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Overview
Established in the mid 1800s, Fort Myers was originally a military installation that saw service right through the Civil War. Fort Myers' real claim to fame, however, came when the legendary inventor Thomas Edison built his winter home and laboratory, Seminole Lodge, beside what is now McGregor Blvd. Nearly 20 years later, Henry Ford joined Edison, moving in next door and building the first Ford Car Dealership right in town. Their estates are now on public display, and no Fort Myers vacation is complete without stopping by and seeing some of Edison's lesser-known inventions.
Perhaps the most popular reason to travel to Fort Myers is the Festival of Light, which is held on Edison's birthday (February 11th) and lasts for two weeks of non-stop excitement. There's an endless number of things to do in Fort Myers, from day activities on into the night. Between visiting several beach communities and islands such as Sanibel Island, Estero (where Edison and Ford commonly camped), Bonita Springs, Captiva Island, and a few other smaller islands accessible only by boat, a Fort Myers vacation is sure to provide ample opportunity to experience fun in the sun.
For sports fans, the city is also home to the spring training sessions of the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. The city is also littered with college teams and sports bars constantly buzzing with activity. There's no reason to be bored with all the things to do in Fort Myers.
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