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guests annually. The facility includes a 450-seat dinner theatre, a 100-seat “blackbox” theatre, and a 120-seat dining room. Watch shows like Mary Poppins, Clues,
and Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer throughout the whole year.
14. Visit the Dome Homes by boat.
Built in 1981 by a retired oilman, the Dome House on Cape Romano at the Southern
tip of Caxambas Island, just south of Marco Island and NW of 10 Thousand Islands
was intended as an off-the-grid, eco-friendly vacation spot for his extended family.
Among the innovations at the site
are the raised units themselves
which would be heated by lighting
fires among the concrete pylons
beneath the rooms, and the
dome-shaped roofs which were to
direct rainwater into troughs that
would then be collected for
showering and dishwater. The
structure is made of concrete which has helped it survive hurricanes and storms that
have caused beach erosion. The domes are now surrounded by water and only
survive thanks to the concrete pillars elevating them above the water level. With no
chance of reclamation, the abandoned domes make an excellent setting for both
wildlife and wild legends.
15. Gather with friends at Shell Factory.
The Shell Factory is celebrating 78 years as Southwest Florida’s #1 family
entertainment destination! It provides visitors and locals a great place to shop, eat,
or gather with friends. The Shell Factory has many attractions both indoors and
outdoors that will provide your family hours of fun. There are four free, dog friendly,
museums. The Shell Factory’s main attraction is its Natural History display with over
500 exhibits. They also claim to have the largest gift store at 60,000 sq. ft. Free
entry and free parking makes it an awesome day out for the family to enjoy.
16. Catch sight of a Florida manatee at Manatee Park.
Manatee Park is a non-captive refuge
for the Florida Manatee. Best viewing
months are late December, January
and February when the temperature
is below 68F. Manatees are not
present during the warm summer
months. The park amenities include
playgrounds, Live Oak amphitheater,
Chickee Hut, a pavilion, shelters, a
picnic area, and fishing on Orange
