Shopping

Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay, off U.S. 41 next to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, is a high-end, outdoor mall with Jacobson's and Saks Fifth Avenue, plus more than 50 specialty shops and restaurants. (941) 598-1605.

NORTH FORT MYERS

Merchant's Crossing, 15201 N. Cleveland Ave. (U.S. 41), features superstores of large national retailers for home improvements and discount household items and clothing. There is also a 16-screen movie complex. Assistance for those in wheelchairs is available.

The Shell Factory, four miles north of Fort Myers on U.S. 41, boasts the largest collection of shells in the world within 65,000 square feet of retail space. In addition to shells and marine items from around the world, there are exhibits, tourist items, jewelry and activities. (941) 995-2141.

SANIBEL ISLAND

Periwinkle Way, Sanibel's main road, features numerous open-air malls, each with a unique personality. From seashells to souvenirs and clothing to crafts, there is something for every taste at the larger plazas: Village Shopping Center, Tahitian Gardens, Periwinkle Place and Islander Center.

Bailey's Center, corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Road, is the island's first shopping center and still run by Sanibel pioneers. It offers a grocery store, a restaurant, service companies, a hardware store, pharmacy and movie theater. (941) 472-1516.

Forever Green Shops, located at 2025 and 2055 Periwinkle Way, is a covered strip center offering two ladies' boutiques, an art gallery featuring works of local island artists and a restaurant with eclectic cuisine and garden dining. (941) 472-5354.

Jerry's of Sanibel, 1700 Periwinkle Way, features a variety of stores including Jerry's, a grocery store, a liquor store, a photo shop and a surf shop. (941) 472-9300.