island; 239-472-3434; www.muckyduck.com.
Old Captiva Inn; 15951
Captiva Drive, Captiva Island; 239-472-5161; www.oldcaptivahouse.com.
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