Introduction

An emerging destination for people looking to get away from the larger cities of Florida, Fort Myers is a town which appears to be on the up. Previously a stop-off point for people who wanted to head to Orlando, Miami or Tampa, Fort Myers is now a great place to visit in its own right. Ever since it was founded in 1886, it has attracted tourists looking for something a little different. Some of the most notable figures in American history including inventor Thomas Edison and industrialist Henry Ford have called the town home. Today, it’s home to a number of natural attractions as well as other towns of interest including neighbouring Cape Coral across the Caloosahatchee River.

Ideal car

Important things to note

Highlights & Hotspots

Butterfly Estates is the largest butterfly sanctuary in Florida. It contains every single species native to the Sunshine State, but it also has a beautiful cascading waterfall and various exotic plants to help make the butterflies feel as if they’re in their natural habitat.
Tours of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates are available. Acting as a massive museum to both men, there are hundreds of examples of inventions from Edison and Ford, while there are plenty of interactive video exhibits dedicated to their lives while living in Fort Myers.
Perhaps the best place to go for a bite to eat in the town is the Groove Street Grille and Discotheque. As well as providing plenty of homely dishes native to this part of Florida, it’s also renowned as a perfect place to end a great night.
The Historic Downtown area of the town is worth a look, as it’s where Fort Myers first expanded from. Here, there’s the art-deco Edison Theatre and a clutch of other historic buildings to explore if you’re at a loose end and need something to do.