Page 12 - EIBC 21 Online Directory

AREA POINTS OF INTEREST

The Estero Island area offers miles of beautiful white sandy beaches, boating, fishing, and plenty of Old Florida
Charm. Listed below are just a few of the numerous activities and attractions the area has to offer.
While you’re here don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the most fabulous sunsets
you’ve ever seen, right from your front door!

SHELLING
Estero Island beaches have long been famous for shelling, especially the Southern tip just North of Big Carlos
Pass, where the island shoreline curves out and then back in as it nears the pass,
making it one of the best shelling areas in Florida. All it takes to find that perfect
Florida souvenir is a good eye, a little luck and the right timing. Just make sure
your shells do not have any occupants living inside them, removal of live shells
from the Gulf is illegal, and boiling of live shells in your unit is prohibited.

LOVER’S KEY STATE PARK
239-463-4588 • Located on County Road 865 between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach
www.floridastateparks.org/LoversKey
Lovers Key is one of four barrier islands that make up this state park. A haven for wildlife, the islands and
their waters are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins,
roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles. The two mile long beach
is accessible by boardwalk or tram and is popular for shelling, swimming,
picnicking, and sunbathing. The park has over five miles of multiuse trails for
hiking and bicycling. Anglers and boaters can launch their vessels from the
park’s boat ramp. Canoes and kayaks are available at the park for rental.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MUSEUM OF HISTORY
239-332-5955 • 2300 Peck Street, in historic downtown Ft. Myers • www.swflmuseumofhistory.com
The museum’s mission is to preserve, protect and exhibit the history of Southwest Florida. The museum is
open Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 5 PM. Housed in the former Atlantic Coastline Railroad depot,
the museum is home to the history of Southwest Florida. Paleo Indians, the Calusa, the Seminoles, Spanish
explorers, and early settlers are just a few of the people you will meet as you view the exhibits. An authentic
replica of a pioneer “cracker” house, a 1926 La France fire pumper, and a 1929 private Pullman rail car are
also part of the tour. In addition, the museum houses an extensive artifacts collection detailing early civilization,
the Fort, the first settlers, the cattlemen, turn of the century, the military and agriculture, boating and fishing
industries in Fort Myers are highlighted as well as a display of 1,200 pieces of depression and carnival glass.

EDISON & FORD WINTER ESTATES
888-377-9475 • 2350 McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers • www.efwefla.org
Explore 20 acres of botanical landscaping, the Edison and Ford historic homes and guest cottages, Edison’s
laboratory, a museum housing his famous inventions and exhibits, a museum store, Historic Cottage Shop,
Garden Shop and an outdoor garden cafe. Open from 9:00AM to 5:30PM daily.

THE MOUND HOUSE: A CULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
239-765-0865 • 289 Connecticut St., Ft. Myers Beach • www.moundhouse.org
An archaeological site located atop a Calusa Indian mound. The Calusa Indians ruled the Southwest Florida
coastline for thousands of years until the arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon. Open from 10AM to 2PM.

CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY
239-348-9151 • 375 Sanctuary West Rd., Naples • www.corkscrew.audubon.org
A 2.25-mile raised boardwalk takes visitors through four distinct environments: a pine upland, a wet prairie, a
cypress forest, and a marsh. Interpretive signs along the boardwalk and a field guide are available to allow each
visitor to take the self-guided tour. Benches and rain shelters are along the trail. For those who do not wish to
walk the full 2.25 miles, an optional trail shortens the walk to one mile. Volunteer naturalists are usually on the
boardwalk to answer questions. Birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, and a variety of native plants including wild
orchids may be seen from the boardwalk. Open every day of the year, Oct. 1-April 10: 7 AM to 5:30 PM, April
11-Sept. 30: 7 AM to 7:30 PM.