Fort Myers - Florida With a Difference
Fort Myers in south-west Florida is well worth a visit: discover the unexpected jewel of Florida and experience pure American history, art and nature!
Collecting shells on the most beautiful beaches of Fort Myers
In Fort Myers you will find unspoilt beaches and islands! Picturesque coasts with fine sand and turquoise water can be found on the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. On the offshore islands, you can relax on the beach in peace and quiet or seek adventure on the water. In addition, thanks to the gentle surf of Sanibel Island and a shallow underwater shelf, shells wash up on the Gulf of Mexico completely untouched. A sunrise stroll along the coast is well worth it, as this is when you can discover unique specimens. Plan your shell collecting adventure in Fort Myers and be enchanted by the beauty and diversity of the coastline.
Home of Friends: Edison & Ford Winter Estates
Henry Ford is one of the pioneers of industrial car manufacturing. Less well known is his friendship with Thomas Alva Edison, who not only invented the light bulb, but also ensured that New York was the first city to be connected to an electrical grid in 1882. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of probably the most influential inventors of the 19th and 20th centuries. After a tour of discovery through the private houses with their adjoining laboratories, the associated park invites you to take a stroll. The park is home to over 1700 plant species, some of which Edison used in his rubber research. The highlight of the garden: a banyan tree planted in 1925 that is around 120 metres tall.
Creative Meeting Place With Karaoke: The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Centre
Hurricane Ian, which passed over Florida in the last week of September 2022, also hit the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hard. This cultural institution in Fort Myers had to close for a good six months for restoration work. Director Jim Griffith wanted to spare no effort to ensure that the SBDAC could be resurrected as a centre for all forms of art: "Whatever it takes" was his motto. Sidney's is an extremely versatile centre for the local art scene. It has numerous courses, DJs are regular guests, bands and orchestras of all kinds perform, from bluegrass music to jazz and chamber music, and regular karaoke events attract people to the roof terrace. Artists exhibit their work solo or meet up to experiment together. The "Wine & Paint" event attracts connoisseurs.
History Up Close: Moundhouse Museum
Those who visit the Moundhouse Museum takes you on a long journey into the past of Fort Myers Beach. The museum tells the story of the life of the Calusa, who settled Fort Myers in 500 AD. Fort Myers and were one of the largest indigenous tribes in Florida. Here you can marvel at archaeological finds such as ceramics and pottery or tools and weapons that were excavated in the region. It is even possible to actively relive the experience: a Calusa-style kayak tour, available in various levels of difficulty, shows how the river courses and neighbouring forests were discovered and explored.
It’s Showtime: Florida Repertory Theatre
Are you in the mood for drama or comedy on holiday? The Fort Myers Repertory Theatre has new productions and shows on the programme almost every week. From modern American classics such as David Mamet's "Oleanna" to musicals like "Ring of Fire - The Music of Johnny Cash" and stand-up comedy shows, there is plenty on offer here. The theatre itself is a show in itself: old-fashioned, velvet-covered seats, a rich red carpet throughout the building - a visual treat not just for nostalgia fans.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
Some days it just has to be nature! Then why not spend the day seeing otters, turtles, alligators and many other species in the wild? The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in the south of the city is one of the most popular destinations for nature lovers due to its biodiversity. On site, you can choose a 3.2 kilometre boardwalk through the marshland and go in search of the animals. Even more daring explorers can explore the area on a "wet walk", where you walk waist-deep through the water and immerse yourself in the animals' habitat.
Visiting Stars: Baseball at JetBlue Park
In the USA, some European pastimes, such as football or handball, are more for minorities. Here - alongside football, basketball and ice hockey - baseball is still the sport that excites the public. When you visit JetBlue Park, you can feel the concentration, the tension - and you can study the action up close. But the stadium is also attractive without an audience: on a guided tour you can learn a lot about the structure of the game, the rules and the history of baseball. Every spring, the MLB professionals of the Boston Red Sox come to Fort Myers to train for the coming season and play test games. The stadium was built precisely for this purpose in 2012 and is identical, if a little smaller, to their home stadium Fenway Park in the state of Massachusetts.
Fort Myers Brewing Company
Hops and malt are not yet lost here! Instead, Fort Myers is home to what is probably the tastiest craft beer in Florida. The award-winning Fort Myers microbrewery was founded in 2013 and has enjoyed great popularity ever since. In 2022, the craft beer won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup and the Best Florida Beer Competition. But the brewery can do much more: the cosy seating areas on the veranda invite you to chill out and enjoy a leisurely tasting, while the club sandwiches and other snacks in the restaurant make the beer taste even better - everything is ready for a classic feel-good visit.
What the Heart Desires: Edison Mall
Officially, shopping is probably not considered a holiday activity. But strolling and browsing (plus perhaps a bargain or two) must be allowed. Especially if it's a trip to the Edison Mall. The setting, starting with the large arcade and countless palm trees, is definitely worthy of a film. The more than 130 shops spoil the eye, but are of course pure temptation. Classic US labels such as Macy's, Dillard's and JCPenney are represented, as well as Vans, Pandora and Victoria's Secret. Those who have more than just had their fill, are slightly exhausted or long for a cultural contrast also have a choice here: the mall offers a massage parlour and a small military museum.
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Photo Credits
- Header - Photo by Scoular Image Inc.
- Paragraph 2 - Photos from The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
- Paragraph 3 - Photos from The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
- Paragraph 4 - Photo from The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
- Paragraph 4 - Photo by Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg 4+ on Alamy
- Paragraph 5 - Photos by Bryelle Dafeldecker from Florida Repertory Theatre
- Paragraph 5 - Photos by Nick Adams from Florida Repertory Theatre
- Paragraph 6 - Photo by Jason Boeckman from Visit Fort Myers
- Paragraph 6 - Photo by James Schwabel on Alamy
- Paragraph 7 - Photo by Maddie Malhotra on Getty
- Paragraph 7 - Photo by Billie Weiss on Getty
- Paragraph 8 - Photos by The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
- Paragraph 9 - Photo by Monkey Business Images on Shutterstock