Fort Myers or Ft. Myers, is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States.
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 62,298 and in 2019 was estimated at 87,103. Together with the larger and more residential Cape Coral, it anchors a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) which comprises Lee County and has a population of 770,577 in 2019.
Fort Myers is a gateway to the Southwest Florida region and a major tourist destination within Florida. The winter estates of Thomas Edison ("Seminole Lodge") and Henry Ford ("The Mangoes") are major attractions. The city is named after Colonel Abraham Myers, the quartermaster general of the Confederate States Army. Fort Myers also has a nice downtown area with various terraces, good restaurants, a rooftop bar overseeing the harbor and several shopping centers.
Sanibel Causeway bridge connects Fort Myers with Sanibel Island and Captiva Island. Both islands have beautiful beaches and wildlife. A great place to rent a boat and cruise between dolphins and anchor at various beaches.
South to Fort Myers are Naples (45min) with beautiful beaches, trendy bars and shopping malls, Marco’s Island (60min) with luxury resorts, beautiful beaches and unspoiled parks, and the Everglades (80min), a must see if you visit Florida. The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.
If you drive approximately 2 hours to the east you are in Miami, one of the world’s most popular vacation spots, with trendy nightlife, beaches, art galleries and world-class hotels. It’s the magic city. Approximately 5,5 million people living in the Miami area.
North of Fort Myers you have Sarasota (75min). Siesta Beach is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in the world so absolutely worth a day trip. About 120 minutes up North you get to Tampa and Clearwater Beach. Tampa is the 3rd largest city in Florida after Miami and Jacksonville. The city has a great nightlife and good restaurants. Clearwater Beach was voted Best Beach Town in Florida with fantastic white beaches and green water.
