Introduction
Fort Myers is a haven for many different types of travelers. Whether you are looking for some relaxation, adventure or just plain fun Fort Myers has it all. Check out some of our favorite things to do during your stay here in Fort Myers Florida!
- Fort Myers Beach, Florida
- Sanibel Island
- Edison-Ford Winter Estates
- IMAG | Imaginarium History and Science Museum
- Fort Myers River District & Downtown Area
- Six Mile Slough Preserve
- Butterfly Estates
- Sanibel Outlets
- Gulf Coast Town Center
- Edison Mall
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Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach is a family-friendly beach town with plenty of activities. The Fort Myers Beach Pier is a very popular attraction, but you can also enjoy the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico or take advantage of the many restaurants that line Fort Myers Beach. Fort Myers Beach also has many hotels and resorts for tourists looking for a relaxing vacation experience.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is a barrier island off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida. The population of Sanibel Island is around 7,000 people, but they have a lot to offer visitors.
Although it is among one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southwest Florida, it is especially recognized for its quiet atmosphere. The waters are calm year-round and there are plenty of things to do when you go exploring. Bring your camera along with you because you’ll be able to capture some truly beautiful views while out there!
Sanibel also has some of the best shelling in the world. You can find sea shells everywhere on this island.
We experienced some challenges locating parking and beach access when we visited the island since were not staying at any of the resorts, so we recommend doing a quick search for public beach access prior to your arrival on the island. This will help things to go a little more smoothly.
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is a National Historic Landmark that’s located in Fort Myers, Florida, and it has become one of the number one tourist attractions in the area. You can visit this attraction any time of year, but it’s especially popular during winter when there are lots of Christmas lights and events going on.
This property include the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. As guests tour the property, they will learn all about the friendship between the two. In addition to their homes, there are a few other buildings including the former caretakers’ homes, Thomas Edison’s study, Thomas Edison’s labs, various gardens, and a museum. You’ll also encounter numerous old Ford cars throughout the property.
Imaginarium | IMAG History and Science Museum
Imaginarium is a hands-on children’s museum and aquarium in Fort Myers, Florida. It has over 100 interactive exhibits and activities for children to explore. The most notable to us were the touch tank in the atrium at the entrance of the building, the Science on a Sphere exhibit, the 3D theater, the IMAG TV studio, and the living lab. The living lab is an aquarium and terrarium exhibit housing various specimen which, whether native or invasive, are enmeshed in the Florida ecosystems. Vivian had a wonderful time peering into each tank to watch all the creatures.
Fort Myers River District & Downtown Area
The Fort Myers downtown area is filled with shops, stores, restaurants, boutiques, and more. We were actually very impressed with the restaurant selection, and an entire blog post could be written about all the exciting varieties of cuisine which are offered here! We definitely recommend visiting this area for a few of your meals during your stay in the Fort Myers area. This district also hosts numerous events throughout the year including a bike week, an art festival, and more.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a great place to go if you want to see wildlife. The preserve is home to many native creatures, including gopher tortoises and birds. You can also see snakes, butterflies, and turtles at this spot.
Butterfly Estates
Butterfly Estates is another great place to visit with the children. There is a greenhouse area filled with tropical plants which the butterflies love and hundreds of butterflies fluttering through the area. Be sure to visit when it’s sunny outside, and be careful to watch your step throughout the exhibit. Additionally, you’ll find numerous butterfly-attracting plants for sale.
Something we weren’t expecting, however, is that there are a few shops and cafes which neighbor the actual butterfly attraction. It was fun to stroll the walkways and browse the merchandise at the nearby shops. We purchased some coffee and a smoothie at the nearby café.
Sanibel Outlets
Sanibel Outlets is a great place to shop while you’re in Fort Myers. The mall is located just across the bridge from Sanibel Island and is open every day of the year except Christmas. There are over 100 stores featuring top brands like Banana Republic, Coach, Gap Outlet and Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, a few restaurants scattered around, and also a playground, which is very important.
Gulf Coast Town Center
The Gulf Coast Town Center is the largest shopping center in Lee County, with over 100 stores, 4.2 million square feet of retail space, and over 1,000 parking spaces. Here you’ll find stores like Target, Belk, Bass Pro Shops, Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, etc. You’ll also find a variety of restaurants such as Red Robin, Outback Steakhouse, Pinchers seafood, and more. The playground is excellent, and our children had a wonderful time playing there for hours. There’s also a movie theater, and there are numerous small boutiques. The most interesting to us were a hands-on DIY store, a puppy shop, and a cat cafe.
Edison Mall
Edison Mall is your typical single-story shopping mall. It houses more than 150 stores, has a decent food court, and has a place for children to play, which is the primary reason we check out malls anyway.
Conclusion
That is our list of the best things to do in Fort Myers Florida. We think you will love these places, and we hope that this article has helped you decide which one(s) are right for your next vacation!
For the best deals on even more great things to see, do, and eat in Fort Myers and the surrounding areas, be sure to check out Groupon: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-100656272-15230314?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.groupon.com%2Flocal%2Fthings-to-do