Things to do nearCabbage Key
Cabbage Key is a secluded island retreat off the southwest Florida coast, celebrated for its old Florida atmosphere, wildlife-rich waters, and legendary dollar-bill-covered inn.
Cabbage Key has been drawing visitors to Pine Island Sound since the 1930s, when novelist and playwright Mary Roberts Rinehart built a home atop a prehistoric Calusa shell mound on this small barrier island. That original structure became the inn that still stands today, a weathered wooden building elevated above the surrounding mangroves with sweeping views of the surrounding water and islands. The site's deep roots in Florida literary and nautical history give it a character that newer destinations simply cannot replicate.
The inn's interior is its most talked-about feature: thousands of signed and dated dollar bills cover nearly every surface of the walls and ceiling, a tradition started decades ago by a fisherman who wanted to ensure he always had beer money waiting for him. Visitors add their own bills to the collection, which has grown into one of southwest Florida's most distinctive folk art installations. The dining room serves straightforward American seafood and burgers in a setting that feels genuinely lived-in rather than staged for tourists.
Outside the inn, Cabbage Key offers a short nature trail through a landscape shaped by centuries of Calusa habitation. The shell mound itself rises well above the otherwise flat island, offering rare elevated views across the sound. Dolphins are frequently spotted from the dock, and the surrounding waters are popular with kayakers, anglers, and boaters exploring the broader Charlotte Harbor estuary.
For anyone drawn to old Florida, Cabbage Key offers a rare and authentic glimpse of what this coastline looked and felt like long before development reshaped so much of the peninsula.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Cabbage Key
Arrive by mid-morning to claim a table at the inn before the lunch crowd from nearby marinas fills the dining room.
Try the cheeseburger, long rumored to have inspired a famous song, and a cold Florida draft beer on the open-air porch.
Bring binoculars for excellent birding along the nature trail that loops through the island's mangroves and upland hammock.
Wear sturdy sandals or water shoes, as the dock and shell paths can be uneven and slippery after rain.
Visit on a weekday in the off-season for the quietest experience and the best chance to explore the inn's famous dollar-bill walls at a leisurely pace.
Top tours & experiences near Cabbage Key
Private Boat Tour from Cape Coral to Sanibel Lighthouse
Cruise Cape Coral waterways to the Sanibel Lighthouse
Private Island-Hopping Boat Charter on Captiva Island
Customize a private cruise for shelling, wildlife, island history, photos, or sunrise
Cabbage Key Lunch & Shelling Charter
Sail to a quiet island for boating, fishing, and beach shelling
Fishing, Shelling & Dolphin Combo Charter from Sanibel
Build your Southwest Florida day around fishing, shelling, wildlife, and island stops
Cabbage Key Boat Charter
Cruise to remote Cabbage Key for island exploring and Intracoastal Waterway views
21' Center Console Boat Rental in Punta Gorda
Take the helm of a 150 HP boat for inshore cruising, fishing, and island exploring
Lunch Cruise to Cabbage Key or Useppa Island
Island lunch cruise with time to explore Cabbage Key or Useppa Island
24' Tritoon Boat Rental in Cape Coral
Cruise local waterways with shaded seating, Bluetooth audio, and a swim ladder
19' Flats Boat Rental for Fly Fishing in Fort Myers
Ideal for fly fishing with up to 3 people and flexible rental durations.
North Captiva Island 5-Hour Private Boat Tour
Cruise Cape Coral waterways to North Captiva for a beach or waterfront restaurant stop
26' Bowrider Boat Rental in Punta Gorda
Take the helm of a 300 HP bowrider for an inshore day on the water
Cabbage Key Sunset Dinner Charter
Set sail for a private evening cruise and dinner at Cabbage Key
Sanibel Island Shelling Private Boat Tour
Cruise to Sanibel Lighthouse for a beach swim and shelling stop
23' T-Top Fishing Boat Rental in Fort Myers
Ideal for fishing with up to 7 people and flexible rental durations.
Cabbage Key Full-Day Charter
Explore Cabbage Key by private yacht with time to swim, relax, and dine
20' Bennington Tritoon Boat Rental in Punta Gorda
Pilot a 115 HP tritoon through Charlotte Harbor’s inshore waterways
24' Tritoon Rental in Punta Gorda
Self-guided 200 HP tritoon for exploring Charlotte Harbor
21-Foot Inshore Boat Rental in Fort Myers
Cruise and fish local waters with up to 7 people on a comfortable, powerful boat.
Sanibel Lighthouse Sunset Boat Tour
Cruise at twilight to Sanibel Lighthouse with your private group
22' Deck Boat Rental in Fort Myers Near Sanibel Island
Cruise local waterways with friends or family on a spacious deck boat.
20' Fishing & Cruising Boat Rental in Fort Myers
Cruise and fish local waters with up to 6 people on a versatile 20′ Tidewater boat.
Cruise to Cabbage Key on an 8-Hour Boat Tour
Spend 8 hours boating to Cabbage Key for quiet island time
26' Tritoon Rental in Punta Gorda
Take the helm of a 200 HP tritoon for inshore cruising and swimming