Fort Myers, a tranquil town located on Florida’s
west coast, is known the world over for the Festival of Lights that
celebrates its famous resident, Thomas Edison. It is even better known
for the fact that visitors can experience some of Florida’s most beautiful
beaches just minutes from downtown.
The
city is one of the most frequented winter destinations as people from the
north escape the cold for the warm, tropical breezes of south Florida.
Winter is by far the busiest season as many visitors from the cold north
come to visit this tranquil Florida paradise. Any time of year is good
for golf. With a variety of challenging public courses available,
there is one to fit any level and with the beautiful scenery of the area,
it’s a wonderful experience, regardless of the score.
With
its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, one “must do” sport is the art of
“shelling”. Picture a warm breeze, soft sand, the Gulf waters
gently rolling onto the beach, while walking right at the water’s edge
searching for that perfect shell that is about to roll in with the tide.
Of
course there are many attractions, museums, restaurants, sports
opportunities, and shopping available as well. Of particular interest
to anyone visiting the area, is the Edison & Ford Winter Estate.
As one of the nation's most visited historic homes, the Estate includes 20
acres of historic buildings and gardens, Edison's original rubber lab, a
large museum, food and retail areas, and river cruises on a replica of his
electric launch. It’s truly electrifying!
For
a unique experience, the Imaginarium is the place to visit.
Conveniently located in town,
the
Imaginarium is a hands on museum that offers exciting interactive exhibits
for all ages including live animals, a hurricane simulator, wide-screen
movie theater, dino dig, and an early-childhood exploration area.
To
enjoy a variety of attractions in one venue, be sure to visit The Shell
Factory and Nature Park
to
enjoy nature, ride the rides, 'shop til you drop,' or see some of Mother
Nature’s finest creations.. Not only does the Shell Factory include
a collection of common and rare shells, sponges, coral, fossils and sea life
specimens; there are a host of other things to do and see. For the fun
seeker, there are arcade games, miniature golf, and even a radar gun to test
the speed of a pitch. If you want to get bumped around a little,
bumper boats are available. In addition, the Nature Park features a
petting zoo, environmental education center, and a botanical trail and
garden. It’s a day of education and fun for the entire family.
And
what visit to south Florida would be complete without seeing an alligator or
two? The Everglades Day Safari offers daily departures from town to
the famous Florida Everglades.
It’s
an exciting adventure through the different kingdoms that make up the
"Everglades." Guests are accompanied by highly trained guides who
discuss the past, present and future of this truly unique area.
You’ll want to bring your camera for this one.
After
a visit to this wonderfully tranquil, yet exciting Florida City, you’ll
know why Thomas Edison made it his home and why Henry Ford personally opened
the first Ford dealership here. It is a vacation destination you will
love to visit and that you won’t want to leave.
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