Fort Myers, a coastal city in Florida along the Gulf of Mexico, offers a wide range of attractions. From its beautiful white sand beaches to its abundance of entertainment options and interesting wildlife spots, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this city.
The trendy Downtown River District is a unique area where the old and urban blend seamlessly, while the nearby islands provide another enticing reason for tourists to visit throughout the year, thanks to Florida’s generally pleasant weather.
Fort Myers offers various activities, such as relaxing on Estero Island’s beach or going snorkeling to observe the fascinating local wildlife near Captiva Island’s shoreline. Notably, the city has even attracted renowned inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in the past, who made Fort Myers their home. Visitors can explore their laboratories and channel their creativity to invent something extraordinary.
14. Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach is a charming town located at the northern end of Estero Island. This place is loved by many tourists because of its picturesque beach and exciting entertainment options, such as live music at Times Square.
It’s the perfect destination to visit for a fun day trip from Fort Myers, where you can relax and soak up the sun on the sandy beach, go for a swim, or engage in thrilling water sports activities. If you’re interested in kayaking or parasailing, you’ll find numerous rental options conveniently near the town’s beachfront.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a unique experience, you can book a dolphin tour or embark on an adventurous fishing charter.
13. Manatee Park
Manatee Park in Florida is known for being the habitat of the famous manatee, a type of wildlife. These animals are friendly in nature and have unique physical appearances, which is why they are sometimes called sea cows. They are often spotted eating seagrasses.
The best time to see a manatee is during the months of December, January, or February when the Gulf of Mexico becomes colder, and the manatees search for warmer water.
Located less than a 20-minute drive from Fort Myers, Manatee Park offers the opportunity to explore its waters by renting a kayak, as there is a kayak launch and rental shop available in the park.
12. Lovers Key State Park
This park is very big and has a variety of landscapes. It has canals, four barrier islands, beaches, and tidal lagoons. It is called Lovers Key because of the main barrier island in the park with the same name and because it is a popular place for romance.
There is a lot of native wildlife to see, such as small coastal birds, bald eagles, manatees, and dolphins. In the past, you could only reach the park by boat until 1965, now you can drive there from Fort Myers.
When you arrive, you should start at the Lovers Key Welcome & Discovery Center, where you can learn about the island and buy things at the gift shop. Before you leave, make sure to visit the two-mile-long Lovers Key beach, which was ranked one of the top ten beaches in Florida by the Travel Channel.
11. Lakes Park
Looking for some outdoor fun with your friends and family? Lakes Park has everything you need! There are lots of activities for kids, including playgrounds, a rock climbing wall, splash park, and attractions with train themes.
The little ones will especially enjoy Train Village and the Miniature Railroad, which takes them on a 1.5 mile ride by the lake. You can also pack a picnic and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the sun. If you’re feeling more active, take a walk around the gardens or rent a bike or paddle boat for an adventure in Lakes Park.
Another great reason to visit is the chance to see rare birds such as the Scarlet Ibis and Black-crowned Night Heron during nesting season. And if you’re around in May, make sure not to miss the annual lakeside Country Bash, a small festival featuring the best country artists from the region.
10. JetBlue Park
The JetBlue Park, located near Fenway Park, serves as the spring training facility for the Boston Red Sox. It was built in 2012 as an expansion to the Fenway South training complex.
With a seating capacity of 11,000, it offers modern amenities and features, including the Green Monster seating area and a manual scoreboard, which were inspired by Fenway Park. The park also boasts six different practice fields. Conveniently situated just a 20-minute drive from downtown Fort Myers, it is easily accessible.
Make sure to check the schedule for upcoming games and purchase your tickets in advance to enjoy an exciting experience at the ballpark.
9. Hammond Stadium
The Fort Myers Miracle, a great minor league baseball team, plays at a large outdoor stadium in Fort Myers. The stadium was constructed in 1991 and can accommodate nearly 10,000 spectators. It’s a must-do activity when visiting any city in the US to attend a game.
The energetic atmosphere, with enthusiastic cheering, refreshing cold beers, and the lively ambiance, is sure to uplift your mood. Don’t forget to check the schedule for the next game and ensure you don’t miss it.
Additionally, the stadium offers a wide variety of food and drinks, and there’s also a gift shop stocked with numerous souvenirs for fans to choose from.
8. Bowditch Point Park
Bowditch Point Park is a beautiful park situated on the northern tip of Estero Island. It offers stunning white sand beaches where you can relax and enjoy the sun, so remember to bring your sunscreen and a good book. The presence of palm trees adds to the tropical atmosphere of the park.
If you’re feeling more active, you can explore the park’s easy hiking trails. It’s a perfect place to bring your friends or family and have a delightful picnic using the available picnic and grill area. Additionally, the park is renowned for its great birdwatching opportunities.
To reach the park, you can drive from downtown Fort Myers, and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes. As you drive, you’ll pass through San Carlos Island and San Carlos Boulevard before crossing the bridge onto Estero Island. Overall, it’s a fantastic location to experience the stunning coastline of the Gulf of Mexico near Fort Myers.
7. Captiva Island
Captiva Island is a wonderful option for a day trip from Fort Myers. You can explore this small island in various ways, such as biking or hiking along its trails or sailing around it in a boat. Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife, as the island is particularly famous for bird watching and the presence of giant frogs.
Additionally, don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel and admire the small starfish in the water. Take your time and enjoy the relaxed island life by spending time on a beautiful white sandy beach and witnessing the stunning sunset at Turner Beach. For those seeking a more thrilling experience, consider going on a dolphin cruise.
6. Fort Myers River District
The Fort Myers River District is a lively area filled with art, music, and great dining options. You can start your day by relaxing at a charming cafe, sipping on a delicious hot coffee while enjoying a good book. Afterwards, you can explore a variety of unique and exclusive shops in Fort Myers.
To learn about the city’s history, you can visit the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, where you can roam through beautiful botanical gardens. Another interesting place to visit is the Burroughs Home and Gardens, a grand Georgian mansion where you can envision living a luxurious life.
Later on, you can satisfy your appetite with a mouthwatering BBQ or burger and wrap up the evening with a refreshing beer at a local bar. The River District truly brings together the best of what Fort Myers has to offer in one place.
5. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
The preserve has a wet and boggy landscape that is attractive to alligators, turtles, otters, and various birds. Many people come here to find peace and quiet, but mostly to see the wildlife. You can take a leisurely walk on the boardwalk around the wetland and observe the unique wildlife from a safe distance (it’s best to keep your distance from alligators!).
This place allows you to escape the noise and chaos of Fort Myers and leave feeling refreshed. Before starting your walk, you can visit the visitors center. This little slice of nature and wildlife sanctuary is less than a thirty-minute drive from the city – what’s not to love?.
4. Times Square
Although not as famous as New York’s Times Square, Florida’s Times Square is still delightful. It is located in Fort Myers Beach, at the northern end of Estero Island. The square is surrounded by various shops and fantastic dining options, and it is conveniently close to a sandy beach.
Once you have spent your day shopping, lounging on the beach, and indulging in delicious food, don’t miss the opportunity to watch a beautiful sunset from the square’s pier while enjoying live music. Times Square has a reputation for showcasing talented musicians.
It is one of the most popular destinations on Estero Island and is just a short drive, less than thirty minutes, from downtown Fort Myers. If you are looking for a combination of entertainment, relaxation, and perhaps a couple of cold beers, this is the perfect place to visit.
3. Butterfly Estates
The Butterfly Estates in Downtown Fort Myer River District is known for its main attraction, the Florida Native Butterfly Society’s conservatory. Inside the small glasshouse, you can find a wide variety of native butterflies from Florida and other places.
You can get a close look at the caterpillars and witness their amazing transformation into beautiful butterflies inside their cocoons. If you visit in the morning, you may even get to see the butterflies being released into the wild.
After exploring the butterfly house, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant and, if you like, purchase souvenirs from the gift shop and bookstore.
2. Bunche Beach Preserve
Locals are familiar with this part of San Carlos Bay, but it is not well-known to tourists. The Bunche Beach Preserve has a diverse landscape with sandy beaches, salt flats, and mangrove forests. During winter, the park attracts pelicans, which are a famous and interesting sight.
Birdwatching is particularly enjoyable here, and the pelicans receive a lot of attention. The park also offers kayaking trails that take you through beautiful mangrove creeks, including the popular Rock Creek path that you shouldn’t miss when you’re in Fort Myers.
It only takes about 20 minutes to drive here from downtown Fort Myers, and you can easily include a visit to San Carlos Island or stop by on your way to Estero Island.
1. Edison and Ford Winter Estates
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates have been open to the public for a long time, since 1947. It is a place where everyone can find something interesting to see and do. If you’re interested in architecture, you can visit the house where Thomas Edison, the famous inventor, spent his winters with his family.
Many of the things inside the house, like the furniture, are the same ones that the Edisons used. Right next to the Edison’s house is the Ford’s property, which you can also explore. If you prefer being outdoors, you can walk around the beautiful botanic gardens and take a look at the Edison Botanical Research Laboratory that was built in 1928.
For people who love science, there are scientific labs where both Edison and Ford worked on their inventions. You can also visit a museum that has old Ford cars and other objects that helped Edison create electric lighting.
