Been to Ft. Myers many times, and I prefer to stay off of the "strip". We generally try to mix in a little vacation time while we are down there and stay on one of the islands. You have Ft. Myers Beach (Estero Island) which is a great place to go if you have your whole family with you and the ladies want to mix in a little beaching / shopping while the boys go to the Showcase. It is also a great place to walk around and do the "tourist" stuff at night when you don't play. Another awesome Island is Sanibel, though much pricier it is a great place to take the family with many "tourist" things available. The biggest drawbacks to both of these suggestions is that you need to supply yourself atleast a 1 hour cushion for travel time because of drawbridges, traffic etc...But for a "family" traveling together, you cannot beat it!