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5 Great Reasons to Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week in Fort Myers & Sanibel

• September 26, 2017

When it comes to celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week, there are few locations as perfect as the JN ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico. The beautiful refuge is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States and is world famous for its spectacular migratory bird populations. So what are you waiting for? Make your way to Fort Myers and Sanibel and start celebrating!
 
1. ‘Ding’ Darling Days
The JN ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting special ‘Ding’ Darling Days from October 15 to 22. You can take advantage of free admission to the park’s Wildlife Drive for two days during that week. And although Wildlife Drive is usually closed to all traffic on Fridays, it will be open just for biking and hiking traffic on Friday, October 21.
 
2. ‘Ding’ Family Days
On Sunday, October 15, the drive is free to all visitors to celebrate Family Fun Day. And on top of that, Tarpon Bay Explorers, the refuge’s recreation concession, will be offering free narrated 60-minute tram tours of the drive on a first-come-first-served basis that day.
 
3. Free Pedestrian and Cyclist Day
If you’d like to explore Wildlife Drive without the usual traffic, mark October 20, on your calendar. Pedestrians and cyclists will be admitted completely free of charge that day.
 
4. Tram Discounts
If you can’t make it to the park on Sunday, October 15 for the free tram tours, consider going on Friday, October 20. Tram passengers will receive a 25 percent discount on the Friday, making a 90-minute narrated tram tour just $9.75 for adults, $6 for children for the 90-minute narrated tour.
 
5. Conservation Art Day
Admission to Wildlife Drive is completely free for traffic - as well as bike and foot traffic – on Conservation Art Day, Saturday, October 21. There will be artists painting along the drive, as well as a free two-hour photography tram tour at 3pm.
 
If you’d like to celebrate one of the most inspiring natural habitats in the US this fall, book yourself a stay at the beachfront Best Western PLUS Beach Resort Hotel. When you’re not busy touring the incredible Wildlife Drive, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Gulf of Mexico from your private balcony.

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