How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Fort Myers, Florida

The ‘City of Palms’, in Florida’s Southwest corner, is generally overshadowed by such major tourist spots as Miami, Orlando and the Florida Keys. Fort Myers does make for a great weekend, however, with its charm, history and—of course—superb beaches.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Set aside a few hours for the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates, the neighboring former winter homes of these two great Americans—who also happened to be good friends and associates. Highlights include the two mansions themselves (Edison’s ‘Seminole Lodge’ and Ford’s ‘The Mangoes’) and a colorful botanical garden, and the estate area is open every day.

2. Catch some pre-season baseball if you happen to visit in the early spring (the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins have conducted spring training here for decades). Summertime fans can watch the Fort Myers Miracles, a minor-league affiliate of the Twins, at Hammond Stadium.

3. Have a shell of a time at the Shell Factory and Nature Park in North Fort Myers. This attraction will appeal mostly to souvenir shoppers and children, with a funky shop loaded with all manner of seashells, a nature park with petting zoo, and a ‘fun park’ with bumper boats and mini-golf. A lounge and restaurant are also on site.

4. When heading for the area’s lovely beaches, keep Lovers Key State Recreation Area and Lynn Hall Memorial Park in mind. Lovers Key is secluded, natural and a bit of an escape; Lynn Hall is more active and amenity-filled, with a pier, restrooms and bathhouses.

5. Shop around at one of the many malls in the area. The most charming is likely Bell Tower Shops, an upscale outdoor complex hosting both local boutiques and national names like Bed, Bath and Beyond—as well as a movie theater and restaurants; another possibility is Edison Mall, a massive enclosed complex that is a nice way to beat the heat or take shelter from an occasional rainstorm.

6. Enjoy some Golf of Florida by the Gulf of Mexico. There are more than fifty courses in the area, with two of the best public-access links being the Gateway Golf and Country Club and the Eastwood Golf Club.

7. Savor the area’s past by visiting the Southwest Florida Museum of History on Peck Street. Situated in an old railroad depot, the museum sheds some light on Seminole Indians, Spanish explorers and the boating and fishing heritage of the region.

Tips & Warnings

• Make reservations in advance when making a winter visit to ensure your first choice of accommodations.
• As Southern Florida is no stranger to tropical storms, review the weather forecasts before planning and making your visit.

[MidniteWriter]

on 9/13/2009 I love that, "have a shell of a time!" 5* Thanks for the tips. I am going here this wk, as you know!