Things to Do in Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach
The mainland gateway, with Edison's laboratory and a busy beach town.
See top-rated activities »About Fort Myers
Fort Myers is where most Sanibel visitors arrive, through Southwest Florida International Airport, and it is worth a day of its own. Thomas Edison built a winter home and laboratory on the Caloosahatchee River in the 1880s, and his friend Henry Ford bought the house next door in 1916. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates preserves both homes, Edison's botanical research laboratory, where he searched for a domestic source of rubber, and gardens with a huge banyan tree. Downtown, the River District has brick streets, restaurants and galleries along the river.
Fort Myers Beach, on Estero Island south of the Sanibel Causeway, took the worst of Hurricane Ian and is still rebuilding, but its wide, gently sloping beach is open, and it is the base for many dolphin-watching, sunset and fishing cruises. South of it, Lovers Key State Park has quiet beaches, kayak trails and frequent dolphin and manatee sightings.
Every February and March, the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins hold spring training in Fort Myers, at JetBlue Park and Hammond Stadium, and the games are a big draw for families and fans from the north. The area also has inland nature, such as the boardwalk through the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, and Pine Island, north of Cape Coral, an island of fishing villages and mango groves with no beaches but plenty of character.
Don’t Miss
The winter homes, laboratory and gardens of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
A wide Gulf beach and the departure point for many boat tours.
Quiet beaches and paddling trails with frequent dolphin and manatee sightings.
The Boston Red Sox spring training home, with a replica of Fenway's Green Monster.
Where the Minnesota Twins train each February and March.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Fort Myers
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Best of Sanibel Island may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Fort Myers — FAQ
How far is Sanibel from the Fort Myers airport?
About 25 miles, or roughly 40 minutes to an hour by car depending on causeway traffic. There is a toll for the Sanibel Causeway, charged on the way onto the island.
Is Fort Myers Beach open after Hurricane Ian?
Yes. The beach and many businesses have reopened, though rebuilding continues along Estero Boulevard and some hotels and restaurants are new or still under construction.
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