Fort Myers, located very near the Gulf of Mexico in southwestern Florida, near Interstate 75, is known the world over for the Festival of Lights that celebrates its famous resident, Thomas Edison. It is even better known for the fact that visitors can experience some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches just minutes from downtown.

The city is one of the most frequented winter destinations as people from the north escape the cold for the warm, tropical breezes of south Florida. Winter is by far the busiest season as many visitors from the cold north come to visit this tranquil Florida paradise. Any time of year is good for golf. With a variety of challenging public courses available, there is one to fit any level and with the beautiful scenery of the area, it’s a wonderful experience, regardless of the score.

With its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, one "must do" sport is the art of "shelling". Picture a warm breeze, soft sand, the Gulf waters gently rolling onto the beach, while walking right at the water’s edge searching for that perfect shell that is about to roll in with the tide.

Of course there are many attractions, museums, restaurants, sports opportunities, and shopping available as well. Of particular interest to anyone visiting the area, is the Edison & Ford Winter Estate. As one of the nation's most visited historic homes, the Estate includes 20 acres of historic buildings and gardens, Edison's original rubber lab, a large museum, food and retail areas, and river cruises on a replica of his electric launch. It’s truly electrifying!

For a unique experience, the Imaginarium is the place to visit. Conveniently located in town, the Imaginarium is a hands-on museum that offers interactive exhibits for all ages including a hurricane simulator, live animals, wide-screen movie theater, dino dig, and an early-childhood exploration area.

To enjoy a variety of attractions in one venue, be sure to visit The Shell Factory and Nature Park to enjoy nature, ride the rides, 'shop til you drop,' or see some of Mother Nature’s finest creations.. Not only does the Shell Factory include a collection of common and rare shells, sponges, coral, fossils and sea life specimens; there are a host of other things to do and see. For the fun seeker, there are arcade games, miniature golf, and even a radar gun to test the speed of a pitch. If you want to get bumped around a little, bumper boats are available. In addition, the Nature Park features a petting zoo, environmental education center, and a botanical trail and garden. It’s a day of education and fun for the entire family.

And what visit to south Florida would be complete without seeing an alligator or two? The Everglades Day Safari offers daily departures from town to the famous Florida Everglades.

It’s an exciting adventure through the different kingdoms that make up the "Everglades." Guests are accompanied by highly trained guides who discuss the past, present and future of this truly unique area. You’ll want to bring your camera for this one.

After a visit to this exciting yet wonderfully tranquil city, you’ll know why Thomas Edison made it his home and why Henry Ford personally opened the first Ford dealership here. It is a vacation destination you will love to visit and that you won’t want to leave.

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