TL;DR
Wait, did you think moving to Babcock Ranch meant quiet nights and compost bins? This town throws food truck parties, swamp buggy tours, art shows and water park escapes faster than your kids can yell “I’m bored.” Bring snacks, bring sunscreen and maybe cancel your weekend nap. You’re booked.
Will I die of boredom if I move to Babcock Ranch?
Internetted, #willidieofboredomifimovetobabcockranch…?
We couldn’t find this hashtag on the socials:
To answer the question, no, you will not die of boredom if you move to the first solar-powered town in the United States.
This post covers things to do in and near Babcock Ranch that will keep you and the kids (or grandkids) so hyper-busy that you’ll die of exhaustion from the never-ending activities, amenities, and shopping this place offers.
Read on and discover what to do, how much it costs and how far these activities are from Babcock.
After reading this post, you’ll need to pound 20 Red Bulls because you’re gonna need FUEL to tackle all that The Ranch offers.
Things to Do in Babcock Ranch If You Thought It Was Just Golf & Groceries
So you thought Babcock Ranch was all golf carts and grocery runs? Cute.
This place may look like a postcard, but it’s got more going on than your cousin’s group chat. We’re talking community events with actual turnouts, fitness classes that sneak up on you in Founder’s Square (surprise! you’re planking now), and walking paths that somehow always end near dessert.
Jack Peeples Park is where friendly games turn suspiciously competitive, and yes, that’s real art you’re walking past — not just decorations pretending to be culture. Add in a bunch of recreational activities, and you’ve got a town that runs on sunshine, coffee and a suspicious amount of Type-A energy.
Food Truck Fridays
It’s always a party every Friday and Saturday at Founder’s Square in Babcock Ranch, from 5-9 PM. The community hosts various trucks selling a wide range of food. The icing on the cake is that the event is free for all residents and visitors.
Understandably, the cost of meals sold on food trucks is quite high, with a meal for 3-4 people going for as high as $100. We blame the many overhead costs that food trucks incur to bring you those delicious meals.
One trick that always works is packing food for you and your family. Then, buy some ice cream or tacos that are relatively lower priced than other meals sold on food trucks.
Enjoy the evening as you listen to live bands playing a mix of country, classic rock and more. Remember to bring lawn chairs. You can enjoy the live music while the kids run around the extensive green space.
And if you decide food trucks aren’t your thing or you just want a place to sit down after, the Lake House Kitchen & Bar is right there in Founder’s Square. We covered it (and the rest of the best eats) in our full Babcock Ranch restaurant guide — and yes, there are cocktails.
Events like an Annual Art Show
Every spring, Babcock Ranch hosts its annual Art Show at Founder’s Square. Appreciate the beauty of art from a serene environment right by the lakefront at Founder’s Square.
Art shows in Babcock Ranch feature products made of ceramics, acrylics, oil paintings, digital prints, photography, metal and jewelry. You’ll learn how different products are made as well as the inspiration behind them.
Proceeds from the show go toward causes and charities that support the Southwest Florida community.
Babcock Ranch Amenities
Are you trying to survive the Florida heat without becoming one with your lawn chair?
You’ve got two solid options. Lake Timber and Cypress Lodge are the main community pools in Babcock Ranch, and yes, they’re actually nice. If your neighborhood has its own pool, congrats, your HOA fees are doing something. If not, this is where you show up with floaties, juice boxes and whatever survival instincts Florida heat hasn’t beaten out of you yet.
Lake Timber has that classic summer-camp vibe while Cypress Lodge comes with lake views, big shady trees and the kind of wooden beams that make you feel outdoorsy without touching dirt.
Cypress Lodge also lets you rent barbecue cabanas so you can grill, chill and pretend you know how to use charcoal. Unleash your inner Ron Swanson, but maybe read the instructions first. No one likes a burger emergency.
Cypress Lodge is approximately 11.3 miles from the entrance of Babcock Ranch.
Go on Babcock Ranch Eco Tours (Especially the Swamp Buggy Eco Tour)
There’s the Babcock Ranch you moved into and then there’s the Babcock Ranch that bites. The Eco Tours take you straight into the wild side — think cattle, birds, swamps and the kind of gators you really don’t want in your backyard pool.
Whether you’re bouncing through the preserve on a swamp buggy or strolling the palmetto prairie like you’re filming a National Geographic special, these tours show off the real Florida.
Pro tip: Sit near the edge for better alligator photos (and maybe a little adrenaline).
They even run night tours and kid-friendly programs in case you’re raising the next Steve Irwin.
You can even branch out and explore nearby Jack Peeples Park or get lost (in a good way) along Babcock’s nature trails.
Go Fishing & Hunting in the Preserve
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you could try fishing or hunting at the Babcock Ranch Preserve. Hunting and fishing are only allowed in some sections of the preserve and are administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). People wanting to hunt or fish should obtain the necessary permits and licenses from FWC.
Babcock Ranch Shopping
Crescent B Commons is where your errands meet retail therapy and probably run a little over budget. Anchored by Publix — Florida’s favorite grocery store slash religion — the plaza also has restaurants, nail spas, pet groomers and just enough shops to make you forget why you came in the first place.
You’ll find pizza at Pi Local, tacos at M’Xuma and random Tuesday line dancing because this town refuses to be boring.
Across the street, the new Yellow Pine district is already flexing with Five Guys, Panera Bread and a steakhouse called Oar & Iron that’s about to change date night forever.
You’ve also got Marshalls, Five Below and a Verizon store on the way — which means your next phone upgrade might only cost slightly less than a used car.
So… let’s just say, your “where should we eat tonight?” crisis just got harder (in the best way).
Want the full foodie scoop with every delicious detail? Check out our full guide to Babcock Ranch restaurants.
Things to Do Near Babcock Ranch
So you’ve eaten the tacos, tamed the trails, and waved at a gator or two. But, what now? Lucky for you, the area around Babcock Ranch is bursting with day-trip distractions that don’t involve another HOA meeting or pretending you enjoy vehicular traffic.
Whether you’re hunting vintage treasures, gawking at the area’s wildlife or soaking in 90-degree sunshine with your feet in a lagoon (hello, Southwest Florida), you won’t need to go far to feel like you’ve escaped. There are walking paths that pretend they’re workouts, recreational activities that count as cardio, and even bursts of creative expression from locals who still think decoupage is a thing. Some spots are five minutes away.
Others might test your own pace. But all of them are packed with excellent opportunities for families, grumpy neighbors, overstimulated kids, and weekend visitors who thought this was going to be boring.
Spoiler: it’s not.
Go Antiquing in Arcadia
Attend an antique fair every fourth Saturday of the month in Arcadia, a city just north of Babcock Ranch off of State Road 31. This street fair is perfect for the hobbyists who just can’t have enough classic pieces or the casual collectors looking for something to add to their collection. Pass by every month, and you will find something to carry back home at a cost of $20-30 for most items.
Other than the street vendors who sell once a month, Oak Street has more than 20 antique shops where you can always pop in search of that perfect antique.
The distance from Founder’s Square, Babcock Ranch to Oak Street in Arcadia is 32.7 miles which could take you about 35 minutes in the car.
Visit a Wildlife Sanctuary
Located on Horseshoe Road in Punta Gorda, FL, the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary hosts and protects endangered and sometimes unwanted animals. This Florida wildlife rescue center is a must-visit and is ideal for a family day out.
You will see lots of hyenas, baboons, tigers, bears and lions. If you go during meal times, you’ll watch the animals getting fed. As you come here, don’t carry your pets as they would trigger the animals within the sanctuary.
To access this facility, adults pay $10, seniors 55+ and children 8-17 years pay $5 while children aged 7 years and below don’t pay anything. Currently, this wildlife museum is closed due to the pandemic but there are plans to reopen soon. The distance from Babcock Ranch to the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary is 10 miles.
Myakka Elephant Ranch
When you visit Florida, you don’t have to visit the Orlando theme parks for a good time. There are many hidden gems like the Myakka Elephant Ranch that will give you a memorable experience. It is a charity organization in Myakka City, FL, that is home to three friendly elephants.
You will learn all about elephants from head to toe. If you pay for the VIP package, you can bathe them, feed them, pet them and take lots of photos as well. The standard rate is $29 per person while the VIP package goes for $189.00 per person.
The distance from Babcock Ranch to the Elephant zoo is about 62 miles. Driving to Myakka Elephant Ranch from Babcock will take you about an hour.
Water Parks Near Babcock Ranch That’ll Wear Your Kids (and You) Out
Parenting in Florida means one thing: you’re always looking for ways to keep the kids busy without melting into the sidewalk. If you thought moving to a peaceful solar-powered town meant the end of splash zones and lazy rivers, you’re wrong.
Some of the best things to do involve leaving it for a few hours and diving headfirst into the cool, chlorinated chaos of nearby water parks.
Brightwater Lagoon
Where: 8630 Sunny Page Lane, North Fort Myers, FL 33917
What: Massive man-made lagoon. Real sand. Unreal blue water. Yes, it’s Florida, not Fiji.
So you moved to a sustainable community, and now you’re wondering if you also gave up fun in favor of compost bins and quiet nights?
Enter: Brightwater Lagoon. It’s 5 million gallons of pure “I can’t believe this isn’t photoshopped” water, complete with paddleboards, cabanas and a swim-up bar.
You can float in a tube while your kids attempt aquatic parkour on the inflatable obstacle course — or just sip something fruity and pretend you don’t hear them yelling your name.
It’s one of those perfect things to do in The Ranch (or very, very close by) when the kids are melting down, and you’re five seconds from handing them your iPad for the fourth time that morning.
Great Wolf Lodge (Naples)
Where: 3900 City Gate Blvd N, Naples FL 34117
What: Indoor water park + themed suites + enough kid-energy to power a small country.
If Brightwater is the beach fantasy, Great Wolf Lodge is the full-blown chaos dream.
If you’re a parent, it’s either a magical escape or a sugar-fueled fever dream — depending on how much coffee you’ve had.
But here’s the thing: the water park is fully indoors and climate-controlled. That means rain, shine, or surprise sunburn — you’re good. Book a themed suite (hello, Wolf Den), grab a piña colada, and let the kids go feral in safe, chlorinated bliss.
If you’ve got kids bouncing off the walls and zero energy left to argue at bedtime, these spots are your salvation. Book a room, stay the night and let the water do the parenting for a bit.
Tour Local Farms
We cannot complete a list of things to do in this ranch without including these amazing local farms. Your children will learn about farm animals and how to grow fruits and vegetables right here at Babcock.
Springtime Adventure Park Fort Myers
Visit Springtime Farms located at 10761 Aqua Vista Lane, North Fort Myers 33917. Here you and your children can discover different farm animals in the dark. The farm provides UV lights, but you can carry extra flashlights.
Some of the animals you will encounter include bunnies, sheep, goats, geese, turkeys, cows, ducks, pigs, cows and many more. It will cost you $44.99 for adults and $29.99 for children for an all-day pass to go see all the animals within Springtime Farms. It takes about 22 minutes to drive the 15.3-mile distance from Babcock.
Blueberry Bunch Farm
Appreciate the process of growing blueberries by visiting the Blueberry Bunch Farm at LaBelle, Florida. Here, it’s not about just growing the berries but growing them organically with your health in mind. The farm opens its doors for U Pick during harvest season, which begins in March or April and lasts till September.
You can pick as many berries as you need. The berries sell at $6 for a pound or $25 for a bucket. Blueberry Farm provides visitors with plastic bags and buckets to use for picking.
The distance from Babcock Ranch to the Blueberry Bunch Farm is 35.6 miles, which could take about 45 minutes to drive.
Are You Dying of Boredom Yet?
We didn’t think so with all that Babcock Ranch offers. Be sure to stop at Slater’s Good & Provisions inside Babcock to fuel up on those Red Bulls. You’ll need them to tackle the myriad of things to do in and near the community!
Ready to stop exploring from your phone and start dodging alligators (kidding… sort of) in person? Whether you’re looking for a backyard full of wild hogs (also kidding… mostly), or just a sunny spot to shop fresh produce, swap weekend stories with your neighbors, and live your best outdoors life, we’ve got you.
The Garuti crew knows Babcock better than anyone — which trails to take, which builder has closet space that won’t ruin your weekend, and yes, which streets have the best sunrise views.
- Let’s talk Babcock.
- Let’s tour Babcock.
- Ask questions in our free Moving to Babcock Ranch Facebook Group.
- Call Team John Garuti at (239) 251-2371.
