Attractions
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Famous inventor, Thomas Edison, and his friend, automobile magnate Henry Ford, both spent dozens of winters in the city of Fort Myers in the early years of the 20th century. Edison's home is the region's top historic attraction, and has been preserved as it was during his lifetime. The Victorian house called Seminole Lodge still boasts working light bulbs, which he invented. They burn in the laboratory where he worked on more than 1,000 inventions during his winter visits. The house next door, Mangoes, was built by Ford in 1916. Visitors are given guided tours of both houses by costumed guides giving 'living history' accounts. Scenic river rides on board a replica of Edison's electric boat are also offered.
Address: 2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers;
Telephone: (239) 334 7419;
E-mail:estatesinfo@cityftmyers.com;
Website:www.edison-ford-estate.com;
Opening time: Daily 9am to 5.30pm;
Admission: Homes and Gardens tour: $20 (adults), $11 (children 6-12); other options and concessions available
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Koreshan State Historic Site
In the dying years of the 19th century a former Civil War surgeon, Dr Cyrus Teed, founded a pioneer settlement on the banks of the Estero River south of Fort Myers where he led the community to practice a religion he termed Koreshanity. Chief among his beliefs was the equality of men and women and that the universe was a hollow sphere containing everything within it. Planning to build a utopian city, the community generated their own electricity, built boats, established a general store and constructed numerous buildings, of which 11 remain today to be explored by visitors. The last four members of the sect donated the land to the State of Florida in 1961 and it is now preserved as a park with a nature trail, picnic tables and campsite. Guided tours of the Koreshan buildings are offered.
Address: Intersection of U.S. 41 and Corkscrew Road, Estero;
Telephone: (239) 992 0311;
Website:www.floridastateparks.org/koreshan;
Opening time: Daily 8am until sundown;
Admission: $4 per vehicle holding up to 8 passengers; $3 for single occupant
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Lee County Manatee Park
Address: 10901 State Road 80;
Telephone: (239) 690 5030;
E-mail:Bclemons@leegov.com;
Website:www.leeparks.org;
Opening time: Daily 8am to sunset;
Admission: Parking: $5 per day; kayak rentals $10 per hour
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South West Florida Museum of History
The Museum of History in Fort Myers is housed in the former Atlantic Coastline Railroad depot and chronicles the history of Southwest Florida, from the Paleo Indians through the Calusa, the Seminoles and the Spanish explorers to the early settlers. A pioneer cracker house, a 1926 fire pump and a 1929 Pullman private railroad car are among the exhibits. Pride of place is held by the 'Land of Giants' section depicting the huge animals like mammoths, mastodons and the Bison Antiqus that roamed the area about 12,000 years ago.
Address: 2300 Peck Street;
Telephone: (239) 332 5955;
E-mail:museuminfo@cityftmyers.com;
Website:www.cityftmyers.com/attractions/historical.htm;
Opening time: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 12pm to 4pm;
Admission: $9.50 (adults), $8.50 (children), $4 (children under 12)
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The Shell Factory and Nature Park
The beaches along this area of the Florida coast are world-renowned for their seashells and the largest collection of shells, fossils, corals and sponges in the world is the focus of a unique family oriented attraction north of Fort Myers. The Shell Factory not only exhibits a fascinating collection, but the 18-acre complex includes shops selling a range of jewellery, ornaments, lamps, objets d'art and glassware. It is even possible to pick your own pearl and have it mounted in gold. The complex includes a petting zoo, wildlife refuge, eco laboratory, a restaurant, game arcade, miniature golf course and boating lake.
Address: 2787 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers;
Telephone: (239) 995 2141;
E-mail:questions@shellfactory.com;
Website:www.shellfactory.com;
Opening time: Shell factory: daily 9am to 9pm. Nature Park: daily 10am to 7pm;
Admission: Shell Factory: free. Nature Park: $8 (adults), $4 (children 4-12)
