Fort Myers Tourist Attractions
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Fort Myers, a town in process of dynamic development, lies on the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. Abundant traces of human settlement going back 7000 years have been found in the surrounding area. The town became widely known in the 1880s, when Thomas Alva Edison began to establish his home and his laboratory here during the winter. His example was followed in 1916 by his friend Henry Ford, who also built himself a winter home opposite Edison's. From Fort Myers the select Palm Alley (planted with royal palms from Cuba) runs down to the Gulf Coast, with the beautiful bathing resorts of Fort Myers Beach, Estero Island and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva.
Calusa Nature Center
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a 105-acre site with a museum, nature trails, planetarium, aviary, gift shop and meeting and picnic areas. It is home to snakes, turtles, alligators, bobcats and crocodiles. Visitors can learn about the natural history of southwest Florida when visiting the museum. Calusa Nature Center features educational programs that allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the resident creatures, including snakes, alligators, skunks and white tail deer. There is also a reproduction of a Seminole Indian village.
Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization
Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization is an experimental, 21-acre garden devoted to researching farming techniques usable in Third World countries. Food growing operations include a garden in old tires, a roof garden, a simulated rainforest and a desert greenhouse. There is a 90-minute tour of its working farm which takes visitors through six simulated tropic-zone gardens. Volunteers and staff members develop techniques here that travel around the world. There is also a research library, seed bank, information network and gift shop.
Fort Myers Historical Museum
Fort Myers Historical Museum traces the history of Fort Myers and southwestern Florida through models, artifacts and exhibits. Housed in the former Atlantic Coastline Railroad depot, the museum presents Calusa and Seminole Indian relics, the "Esperanza," the last private Pullman rail car made in America, a 1900's Cracker farm house and articles from the period of Spanish exploration. The military, agriculture, boating and fishing industries in Fort Myers are highlighted as well as 1,200 piece collection of depression and carnival glass.
Imaginarium Hands on Museum and Aquarium
The Imaginarium houses interactive and "hands-on" exhibits which operate under the philosophy that children learn through play. Some examples of the scientific disciplines represented here include: environmental science, physics, anatomy, marine biology and meteorology. Kids can act as virtual weathermen, touch a cloud, watch lightning strike, touch a stingray and more. The aquarium contains a variety of local marine life.
Shell Factory
The Shell Factory claims to contain one of the largest collections of shells in the world. There are shells from at least 50 different countries. Aside from the shells, there are sponges, coral, fossils and sea life specimens.The Nature Park at the Shell Factory features a petting zoo, environmental education center and a botanical garden with a trail. There are also arcade games, miniature golf, and a Bumper Boat lagoon.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
A 2,500-acre wetland preserve, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, features a mile long boardwalk with opportunities to see turtles, wading or migrating birds and alligators. The Slough also offers visitors the chance to visit the first public LEED-certified green building in Lee County. The Interpretive Center houses nature displays and hands-on opportunities for visitors of all ages. There is a picnic area and amphitheater for interpretative sessions.
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates features 20 acres of historical buildings, historic gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Estates Museum. Some of the newly restored buildings include the Edison Main House, the Guest House, Caretaker's House and the Ford House. The Estates Museum is home to hundreds of inventions, artifacts and special exhibits.
Henry Ford Winter Home
The Ford's winter home, Mangoes has been restored and furnished in the style of the 1920's. Ford bought the home in 1916 because it was close to his good friend, Thomas Edison. The grounds feature citrus, bamboo and other tropical foliage.
Thomas A. Edison's Winter Home
Edison spent many working vacations at Seminole Lodge from 1886 until his death in 1931. The furnished house, guest house, laboratory and workshops are included in the tours. He cultivated a 14 acre tropical garden which is kept up today.
Southwest Florida Museum of History
The Southwest Florida Museum of History is housed in a restored train depot featuring artifacts depicting the history of Fort Myers from Paleo-Indian period to Spanish explorers and early settlers. The longest and last built Pullman private railroad car is also on display along with a pioneer "cracker" house and a 1926 La France fire pumper.
Burroughs Home
Wealthy Mid-Western businessman Nelson Burroughs bought this riverside house in 1918. Today, costumed actors lead daily tours of the historic property, which is furnished with period pieces. The two-story house features a wrap-around porch, Florida-pine floors, a mahogany fireplace and winding staircase.
J.C. Sightseeing Boat Cruises
The J.C. Sightseeing Boat Cruises travels on the Caloosahatchee River on a tripledeck paddlewheeler. The cruises take passengers past historic sites and wooded areas, which allow for the opportunity to view exotic birds, manatees, alligators and other tropical fauna in their native habitat.
Seminole Gulf Railway
The Seminole Gulf Railway offers excursions in vintage coaches with a narrated tour of the history, animals and plant life of the area.
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Fort Myers Beach is a hot spot with retirees, snow birds from the northern states who come here to escape winter, and young people who flock to the beautiful and happening beach and town. This beach resort has a very small but fun town center with beach shops, restaurants, and entertainment hot spots, all within a block of the beach. This is a great swimming beach with a wide stretch of sand that very gradually sinks out into the ocean.The history of Fort Myers Beach can be traced back to 1513 when Ponce de Leòn passed through the area. It is comprised of the mainland and two islands, Estero and San Carlos. Recreational activities include fishing, golf, tennis and scuba diving.
Mound Key State Archeological Site
Mound Key is 125 acres of land dense with shells deposited by the Calusa Indians. The highest elevation and most prominent section is a 32-foot shell mound, thought to be the location of the cacique's, or ruler's house. In 1566, the Spanish established a settlement on Mound Key Island with a fort and the first Jesuit mission. However, the settlement was abandoned three years later after violent clashes with the Indians. Interpretive displays are located along the trail that spans the island.
