Fort Myers, in the sunny state of Florida, has recently become one of the region's most up-and-coming cities and is straddled by the Caloosahatchee River. Once home to both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, Fort Myers contains a number of magnificent sandy beach strips and lies next to the Gulf of Mexico.The city of Fort Myers is full of character, and although relatively small in American terms, contains a wealth of sights, parklands, museums and estates. The nearby islands of Captiva and Sanibel are a particularly popular tourist attraction, linked to the city by a 2-mile / 3-km causeway.
Hotels in Fort Myers are widespread and generally suit all budgets, being located in and around the downtown district, the Bonita Springs area and throughout the Beach neighborhood. Accommodation in Fort Myers also includes scores of well-placed motels within easy reach of the beaches, and further hotels based around the nearby Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), which is situated within the South Fort Myers region of the Lee County. More information about Fort Myers Hotels.
Tourist information is readily available at the tourism bureau on West 1st Street, and also at the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce on Edwards Drive, which stands right next to the waterfront and the yacht basin, and just a stroll from the Harborside Event Center. Expect to find plenty of useful leaflets, maps and transport timetables.
Fort Myers has many world-class tourist attractions, including the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium - promoting knowledge about native animal species in Florida; the Edison Ford Complex - the city's premier tourist attraction, with guided tours and a host of information about Henry Ford and Thomas Edison; the Imaginarium - nature based, featuring more than 60 fun-filled, hands-on exhibits; Manatee World - an area of the Orange River where literally hundreds of manatees collect in the winter months; the Shell Factory - featuring over five million sea shells from all over the world; and the Bowditch Point Recreational Park - full of flora and fauna, with three distinct habitats, estuarine, beach and upland.Other popular tourist and visitor attractions in Fort Myers include the Thomas Edison Bridge - a famous landmark, built across the Caloosahatchee River; the Burroughs Family Home - dating back to 1901 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the Old Lee County Courthouse - one of Florida's oldest landmarks, remaining an important center for local judicial functions; the Mound House - the oldest surviving residence in the area; Centennial Park - situated in downtown Fort Myers, combining natural beauty with many visitor amenities; and the Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve - a vast beauty spot packed with natural appeal. More information about Fort Myers Tourist Attractions and Fort Myers Landmarks.
The city also features a number of very decent museums and these include the Fort Myers Historical Museum - focusing on preserving the heritage of southwest Florida; the Randell Research Center - a history based museum, containing information about the world of Florida's Calusa (a Native American group); the Museum of Medical History - full of information about all aspects of medical history over the years; the Edison Community College Gallery of Fine Art- at the campus of the Edison Community College; and the Fort Myers Beach Art Association - educating visitors in the cultural aspects of the vibrant beach district. More information about Fort Myers Museums and Fort Myers Art Galleries.Tourist attractions located close to Fort Myers include the Babcock Wilderness Adventures - with popular 90-minute tours that transport visitors into the heart of pure nature; the Bonita Beach Park - located between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs, with picnic shelters and a boardwalk; Cayo Costa State Park - standing on an island close to Charlotte Harbor; the Eden Vineyards and Winery - the oldest center of its kind in Florida; and the Sun Splash Family Water Park - the perfect family attraction, with a range of water slides and play areas. More information about Attractions Nearby Fort Myers.
More Fort Myers Information / Fast Facts and Orientation
- Country: United States of America (USA)
- Location: Lee County, Florida (FL)
- Status: city, county seat
- Area: approximately 32 square miles / 83 square kilometers
- Population: approximately 49,000
- Language: American English
- Currency: US Dollar (USD)
- Time zone: GMT - 5 hours Eastern Standard Time (daylight saving time is observed)
- Country dialing code: +1
- Telephone area code: 239 or 941
- Religion: various religions
- Average daily January temperature: 23°C / 73°F
- Average daily July temperature: 33°C / 91°F
