About Fort Myers, Naples & Marco Island
This gem on Florida’s southwest coast was the adopted hometown of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Their Ft. Myers homes are now museums chronicling the lives and innovations of the two prolific inventors.
Edison began planting palm trees along McGregor Boulevard in the city now known as the City of Palms. Stately Edison Park, located across from the Edison and Ford estates, houses many of the area’s most prominent homes.
Explore Fort Myers, Naples & Marco Island
Overview
Visitors can get a feel for Ft. Myers on a brunch or sunset cruise onboard the luxurious Sanibel Harbour Princess Yacht.
During the winter months, ArtFest is held on the riverfront in downtown Ft. Myers, along with the Edison Festival of Light, a two-week long celebration of Edison’s birthday boasting one of the Southeast’s largest nighttime parades.
During your visit to Ft. Myers, be sure to visit the magnificent Matanzas Pass Preserve on Estero Island. Hike along winding trails through mangrove forests and discover some of the area’s most diverse wildlife, including owls, hawks, and turtles in this 60-acre sanctuary just off Ft. Myers’ coast.
Curious natural wildlife, stately homes and museums, and stunning vistas of sea and sky make Ft. Myers a prime destination in southeastern Florida.
What To Do
Mingle with the locals along the enchanting Caloosahatchee River in the city’s captivating River District.
Get to know some of the resident sea creatures swimming at the 17-acre Lee County's Manatee Park between November and March.
Feel like a real beachcomber on beautiful Sanibel or Captiva islands, searching for seashells and porpoises. You’ll find more types of shells around Ft. Myers than any on any other beaches in North America. There’s even a shell museum here, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.
Take a sunset cruise on Sanibel Harbour. Tee off in the morning for a pleasant round of golf. Later, enjoy a refreshing pot of afternoon tea at one of the area’s tearooms.
When to Go
Ft. Myer’s wintertime weather is a delightful mid-70s F. March to May is also a popular time to visit. If you’re traveling here towards the end of January and first two weeks of February, check out the Edison Festival of Light, which includes the largest nighttime parade in the Southeast. ArtFest is also held during January along Ft. Meyer’s festive downtown riverfront.
Fast Facts
Ft. Myers boasts more sunny days than any other city in Florida – quite a feat for a state with some of the warmest weather in the country.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the country’s only museum devoted exclusively to shells and mollusks.
Thanks to the area’s carbonized bamboo along the Caloosahatchee River, Thomas Edison found a long-lasting filament for his light bulb. Visitors can still view Edison’s original home, and botanical gardens turned museum in Ft. Myers.
Around 2000 royal palm trees line McGregor Blvd., thanks, in part, to Mr. Edison, who planted 200 or so palm trees here during the late 19th century.
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