Fort Myers, Florida

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

If serenity and easily accessible pathways are essential to visiting a nature park, then Lakes Regional Park is the place to visit. Lakes Regional 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

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

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.

Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL, Phone: 239-334-7419

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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