If you're planning to stay in a Fort Myers beach home but are not particularly keen on spending too much time lounging at the beach or doing recreational activities outdoors, the "City of Palms" has a number of museums and cultural attractions you can visit.
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
A 17-acre property situated along the Caloosahatchee River, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates highlights the "Seminole Lodge" and "The Mangoes," the winter homes of Thomas A. Edison and Henry Ford. Visitors can also see Edison's botanical garden with more than 1,400 plants; the Botanic Research Laboratory; a 15,000 sq. ft. museum that features exhibits like "The Inventions of Edison," "Edison and the Movies," and The Ford Gallery; a museum store, a garden shoppe and a cottage shoppe. Named as a National Historic Register site, a Florida Historic Landmark and a Partner Place of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Estate is open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm year-round, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Southwest Florida Museum of History
Set in the former Atlantic Coastline Railroad depot, the Southwest Florida Museum of History is committed to "the collection, preservation, and interpretation of history and traditions, with particular emphasis on Fort Myers and Southwest Florida." As visitors take part in the tour, they will learn about the Seminoles, the Calusa, Paleo Indians, Spanish explorers, the first settlers, the early civilization and the military, agriculture, boating and fishing industries in Fort Myers. Highlights include a 12-foot Giant Sloth, an authentic replica pioneer "Cracker" house, a 1929 private Pullman rail car and a 1926 La France fire pumper. The museum likewise provides escorted day trips to other historical and cultural sites around the region from December to April, and walking tours of downtown Fort Myers every Wednesday from January to April. There is also a museum shop where visitors can purchase one-of-a-kind souvenirs crafted by local artisans. The museum is open year-round (except Christmas, New Years, Easter and Thanksgiving) Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm.
Imaginarium Hands-On Museum and Aquarium
If you're vacationing in one of Fort Myers' beach homes
with your children, a visit to the Imaginarium Hands-On Museum and
Aquarium is a must. The museum features more than 60 interactive
exhibits and displays. Visitors can do everything from getting blown
away in the Hurricane Experience to becoming a weather forecaster in
the WIMG-TV mini-studio to playing virtual sports at the Sporty Science
Arena. Aside from those, there are 3 "Sea-to-See" Touch Tanks that
allow visitors to have a hands-on experience with a host of marine
life, an outdoor Lagoon where visitors can feed swans and fish and the
Tropical Retreat where visitors can observe birds and iguanas. Younger
kids will enjoy Tiny Town where they can explore puzzles and the
Discovery Quilt as parents shop for educational items at the
Imaginarium Museum Store. The museum and aquarium is open year-round
(except Thanksgiving and Christmas) Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5
pm and Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm.
Vamoose.com can help history and culture buffs looking for Fort Myers homes sort through various options, so they can be a step closer in enjoying their attractions.