Follow in the footsteps of two of South Florida's most famous winter residents, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The summer homes of the two men, who were great friends, are preserved at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates museum, set in 17 acres of gardens. The estates include not only the homes of two of American history's esteemed businessmen, but also Edison's workshop and other artifacts, including a Model T given to Edison by Ford.
Meander the sandy shoreline and search for shells on one of the area's many famous beaches in Fort Myers, or on the nearby islands of Captiva and Sanibel. The Fort Myers-Sanibel website has an interactive map that allows visitors to pick a beach based on on attraction, watching dolphins or manatee, or activity, including shelling, windsurfing and fishing.
Stroke a marine animal or dig for "dinosaur" bones at the popular Imaginarium in downtown Fort Myers. Visitors also can experience a hurricane or explore sports science. The museum has lots of child-friendly activities, but it also is a learning experience for adult visitors.
Bring home a memory of the sea. Shelling is one of the most popular and, perhaps, the most famous activity on the area's beaches. The best shelling is during the winter months, but shells also can be purchased at one of the area's shell shops. One of the largest and most famous is The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers. Identify your find at Sanibel's Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.
Explore the region's past at the Southwest Florida Museum of History, housed in the former Atlantic Coastline Railroad Depot. The museum's exhibits detail the lives of the area's Native Americans, the first settlers dubbed "Crackers" after the crack of the whip used by Florida cowboys, and the history of the area's development through the "Three C's"--cattle, citrus and cane.
