One of the most popular tourist attractions in Fort Myers, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates highlight the lives of two American intellectual behemoths that are Thomas Alva Edinson and Henry Ford. Spread across 20 acres (8 hectares) of pristine estates, this site was where legendary inventor Thomas Edison began spending his winters along the Caloosahatchee River from the comforts of his beloved Seminole Lodge in 1886. In 1916, Edison's dear friend Henry Ford built his Craftsman-style holiday home, known as 'The Mangoes' right next door. Edison's house is engulfed in a blanket of spectacular beauty thanks to the botanical garden designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman that houses Florida's largest banyan tree. The Rubber Laboratory is one of the sight's prime exhibits that showcase the facility exactly how it was left by Edison.
The Six Mile Cypress Slough is one of many preserved and pristine swamplands spread throughout southwest Florida. The highlight of the preserve is the 1.2-mile (1.9 kilometer) boardwalk, a wood-planked corridor that runs through the 2,200-acre (890 hectare) wetland, where guests can see alligators, wild boar, otters and much more. During the dry season (October to June), birds like herons and egrets flock to the flag ponds which make it a perfect place for birders. There are guided tours year-round, and self-guided tour brochures in the LEED-certified interpretive center.
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium aims to promote a better understanding of the natural history below as well as the cosmological one above. The 105-acre (42 hectares) site contains a museum, an aviary, winding nature trails, and a gift shop alongside meeting and picnic areas. The museum has information on the Calusa Indians, a tribe also known as the Shell Indians because of their subsistence on the gulf shores and estuaries. In addition to a glimpse back in time, the museum provides interactive animal exhibits like snake feedings and aviary tours.
All aboard the Salty Sam's Pirate Cruise for a fun-filled, 90-minute adventure around the Gulf of Mexico and Matanzas Bay. The actors on board perform interactively with guests (or first-mates) and there are snacks and drinks served on deck. It's a great time for all ages, as kids and adults alike can watch the pirates fire live cannons as well as play games, learn a little something and have a superb time as a pirate.
Also known as the Murphy-Burroughs House, cattle rancher John Murphy constructed this Georgian Revival Mansion in 1901, sixteen years after the establishment of Fort Myers. The property has amazing views of the Caloosahatchee River and its location in the River District is close to many downtown attractions. The nearly three-acre estate allows visitors to walk the grounds and see plenty of lush, green foliage as well as a grotto fed by an Artesian well. The Burroughs family purchased the estate in 1918 and retained many of the antique furnishings and historical details. One of the last family members bequeathed the home to the city of Fort Myers in 1978 and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Today it is run under the auspices of the Uncommon Friends Foundation and they provide guided tours twice a week.
The Florida Native Butterfly Society runs this conservatory as a home for many species from the Lepidopteran order. Hundreds of butterflies and moths are released each week and the site is a true testament to the diversity in Florida's butterfly population. The place which resembles a humid rainforest can host more than 1500 butterflies at any given time and visitors will be enchanted by the gardens in full bloom almost as much as the butterflies. Additionally, the on-site restaurant, Crêpes Café is a nice place for a bite, and if you wish to hold an event here, the space can be rented for parties, anniversaries, weddings, etc.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Fort Myers, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates highlight the lives of two American intellectual behemoths that are Thomas Alva Edinson and Henry Ford. Spread across 20 acres (8 hectares) of pristine estates, this site was where legendary inventor Thomas Edison began spending his winters along the Caloosahatchee River from the comforts of his beloved Seminole Lodge in 1886. In 1916, Edison's dear friend Henry Ford built his Craftsman-style holiday home, known as 'The Mangoes' right next door. Edison's house is engulfed in a blanket of spectacular beauty thanks to the botanical garden designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman that houses Florida's largest banyan tree. The Rubber Laboratory is one of the sight's prime exhibits that showcase the facility exactly how it was left by Edison.
The Six Mile Cypress Slough is one of many preserved and pristine swamplands spread throughout southwest Florida. The highlight of the preserve is the 1.2-mile (1.9 kilometer) boardwalk, a wood-planked corridor that runs through the 2,200-acre (890 hectare) wetland, where guests can see alligators, wild boar, otters and much more. During the dry season (October to June), birds like herons and egrets flock to the flag ponds which make it a perfect place for birders. There are guided tours year-round, and self-guided tour brochures in the LEED-certified interpretive center.
The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) is dedicated to environmental education, conservation, and stewardship. It encompasses several natural areas and preserves, including Cedar Point Environmental Park, Alligator Creek Preserve, and the Wildflower Preserve. At Cedar Point, you can explore the diverse ecosystems of southwest Florida, while Alligator Creek Preserve offers hiking trails that take you through freshwater marshes, oak hammocks, and wetlands, providing a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. In addition to its natural areas, CHEC offers a range of educational programs and workshops for both adults and children.
Harboring one of the last remaining swaths of bald cypress, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary evinces magnificent silhouettes of nature. Here, drapes of sun-bleached prairie are contrasted by the marshlands, while densely wooded pines give way to a stunning melange of cypress trees. The sanctuary is interspersed with crisscrossing, wooded trails, whereas a scenic boardwalk reveals a wealth of aged trees that reside in its depths. Upheld by the National Audubon Society, this sanctuary sprawls across 13,000 acres (5260.9133) and is the nesting home for wading birds. Known to have the largest population of endangered wood storks in the entire country, this swamp sanctuary also shelters an insightful, environmentally-conscious visitors center. Bearing a stunning amalgam of biodiversity and coastal conservation, this sanctuary duly represents the wild side of Florida.
Also known as the Murphy-Burroughs House, cattle rancher John Murphy constructed this Georgian Revival Mansion in 1901, sixteen years after the establishment of Fort Myers. The property has amazing views of the Caloosahatchee River and its location in the River District is close to many downtown attractions. The nearly three-acre estate allows visitors to walk the grounds and see plenty of lush, green foliage as well as a grotto fed by an Artesian well. The Burroughs family purchased the estate in 1918 and retained many of the antique furnishings and historical details. One of the last family members bequeathed the home to the city of Fort Myers in 1978 and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Today it is run under the auspices of the Uncommon Friends Foundation and they provide guided tours twice a week.