|
Fort Myers is the first stop for those arriving by air for it is home to Southwest Florida International Airport. This new facility makes the region very accessible from US and overseas departure points. The lure of the Fort Myers area is sun and sand and a cosmopolitan feel to its towns. Spring Training for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins cause fans to flock here every March, and 2007 is wild with Matsuzaka-mania!
Fort Myers, located on the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, is the metropolitan hub of the Southwest Gulf Coast. Here is the international airport where visitors from all over the world arrive to discover this “has it all” area. In fact, tourism is the #1 industry in Southwest Florida and everywhere you go you’ll find a warm welcome. In the late 1800s, Tootie McGregor and Inventor 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. Edison built a winter home here in 1885, complete with laboratory. Soon his good friend, Henry Ford, built next door. Edison’s home, laboratory and botanical gardens, along with Ford’s estate, are now open to the public and favorite tour stops. Read more.
Fort Myers Beach is where you’ll go in the Fort Myers area to satisfy your sun and sand senses. Do nothing at all or take part in a variety of water sports including parasailing, waverunning, fishing and sailing. It also offers family fun and lots of touristy opportunities to shop for souvenirs. Fun dining spots dot the beach and many offer nighttime entertainment. Spring breakers flock to Fort Myers beach each spring. Read more.
Sanibel and Captiva Islands lie just off the coast of Fort Myers but are a world apart.
Sanibel Island is particularly acclaimed for it’s shelling and the associated posture referred to as the "Sanibel Stoop." Along with shelling on the beautiful beaches and pursuing water sports, you won’t want to miss the Ding Darling National Wildlife Area, home to exotic species of birds and plants. You can drive, bike or hike through this sanctuary, or take a narrated tour by tram or canoe. In all, the refuge occupies 5,000 acres, almost one-third of the island. Read more.
Captiva Island is primarily devoted to hidden, lush residents of the rich. There are several restaurants and shops on this small, narrow bit of land as well as Turner’s Beach, a public beach access. Read more.
North Captiva Island is accessible only by boat and automobiles are prohibited. Tool around on your golf cart and enjoy some Cuban chili along with freshly caught fish at quaint eateries. Miles of remote beaches are also a reason this little island is so popular. Read more.
Surrounded by water, Cape Coral's natural beauty provides the perfect setting for fishing and boating enthusiasts. With an extensive system of waterways for boating and sightseeing, more than 400 miles of saltwater and freshwater canals complement the many lakes, basins and stunning Intracoastal waterfront areas. Cape Coral is very family friendly with the 12-acre Sun Splash Family Waterpark and Mike Greenwell's Family Fun Park. Read more.
Pine island is an unspoiled island known for great fishing and an art colony that makes you smile with its quaint, tropically decorated cottages and shops. Pine Island has extensive palm and fruit tree plantations and is one of the most natural islands in the Gulf. Read more.
|
