Although it was once literally a “cowtown”, Fort Myers’ natural beauty and delightful climate were discovered quite some time ago. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were the original “first citizens” of the community when they made this region their elite winter retreat. Today’s visitors have the opportunity to tour the Edison-Ford Winter Estates, as well as discover for themselves what makes this place so appealing. When you’re ready to treat yourself to a supreme getaway, start with finding a perfect Fort Myers lodging.

Soon after you check into your Fort Myers inn, you might head over to the imposing Edison-Ford properties. Some of Edison’s original light bulbs still burn in the lab of the impressive Florida Victorian home that his family used for 50 years. Right next door you can tour the grand Ford estate that was built in 1916 and still features some of the original furniture. Edison spent much of his time here gardening, installing plants he collected from around the world and developing luxuriant tropical gardens around both homes. The boulevard in front, once a cow trail, he planted with a row of royal palm trees. To this day, the town where you’ll find our Fort Myers hotels is referred to as the “City of Palms”. If you visit during February, you might thrill to the city’s extravagant Festival of Light commemorating Edison.

Visitors are attracted to vacations in Fort Myers lodging for a number of other reasons as well. The city boasts a variety of restaurants, from sidewalk cafes to upscale dining, many of which feature delightfully fresh seafood. You might visit the beguiling Shell Factory in North Fort Myers or take a scenic boat cruise starting at the downtown yacht basin. If you enjoy a lively nightlife, you’ll find a number of clubs to choose from, many with live music.

The many waterways around our Fort Myers hotels invite exploration via canoe or kayak. You’ll find meandering waters around Pine Island, just to the west of town. South of the city flows the slow-moving Estero River. This official Florida canoe trail leads to Estero Bay, a state aquatic preserve. Other popular recreational pursuits in the area include golf and tennis. There are two nationally acclaimed courses in Bonita Springs, a town nearby your Fort Myers inn. Also, if you visit in the spring, you might catch a Twins or Red Sox baseball game during their training camps.

Of course, with such sublime weather and the adjacent Gulf of Mexico, many visitors simply want to kick back and enjoy their stay in a Fort Myers beach vacation rental. You’ll find wide swaths of soft white sand and warm waters for water sports. Offshore is surrounded by a barrier reef, so you might try snorkeling or diving. One of the best ways to understand the richness of the waters around your Fort Myers Beach home is to take a dolphin- or manatee-watching cruise.

Just because a pair of inventors were among the first to discover this region’s riches, they certainly didn’t need to be the last. Discover for yourself what a real escape can feel like by choosing one of the Fort Myers vacation rentals for your next vacation.