25 Best Things to Do in Fort Myers, Florida

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Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, known also as Six mile Cypress Slough, actually measures over 11 miles in length. With wetlands of 3,500 acres, the preserve is a 5-minute detour off I-75, and well worth it. Fort Myers is a haven for endangered species. With a positive influence on the environment and community, Six Mile Cypress Slough earned preserve status in 1970. Visitors to the preserve, will learn how it protects the Gulf, as well as the wildlife that inhabits the preserve. There is also a butterfly garden, and a 1.2-mile-long boardwalk at the preserve.

7751 Penzance Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-533-7557

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If serenity and easily accessible pathways are essential to visiting a nature park, then Lakes Regional Park is the place to visit. The park provides rides for visitors who have trouble walking on long or uneven trails. Story Time for the park’s young guests takes place in the garden. Canoeing, fishing, kayaking, bird watching, and picnicking are fun activities on the lake and shores. Lakes Regional Park is truly a park for the nature enthusiast. Lakes Regional Park is operational seven days a week year-round, weather permitting.

7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-533-7576

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The Florida Repertory Theatre has celebrated twenty-one years of award-winning performances. The historic theater has delivered performances to over 31,000 youngsters annually, with their emphasis on getting more of Southwest Florida’s youth involved in theater. It’s estimated that they’ve had over 87,000 people pass thru their doors annually, making the “Florida Rep” a one-of-a-kind experience in Southwest Florida. Their plays have been lauded by The New York Times and American Theatre Magazine. There’s no wonder why the Florida Repertory Theatre has garnered so much attention over the years.

2268 Bay Street, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-332-4488

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In the late 1800s, both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, two of America’s most prominent inventors, chose to winter in Florida setting the stage for over a century of tourism to this little corner of the “Sunshine State.” Edison built Seminole Lodge along the Caloosahatchee River, and often invited friends from the north to visit. Among those was automobile magnate, Henry Ford. By 1916, Ford had purchased the house next door, which he named The Mangoes. Guests are encouraged to visit the historic homes, gardens, Edison laboratory, and the 15,000-square-foot Edison Ford Museum. The museum presents the lives and legacies of both men.

2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-334-7419

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Winters in Florida are synonymous with Major League Baseball. CenturyLink Sports Complex-Hammond Stadium is home to the Minnesota Twins’ spring training center. The park’s name comes from William H. Hammond, Jr., a retired Deputy Administrator for Lee County. Built in 1991, the stadium was renovated in 2014 to draw the Twins away from Orlando, their previous spring residence. Right from the start of the stadium being built, it was a good omen. The Twins won the World Series after only one spring season in the new training stadium. Hammond Stadium has hosted numerous other events like the Florida League (Minors) All-Star Game and Florida High State Championship games.

14100 Ben C Pratt/6 Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-533-7695

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JetBlue Park is the spring training home to Major League Baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, and has been dubbed Fenway South. JetBlue, a major airline based out of Logan International Airport in Boston, purchased the rights for naming the stadium. The choice to move to JetBlue Park was an obvious one, since the Red Sox’s old facility lacked modern amenities. JetBlue Park is one of the few spring training facilities that has the same dimensions as their club’s home field ballpark, helping outfielders practice playing the ball off the wall. The park is one of the most visited spring training parks of all of Major League baseball.

11500 Fenway South Drive, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-226-4700

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The Grand Dame of roadways in Fort Myers is McGregor Boulevard. It represents some of the city’s oldest and wealthiest communities. Thomas Edison and his wife, Mina began the beautification of McGregor Boulevard by importing palm trees to line the roadway. Today, there are over 1800 palm trees and other types of trees along the boulevard. Visitors will find restored buildings, quaint eateries, and botanical gardens with over 1,000 plants. Some of the homes on McGregor Boulevard could easily be featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, or on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. The 14-mile-long boulevard is opulently eye catching.

2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-334-7419

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After indulging in the culinary scene of Fort Myers River District, a walk along First Street is a must. There is plenty of art, live music, and shopping in the district to suit every taste. Large, rust-colored metal sculptures adorn the district in the form card players, musicians, jugglers, and street vendors. The installation is by Colombian artist, Edgardo Carmona, and self-guided walking tours are enchanting. Visitors can get a guide at any of the sculptures. Art enthusiasts will want to put the Sidney & Bernie Davis Arts Center on their to-do list. Checking out weekly farmers markets or monthly music and art walks give a deeper understanding of the neighborhood.

First Street Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-226-0006

© Fort Myers Brewing Company

In 2011, the city of Fort Myers did not have a local brewery. That is until Rob and Jen Whyte moved to town. Rob, who had done some brewing in the 1990s in San Diego, decided to give it a go in Fort Myers. Two years into planning and researching, the Fort Myers Brewing Company was up and running. The Fort Myers Brewing Company is more than just a brewery. In fact, it has won many of Florida’s brewery and beer competitions. It also has game, burger, food truck and trivia nights. This is the place to be in Fort Myers for a local bar feel.

12811 Commerce Lakes Drive 28, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-313-6576

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Most winter days, people think of being inside with the heater on or in front of a cozy fire. But in Florida, it means being outside and enjoying nature. There’s no better place to do that than Manatee Park. Visitors can kayak through the park and see hundreds of manatee. The warm water from the Florida Power Light Plant causes warm, cozy spa conditions that draw the manatee to the canal. Although it is harder to see the manatee from the shore or banks, visitors can still see them at times in the murky water. The best bet is to see them from a canoe. Manatees are most likely to be in the area November through March.

10901 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-533-7275

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In 2016, a single flamingo struck a pose for hundreds of paparazzi along the salt flats of Bunche Beach. The pink flamingo hasn’t returned, but plenty other fowls have. Bunche Beach has 718 acres of unspoiled beautiful land, sandy beaches, mangrove forests, and salt flats all overlooking Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Islands. Stand up paddleboards and kayaks can be rented here, and it’s not uncommon to see different species of wildlife when paddling along the sandbars. If hiking and wildlife watching is an interest, visitors can walk along the inlet and hunt for shells, or even observe different species of birds.

18201 John Morris Road, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-229-1610

© IMAG History & Science Center

Those with a keen interest in science and history will find their Shangri-La at the IMAG History & Science Center in Fort Myers, Florida. There are more than 60 hands-on exhibits in this expansive center. LIVE! Animal Encounter gives visitors the opportunity to touch animals, or feed a stingray. Living Lab lets visitors watch snakes, frogs, turtles, and more. Animal Planet’s show “Tanked” built a 3,200-gallon aquarium in the center where visitors can see exotic and Florida native fish. There’s a unique 3D virtual reality experience where guests can “visit” the original Fort Myers. Kids will love the early childhood area in the Mini Museum.

2000 Cranford Avenue, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-243-0043

© Fleamasters Fleamarket

Visitors to Fleamasters Fleamarket are sure to find just what they’re looking for in the market’s 400,000 square feet. With a stage for live entertainment and 20 different food, snack, and juice bar vendors to choose from, the atmosphere here is festive. A new stage has seats for 300 people, which makes for a comfortable setting to listen to local bands. A new sound system only enhances the musical experience. The flea market has golf shops, tackle shops, and sporting good stores as well. What’s a flea market without bargain sales? Fleamasters Fleamarket is perfect for both bargain and treasure hunters.

4135 Dr Martin Luther King Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-334-7001

© Railroad Museum of South Florida

Train enthusiast won’t want to miss a visit to the Railroad Museum of South Florida. The Museum, located in Lakes Regional Park, has over 3,200 square feet of space to operate its collection of trains. Visitors can learn the intricacies of operating a train system here seven days a week. The Railroad Museum of South Florida has four smaller trains for patrons to ride on. The smaller trains roll past the regular size trains to let riders see the size difference. There are some restrictions for potential passengers, so visitors should read the rules before purchasing tickets.

7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-267-1905

© Butterfly Estates

Located downtown in the Fort Myers River District, Butterfly Estates is home to the Butterfly Conservatory featuring tropical nectar gardens, cascading waterfalls, and of course, butterflies. The grounds also feature The Florida Native Butterfly Society Conservatory that is dedicated to protecting and raising the native butterfly species of Florida, as well as the Nature Interpretive Center where guests have the opportunity to learn more about butterflies. The Butterfly Estates hosts special events during the year, along with educational gardening classes. For visitors who want to bring home a souvenir or find a gift for someone, there’s Mother Nature’s Gift Shop.

1815 Fowler St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-690-2359

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Fort Myers famously provides 340 days of sunshine a year, which is one reason folks flock to Port Sanibel Marina to live and play. Port Sanibel Marina is considered “old Florida” with its lush-landscaping, palm trees and iconic lighthouse. Mangrove trees meander through a boardwalk created by nature. There are areas to sit by the shore that offer a plethora of fish and birds of different colors and species. If fishing is a must, then there is no better place than the saltwaters near the Port of Sanibel Marina. Kayaking and canoeing through the lagoon lets visitors commune with dolphins, manatee, and sea otters in their natural habitat.

14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-437-1660

© Alliance for the Arts

Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, Florida, is about connecting community, culture, and art. They work closely with other civic organizations like The Rotary Club of Fort Myers to welcome local artists and musicians at their various events. At their Art Lives Here event, the Alliance inspires local artists to make billboards into public art space. Also, the Alliance hosts a Drop the Mic Night where musicians from Southwest Florida are encouraged to display their musical talents. They welcome newcomers, as well as seasoned performers. More than 600,00 people a month pass thru the 10-acre campus.

10091 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-939-2787

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With so many parks in Southwest Florida, it’s easy for some to be overlooked. Such is the case with John Yarbrough Linear Park. But once visitors have biked its paved trails and strolled through its serene and green passageways, they’ll wonder why they haven’t been here before. The park meanders alongside Ten Mile Canal for six of those ten miles. (The Canal itself was constructed in the 1920s.) While on the trail, nature enthusiasts should look for herons, egrets and other birds swooshing through the vegetation. Visitors may also spot eagles in the tree tops and alligators in the canal.

Six Mile Cypress – Crystal Drive, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-533-7275

© Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall

If ever a person deserved to have a building named after them, it would be Barbara B Mann. The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, Florida, is a testament to her perseverance and passion for the arts. With two young boys in tow, Barbara walked door-to-door campaigning to raise enough money to bring entertainment and world-class culture to her community. Today, because of her tireless efforts, the building bearing her name is home to countless performing artists and world-class musicals. The Barbara B. Mann building is situated on the Florida Southwestern State College campus where its stage is the largest proscenium stage in the Southwest Florida area.

13350 Fsw Parkway, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-481-4849

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Boroughs Home and Gardens is the previous home of Nelson and Adeline Burroughs. They entertained such guests as the Fords, Edisons, and Firestones at prestigious events. The Burroughs home is one of the oldest homes in Fort Myers nestled on over two acres with views of the Caloosahatchee River. The home itself is over 6,000 square feet and 2.5 stories with stained glass windows, an expansive veranda, and a widow’s walk. It was a jewel on a street that one day would come to be called Millionaire’s Row on First Street. Now this home is the ideal setting for weddings and receptions.

2505 1st Street, First & Fowler, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-337-0706

© Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in the Fort Myers historic River District provides the community with a multi-disciplinary cultural experience. Typically open Monday to Friday, the art center hosts a wide variety of educational arts programs, guest lectures, art exhibitions, special events, festivals, concerts, and more throughout the year. Every month in the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center’s Grand Atrium, art exhibitions feature modern and conceptual art, photography, sculpture, and painting from both international and local artists. Seasonal events at the center include events like Cooking for the Arts, Fort Myers Film Festival, Taps & Tunes, and Sounds of Summer concerts.

2301 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-333-1933

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Southern Fresh Farms is a family-owned-and-operated hydroponic farm in Fort Myers, Florida. After lending the family’s generations of farming expertise to help the state restore southern Florida natural habitats, they began their high-yield hydroponic farm in 2012. Visitors can interact with rescued barnyard animals at the Petting Farm, and take a guided tour to learn about vertical hydroponic farming. There is a fenced-in Kids Zone playground where children can play safely while parents shop the adjacent market. The farm also features a 12,000-square-foot barn, plus tents, tables, and chairs for weddings and events. Locals can even rent garden space here.

8500 Penzance Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-768-0309

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The Florida Native Butterfly Society is dedicated to butterflies with a glazed glass warehouse to safeguard and protect Southwest Florida’s diverse, native butterflies. The ultimate goal is to build habitats for the butterflies and to ensure the environment where the butterflies reside is protected as well. Unlike most butterfly facilities, butterflies are bred here. That way visitors can witness the stages of metamorphosis from beginning to the end. This of course depends on the weather conditions and time of year. This facility is strictly funded by the generous donations of people who love and enjoy butterflies.

1815 Fowler Street, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-690-2359

© Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is 105-acres breathtaking nature. It has a planetarium, bird and butterfly aviaries, three nature trails, and a museum. This a great place for people to connect with various aspects of nature. There are live animal demonstrations, and the museum offers daily programs about the natural history of Southwest Florida. The Center also houses native wildlife that have been injured. These animals are usually not released back into the wild. The Planetarium, which holds 100 people, presents three daily shows, including a solar observation session on Fridays. The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a must-do in Fort Myers.

3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-275-3435

© Adventures in Paradise

Since 1986 the Stewart family has owned and operated Adventures in Paradise. This is not a typical tourist guide company. They offer boat and trolley rides to the best spots both on the water and on land. Those choosing to go the ocean route, there is fishing, shelling, sea life encounters, and lunch at a number of local restaurants. The trolley tour takes guests to the historical parts of Sanibel Island. On both tours, the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and fun. No tour would be complete without stopping and shopping at a souvenir store, and Sanibel and Fort Myers have their share of stores.

14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-472-8443