Fort Myers vacation rentals

Perhaps the best testament to the charms of the Fort Myers area is the litany of boldfaced names who’ve been drawn to this pocket of Lee County in southwest Florida over the past 150 years, including Gilded Age industrialists, a famous artist, and even a pioneering aviator. The area extends down the Caloosahatchee River from the inland city of Fort Myers, past the manatee-filled canals of Cape Coral, and out to the Gulf of Mexico, where a chain of barrier islands boast miles of white-sand beaches and endless Florida sunshine. It’s the weather, of course, that ensures most itineraries are centered on the great outdoors: golfing, catching a spring training baseball game, spotting spoonbills while kayaking on Tarpon Bay, or paddling through nearly 200 miles of waterways on the Great Calusa Blueway.

Take after Thomas Edison and visit Fort Myers in the winter. What’s not to love about a 74-degree Fahrenheit January day, after all, while the more northerly latitudes are being battered by rain, sleet, and snow? Spring and fall are pretty delightful, too, with temperatures in the 80s and water temperatures in the 70s. Summer brings vacationing crowds and hot, muggy days, with highs in the 90s and frequent rain — but also, bathtub-warm water that averages 87 degrees.

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates

In 1885, Thomas Edison purchased 13 acres on the banks of the Caloosahatchee and later built his dream house there, dubbing it the Seminole Lodge. Thirty years later, he convinced Henry Ford to buy the place next door, so the two friends could winter in the sun together. Today, the estates are open to the public as museums; highlights include Edison’s restored research lab and a botanical garden.

Fort Myers River District

Often overshadowed by the nearby beach towns, the city of Fort Myers is worth your attention. Its brick-lined streets are dotted with palm trees (those were Edison’s idea), and many of its buildings were made from wood reclaimed from the original fort that gave the city its name. This walkable zone is filled with shops, international restaurants, and historic buildings like the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center, housed in the former 1933 U.S. Post Office.

Captiva and Sanibel Island

Be sure to squeeze in a day trip to these nearby island beach towns, located adjacent to one another. Sanibel is famous for its lighthouse and bonanza of seashells, while charming Captiva offers miles of beaches, scenic sunsets, and golf.