Fort Myers Area

Fort Myers is a large metropolitan area lying mostly to the east of the Caloosahatchee River. Cape Coral  lies to the west. The barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva lie just across San Carlos Bay and Pine Island Sound. 

The Edison Ford Estates on the southeastern shore of Caloosahatchee River area is part of most Friendship Force itineraries.  Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. Henry Ford mass produced the automobile.  

Echo is all about reducing world hunger through developing and disseminating sustainable farming practices.  On a tour you will find demonstrations, plants, and techniques useful to farmers and urban gardeners in developing countries and learn all about ECHO's mission of helping the poor help themselves.

Get as close to alligators as you dare while hiking, kayaking or driving through the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.  Combining wildlife viewing  with a picnic on Bowman's Beach makes a nice day trip.

A few of the many beaches in this are Bowditch Point Park and Lover's Key State Park.  One can kayak with Manatees at Manatee Park when winter cools the Gulf's waters.

Learn all about shells and the creatures that create them at the Bailey-Mathews Shell Museum on Sanibel. Visit the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers to pick out a few souvenir shells.  

Some additional attractions are:

Southwest Florida Museum of History

Walking Tour of Downtown Fort Myers

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

Florida Repertory Theater