Southwest around Fort Meyers & Naples, Florida Attractions
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While this region contains long stretches of beach, fertile land, and the same tropical climate, due to its inaccessibility in the early days, it is still a less developed version of the Atlantic Gold Coast.Calusa Indians harvested the waters here before Spaniards like Hernando de Soto and Ponce de Leon arrived in the early 1500's. The Indian's resistance and the difficult terrain prevented the explorers from creating a base and they moved on.Except for the pioneering families and farmers who lived here and the Seminole Wars in the 1800's, things were quiet until industrialist Henry Plant brought the Seaboard Air Line Railway to Naples in the mid 1920's.The area also owes a debt to circus master John Ringling who helped to establish Sarasota as an important cultural center.Today, much of the wild space in Southwestern Florida is protected by the state or by the country. One of these, the Everglades National Park, comprises what many refer to as Florida's last frontier.
Sarasota, Florida
Ochopee - Big Cypress National Preserve
This 730,000-acre reserve protects part of the larger 2,400 square mile Big Cypress Swamp that covers a large section of Southwestern Florida. Throughout time the Big Cypress Swamp was a refuge for the likes of the Miccosukee Tribe, the Seminole Tribe and early settlers. The area is composed of a variety of different terrains and plant-life including marshland, hardwood hammocks, dry prairies and mangrove islands. It is named for the bald and dwarf cypress trees found within its confines. Animals in the preserve include herons, snakes, wild turkeys, deer, alligators and the rare Florida panther.
Historic Spanish Point, Osprey, Florida
Historic Spanish Point in Osprey is a 30-acre site located on Little Sarasota Bay dedicated to archaeological, historical and environmental preservation. Indians lived here 5,000 years ago and visitors can see existing remains of their culture. There are burial mounds and ceremonial piles of shell and bone. The site also contains pioneer homestead buildings from the 1860's and formal gardens planted in the 1910's by Bertha Matilde Honore' Palmer, the widow of Chicago magnate Potter Palmer. She had a winter estate on the property, which stayed in the Palmer family up until the 1980's.
Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, Florida
The Seminoles are descended from the Creek Indians, who fled from throughout the South into the wilderness that was Florida in the 18th and 19th centuries. They came to escape incursions, disruptions, battles and wars. They found refuge in the southernmost reaches of Florida and there built a way of life that included farming, hunting, fishing and trading.Big Cypress consists of 52,000 acres and a population of about 500.
Clewiston - Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum has exhibits that give the visitor a sense of life for the Seminoles during the late 1800's. Hunting, cooking, travel, marriage, folklore and spiritual beliefs are portrayed.Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki means 'a place to learn'. A film helps visitors understand the struggle that the Seminoles have endured to stay in Florida.
Clewiston - Billie Swamp Safari
Billie Swamp Safari is over 2,000 acres on the Big Cypress Reservation. Daily tours into the reservation wetlands, hardwood hammocks and sloughs to watch deer, water buffalo, bison, wild hogs, hawks, eagles other rare birds and alligators. There are even Florida panthers in the area.There are camping facilities or an overnight stay can be had in a native-style chickee hut.
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Historical Society Museum, Anna Maria Island, Florida
The growth of Anna Maria Island is displayed through artifacts and photographs tracing life from the early pioneers. Exhibts include rare photographs, maps, newspaper clippings, shells, fossils, tools, fishing items, and aerial photos of the Island.
Koreshan State Historic Site, Estero, Florida
Koreshan State Historic Site is the location of a religious pioneer settlement that was established in 1894. Cyrus Reed Teed was a religious visionary who began Koreshanity and it thrived until his death in 1908. Restored buildings and gardens occupy the site where visitors can fish, picnic, boat, camp and hike.
Tropic Star Cruise Boat, Bokeelia, Florida
Full-day narrated cruises are available from Pine Island Sound to Cabbage Key. Porpoises and birds can be viewed and islands explored that are only accessible by boat.
Cape Coral, Florida
Cape Coral has over 400 miles of canals for boating, fishing and watersports. Year round outdoor recreation such as golf, tennis, and walking the natural preserves are some of the other activities to take part in.
Children's Science Center (closed)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.The museum features hands-on exhibits in mathematics, science and technology. Displays include the human body, zoology, puzzles and mazes, weather and electricity.
Cape Coral Historical Museum
Cape Coral was a planned city before it was built. Photos and artifacts are on display to show the progress of the city through history.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark
Sun Splash Family Waterpark offers 12 acres of water recreational activities including waterslides, family pools and an inner tube river.
Ted Smallwood's Store-Museum, Chokoloskee, Florida
Established in 1906 as an Indian trading post, Ted Smallwood's Store is the oldest operating general store in the U.S. Some of the original remaining stock, furs and hides, and examples of items that the Indians would have traded are on display.
Everglades City, Florida
Everglades City is located at the northwest corner of the Everglades. Considered the Gateway to the 10,000 Islands, it is a popular spot for fishing trip departures.
Eden of the Everglades
Eden of the Everglades offers pontoon boat tours to travel in and around the Ten Thousand Islands waterway. As well, an elevated boardwalk travels through a mangrove forest.
Everglades National Park Boat Tours
The tours leave Everglades National Park ranger station and travel through Mangrove Wilderness or the Ten Thousand Islands. Both tours offer an opportunity for bird and wildlife watching through the 10,000 Islands area of the National Park.
E.J. Hamilton Observation Tower
The E.J. Hamilton Observation Tower offers a panoramic view of the Everglades and the 10,000 Islands. This wooden tower is 80 feet tall.
Historical Museum, Gulfport, Florida
The Gulfport Historical Museum features the history of early settlers, churches, schools, businesses, organizations, and taped interviews of memories from the Gulfport area.
Marco Island, Florida
Marco Island is located at the northern tip of Ten Thousand Islands. This popular resort community was once a fisherman's retreat that now features numerous recreational activities include golf, tennis, swimming and surfing.
Marco Island Trolley Tours
The Marco Island Trolley Tours are a 90 minute narration of the island's history. Historic sites, such as the seashell mounds built by Calusa Indians, are part of the tour.
Depot Museum, Avon Park, Florida
Memorabilia, articles and papers pertaining to the City of Avon Park are on display to preserve the history of the area.
Bonita Springs, Florida
Bonita Springs is located at the edge of Cypress Swamp. Fishing is available in the Gulf of Mexico and the Imperial River.
Everglades Wonder Gardens
Everglades Wonder Gardens is a botanical garden with trees from around the world. There is also a natural history museum to explore as visitors exit the park. A large collection of Florida wildlife, over 2,000 exotic birds, panthers, alligators, flamingos and bears, are housed on the grounds of Everglades Wonder Gardens.
Heritage Museum, LaBelle, Florida
The La Belle Heritage Museum features furniture, appliances and period costumes from La Belle's history.
