Welcome to Fort Myers, the heart of Lee County
Fort Myers, known as the City of Palms for its majestic array of palm trees, beckons visitors from around the globe on an annual basis.
Whether it’s sports, ecological activities, shopping, world-class dining, or simply a tranquil stroll along the banks of the Caloosahatchee river, there truly is something to please everyone.
At the heart of this burgeoning 21st Century city is the historic district in Downtown Fort Myers.
Using city and county funds, the streets of the historic district were torn up — much to the chagrin of people who work and live in the area — then retrofitted with cobblestone that gives the district a distinctly old timey feel.
The streets perfectly match the architecture of the district, which houses a number of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues that attract all ages.
The Arcade Theater is home to one of Fort Myers, and Lee County’s, most beloved theater troupes, who use their considerable talent to entertain and enthrall from the stage.
The Florida Repertory Theater, founded in 1998, has become a perennial favorite among art and theater lovers in the city, perfectly blending humor, drama, and dance, with productions of classics alongside the new voices of modern playwrites.
The Caloosahatchee, too, solidifies the downtown historic district as Fort Myers premier entertainment area.
Centennial Park, the Harborside Event Center, and the Yacht Basin all front the river, offering breathtaking views and access to Southwest Florida’s most famous and beloved waterway.
You can throw a line into the river, than head on over to the Hideaway Sports bar to grab a cold one and watch your favorite team, take a short stroll to check out the Old Lee County Courthouse, then have an espresso at Starbucks, all without getting into your car! Just park, walk, and enjoy, that’s what historic downtown Fort Myers is all about!
Heading away from downtown, south on U.S. 41, brings you to the Edison Mall, Fort Myers only indoor shopping mall with favorite stores like Macy’s and Dillard’s. Further south is the Bell Tower Shops, which houses specialty boutiques and restaurants along with chain stores like Nordstrom’s, and a 20-screen Regal Cinema.
If you tire of shopping, or never liked shopping in the first place, Fort Myers is also a great place for history and nature enthusiasts.
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates, part-time homes of two of America’s brilliant minds, lets visitors travel back in time, to walk through the very homes of these two historic giants!
Nearby, in south Fort Myers, both Lakes Park and the Six Mile Cypress Slough gives visitors a chance to stroll through the best of Lee County’s park system. At Lakes Park, visitors laze among wonderfully landscaped vistas, while the Six Mile Slough offers a chance to experience Southwest Florida’s primordial past!
Fort Myers, too, is spring home to two of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises. The Boston Red Sox prep for the regular season at City of Palms Park, while the Minnesota Twins get their season started at Hammond Stadium. Hammond Stadium is also home to the Fort Myers Miracle, one of the most exciting and successful teams in the Florida State League.
As you can see, whether it’s shopping, dining, getting back to nature, or catching fly balls from your favorite Major Leaguer, Fort Myers is a vibrant, exciting, and modern city, just waiting to be enjoyed!