Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Fort Myers (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Edison and Ford Winter Estates, San Carlos Bay - Bunche Beach Preserve, and Murphy-Burroughs House. Also, be sure to include Midpoint Memorial Bridge in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Fort Myers (Florida).
Table of Contents
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Museum in Fort Myers, Florida. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates contain a historical museum and 21 acre botanical garden on the adjacent sites of the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford beside the Caloosahatchee River in Southwestern Florida. There is also a garden center with hundreds of plants and trees available for purchase. It is located at 2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida.
On April 18, 2012, the American Institute of Architects' Florida Chapter placed the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places. The American Chemical Society recognized the Edison Botanical Research Laboratory at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates as a National Historic Chemical Landmark on May 25, 2014.[1]
Address: 2350 McGregor Blvd, 33901-3315 Fort Myers
San Carlos Bay - Bunche Beach Preserve
Beach, Outdoor activities, Park
Address: 18201 John Morris Rd, 33908-3707 Fort Myers
Murphy-Burroughs House
Historical place in Fort Myers, Florida. The Murphy-Burroughs House, also known as the Burroughs Home and Gardens, is a historic home in Fort Myers, Florida. It is located at 2505 1st Street. On August 1, 1984, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Burroughs Home provides living history tours and functions as an event venue. The three-story home sits on the Caloosahatchee. The beautiful veranda wraps around 3 sides of the house. Mona's Dancing Porch extends from the East side of the Historic Structure. Completion of a large, open waterfront pavilion occurred in 2015 to accommodate weddings and events.
The Murphy-Burroughs House was Ft. Myers' first year-round luxury home. It is in the Georgian Revival style and was built in 1901 for John T. Murphy, a cattle rancher. The construction of this home kicked off the "building boom" of the area. Each step of the process was followed by the local newspaper, The Fort Myers Press.
Nelson Burroughs bought the house in 1919. In 1922, Mr. Burroughs transferred ownership of the Home to his daughters, Mona & Jettie. Mona bequeathed the property to The City of Fort Myers prior to her death in 1978. The passing of her husband, Franz Fischer, in 1983, marked the end of its use as a residence.[2]
Address: 2505 1st St, 33901-2409 Fort Myers
Midpoint Memorial Bridge
Girder bridge. The Midpoint Memorial Bridge is a bridge located in Southwest Florida. It spans the Caloosahatchee River, connecting Fort Myers and Cape Coral. It is a four-lane fixed span that is 1.125 miles long. The bridge is so named because its placement situates it roughly halfway between the Cape Coral Bridge to the south, and the Caloosahatchee Bridge to the north. It carries County Road 884, which is known as Colonial Boulevard on the Fort Myers side, and Veterans Parkway on the Cape Coral side.[3]
Caloosahatchee Bridge
Girder bridge in Fort Myers, Florida. The Caloosahatchee Bridge is a bridge located in Fort Myers, Florida. It carries U.S. Highway 41 over the Caloosahatchee River, which is where its name comes from. The bridge has four lanes and is 55 feet tall.[4]
Southwest Florida Museum of History
Museum in Fort Myers, Florida. The Southwest Florida Museum of History is a history museum in Fort Myers, Florida. The museum is in historic downtown Ft. Myers, in a former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad depot at 2031 Jackson Street. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Exhibits include Paleo Indian artifacts, information on the Calusa and Seminole peoples, and information on Spanish explorers and early settlers, cattlemen, regional military history, agricultural history, and the boating and fishing industries. The collection includes antiques, decorative arts, a pioneer "Florida cracker" house, a 1926 La France fire pumper, and a 1929 private Pullman rail car.[5]
Address: 2031 Jackson St, 33901 Fort Myers
Edison Bridge
Girder bridge in Fort Myers, Florida. The Edison Bridge is the name given to a set of two one-way bridges located in Fort Myers, Florida. Named after inventor Thomas Alva Edison, the two bridges carry each direction of U.S. Highway 41 Business over the Caloosahatchee River, connecting downtown Fort Myers with North Fort Myers.
The two bridges each have three lanes and are 55 feet (17 m) tall. They land at the same point on the north side of the river but are separated by a few blocks on the south side since US 41 Bus. runs on two separate one-way streets in Downtown Fort Myers. When looking on a map, the two spans and the south bank of the river form a right triangle. The two bridges were built in the early 1990s, replacing a single two-lane drawbridge which also bore the name Edison Bridge. The original bridge, which was located on the site of the southbound span, was once part of the Tamiami Trail.[6]
Imaginarium Science Center
Museum in Fort Myers, Florida. IMAG History & Science Center is a hands-on science and aquarium museum in Fort Myers, Florida. Exhibit include dinosaurs and fossils, Calusa culture, live native and non-native small animals, aquariums and touch tanks, and interactive displays about science and scientific topics including weather and nanotechnology. The museum offers a summer camp.[7]
Address: 2000 Cranford Ave, 33916-4006 Fort Myers
Lee County Manatee Park
Park, Relax in park
Address: 10901 Palm Beach Blvd, 33905 Fort Myers
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Museum, Convention center, Theater, Art gallery, Shopping, Concerts and shows
Address: 2301 1st St, 33901-2903 Fort Myers
Cape Coral Bridge
Bridge in Lee County, Florida. The Cape Coral Bridge is a bridge located in Southwest Florida. It spans the Caloosahatchee River connecting McGregor and Cape Coral. It is made up of two parallel fixed spans, each 3,400 feet long.[8]