Accommodations

Fort Myers offers a relaxing, historical getaway with a variety of condos, vacation homes, hotels, and resorts. Choose an accommodation near any of Fort Myers's local attractions that offers comfort while making the most of the beautiful beaches at affordably priced rates.

View our Fort Myers Vacation Rentals or Fort Myers Resorts

Activities

Visit the nation's 9th most visited historic home, the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. There are guided tour of the homes, museum, laboratory and gardens. The Fort Myers Historical Museum in the former Atlantic Coastline Railroad depot contains information on early settlers of Southwest Florida including the Calusa, Paleo and Seminole Indians and an extensive artifacts collection. The Imaginarium Hands-On Museum is an ideal location to take the kids, with exhibits that allow children to learn about the environment, weather, and physics, plus attractions that include animals, aquariums displaying marine life, a touch pool, hurricane simulator, puppet theatre and interactive areas for preschoolers. Fort Myers is also the Spring Training home of the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins, as well as Florida State League baseball.

Events

In the American Sand Sculpting Championship Festival, both professional and amateur sand sculptors compete. The contest is typically held in early November on the soft sands of Fort Myers Beach. The Edison Festival of lights takes place in late January, featuring the popular Grand Parade, the 50th Science and Inventors Fair, headline concerts, artisans, car shows, the Junior Parade and Coronation, and fireworks. The Shrimp Festival in March draws thousands to the Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet, and the North Fort Myers Cracker Festival is in February.

Water Sports

The Gulf Coast beaches of Fort Myers and Cape Coral are perfect for swimming, surfing, or catching up on your tan. You can also find powerboat and sailboat rentals, as well as jetski rentals. The warm Gulf of Mexico waters are inviting for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Golfing

Fort Myers has two municipal courses, one that offers a beautiful, tranquil setting and the other a Donald Ross traditional design that challenges the games best golfers. With over 50 golf courses in the Fort Myers area, the region has earned a reputation of having some of the most sought after golf courses in the world.

History

Fort Myers was named in honor of Colonel Abraham C. Myers during the Seminole Indian War, one of the first forts built when Florida became a US Territory in 1821, and the ensuing wave of settlers asked for protection from the native Seminoles. Although the fort was abandoned in 1858, during the Civil War it was reoccupied by Federal troops from 1863-1865. This was the site of the southernmost battle of the Civil War, a skirmish between Northern and Southern troops on Feb. 20, 1865 which is reenacted annually at the North Fort Myers Cracker Festival.