Fort Myers Florida
Located in Lee County along Southwest Florida's Gulf coast, Fort Myers is known as the "City of Palms" for its palm-lined streets. In the late 1800s, Tootie McGregor and Thomas & Mina Edison began the beautification of Fort Myers. Imported Royal Palms were planted along Riverside Drive, later renamed McGregor Boulevard. These magnificent Royal Palms, some towering at 75 feet, give the City of Palms its nickname.
The major attractions are the homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The annual Edison Festival of Light Pageant celebrates the inventor's contributions to the city. For beach-goers, Fort Myers' beaches have a laid-back feel and act as a gateway to several islands, including Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
During the months of April, May and June the Fort Myers/Sanibel area annually experiences one of the world's largest tarpon migrations. Fishermen come from miles around to take part in the tarpon fishing tournaments. The best way to explore the many waterways of Southwest Florida? Rent a kayak or a canoe. You can plan your own route or take an excursion with a naturalist guide. There are hundreds of miles of back bays, aquatic preserves, estuaries, creeks and rivers to explore. This is a fantastic opportunity to see Florida’s natural vegetation and wildlife including mangrove forests, native palms, ferns, birds, otters, turtles, alligators and manatees. You can also learn about the history of the rivers and the natives, the Calusa, that lived here for thousands of years.
You can find information about Fort Myers Florida attractions at www.southwestfloridatravelguide.com. The site is also an excellent source of info about Fort Myers Florida accommodations.
