Lee County Manatee Park
A sighting of an endangered West Indian manatee, a shy and
lumbering walrus-like creature whose numbers are dwindling, is a
must for visitors to Florida. At the Lee County Manatee Park, on
the Orange River in eastern Fort Myers, these animals can be viewed
in their natural habitat from observation decks. The Park also
offers information, walking tours, and workshops, as well as picnic
facilities and a fishing cove with a deck and a pier. Kayak and
canoe rentals are also available. Some of the facilities are only
open between May and November when the weather is hot and pleasant
- check the official website to see what is available when.
Address:
10901 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers
Opening time:
Daily from 7am to sunset
Manatee
NASA
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Famous inventor, Thomas Edison, and his friend, automobile
magnate Henry Ford, both spent dozens of winters in the city of
Fort Myers in the early years of the 20th century. Edison's home is
the region's top historic attraction, and has been preserved as it
was during his lifetime. The Victorian house called Seminole Lodge
still boasts working light bulbs, which he invented. They burn in
the laboratory where he worked on more than 1,000 inventions during
his winter visits. The house next door, Mangoes, was built by Ford
in 1916. Visitors are given guided tours of both houses by costumed
guides giving 'living history' accounts. Scenic river rides on
board a replica of Edison's electric boat are also offered.
Address:
2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers
Opening time:
Daily 9am-5.30pm
Thomas Edison Estate
Fredlyfish4
Koreshan State Historic Site
In the dying years of the 19th century, a former Civil War
surgeon, Dr Cyrus Teed, founded a pioneer settlement on the banks
of the Estero River, south of Fort Myers, where he led the
community to practice a religion he termed Koreshanity. Chief among
his beliefs was the equality of men and women and that the universe
was a hollow sphere containing everything within it. Planning to
build a utopian city, the community generated their own
electricity, built boats, established a general store, and
constructed numerous buildings of which 11 remain today. The last
four members of the sect donated the land to the State of Florida
in 1961 and it is now preserved as a park with a nature trail,
picnic tables, and campsite. Guided tours of the Koreshan buildings
are offered.
Address:
3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero
Opening time:
Daily from 8am to sunset
Herons on the Estero River
Mwanner
Southwest Florida Museum of History
The Southwest Florida Museum of History chronicles the history
of Southwest Florida, from the Paleo Indians through the Calusa,
the Seminoles and the Spanish explorers to the early settlers. A
pioneer cracker house, a 1926 fire pump and a 1929 Pullman private
railroad car are among the exhibits. Pride of place is held by the
'Land of Giants' section depicting the huge animals like mammoths,
mastodons and the Bison Antiqus that roamed the area about 12,000
years ago. The museum also hosts regular travelling exhibitions.
Guided tours are available and there is an audio guide in both
English and Spanish for those who prefer to explore
independently.
Address:
2300 Peck St, Fort Myers
Opening time:
Closed for relocation
Southwest Florida Museum of History
Ebyabe
Shell Factory and Nature Park
The beaches along this stretch of the Florida coastline are
renown for their seashells. It contains one of the largest
collection of seashells, fossils, corals, and sponges in the world.
The Shell Factory not only exhibits a fascinating and extensive
collection, but the 18-acre complex includes shops selling a range
of jewellery, ornaments, lamps, objets d'art, and glassware. The
complex also includes a petting zoo, wildlife refuge, eco
laboratory, a restaurant, game arcade, a miniature golf course, and
boating lake; more than enough to keep the whole family
entertained.
Address:
2787 N Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers
Opening time:
Daily 9.30am-6pm
Seashells
Manfred Heyde
Naples
The sophisticated city of Naples lies on the shores of the Gulf
of Mexico. The central area preserves its old world charm, while
the modern section to the north bristles with high-rise luxury
hotels and resorts. Visitors flock here during the winter months to
enjoy the magnificent Gulf beaches, world-class shopping and
dining, and the challenging golf courses. Naples is also near
Florida's top natural attractions, including the tropical
wilderness of the Everglades National Park. An upmarket destination
it may be, but Naples exudes easy-going friendliness along with its
wealthy opulence.
Naples City Dock
Marc Ryckaert
Fort Myers
Billed as Florida's tropical island getaway, Fort
Myers Beach is a haven for visitors seeking a relaxing family
holiday. While it offers endless sport and recreational activities
like the destinations of the east coast, this beautiful resort town
on the Gulf of Mexico remains affordable, relaxed, friendly, and
casual. The prime attraction and centre of activity at Fort Myers
Beach is the seven-mile (11km) shoreline which has gained a
reputation as the world's safest beach, with no undertow and
shallow water ideal for swimming. Popular are the numerous water
sports offered all along the beachfront, from jet-skiing to sailing
a skiff. The village area clusters along a tree-lined walkway at
the north end of the beach, offering shops and restaurants. The
south is where numerous beachfront resorts with condominiums and
hotels have sprung up around Lovers Key State Park. Between these,
the beach is lined with parks, recreation areas, and marinas
offering fishing and boating charters, sightseeing trips, dining
and dancing cruises, and even offshore gambling jaunts. On the
opposite side of the narrow Estero Island, is the Matanzas Pass
Wilderness Preserve with acres of mangrove swamps, live oak
hammocks, and local wildlife to explore from elevated
boardwalks.
Fort Myers Beach
Sanibel sun
Sanibel and Captiva
Those who are searching for the tranquillity of the beach will
delight in the Florida Gulf coast resort island of Sanibel, and its
smaller sister, Captiva. The slow pace of island life rarely heats
up where the main event is the magnificent sunset. The families and
romantics who holiday here come to enjoy the beaches strewn with
seashells, the warm Gulf waters, the huge variety of wildlife, and
the fabulous fresh seafood. These islands have no high-rises or
honking horns, instead they offer all the amenities to make for a
comfortable and relaxing holiday. There are art galleries,
award-winning restaurants, live theatre, and the occasional musical
performances. The more exclusive of the twin islands is Captiva,
connected to Sanibel by a bridge. Captiva is the smaller,
characterised by wealth and quiet charm, topped off at its northern
end by the luxurious all-inclusive South Seas Resort.
Sanibel Island
Invertzoo
Marco Island
Measuring just over six by four miles (10km by 6km), Marco
Island is a bustling full service holiday community on the northern
edge of west Florida's coastal wilderness area known as Ten
Thousand Islands. Just a stone's throw from the vibrant city of
Naples, Marco Island is on the doorstep of nearly 100 miles of
protected undeveloped islands, bays, and estuaries. It's hemmed in
by the Rookery Bay Nature Reserve to the north, and by the Ten
Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Collier-Seminole State
Park, and the Everglades National Park to the south.
Unsurprisingly, the resort waters are stocked with diverse and
healthy fish populations, are a magnet for fishermen and anglers.
The community also offers top class shopping, recreational, and
dining opportunities.
Marco Island
MBandman
Manatee
NASA
Thomas Edison Estate
Fredlyfish4
Herons on the Estero River
Mwanner
Southwest Florida Museum of History
Ebyabe
Seashells
Manfred Heyde
Naples City Dock
Marc Ryckaert
Fort Myers Beach
Sanibel sun
Sanibel Island
Invertzoo
Marco Island
MBandman
