Things to Do in Fort Myers

A far cry from the busy beaches of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers Beach is seven miles of pristine Florida coastline that has somehow managed to keep its sleepy charms well away from the busyness of other townships. Connected by bridge to sleepy Sanibel Island, here you can enjoy the sprawling sky and white sand dunes of Florida’s best beaches all while staying in a nearby resort that offers world-class amenities. Parasailing, deep sea fishing, windsurfing and spotting dolphins are all popular pastimes, but sometimes the best activity is just exploring the flour-soft sands and calling the beach your own.

Little else speaks to the diverse abundance of Florida’s waterways than a trip to the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Alligators, herons, wild pigs, otters, butterflies and more all compete for more than 2,200 acres of prime Florida wetland. With 1.2 miles of boardwalk, you can wander these intimate habitats in an accessible yet noninvasive way while pointing out wildlife to loved ones. A photo blind allows visitors to get incredibly close shots of some of the animals, and two observation towers keep kids entertained with mile-long views of this unique environment. 

Step back into old Florida and explore the prestigious estates of two of America’s most prominent men. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are registered as national historic sites for the 20 acres of beautiful landscaped lawns and early Florida era buildings that tell the stories of not just the life and times of these inventors but about early Florida as well. Walk the award-winning Moonlight Garden or use the grounds to picnic or enjoy breeze form the cove. Also on site are the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Edison Ford Museum. More than just a walk through museums, a visit to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is an opportunity to enjoy the park-like environment

Proving that little is more stimulating than hands-on fun, the Fort Myers Imaginarium was developed to be an interactive experience with one of Florida’s preeminent museums and aquariums. Giving both youngsters and their parents a chance to participate in real-life demonstrations of the wonders of nature, guests can feel the power of a hurricane, run through a rainstorm, pet sting rays and sharks, see a 3-D Dinosaur movie, be a weather forecaster or just run, jump, and explore to their heart’s content. Great for parties or the passing afternoon, time spent at the Imaginarium is always both educational and entertaining.