Mini adventures around FGCU

It's summer here at FGCU, and if you're living on campus, the silence has fallen over the university grounds. No random yelling and screaming, no cars revving around corners or car alarms, the campus had been hushed. Only the noises of nature and potentially noisy roommates make up our solemn summer days.

Except for the dismal excitement of Estero nightlife, your summer days lack that extra kick of wasabi needed to stay sane. Need a real laugh that the virtual reality of YouTube cannot harness? Here are some tips for random places and hilarious landmarks to visit during these lackluster days.

The best summer day consists of no class and no rain. On these days, most people pay a visit to the waterfront or the Lee County pool. Both of these places are beautiful and stress free, but it's time to change it up. Instead of staying on campus, grab some friends and head up to Cape Coral for Sun Splash Water Park. Admission is under $17 and from June 15 to Aug. 23, Sun Splash is open seven days a week from 10 a.m-5 p.m.

This park offers more than two dozen rides and a lazy river perfect for a college student's day off. Just pack lots of sunscreen and make your roommates and friends bask in the sun along with you.

After your long day at the water park, stop in at a local restaurant named Skip One Seafoods. Skip One is notorious for the best seafood in town. It is located off U.S. 41 in between Alico and Daniels Road. Fried calamari and spicy grouper are the house specialties. Dine with the locals at this neighborhood, non-chain restaurant and become fully integrated into the Estero way of life.

A new place full of adventures is Pet Kingdom. This pet store is no ordinary pet store where you buy goldfish and pirate ships for your fish tank. Pet Kingdom holds many different exotic animals. From kangaroos to many different monkeys, this place is more of a zoo than a pet store. It is located off 41 headed north, past Daniels, on the left hand side. This place is one of the largest pet stores in the area. You will be amazed by all the beautiful exotic animals.

If you are a fan of flashy expensive cars, I have found your gold at the end of the rainbow. Travel back to the future off Bonita Beach Road and view dozens of DeLoreans. Yes, real, 100% certified DeLoreans displayed in an organized fashion outside of a dealership. Complete with the butterfly doors and the potential to revisit your parents high school prom, how could you resist?

If old school, 80s cars are not your thing, maybe you would prefer the cream de la cream of all automobiles, the Bentley. From P. Diddy to Paris Hilton, the many celebrities have their lucky fingertips around the steering wheel of a Bentley. And so could you! The Bentley car dealership is located south on 41 close to downtown Naples on the left. Dress for the occasion and ask for a good old-fashioned test drive.

Test your acting skills as well as your desire for the good life. You never know. This could soon be a reality for you after your education here at FGCU. Take a trip down the tunnel of the Twilight Zone and enter the famous hidden landmark that is the Pyramids of Estero. Make a right onto 41 from Corkscrew Road and then make a right onto Constitution Blvd. From there you will see a sign taking you to the Pyramids of Estero. Exercise with your own discretion and do not trespass.

You may have heard legends from a roommate or a fellow classmate or even been there yourself. I recommend going to this humorous landmark at nighttime to experience this correctly.

You do not have to go far to see the Giant Beethoven head statue and the mini sphinx that lies before it. The circle around the massive head features decent-sized pyramid houses lying in a circle. These houses are made out of glass and point straight up to the sky. Legend has it that while staying in these houses you can connect to the heavens and be highly concentrated.

These pyramids are also a hotel to stay overnight in. Buying your friend a night stay for their birthday would be quite a confusing and interesting surprise.

While you're here for the summer, take advantage of all the quiet time to stir up some fun around Southwest Florida. Estero might have more random things to offer than just pyramids or DeLoreans, so go out and find your own Estero landmarks.