CRUISIN’ DOWN THE RIVER: November 19, 2022 & February 4 & April 22, 2023 Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $25 in advance, $25 the day of.
The Imperial River and its tributaries were the main means of travel and commerce in Bonita Springs until the first railroads and the Tamiami Trail (now Old US 41) in the 1920s. The river was a vital to fishing and recreation, attracting winter visitors and new residents. Learn of the impact of Hurricane Ian. Walk through Riverside Park to Depot Park and over the river to Island Park. Learn about the community’s main dock and Rosemary Creek. See and learn about the construction of historic homes built in the 1930's Riverside subdivision. Learn about the river's ecosystem, its importance to the past and present, including our current water issues (water quality, flooding, etc.) Highlights include: Learning about Native American settlements, sport fishing and pioneer life along the Imperial River and Rosemary Creek, along with the Liles Hotel Historic Plaza, the dock, and the beginnings of of Bonita Ssrings.
Start/End at Liles Hotel History Center in Riverside Park. Total walk distance is about 2 miles and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Liles Hotel, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.
DOWNTOWN LANDMARKS: January 7 & February 18 & May 27, 2023
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $25 in advance, $35 the day of.
Walk through historic downtown with your local guides and listen to the stories of early Bonita Springs. See and learn about the people and places that once were at the center of Bonita Springs commerce and social life along the Tamiami Trail and the Imperial River. Features the Liles Hotel History Center, Artist Cottages, Imperial River, Riverside Park, the Banyan Tree, Savannah's, Engels Bike Shop, Bensons Groceries, the Reality Building, Shear Unity Spa, First Baptist Church, the new downtown clock and the Art & Public Places murals, the Historical Society's 1915 McSwain Home, and more. Learn about the Tin Canners, the Home of the Tiger Snook, and lost buildings like Doc Baird's Camp, Eagle Hotel, Bonita Court, the Pavilion and Community Center, the Wayside Inn, Post Office, Lawhon's Grocery, etc.
Start/End at Liles Hotel History Center in Riverside Park. Total walk distance is about 1 miles and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Liles Hotel, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.
PLACES OF WONDERMENT: January 21 & April 8, 2023
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $35 in advance, $45 the day of.
Hear about lost historic tourist attractions of wonderment like the original Shell Factory (now in North Fort Myers), Seminole Indian Village, the Dome, Bairds Camp, and the Mystery House. Then included is a VIP tour of the 80-year-old Everglades Wonder Gardens, which is still going strong, to experience the history and beauty of this tropical oasis and learn about the colorful Piper brothers who created it. After the tour, an optional lunch (cost of lunch is separate) at the nearby Survey Cafe is suggested.
Start/End at Liles Hotel History Center in Riverside Park. Total walk distance is about 1 mile and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Liles Hotel, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.
BONITA LOVERS WALK: Valentine's Day, February 14, 2023
Tuesday, 10am - 12pm, Cost $25 in advance, $35 the day of.
Visit the historic 1915 McSwain Home, learn about our town’s history. Stop at one of our best murals and hear stories of early Bonita Springs. Then have a guided tour of Shangri-La Springs Resort, one of our first developments and site of the springs that gave Bonita Springs its name. Learn about the owners and intriguing uses of this resort over time. Stay afterward for an optional garden-to-table lunch at the Shangri-La (reserve in advance with Shangri-La Springs Resort), or to relax and enjoy the beauty of this historic oasis.
Start/End at McSwain House. Total walk distance is about 2 miles and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10:00 AM at the McSwain House, 27451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. A parking map will be sent.
HOW BONITA GOT ITS NAME: March 4 & May 13, 2023
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $25 in advance, $35 the day of.
Tour the verdant Shangri-La Springs Resort, one of our first developments (1920's) and site of the springs that gave Bonita Springs its name. Learn about the owners and intriguing uses of this resort over time. We’ll also take a walk and make stops at our 1921 Elementary School listed on the National Registry of History Places, our oldest church, neighborhood with historic houses, and a Arts in Public Places storytelling mural. Stay afterward for an optional garden-to-table lunch at the Shangri-La (reserve in advance with Shangri-La Springs Resort), or to relax and enjoy the beauty of this historic oasis.
Start/End at the Shangri La Resort. Total walk distance is about 2 miles and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Shangri-La, 27580 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. ​
LAND OF THE CALUSA: March 18, 2023
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $25 in advance, $35 the day of.
As part of Archaeology Month in Florida, we offer a special opportunity to learn about the archaeology of the first peoples to live in Bonita Springs beginning over 8,0000 years ago. Hear the stories of the mighty Calusa Chiefdom, which controlled all of Southwest Florida and whose capital was Mound Key in Estero Bay, including their contact with the Spanish starting in 1513. See demonstrations of the tools the Calusa used to prosper: the atlatl (an ancient device to throw a spear for fishing) shell tool making, weaving, and more. Walk to Depot and Island Parks and learn about our native plants used by Native Americans.
Start/End at Liles Hotel History Center in Riverside Park. Total walk distance is about 1 mile and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Liles Hotel in Riverside Park, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.