We're pleased that you are considering visiting us. To insure your stay is a pleasant one, we have listed some attractions you might be interested in visiting while you are with us. Clicking on the linked text will provide you with additional details for those sites that are sponsoring this page.
Both entertaining and educational, a tour of Thomas Edison's 14-acre riverfront estate is a must stop for visitors to Southwest Florida. Steeped in history, the inventor's charming "old Florida" style home, laboratory and experimental gardens have been authentically maintained, a lasting tribute to the genius of one of the world's most remarkable men. The collection of rare antique automobiles and dozens of Edison phonographs are among the memorabilia preserved in the attraction's museum. His gardens are a wonderland of rare and exotic tropical vegetation, including a banyan tree that is 400 feet around. The laboratory where Edison turned goldenrod into rubber seems to wait expectantly for its master's return. Built in 1886, the property was donated to the City of Fort Myers by Edison's widow, Mina Miller Edison, and opened to the public in 1948. Your visit to the estate will be a delightful blend of scientific fact and personal anecdotes. Edison was a beloved resident of Fort Myers and the property is run by local people with a keen personal interest in the inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, motion picture camera and many other modern-day conveniences.
After stepping back in time at the Edison Home, visitors can step next door to the winter home of automobile industrialist Henry Ford. The three-acre estate was purchased by Ford in 1916 to spend the winter months visiting his friend, Thomas Edison. The two properties are separated by a fence, which both families named "The Friendship Gate." Ford's home, known as "Mangoes," has undergone extensive renovation to bring it back to the period when he and his wife Clara lived there. A 1914 Model T,1917 Ford truck and a 1929 Model A are also on display.
Open daily, (except Thanksgiving and Christmas), weekdays and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and noon to 4 p.m., Sundays. A combined ticket for both Edison and Ford Homes is $10 and $5 for children 6-12. Address: 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901; (941) 334-3614. For group rates and information, please call (941) 334-7419.
Housed appropriately in the restored ACL Peck Street Depot, which discontinued rail passenger service in 1971 after 67 years, displays and exhibits document history of the area from 1200 BC through the present. Displays include graphic depictions of Calusa, Spanish explorers and Seminole Indian civilizations, ancient artifacts gathered from the region, and a significant collection of Ethel Cooper Glass. A favorite acquisition is a private rail car, The Esperanza, circa 1930, presented to the museum by the Fort Myers Centennial Committee in 1985. Explore the WW II Buckingham and Page Field exhibit which will include a recently excavated P39 bomber that crashed into Estero Bay during the war. The research center, widely used by local residents, includes an extensive photo collection, oral history tapes, maps and other materials about the Fort Myers area. Local history books and gift items are sold in the gift shop. The museum presents educational programs, traveling exhibits and oral history programs on a continuing basis. From Nov. l through April 30, regular hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday. May 31 through Oct. 31, the museum is closed on Saturday. Admission is $2.50 for adults and $ 1 for children under 12. Allow approximately one hour. Handicapped accessible including large labels in Braille. Location: 2300 Peck St., Fort Myers, FL 33901; (941) 332-5955.
Fort Myers' first luxury home, actually credited with starting the area's building boom at the turn of the century by cattleman John Murphy, has been restored and is open to the public. Today, those with a passion for the past can enjoy a 30-minute living history tour of the Georgian revival home, which is also available for special events. The Burroughs Home is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 per person. Parking is available next door at the Sheraton Harbor Place Hotel. Location 2505 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901; (941) 332-1229.
The wide Caloosahatchee River, running through downtown Fort Myers is the starting point for a variety of eight scenic cruises. Luncheon and dinner cruises aboard the 600-passenger, "Capt. J.P. Paddlewheeler" ranging from two hours to full day excursions are also available. Also inquire about the 80-passenger river cruise, which travels up the picturesque Caloosahatchee and Orange Rivers into the manatee sanctuary. All cruises depart from the downtown Fort Myers Yacht Basin at the comer of Lee Street and Edwards Drive. Prices vary depending on cruise type and season. Address: P.O. Box 1688, Fort Myers, FL 33902; (941) 334-7474.
Wine connoisseurs can sample vino from the southernmost winery in the continental United States at the Eden Vineyards Winery. After supplying fine wines to some of Florida's best restaurants for several years, the owners of the familyoperated Eden Vineyards decided to open the winery for visits. The winery is located in a natural Florida setting, reminding visitors of the area's subtropical beauty. Wine tastings are provided for a nominal fee. Opens at 11 a.m. daily with tastings until 3:30 p.m. Location: 10 miles east of I-75, exit 25; just off State Road 80, 19709 Little Lane, Alva, FL 33920; (941) 728-9463.
Housed in the 12,100 square foot William R. Frizzell Cultural Center, the Lee County Alliance of the Arts includes a public gallery with a new exhibition each month, the 200-seat Claiborne and Ned Foulds Theater which offers dramas, recitals, concerts and workshops, arts and crafts gift shop, and regular classes in all art forms. Admission is free and program costs vary. Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon And for special events. Closed Sundays. Location: 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919. For information about local arts, cultural and community events, call (941) 939-2787.
The dinner theater is Fort Myers' dining and entertainment showplace. Visit the Playbill Bar for a predinner or postshow cocktail. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet with garden fresh salad bar, hot entree buffet, and lavish dessert tables. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy a full-length, professional, Broadway-style, live theatrical performance. The Broadway Palm Dinner Theater is open for dinner: Tuesday through Sunday at 6 p.m., showtime at 8 p.m. Selected matinees are available on Wednesday or Thursday and Saturday or Sunday at 11 :45 a.m., showtime at 1: 15 p.m. The price for tickets range from $17 to $32 with group rates available. Handicapped accessible. Location: 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907; (941) 278-4422.
Outside, rustic boardwalks lead visitors on a tour of a subtropical environment, including an Audubon aviary and Seminole Indian village. Inside, permanent and changing exhibits of the natural history of Southwest Florida are on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Snake and alligator demonstrations are held twice daily. Guided nature walks and aviary tours are offered several times each week. Admission to the nature center is $3 for adults, and $1.50 for children younger than 12. Annual memberships for free admission and discounts are available. Advance notice is required for groups. The planetarium features changing shows and laser effect in its 90-seat theater. Admission to the planetarium shows is $3 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Laser light and music shows cost $5 per person. Handicapped accessible. Location: 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33906; (941) 275-3435.
Take a flight into the past. Put on your helmet, goggles and climb aboard the time machine at Classic Flight. The plane is a new production of the WACO YMF5 designed in 1935. It carries two passengers plus the pilot. Sightseeing and thrillseeking rides are available on the hour, from 9 a.m. to sunset out of Page Field in Fort Myers. A video of your personal flight is available upon request. For reservations, call (800) 8 BIWlNG (824-9464).
Flights also are available through Barnstormer Air Inc. in a UPF 7 open cockpit 1940 WACO, restored in 1993; (941) 542-1768. An amphibian seaplane service offers "flightseeing" tours on a reservation only basis from Page Field in Fort Myers to the Everglades, Orlando, Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas through Sound Flight of Fort Myers; (941) 277-5777.
Located on Summerlin Road between College Parkway and Cypress Lake Drive, the Performing Arts Hall opened in 1986. National Broadway productions, prominent entertainers, dance performances, popular and classical music concerts are scheduled year-round. The hall also is used for business conferences, seminars and meetings with dining available. Handicapped accessible. Location: 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919; (941) 489-3033, box office (941) 481-4849.
In the Humanities Building near the Barbara B. Mann Hall, the ECC Gallery of Fine Art exhibits works of nationally and internationally renowned artists. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Location: 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33906; (941) 489-9313.
Enjoy a nostalgic dinner, murder mystery or sightseeing excursion as you travel through Southwest Florida's subtropical terrain aboard an elegant, old-fashioned dining or coach excursion train. Excursion trains depart for Bonita Springs Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and noon, and on Sunday at noon or 2:30 p.m. Passengers can also board at Bonita Springs for a round-trip to Fort Myers. Daytime excursions cost $12.50 plus tax for adults and $7.50 plus tax for children 3-12. Dinner trains, with a five-course meal and full-service bar, depart Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and cost $44.75 plus tax gratuity included (not including liquor). The onboard murder mystery show costs an additional $10. Many weekday dinners and sunset specials are also operated. Group charters are available. Check schedule for special events. Schedules vary seasonally. Location: Metro Mall Railway Station at Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33907; (941) 275-8487.
Great for kids of all ages, this amusement park features more than 70 pinball and video games, a mountainous miniature golf course, three race tracks (ages 3-7, 7-13 and 13 and up) and bumper boats, as well as fresh baked pizza and other refreshments. Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. Location: 1915 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907; (941) 9363233.
A great stop to or from the airport, this 16,000-square foot packinghouse offers free tours and a well stocked gift shop to explore. Learn about the history of Florida's citrus industry and how citrus is cleaned, sized and packaged. Visitors can watch juice extraction and enjoy a free sample. Free guided tours Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Self-guided tours available daily. Open Nov. 1 through May 31. Location: Southwest corner of Six Mile Cypress and Metro Parkways. Handicapped accessible. Address: 14810 Metro Parkway South, Fort Myers, FL 33912; (941) 768-2686 locally or toll-free 1-800-743-1480.
Visitors can journey through this 2,000-acre wetland ecosystem on a milelong boardwalk where Southwest Florida's diverse plant and wildlife can be found. Visitors may spot subtropical ferns and birds such as herons, egrets, and occasionally ibis and anhingas. Admission is $3 per vehicle. Free guided walks every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Handicapped accessible. Location: Penzance Crossing off Six Mile Cypress Pkwy.; (941) 432-2004.
Take an exciting, romantic adventure on a hot air balloon over scenic Fort Myers and the surrounding area. Champagne picnic breakfast tours cost $125 per person. Launch locations depend on weather conditions. Address: (????) S. Cleveland Avenue. For more information and reservations call (941) 458-5750.