Fort Myers
Frequented by the likes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, Fort Myers, the City of Palms, holds a rich history and a glorious white sand beach.
Fort Myers lies in the U.S. state of Florida—nicknamed by locals as the Sunshine State. Tampa and Miami lie not too far from the city, in the northwest and southeast.
The city sits on the mouth of Florida’s gulf coast, and the Caloosahatchee River extends past its eastern border.
Fort Myers is a small city with a population of less than a hundred thousand, and it’s the commercial center of Lee County.
Fort Myers has a warm and temperate climate unique to Florida and plenty of sunshine. For six months of the year, from November to April, there is good weather and being outdoors is more bearable as temperatures range from 29°C (85 °F) to 21°C (70 °F).
Summers are long, running from June to September with average highs of 33°C (92°F) and lows of 24°C (75°C). July and August are the hottest months and the height of the rainy season in the city.
Winters are shorter, running from December to March, with night-time temperatures being the lowest in January. These months are the high season in Fort Myers as many vacationers seek to bask beside the city’s warm and pleasant beaches.
The best months to visit Fort Myers and fully experience all the city can offer are February, March, and December.
Fort Myers is home to diverse cuisines, from American cuisine to Italian cuisine.
The Firestone Grill Room, Martini Bar & Skybar serves the yummiest American cuisine in Fort Myers. If you can’t get enough of the nation’s cuisine, check out K.J.’s Steakhouse for mouth-watering steaks and burgers and Ford’s Garage for the signature Ford burger.
For sweet treats, visit Bennett’s Fresh Roast.
Indulge in coal-fired pizza at Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza. The Gamberetto pizza (topped with romano, mozzarella, shrimp, fresh basil, lobster aioli, ricotta, and roasted garlic) is highly recommended.
For fine Italian food, visit Osteria Celli.
Go on Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise
A pirate adventure in Fort Myers is perfect for entertaining the whole family. Kids will enjoy the interactive nature of the cruise (and adults too), and to top it all off, there is a chance of catching a gorgeous sunset and a glimpse of dolphins.
Water activities at Sun Splash Family Waterpark
This family-friendly spot is a must-visit when vacationing in Fort Myers. Although the waterpark is a distance from the center of Fort Myers, you won’t be disappointed by the fun and entertainment it offers.
Float on the lazy river while the little ones play on the giant slides and swimming pools.
Explore the IMAG History and Science Center
The IMAG History and Science Center offers a host of activities for the whole family. With over 60 interactive exhibitions, there is ample chance to educate children and have some fun. Visitors can encounter marine life up close, feed fish and turtles or watch a live engineering show.
Visit the Railroad Museum of South Florida
Family fun is easy to come by here for both adults and small children, especially railroad and train enthusiasts.
Take a thrilling train ride through mini villages, woods, and lakes, or tour the interactive museum. There is also a big park with a children’s garden and a splash area for the young ones.
If you visit Fort Myers during Halloween or Christmas, don’t miss the fantastic holiday train rides.
Observe multiple species of butterflies at the Florida Native Butterfly Society
The Florida Native Butterfly Society is the custodian of the native butterflies of Southwest Florida. Visitors can learn about different species of butterflies and watch the butterflies fly around the greenhouse garden, all to the tune of soothing music.
Stroll through the John Yarbrough Linear Park
This is one activity off the beaten track. This quiet park is positioned beside a canal, making it the perfect place for a bike ride, a peaceful walk, or a picnic with the family. Visitors can also see plenty of birds, ducks, turtles, and alligators.
Camp with the family at the Cayo Costa State Park
Cayo Costa is an island not too far from Fort Myers. It’s home to an untouched, peaceful seaside, glorious sunsets, and glorious night sky views. There are plenty of places to explore on the island, wildlife to see, and scuba diving and snorkeling activities to undertake.
Go geo-seeking at Lovers Key State Park
Want to teach your children geography or have a bit more fun in nature? Then this is the perfect activity. Geo-seeking is a high-tech treasure hunt that makes use of hand-held GPS for locating treasure. It’s the best way to explore and discover new areas on top of keeping children entertained.
Explore Thomas Edison and Henry Ford’s winter estates | Adults
Explore Edison and Ford’s historic homes, the award-winning gardens on the estate, or the museum littered with inventions and artifacts with a guided or audio tour. This one will be fun for you if you’re a history buff, but it’s interesting for most visitors.
Relax at the Fort Myers Beach | Couples & adults
A trip to Fort Myers wouldn’t be complete without some time spent at the beach. This photogenic white sand beach is ideal because it tends to not be crowded.
Have a beer at the Fort Myers Brewing Company | Couples & adults
Featuring a lively atmosphere, great food trucks, and over twenty beers on tap, this is one place you can unwind for the night. There are non-alcoholic options available if you don’t drink beer.
Go on a sunset dolphin cruise with Good Time Charters | Couples & adults
A trip to Fort Myers is can be made extra special with a dolphin and shelling sunset cruise. Apart from viewing the dolphins that play around the boat, you can bird-watch and observe manatees.
Stroll around Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve | Couples & Adults
Looking to immerse yourself in nature? There is no better place than at this Fort Myers urban park. This spot features wildlife and vibrant plant life. A walk along the boardwalk is both peaceful and filled with stunning views.
Go on the Fort Myers Beach haunted pub crawl | Couples & adults
Haunted historical tales combined with real magic tricks make for a fun and entertaining evening on this pub crawl. The tour starts at Fort Myers Beach and ends at the Shamrock Irish Pub.
Spend a day at the beaches and lagoon of the Cayo Costa State Park | Couples
If you’re looking for quiet beaches, this is a place for you and your significant other. The beaches are gorgeous and aren’t crowded, so you can sunbathe in peace or swim freely in the surrounding turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Enjoy a rare sunset at Captiva Beach | Couples and adults
A trip to Captiva Beach is a must when visiting Fort Myers. The sunset features the ‘green flash’, a rare phenomenon of green light that appears above the sun right before it sets.
Go parasailing with Paradise Parasail | Couples & adults
Bask in the views of Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island from several feet up in the air. This is can be a fun and thrilling activity for anyone and makes for a lasting memory.
Get a couples massage at the White Orchid Spa | Couples
The massages at White Orchid Spa in Fort Myers are made memorable with champagne, strawberries, and chocolate truffles offered to couples.
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates tour
Standing beside the Caloosahatchee River in Southwestern Florida are the homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, respectively named Seminole Lodge and the Mangoes. A tour around the grounds allows visitors to immerse themselves in the pivotal history of two great American legends.
Take a drive down McGregor Boulevard
Old Florida jumps out at most who take a drive down McGregor Boulevard. The two-lane road is lined with Royal palms (planted by Thomas Edison back in the day) and boarded by beautiful homes. If you want to take the scenic route to your next destination, the boulevard is ideal.
The Edison Festival of Light
In February, Thomas Edison is honored for his efforts that led us into the modern world. During the day, there are educational activities, a showcase of adorable pups, hand-crafts on sale, and tasty food and craft beer.
Oktoberfest in Cape Coral
The annual German beer celebration can be found in Southwest Florida in October. It features German bands, authentic German beers, and yummy homemade-style German cuisine, as well as a carnival area for kids.
Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise
If you’re traveling with family, you’ll want to check this cruise out. This is one activity for both kids and adults that can be the highlight of a vacation in Fort Myers.
Scuba diving, parasailing, and snorkeling
A trip to Fort Myers wouldn’t be complete without some water sports and leisure activities. The best place for snorkeling and scuba diving in Fort Myers is the Cayo Costa State Park. Paradise Parasail is top-rated for its parasailing experiences.
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Did you know that Thomas Edison (inventor of the incandescent light bulb) and Henry Ford (founder of the Ford Motor Company and the mastermind behind the assembly line) vacationed together in Fort Myers?
In the late 1800s, Edison built his estate in the city, and about ten years later, Ford moved in next door. Their homes have now been turned into landmarks to further immortalize their legacies and are among the greatest attractions in Fort Myers.
The Edison and Ford estates’ focal points are a stunning botanical garden, the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory, and the Edison Ford Museum.
The IMAG History & Science Center
The Center has put together over 60 interactive displays by combining science, technology, engineering, and maths. View marine life like horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and marine snails up close with the ‘SEA-to-See’ tank, or take a tour of Southwest Florida’s history.
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
A not-for-profit organization in Fort Myers aimed at preserving nature and educating visitors about the environment. Many animals are rescued, and it features a planetarium, birdhouse, butterfly garden, and two nature tracks.
The Edison Mall
A bounded mall in Fort Myers featuring more than 160 specialty stores, ideal for an exciting shopping trip.
Fort Myers River District
This historic downtown area of Fort Myers is perfect for a restaurant crawl and a night out. It is more modern than other parts of Florida, featuring architecture not typical of the state.
Dine on authentic Florida meals or global cuisines, including sushi and British bangers and mash.
Murphy-Burroughs House
A Georgian-style mansion located in Fort Myers and the last of its kind. This was the place to be for many social events back in the 1900s. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone were frequent guests.
Fort Myers lies in the U.S. state of Florida—nicknamed by locals as the Sunshine State. Tampa and Miami lie not too far from the city, in the northwest and southeast.
The city sits on the mouth of Florida’s gulf coast, and the Caloosahatchee River extends past its eastern border.
Fort Myers is a small city with a population of less than a hundred thousand, and it’s the commercial center of Lee County.
Fort Myers has a warm and temperate climate unique to Florida and plenty of sunshine. For six months of the year, from November to April, there is good weather and being outdoors is more bearable as temperatures range from 29°C (85 °F) to 21°C (70 °F).
Summers are long, running from June to September with average highs of 33°C (92°F) and lows of 24°C (75°C). July and August are the hottest months and the height of the rainy season in the city.
Winters are shorter, running from December to March, with night-time temperatures being the lowest in January. These months are the high season in Fort Myers as many vacationers seek to bask beside the city’s warm and pleasant beaches.
The best months to visit Fort Myers and fully experience all the city can offer are February, March, and December.
Fort Myers is home to diverse cuisines, from American cuisine to Italian cuisine.
The Firestone Grill Room, Martini Bar & Skybar serves the yummiest American cuisine in Fort Myers. If you can’t get enough of the nation’s cuisine, check out K.J.’s Steakhouse for mouth-watering steaks and burgers and Ford’s Garage for the signature Ford burger.
For sweet treats, visit Bennett’s Fresh Roast.
Indulge in coal-fired pizza at Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza. The Gamberetto pizza (topped with romano, mozzarella, shrimp, fresh basil, lobster aioli, ricotta, and roasted garlic) is highly recommended.
For fine Italian food, visit Osteria Celli.
Go on Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise
A pirate adventure in Fort Myers is perfect for entertaining the whole family. Kids will enjoy the interactive nature of the cruise (and adults too), and to top it all off, there is a chance of catching a gorgeous sunset and a glimpse of dolphins.
Water activities at Sun Splash Family Waterpark
This family-friendly spot is a must-visit when vacationing in Fort Myers. Although the waterpark is a distance from the center of Fort Myers, you won’t be disappointed by the fun and entertainment it offers.
Float on the lazy river while the little ones play on the giant slides and swimming pools.
Explore the IMAG History and Science Center
The IMAG History and Science Center offers a host of activities for the whole family. With over 60 interactive exhibitions, there is ample chance to educate children and have some fun. Visitors can encounter marine life up close, feed fish and turtles or watch a live engineering show.
Visit the Railroad Museum of South Florida
Family fun is easy to come by here for both adults and small children, especially railroad and train enthusiasts.
Take a thrilling train ride through mini villages, woods, and lakes, or tour the interactive museum. There is also a big park with a children’s garden and a splash area for the young ones.
If you visit Fort Myers during Halloween or Christmas, don’t miss the fantastic holiday train rides.
Observe multiple species of butterflies at the Florida Native Butterfly Society
The Florida Native Butterfly Society is the custodian of the native butterflies of Southwest Florida. Visitors can learn about different species of butterflies and watch the butterflies fly around the greenhouse garden, all to the tune of soothing music.
Stroll through the John Yarbrough Linear Park
This is one activity off the beaten track. This quiet park is positioned beside a canal, making it the perfect place for a bike ride, a peaceful walk, or a picnic with the family. Visitors can also see plenty of birds, ducks, turtles, and alligators.
Camp with the family at the Cayo Costa State Park
Cayo Costa is an island not too far from Fort Myers. It’s home to an untouched, peaceful seaside, glorious sunsets, and glorious night sky views. There are plenty of places to explore on the island, wildlife to see, and scuba diving and snorkeling activities to undertake.
Go geo-seeking at Lovers Key State Park
Want to teach your children geography or have a bit more fun in nature? Then this is the perfect activity. Geo-seeking is a high-tech treasure hunt that makes use of hand-held GPS for locating treasure. It’s the best way to explore and discover new areas on top of keeping children entertained.
Explore Thomas Edison and Henry Ford’s winter estates | Adults
Explore Edison and Ford’s historic homes, the award-winning gardens on the estate, or the museum littered with inventions and artifacts with a guided or audio tour. This one will be fun for you if you’re a history buff, but it’s interesting for most visitors.
Relax at the Fort Myers Beach | Couples & adults
A trip to Fort Myers wouldn’t be complete without some time spent at the beach. This photogenic white sand beach is ideal because it tends to not be crowded.
Have a beer at the Fort Myers Brewing Company | Couples & adults
Featuring a lively atmosphere, great food trucks, and over twenty beers on tap, this is one place you can unwind for the night. There are non-alcoholic options available if you don’t drink beer.
Go on a sunset dolphin cruise with Good Time Charters | Couples & adults
A trip to Fort Myers is can be made extra special with a dolphin and shelling sunset cruise. Apart from viewing the dolphins that play around the boat, you can bird-watch and observe manatees.
Stroll around Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve | Couples & Adults
Looking to immerse yourself in nature? There is no better place than at this Fort Myers urban park. This spot features wildlife and vibrant plant life. A walk along the boardwalk is both peaceful and filled with stunning views.
Go on the Fort Myers Beach haunted pub crawl | Couples & adults
Haunted historical tales combined with real magic tricks make for a fun and entertaining evening on this pub crawl. The tour starts at Fort Myers Beach and ends at the Shamrock Irish Pub.
Spend a day at the beaches and lagoon of the Cayo Costa State Park | Couples
If you’re looking for quiet beaches, this is a place for you and your significant other. The beaches are gorgeous and aren’t crowded, so you can sunbathe in peace or swim freely in the surrounding turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Enjoy a rare sunset at Captiva Beach | Couples and adults
A trip to Captiva Beach is a must when visiting Fort Myers. The sunset features the ‘green flash’, a rare phenomenon of green light that appears above the sun right before it sets.
Go parasailing with Paradise Parasail | Couples & adults
Bask in the views of Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island from several feet up in the air. This is can be a fun and thrilling activity for anyone and makes for a lasting memory.
Get a couples massage at the White Orchid Spa | Couples
The massages at White Orchid Spa in Fort Myers are made memorable with champagne, strawberries, and chocolate truffles offered to couples.
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates tour
Standing beside the Caloosahatchee River in Southwestern Florida are the homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, respectively named Seminole Lodge and the Mangoes. A tour around the grounds allows visitors to immerse themselves in the pivotal history of two great American legends.
Take a drive down McGregor Boulevard
Old Florida jumps out at most who take a drive down McGregor Boulevard. The two-lane road is lined with Royal palms (planted by Thomas Edison back in the day) and boarded by beautiful homes. If you want to take the scenic route to your next destination, the boulevard is ideal.
The Edison Festival of Light
In February, Thomas Edison is honored for his efforts that led us into the modern world. During the day, there are educational activities, a showcase of adorable pups, hand-crafts on sale, and tasty food and craft beer.
Oktoberfest in Cape Coral
The annual German beer celebration can be found in Southwest Florida in October. It features German bands, authentic German beers, and yummy homemade-style German cuisine, as well as a carnival area for kids.
Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise
If you’re traveling with family, you’ll want to check this cruise out. This is one activity for both kids and adults that can be the highlight of a vacation in Fort Myers.
Scuba diving, parasailing, and snorkeling
A trip to Fort Myers wouldn’t be complete without some water sports and leisure activities. The best place for snorkeling and scuba diving in Fort Myers is the Cayo Costa State Park. Paradise Parasail is top-rated for its parasailing experiences.
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Did you know that Thomas Edison (inventor of the incandescent light bulb) and Henry Ford (founder of the Ford Motor Company and the mastermind behind the assembly line) vacationed together in Fort Myers?
In the late 1800s, Edison built his estate in the city, and about ten years later, Ford moved in next door. Their homes have now been turned into landmarks to further immortalize their legacies and are among the greatest attractions in Fort Myers.
The Edison and Ford estates’ focal points are a stunning botanical garden, the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory, and the Edison Ford Museum.
The IMAG History & Science Center
The Center has put together over 60 interactive displays by combining science, technology, engineering, and maths. View marine life like horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and marine snails up close with the ‘SEA-to-See’ tank, or take a tour of Southwest Florida’s history.
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
A not-for-profit organization in Fort Myers aimed at preserving nature and educating visitors about the environment. Many animals are rescued, and it features a planetarium, birdhouse, butterfly garden, and two nature tracks.
The Edison Mall
A bounded mall in Fort Myers featuring more than 160 specialty stores, ideal for an exciting shopping trip.
Fort Myers River District
This historic downtown area of Fort Myers is perfect for a restaurant crawl and a night out. It is more modern than other parts of Florida, featuring architecture not typical of the state.
Dine on authentic Florida meals or global cuisines, including sushi and British bangers and mash.
Murphy-Burroughs House
A Georgian-style mansion located in Fort Myers and the last of its kind. This was the place to be for many social events back in the 1900s. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone were frequent guests.
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