6 Best Shopping in The Lower Gulf Coast, Florida

This open-air shopping center has about 40 stylish boutiques and specialty stores, some of Fort Myers's best restaurants and bars, and 20 movie screens.

A 500-acre planned community is home to one of the area's largest shopping complexes, with more than 140 stores, including upscale boutiques and big-box retailers, as well as plenty of big-name restaurants. There's a boardwalk for a breather between impulse purchases and a castle-theme kids' play area.

This retail and dining megacomplex includes a 130,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops, as well as as a Ron Jon Surf Shop, Target, Costco, Golf Galaxy, and movie theaters.

The largest complex of outdoor Sanibel shopping has 26 shops in a parklike setting on 7 acres. Fountains, gazebos, and a playground make it even more family-friendly.

Stroll along the classy boutiques that line the water's edge, and grab a bite at one of the excellent restaurants, all with fantastic views.

More than four dozen upscale stores as well as eateries wrap around a series of waterfalls, waterways, and shaded open-air promenades. Saks 5th Avenue and Nordstrom are the main anchors; Tiffany & Co., De Beers, Ralph Lauren, and St. John are in the mix.