Fort Myers, FL Road Trips

According to a handbook authored by Francis Asbury Hendry who lived from 1833–1917, Fort Myers first appears in about 1841 when it was first manned as Fort Harvey. The military fort was abandoned in 1842 then re-established in 1850 and named in honor of a U.S. Army officer named Abraham C. Myers, a Colonel. The fort was a center for command and control operations during war against the native Indian tribes that lived in Florida until they were defeated and relocated out of the state to regions of western United States. However, some of the Seminole Indian tribe never surrendered and remained in the Florida wilderness. Colonel Myers reportedly resigned his commission and joined the Confederate army when the Civil War started. Under Confederate control, African slaves were transported to the area from Virginia to support cultivation of crops. During the Civil War, the fort changed hands between forces of the North and South once or twice more. An African-American Infantry of Union soldiers was stationed in Fort Myers during the period of 1863 to 1864. Under the authority of Monroe County, the first school for African-Americans in the area was formed near Fort Myers on the property an emancipated slave by the name of Nelson Tillis in 1885. Although Thomas Edison operated telegraph services for the northern side of the Civil War, in 1886, Edison purchased a winter home in Fort Myers after marrying his second wife earlier that year (National Park Service, 2012).

1 Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, ☏ +1 239-334-7419. Every day 9AM-5:30PM (during Dec until 9PM). Guided tours through 15,000 ft² (1,400 m2) museum with hundreds of Edison and Ford inventions and objects, video theatres, and changing special exhibits. Beautiful and interesting plantings on the grounds. $25 for adults, $20 for teens 13–19, $15 for children 6–12, free for children 5 and under. 2 Sanibel Lighthouse. 3 Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave (at Colonial Blvd), ☏ +1 239-275-3435. (updated Jun 2020) 4 Koreshan State Historic Site, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero, ☏ +1 239-992-0311. 8AM to sunset. Cyrus Teed, creator of the religion of 'Koreshanity' founded his 'New Jerusalem' community here. Various structures, many over a century old, are still preserved. (updated Feb 2015) 5 Mound Key Archaeological State Park (the park is accessible only by boat and is managed by Koreshan State Historic Site, Estero), ☏ +1 239-992-0311. 8AM to sunset. The key was the capital of the Calusa realm across Southern Florida in the 16th century when Spanish colonization of Florida began. Spain's attempt at colonizing Mound Key in the mid-16th century was unsuccessful and ultimately abandoned in favor of St. Augustine, but the key can still be visited today, where the pile of discarded shells and archaeological digs mark the site of pre-Columbian civilization. 6 Minnesota Twins Spring Training, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway (Hammond Stadium), ☏ +1 612-338-9467.

Paint a coconut at one of the many art galleries on colourful pine island Head to Matanzas Pass Preserve on the 7 mi (11 km) long island of Estero and into the 60 acres (24 hectares) mangrove where crabs, lizards and birds live in abundance. Visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estates featuring 20 acres (8.1 hectares) of tropical gardens and the largest banyan tree in the US. Make the most of Fort Myers' Music Walk every third Friday of the month and hear the streets filled with live music. 1 Sky Zone Fort Myers. 2 Good Time Charters and Tours, 4765 Estero Blvd Ft Myers Beach (behind the Publix by the Bayfront Bistro), ☏ +1 239-218-8014, [email protected]. A dolphin cruise with them is excellent. They have biologists on board and are laid back and fun. Free parking on site. (updated Feb 2018) 3 Paradise Charters LLC, 4765 Estero Blvd Fort Myers Beach (behind Publix by the Bayfront Bistro), ☏ +1 239-247-8288, [email protected]. Friendly fishing charters. (updated Feb 2018) 4 Lagerhead Cycleboats, 2500 Main Street, ☏ +1 239-312-3137, [email protected]. (updated Jul 2018) 5 Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Managed by Koreshan State Historic Site at 3800 Corkscrew Road in Estero, ☏ +1 239-992-0311. 8AM to sunset. 6 Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, ☏ +1 239-463-4588. 8AM to sunset. 7 Tribby Arts Center, 17291 On Par Blvd, ☏ +1 239-415 5667, [email protected].

1 Plakka Greek Restaurant. (updated May 2023) 2 Iguana Mia Mexican Restaurant. 3 Siam Hut, 4521 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, ☏ +1 239-945-4247. M-F 3PM-9PM, Sa 5PM-9PM. Thai. (updated May 2023) 4 Ford's Garage, 2207 First St. 11AM - 11PM. (updated Feb 2018) 5 Cabos Cantina, 2226 First Street, ☏ +1 239-332 2226, [email protected]. Su-Th 11AM–10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Tex-mex restaurant serving generous portions of burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and the like, as well as margaritas. Vegetarian options available. $20. (updated Apr 2023)

The Cigar Bar (Two locations). (updated May 2023) 1 , 1508 Hendry St., ☏ +1 239-337-4662. (updated May 2023) 2 , 10045 Gulf Center Dr, ☏ +1 239-267-6020. (updated May 2023) Blu Sushi (Two locations). (updated May 2023) 3 , 13451 McGregor Blvd, ☏ +1 239-489-1500. (updated May 2023) 4 , 2262 First St, ☏ +1 239-362-2843. (updated May 2023) 5 Junkanoo Below Deck, 4761 Estero Blvd. Nice beachclub with full bar.

1 Best Western Waterfront, 13021 N. Cleveland Avenue, ☏ +1 239-997-5511, toll-free: +1-800-274-5511. Right on the river. Private pier, high-speed internet and heated outdoor pool. 2 Cypress Trail RV Resort, 5468 Tice St, ☏ +1 239-333-3246. Luxury RV resort with aquatic center and recreation that includes two private lakes and paddleboats. (updated Oct 2018) 3 DiamondHead Beach Resort, 2000 Estero Boulevard, toll-free: +1-888-627-1595. Fort Myers Beach. All suite luxury resort with conference facilities. Right on the beach. 4 GullWing Beach Resort, 6620 Estero Boulevard, ☏ +1 239-765-4300, toll-free: +1-888-627-1595. Suites and condos on Fort Myers beach as well as meeting and banquet space. 5 Howard Johnson Inn, 4811 S Cleveland Avenue. Old motel located in the center. 6 Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Road (Bonita Springs), ☏ +1 239-444-1234, fax: +1 239-390-4344. 7 Lover's Key Resort, 8771 Estero Boulevard, ☏ +1 239-765-1040, toll-free: +1-877-798-4879. All-suite resort adjacent to the Lover's Key State Park with views of Estero Bay, lagoon-style pool, and on-site dining (updated Feb 2016) 8 Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa, 275 Estero Boulevard (on Estero Island). 9 Pointe Estero Beach Resort, 6640 Estero Boulevard, toll-free: +1-888-627-1595. A beachfront suite hotel located on the peaceful southern end of Estero Island. 10 Santa Maria Harbour Resort, 7317 Estero Boulevard, toll-free: +1-888-627-1595. A resort on Estero Bay, a fishing harbour on Estero Island.

1 Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW IATA), 11000 Terminal Access Rd (16 mi (26 km) south of downtown via Exit 128 from I-75 on Terminal Access Rd), ☏ +1 239 590-4800. . Non-stop service is available from most major U.S. cities, intrastate flights from other parts of the state (Southwest Airlines from Orlando), and a few international flights from Canada (Air Canada and Westjet) with the following: Concourse B: Air Canada, Alaska, Avelo, Discover, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country Concourse C: Delta/Delta Connection, United, WestJet Concourse D: American, JetBlue, Spirit, Breeze Airways Onsite car rental is located in a separate 2 Car Rental Building across the street from the baggage reclaim doors (lower level). It is accessible by crossing the street from outside Doors 3 (Delta Airlines) or 4 at lower level. Bus stop for LeeTran Rt#50 (Airport to Sanibel Outlets) is located outside Door #2 (WestJet), on the island, across the road. Click here or inquire with the 'Transportation Information' booth outside of Door #3 at arrival for additional info regarding other shuttle/taxi (ground transport) services, hotel shuttles, off site rental car companies, and their pick up locations. Miami International Airport (MIA IATA) and Ft Lauderdale (FLL IATA) are the next nearest airports for a wider range of domestic and international flights. From Miami International Airport, Greyhound offer direct bus service to downtown Ft Myers (5 hr) (see below under 'By bus') or rent a car and drive over along I-75 or US Hwy 41.

The tropical climate is perfect for bicycling, and Fort Myers is a very bicycle friendly city. But watch out for those occasional pop up showers, especially during the wet season. When cycling, be sure to bring plenty of water, wear light weight, light colored clothing, and wear sunscreen. Lee trans is the local bus service and has numerous bus lines criss-crossing the city. The Midpoint and Cape Coral Pwky/Colonial Bridge is $2 going from Fort Myers to Cape Coral only. Other direction is non toll. The bridge is generally unavoidable unless you go through downtown Fort Myers and US41 around. The Sanibel Causeway to Sanibel Island collapsed during the hurricane in 2022.

While Fort Myers is mostly safe, there are a few scattered neighborhoods, especially east and southeast of downtown, where it is wise to use a bit of caution, especially at night. The most reliable method of identifying what portions of the area are least safe is to consult the Lee County Sheriff Department. They provide Web services that graphically depict all of the high crime areas. Visitors will find that opinions not supported by statistics from the Lee County Chamber of Commerce or, Lee County Sheriff Department may not be based in fact. The Lee County Sheriff Department web-site address is: http://www.sheriffleefl.org.