Fort Myers is best known for its beaches. But there’s also a vibrant, attractive, highly walkable downtown that will appeal to Canadian travellers, with brick lined streets and handsome turn-of-the-century buildings. You’ll also find pretty pedestrian passageways filled with colourful flowers, boutiques and restaurants.
Travel advisors looking for a special place to book clients will find something for just about everyone in Fort Myers. Here’s a look at top places to stay, dine and shop.
WHERE TO STAY DOWNTOWN
The Luminary Hotel is a slice of urban sophistication in southwest Florida, which makes it attractive for agents looking for something different for clients who love the Sunshine State. With the Edison-Ford Winter Estates less than two kilometres away, it’s no surprise that there’s a bit of an Edison theme at the hotel, which features cool lights and a light industrial design. There’s a nice, open-air, partly covered lounge on the fourth floor that includes a small but nice pool. The lobby coffee bar, Dean Street Coffee, makes an excellent latte. The rooftop Beacon Social Drinkery serves up tasty Asian bites and great cocktails served by waitresses who don’t rush you to finish up. They also invite guests to ring a cowbell at sunset, where you can watch the sun slide into the Caloosahatchee River.
The Luminary also has an on-site sports bar and a great breakfast spot called Ella Mae’s Diner, a retro-looking spot where you can get everything from avocado toast to eggs benedict, and from biscuits with sausage gravy to bourbon French toast.
The Banyan Hotel Fort Myers is a stylish place to stay in an historic building. It’s part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton and also has a rooftop bar.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center is a gorgeous 1933 building with massive columns made from Florida Keys limestone. They hold all sorts of events at the center, including live concerts, art exhibitions, rooftop yoga, and more. A new visual art exhibit takes place on the first Friday of every month in the Grand Atrium. Entry to the openings is donation based.
Fort Myers is the home of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, where Henry Ford and Thomas Edison would regularly go to get away from winter cold up north. It’s right on the water, and you can inspect the handsome homes owned by both families. The original carbon filament light bulbs that Edison installed are still operating in the Edison home. Don’t miss the glorious garden, which is home to more than 400 species, including everything from towering Ficus trees to brilliant bougainvillea, Jamaican Poinsettia and Hong Kong Orchid Trees. You also can learn a little about their personal lives, including how Ford was a talented dancer and Edison a passionate fisherman. It’s a great spot for older clients who love history, as well as lush gardens.
Downtown Fort Myers hosts monthly art walks on the first Friday evening of every month, so you can check out a wide variety of fine artwork. There’s also a live Music Walk every third Friday of the month.
A company called True Tours offers historical downtown walking tours, ghost tours and also a Fort Myers Fabulous Females Tour that looks at the important role local women have played in the city’s history. All tours are $20 USD.
The old Burroughs Home and Gardens features a sunny, yellow wooden home on the Caloosahatchee River that dates back to 1901. It was part of a series of grand waterfront homes that were dubbed “Millionaires’ Row.” You can wander around the grounds for free, but interior viewing is by appointment only.
WHERE TO EAT DOWNTOWN
The Silver King Ocean Brasserie is a sleek, modern dining spot in The Luminary Hotel with an open kitchen. Grab a seat near the open kitchen to watch the show and order seared scallops, crab cakes and rack of lamb for dinner. The scallops are plump and perfect and the rack of lamb is superbly flavourful, with meat your clients will want to gnaw off the bone like Fred Flintstone.
Ford’s Garage is a great downtown spot for salads, burgers and more. There’s a nice patio out front, while the inside sports an old Model A hanging over the bar and bathrooms that feature sinks fashioned out of old tires.
Peter’s German Ice Cream and Coffee Shop is a great spot for a slice of Black Forest Cake or German ice cream, made using a secret family recipe. Le Macaron makes gorgeous macarons and French pastries.
For a lovely dining experience on the water, Oxbow Bar and Grill offers everything from oysters and tuna poke to filet mignon, citrus farro bowls and burgers. There’s a patio right alongside the river. Across from the Luminary, Firestone Sky Bar and Martini Bar is a flashy spot with a rooftop bar.
WHERE TO SHOP
The Franklin Shops is a vibrant, two-story building that houses around 100 local vendors. You’ll find everything from handmade jewelry to local honey, vibrant oil paintings, cool Florida signs, funky folk art, olive oil and housewares.
Joe’s Record Exchange has vintage vinyl, as well as comic books and collectibles, while the Naples Soap Company offers up bubbly bath bombs, citrus-scented shampoo and fine skin care products.
