Like much of Florida Fort Myers was only developed a couple of hundred years ago in the mid 1800s. It was originally a military installation involved in the Civil War. Fort Myers was really made famous by the inventor Thomas Edison who built his winter home and laboratory, Seminole Lodge in an area that is now known as McGregor Boulevard.
Some years later Henry Ford moved next door to Edison and built the first Ford Car Dealership in town. If you do visit Fort Myers their estates are now open to the public and no visit is complete without going to see them, you will be intrigued by some of Edison’s lesser known inventions.
Fort Myers is nowadays known as the ' City of Palms' and when you walk through the streets that are beautifully lined with royal and queen palm trees you will understand why. Fort Myers has fantastic beaches and is well worth a visit for these alone although it is quite a long distance from Orlando for a day trip.
From Fort Myers you can visit several beach communities and islands such as Sanibel Island, Estero (where Edison and Ford camped), Bonita Springs, Captiva Island, and a few other smaller islands accessible only by boat, to date we have only been to Sanibel and really enjoyed this.
At Fort Myers you can see a variety of historic buildings and museums. You can if you wish just wander around on foot but we think we get a better initial picture of a new place by taking one of their organized tours, I suggest you check these out when you arrive. We feel this gives you an idea of what you can see/visit and then you can return to these places after your tour.
You can have a picnic or spend the afternoon in the park or if you prefer a round of golf, or a more adventurous sport, there is a lot to do in the lovely sunshine. Head to the beach if you want to rent a waverunner or a jet ski, rent a boat, go on a fishing charter or parasail.
If you are a sports fan and are there early in the year the city is also home to the spring training sessions of the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. There are also many college teams and the sports bars are always busy places.
The Festival of Light is held on Edison' s birthday (February 11th) and lasts for two weeks there really is a great buzz at this time.
Fort Myers well worth a visit.