Fort Myers

Fort Myers sits along the Caloosahatchee River in Lee County, serving as the commercial center of Southwest Florida. Established as a military outpost during the Seminole Wars in 1850, the settlement grew into a winter getaway for northern visitors in the late 19th century. Thomas Edison purchased land here in 1885, establishing his winter laboratory, and Henry Ford bought the adjacent estate in 1916. Today, the city serves as a transit hub for travelers heading toward Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, and the Everglades.

The region has a tropical savanna climate marked by two primary weather seasons. Summers (May through October) are hot, humid, and rainy, with daily temperatures averaging 90°F to 93°F (32°C to 34°C). Thunderstorms occur almost daily during mid-afternoon. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, with storm activity peaking between August and October. Severe weather can force mandatory evacuations, as demonstrated by major storm impacts in recent years.

Winters (November through April) bring dry conditions, clear skies, and mild air. Daily highs range from 75°F to 83°F (24°C to 28°C), dropping to 55°F to 62°F (13°C to 17°C) at night. Relative humidity remains low throughout the winter, bringing the heaviest tourist traffic of the year.

By Bus

Greyhound and FlixBus operate intercity routes from the Rosa Parks Transportation Center at 2250 Widman Way in downtown Fort Myers.

• From Tampa (126 miles north): 2 to 4 buses depart daily. Journey time is 2.5 to 3 hours. One-way fares cost $23 to $35 USD.
• From Miami (158 miles southeast): 3 to 5 buses depart daily via I-75. Journey time is 3 to 3.5 hours. One-way fares cost $26 to $35 USD.

By Train

No passenger train service runs to Fort Myers. The nearest Amtrak train station is Tampa Union Station (TPA), located 125 miles north. Amtrak operates connecting Amtrak Thruway motorcoach service (station code: FTM) from Tampa Union Station to Fort Myers, taking approximately 3 hours. One-way bus fares cost $25 to $40 USD.

By Car

Fort Myers connects directly to Florida's highway network via Interstate 75 (I-75) and US Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail). State Road 80 (SR-80) links Fort Myers east toward Lake Okeechobee and West Palm Beach.

• From Naples (42 miles south): Drive 45 minutes north via I-75 (Exits 128–141) or US-41.
• From Tampa (126 miles north): Drive 2 hours south along I-75.
• From Miami (158 miles southeast): Drive 2.5 hours via I-75 West across Alligator Alley.
• From Orlando (160 miles northeast): Drive 3 hours via I-4 West to I-75 South.

By Air

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located 16 miles (26 km) southeast of downtown Fort Myers at 11000 Terminal Access Road. RSW handles direct domestic and international flights from over 40 destinations.

• Airlines: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, and WestJet.

• Flight Times: Atlanta (1.5 hours), Charlotte (2 hours), Chicago ORD/MDW (2.5 hours), New York JFK/EWR (2.5 hours), Toronto YYZ (3 hours).

• On-site rental car services operate from a consolidated facility opposite baggage claim. Taxi fares from RSW to downtown Fort Myers cost $30 to $45 USD.

• Public Bus: LeeTran operates 26 fixed routes across Lee County. Single-ride fares cost $1.25 USD, and an all-day pass costs $3.50 USD. Bus drivers accept exact cash or mobile payments using the LeeFare app.

• Downtown Trolley: LeeTran runs free seasonal trolley routes (Blue Line and Gold Line) through the downtown River District from November through April.

• Rideshares & Taxis: Uber and Lyft operate throughout the metropolitan area. A rideshare trip between downtown Fort Myers and RSW airport costs $25 to $35 USD.

• Car Rental: Essential for traveling to Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, or Everglades National Park. Tolls apply on regional bridges, including the Sanibel Causeway ($6.00 USD eastbound) and Cape Coral Bridge ($2.00 USD westbound), collected electronically via SunPass or Pay-by-Plate.

• Edison and Ford Winter Estates (2350 McGregor Blvd): A 21-acre historic site containing the winter homes, botanical gardens, and original research laboratory of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Open daily 9:00 AM–5:30 PM. Self-guided admission costs $35 USD for adults, $28 USD for teens (ages 13–19), $20 USD for children (ages 6–12), and free for children 5 and under.

• IMAG History & Science Center (2000 Cranford Ave): Hands-on educational facility featuring 60 interactive science exhibits, touch tanks, a 3,000-gallon aquarium built inside a replica USS Mohawk, and historical displays on Southwest Florida. Open Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM–5:00 PM. Admission costs $19.50 USD for adults, $15 USD for students and children (ages 3–18), and free for children under 3.

• Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve (3451 Piez Way): A 3,500-acre wetland filter ecosystem featuring a 1.2-mile elevated wooden boardwalk trail through cypress swamps. Boardwalk open daily dawn to dusk; Interpretive Center open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. Admission is free; vehicle parking costs $1 USD per hour or $5 USD per day.

• Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium (3450 Ortiz Ave): A 105-acre preserve containing native pine flatwood trails, a butterfly aviary, raptor aviaries, and a full-dome digital planetarium. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. Admission costs $13 USD for adults, $7 USD for children (ages 3–12), and free for children under 3.

• Koreshan State Park (3800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero): Located 15 miles south of downtown Fort Myers along the Estero River. Preserves 11 historic structures built by the Koreshan Unity, a 19th-century communal religious group. Open daily 8:00 AM to sunset. Entrance costs $5 USD per vehicle (2 to 8 occupants), $4 USD for single-occupant vehicles, and $2 USD for pedestrians or cyclists.

• Manatee Park (10901 Palm Beach Blvd): A warm-water refuge on the Caloosahatchee River where wild West Indian manatees gather from November through March when river temperatures drop. Open daily 8:00 AM to sunset. Admission is free; vehicle parking costs $2 USD per hour or $5 USD per day.

• Attend Spring Training Baseball: Fort Myers hosts two Major League Baseball teams during Grapefruit League spring training from late February through March. The Boston Red Sox play at JetBlue Park (11500 Fenway South Dr; tickets $15 to $75 USD), and the Minnesota Twins play at Hammond Stadium (14100 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy; tickets $15 to $65 USD).

• Ride the Key West Express Ferry: A high-speed passenger catamaran operating daily from Fort Myers Beach (1200 Main St) to Key West. The 160-mile voyage takes 3.5 hours each way. Round-trip tickets cost $170 to $185 USD per adult.

• Paddle the Great Calusa Blueway: Explore a 190-mile marked trail network for kayaks and canoes traversing coastal bays, rivers, and mangrove estuaries. Kayak rentals are available at Manatee Park and local outfitters for $35 to $60 USD per day.

• Take a Caloosahatchee River Cruise: Boat operators in downtown Fort Myers offer 1.5-hour to 2-hour guided eco-tours and sunset cruises focusing on local marine wildlife and river history. Tickets cost $35 to $60 USD per adult.

• Book a Charter Fishing Trip: Guided backwater and offshore fishing charters target snook, redfish, tarpon, and grouper. Half-day private charters for up to four anglers cost $450 to $700 USD per boat. Group party boat trips start around $75 to $95 USD per person.

• Farmers Market Restaurant (2736 Edison Ave): Operating since 1952, this casual diner serves classic Southern comfort dishes including fried chicken, smoked ham hocks, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread. Budget tier ($10 to $16 USD per main).
• Izzy's Fish & Oyster (2282 First St): Downtown raw bar and seafood spot offering New England chowder, fresh oysters, crab cakes, and cold lobster rolls. Mid-range tier ($20 to $38 USD per main).
• Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster Bar (14040 McGregor Blvd): Waterfront seafood restaurant serving fresh regional catches, including blackened grouper, hogfish, stone crab claws (October through May), and house-made Key lime pie. Mid-range tier ($22 to $42 USD per main).
• The Veranda (2122 Second St): Upscale dining located inside two restored 1850s Victorian houses downtown, specializing in classic Southern seafood and steaks such as rack of lamb, beef Wellington, and sautéed snapper. Upscale tier ($32 to $58 USD per main).

• Budget: Best Western Fort Myers Waterfront (13021 N Cleveland Ave) — Located on the north bank of the Caloosahatchee River across from downtown, offering air-conditioned rooms, outdoor swimming pool, and complimentary breakfast. Nightly rates range from $90 to $150 USD.
• Mid-range: Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers (12600 University Dr) — Situated near the Bell Tower Shops, featuring an outdoor pool, fitness center, on-site restaurant, and free parking. Nightly rates range from $140 to $220 USD.
• Upscale: Luminary Hotel & Co., Autograph Collection (2200 Edwards Dr) — Downtown riverfront hotel featuring a rooftop bar, outdoor pool, multiple restaurants, and river views. Nightly rates range from $240 to $420 USD.

• Sanibel & Captiva Islands (20 miles southwest, 35 minutes by car): Coastal barrier islands connected by the Sanibel Causeway, famous for shell collecting, bicycle trails, and the 5,200-acre J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
• Naples (42 miles south, 45 minutes by car via I-75): Coastal city known for 5th Avenue South shopping, Naples Pier, white sand Gulf beaches, and the Naples Botanical Garden.
• Everglades National Park (Gulf Coast Visitor Center) (75 miles southeast, 1 hour 15 minutes by car via I-75 and SR-29): Located at Everglades City, offering mangrove airboat tours, boat trips through the Ten Thousand Islands, and backcountry paddling.
• Sarasota (75 miles north, 1 hour 15 minutes by car via I-75): Cultural hub home to The Ringling art museum and historic mansion, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and Siesta Key beach.
• Key West (160 miles southwest, 3.5 hours via the Key West Express ferry): Key West features Mallory Square sunset gatherings, historic Duval Street, and the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum.