About
Found where the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico meet, the city of Fort Myers, with its city centre waterfront, new restaurants, shops and galleries, demands to be discovered.
Built in 1859, Fort Myers was a military stronghold designed to repel the region’s Seminole Indians. It was named in honour of Colonel Abraham C. Myers, son of the commander of the fort. Abandoned in 1863, it was not until 1882 the colonists developed the city and settled in Fort Myers.
The “City of Palms” is known for its golf and tennis clubs, deep-sea fishing, white sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, and its tourist attractions such as Edison & Ford Winter Estates.
The site offers guided tours that allow you to visit the winter homes of the inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and the workshops where they worked. Their homes are now a museum found on large grounds filled with a variety of trees and flowers. A fascinating tour uniting science and horticulture awaits you!
It is impossible to visit Fort Myers without visiting the incredible islands of Sanibel and Captiva! Rent a kayak and paddle through the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a nature preserve established in 1976.
Take a stroll among the mangroves – the gigantic trees that rise from the water on their roots! You can see more than 250 species of bird: the ornithologist in you will be fascinated by the pink spoonbills, red-shouldered hawks, storks, cranes, ibises and pelicans that fly throughout the reserve! You can also see all types of reptiles, amphibians, fish and cute, little crabs that sneak through the roots of trees. If you are lucky, you may see a manatee, the official marine mammal of Florida! The beaches of Sanibel are the preferred location to expand your collection of shells: you cannot take a step without finding a dozen shells! Fact sheets will help you identify shells, and you can also compare them to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.
Expect to be seduced by the region of Fort Myers: its white, sandy beaches and beautiful shells, turquoise waters, and variety of attractions and restaurants will not fail to excite you.
When to Go
Average Weather
Events We Love
Edison Festival of Light honors Thomas Alva Edison’s works and values. Come experience tradition & excitement which has become the premier winter event to celebrate Edison's life.
Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair promotes the agricultural, horticultural, creative arts, sciences, and educational opportunities while providing quality entertainment for the visitors and citizens of the area.
Getting Around
Transportation Ratings
A perfect way to get around Fort Myers is by car. With the closest beach about 20 miles south of downtown, a car will make your stay that much more enjoyable.
The city is bordered by the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico. With 20 public access marinas you will want to tour around by boat. Bring your own boat, or rent one for a day.
Activities We Love
Fort Myers Essentials
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