Fort Myers , Florida
Fort Myers, a tranquil town located on Florida's west coast, is known the world over for the Festival of Lights that celebrates its famous resident, Thomas Edison. It is even better known for the fact that visitors can experience some of Florida's most beautiful beaches just minutes from downtown.
The city is one of the most frequented winter destinations as people from the north escape the cold for the warm, tropical breezes of south Florida. Winter is by far the busiest season as many visitors from the cold north come to visit this tranquil Florida paradise. Any time of year is good for golf. With a variety of challenging public courses available, there is one to fit any level and with the beautiful scenery of the area, it's a wonderful experience, regardless of the score.
With its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, one "must do" sport is the art of "shelling". Picture a warm breeze, soft sand, the Gulf waters gently rolling onto the beach, while walking right at the water's edge searching for that perfect shell that is about to roll in with the tide.
Of course there are many attractions, museums, restaurants, sports opportunities, and shopping available as well. Of particular interest to anyone visiting the area, is the Edison & Ford Winter Estate. As one of the nation's most visited historic homes, the Estate includes 20 acres of historic buildings and gardens, Edison's original rubber lab, a large museum, food and retail areas, and river cruises on a replica of his electric launch. It's truly electrifying!
For a unique experience, the Imaginarium is the place to visit. Conveniently located in town,
the Imaginarium is a hands on museum that offers exciting interactive exhibits for all ages including live animals, a hurricane simulator, wide-screen movie theater, dino dig, and an early-childhood exploration area.
To enjoy a variety of attractions in one venue, be sure to visit The Shell Factory and Nature Park
to enjoy nature, ride the rides, 'shop til you drop,' or see some of Mother Nature's finest creations.. Not only does the Shell Factory include a collection of common and rare shells, sponges, coral, fossils and sea life specimens; there are a host of other things to do and see. For the fun seeker, there are arcade games, miniature golf, and even a radar gun to test the speed of a pitch. If you want to get bumped around a little, bumper boats are available. In addition, the Nature Park features a petting zoo, environmental education center, and a botanical trail and garden. It's a day of education and fun for the entire family.
And what visit to south Florida would be complete without seeing an alligator or two? The Everglades Day Safari offers daily departures from town to the famous Florida Everglades.
It's an exciting adventure through the different kingdoms that make up the "Everglades." Guests are accompanied by highly trained guides who discuss the past, present and future of this truly unique area. You'll want to bring your camera for this one.
After a visit to this wonderfully tranquil, yet exciting Florida City, you'll know why Thomas Edison made it his home and why Henry Ford personally opened the first Ford dealership here. It is a vacation destination you will love to visit and that you won't want to leave.
Things To Do & See in Fort Myers
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor Blvd.Fort Myers, FL 33901
239-334-7419
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm; Sunday, noon - 5pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Admission Charged
As one of the nation's most visited historic homes, the Estates includes 20 acres of historic buildings and gardens, Edison's original rubber lab, a large museum, food and retail areas, and river cruises on a replica electric launch.
Fort Myers Historical Museum
2300 Peck Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
239-332-5955
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday, noon - 4pm
Admission Charged
Ever wonder where the old fort was in Downtown Fort Myers? What was the first hotel? When did the train depot become a museum? Learn all this, and more.
Imaginarium
2000 Cranford Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33916
239-337-3332
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm, Sunday, noon - 5pm
Admission Charged
The Imaginarium hands on museum offers exciting interactive exhibits for all ages including live animals, a hurricane simulator, wide-screen movie theater, dino dig, and an early-childhood area. There are daily hands-on fun shows and 3-D presentations.
Fort Myers Country Club
3591 McGregor Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
239-936-3126
Hours: Call for tee times and additional information
Admission Charged
Located on scenic McGregor Boulevard, the Fort Myers Country Club offers the public a challenging par 71 round. The course was built in 1916 by architect Donald Ross and opened in 1917, and the clubhouse has been rebuilt on the original site.
Eastwood Golf Course
4600 Bruce Herd Lane
Fort Myers, FL 33994
239-275-4848
Hours: Call for tee times and additional information
Admission Charged
Rated as one of the top 50 municipal courses in the country by Golf Digest, Eastwood is located off Ortiz Avenue near Colonial Blvd in Fort Myers, Florida. This challenging course is open to the public year round. A full service Pro Shop is available.
Fort Myers Yacht Basin
1300 Lee Street
Fort Myers, FL 339013
239-334-8271
Hours: Call for additional information
Admission Charged for Dockage
Located at Mile Marker 135 on the Okeechobee Waterway, Fort Myers Yacht Basin is a well designed and protected marina. It is owned and operated by the City of Fort Myers. There are 10 feet of water in the channel and 8 feet of water at some docks. The docks are in excellent condition and the staff is competent, professional, friendly and helpful.
Harborside Event Center
1375 Monroe Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
239-332-7600
Hours: Call for schedule and additional information
Admission Charged for events
Located next to Centennial Park at the corner of Bay and Monroe Streets in beautiful downtown Fort Myers, this elegant structure provides a state of the art venue for both conventions and concerts.
Burroughs Home
2505 First Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
239-332-6125
Hours: The Home is open to the public for guided tours, Tuesday through Friday, 11am to 3pm, on the hour, mid-October through mid-May.
Admission Charged
The Burroughs Home is a Georgian Revival Mansion built in 1901. Located in downtown Fort Myers next to the Edison Bridge overlooking the Caloosahatchee River; it was considered a prestigious area at the turn of the century.
Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
3450 Ortiz Avenue
Fort Myers , FL. 33905
239- 275-3435
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am - 5pm; Sunday, 11am - 5pm
Admission Charged
Various amphibians and arthropods are waiting. The museum's interpretive displays address many issues affecting the area, from water resources to the plight of the endangered manatee. The stars are also always out in the planetarium.
The Shell Factory and Nature Park
2785 N. Tamiami Trail
N. Ft. Myers , FL. 33903
239-995-2142
Hours: Sunday - Saturday, 10am-9pm
Admission Charged
If you are in the mood to enjoy nature, ride the rides, 'shop til you drop,' or see some of Mother Nature's finest creations, then you've certainly come to the right place! Not only does the Shell Factory include a collection of common and rare shells, sponges, coral, fossils and sea life specimens; there are a host of other things to do and see as well. For the fun seeker, there are arcade games, miniature golf, and even a radar gun to test the speed of a pitch at the pitching cage or perhaps bump into friends at the Bumper Boat lagoon. The Nature Park features a petting zoo, environmental education center, and a botanical trail and garden. It's a day of education and fun for the entire family.
Historic Downtown Walking Tours
2300 Peck St.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
239-332-5955
Hours: Saturdays at 10am, January - April
Admission Charged
Highlights many historic points of interest in the Downtown area.
Day Trip
Everglades Day Safari
239-472-1559 or 800-472-3069
Hours: Safaris depart each morning at 7:45am and return about 5:30pm, call for location of pickup
Admission Charged
An Everglades Day Safari will be an exciting adventure through the different kingdoms that make up the "Everglades." Guests are accompanied by highly trained guides who discuss the past, present and future of this truly unique area.