The Florida Aquarium gives you a close-up view of all the wildlife the area has to offer in air-conditioned comfort. It is ranked among the top ten aquariums in the United States according to Tripadvisor.com. Visitors are invited to participate in activities like Diving with the Sharks and Swimming with the Fish. Three times a day the Penguin Promenade brings guests face to face with African Black-Footed penguins. A one-hour tour is offered every day to guests who have questions about how the aquarium is maintained. Hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and as of 2011 cost of admission was $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children under 12.
The Imaginarium in Fort Myers provides hands-on fun for the entire family. Guest can run through a tropical rain storm and be blown away by a hurricane as they learn about weather phenomenons. There is a 3-D film about taking care of the planet and the opportunity to enjoy science demonstrations and live animal encounters. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. The Imaginarium is open from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. Mon. - Sat. and Sun. from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. as of 2011.
Fort Myers was once the winter home of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Their estates have been preserved and today they are open to the public. The property features restored buildings that include the Edison main house, caretaker and guest homes and the Ford house with beautiful landscaping and gardens throughout. The museum has special exhibits and features many inventions and artifacts. Daily hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A tour costs $20 for an adult and $11 for children as of 2011.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is located in downtown Sarasota. The 20 acre property features two circus museums, a theater, historic mansion and fine art displays. The circus museums celebrate the history of the circus and a popular display is the elaborate rail car John and Mable used in their circus travels. The Asolo theater was created in Italy in 1798, dismantled and transported to Sarasota in the 1940's and has made Sarasota one the nation's leading cultural centers. Admission for theater productions are $7 and tours of the museum are $25 for adults and $10 for children. Admission is free on Mondays and hours are daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. as of 2011.
