Fort Myers had humble beginnings as a small fishing village back in the 1880s when Thomas Edison planted the first royal palm on McGregor Boulevard. Today, there's an army of palms towering over the town — a protective canopy over Edison's winter haven. Gracious homes, ordained with flowers and landscaping, magnify the beauty that Fort Myers was blessed with naturally. Today's town is a historic, cultural and recreational hub for southwest Florida.
The sights and sounds of the town are deliciously entertaining, and there are no crowds or long lines. Cultural activities abound with music, theater and art while the history of past lives adds character and charm to the city that claimed the hearts of American greats such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
Sitting on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River which connects to the Gulf, Fort Myers excels in water sports of all kinds. Got fishing? Of course! Also have sailing, water-skiing and power boating. Land sports are plentiful as well. More than 100 golf courses are within a short ride of town. What better place to take to nature trails than here where the manatees play and dolphins dance on the surf. Canoeing, swimming and camping enhance the pleasures of perfect weather and soothing breezes that massage the inner spirit.
Fort Myers Beach is just minutes away. Soft white sands stretching for miles against the gentle Gulf tides, exotic wildlife sunbathing in the balmy breezes, and long walks along the quiet shore while pelicans cluster overhead are all part of the scene at Fort Myers Beach. The quiet beauty of the beach has a soothing effect on the soul — the wind whispers sweet nothings and the music of the tide softly rumbles in the background. After a day of seeing the sights, there's no better place to roam. Here, the sun sets in a fireworks applause to the day's happy ending.
Fort Myers is about 125 miles from Tampa on I-75 South.
