The charming town is just 25 miles north of Hyatt Vacation Club® at Coconut Cove, and it’s a perfect place to explore on a day trip.

Here are some tips on how to spend a day in and around Fort Myers' vibrant downtown River District.*

Inventor Thomas Edison fell in love with the beauty along the Caloosahatchee River when he arrived in Florida in 1885 in search of a winter escape. At the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, you can tour his historic home, along with the adjoining home once owned by automaker Henry Ford, who followed his friend and bought his own winter retreat. 

The property has 20 acres of stunning botanical gardens, as well as galleries housing some of the duo’s best-known inventions, including light bulbs and entertainment artifacts such as phonographs and early movie projectors.

Just over a mile away, the IMAG History & Science Center offers a wide range of exhibits for all ages — but especially kids who enjoy interactive learning.  Exhibits include the SEA-to-SEE Touch Tank, where you can feed stingrays; the Animal Lab, home to Florida box turtles and non-native creatures like the Argentine tegu lizard that have made a home in the Sunshine State; and a hurricane simulator.

For baseball fans, February and March is the time when fans flock to JetBlue Park at Fenway South, the spring training grounds of the Boston Red Sox, hosting as many as 11,000 fans for each game.
 

For a look at local flora and fauna, head to Manatee Park — just north of downtown on a tributary of the Caloosahatchee River — where you can take a guided kayaking tour, stroll nature trails and butterfly gardens, and possibly spot manatees from December through March.

Venture even deeper into Southwest Florida’s wildlife at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve from the safety of a mile-long boardwalk. You’ll also stay dry while accessing wetlands and uplands to spot wading birds, turtles, and (sometimes) alligators.

Fort Myers’ River District is a lively dining and shopping area in the heart of downtown. Follow your cravings to family-operated Bruno's of Brooklyn , a longstanding favorite for Italian fare with candle-topped tables and standout Sicilian specialties like pork braciole (braised pork stuffed with prosciutto and cheese) and arancini (rice balls filled with mozzarella and ricotta).

For a fun neighborhood vibe, Ford’s Garage — located a mile from the Edison and Ford Winter Estates — is decked out with decor that conjures a 1920s service station and is known for its delicious burgers and frosty craft beers. This is the original location of the Florida-based chain, licensed by Ford Motor Co. to celebrate the brand.

If it’s seafood you’re craving, Izzy’s Fish & Oyster is an elegant River District restaurant that offers a taste of New England with clam chowder and seafood towers piled with shellfish and shrimp, plus Southern favorites like fish dip, gator bites, and shrimp and grits.

Window shoppers and visitors in search of a memorable souvenir will find much to appreciate among unique, locally owned boutiques and galleries in the River District.

A boho-chic thread runs through the offerings at Crooked Halos , owned by a former Hollywood talent agent who moved to the area from Southern California. Her curated collections include artisanal finds like feather bookmarks, stacking bracelets, and beach hats that’ll make you stand out on the sand.

Vinyl continues to thrive at Joe’s Record Exchange, where you can shop for new and used records, as well as cool finds like vintage comics and movie posters. The nonprofit Arts for ACT Gallery  showcases everything from upcycled clothing and jewelry to prints and glass art by more than 50 local artists.

Note: The River District holds an Art Walk/gallery open house on the first Friday of the month from 5 to 9 PM, and a Music Walk with free live performances in various venues on the third Friday from 6 to 10 PM.

After a full day exploring Fort Myers, return home to your villa and your own private paradise in Bonita Springs. 

Coconut Cove on Florida’s Gulf Coast is a place where you can keep the momentum going or simply kick back and relax. You don’t need day trips to pass the time. There’s plenty to do there. 

Want to unwind? Drift along the 1,000-foot lazy river, soak in one of four pools, and enjoy poolside dining. 

Prefer to stay active? Book a tee time for another day at the nearby golf course, explore nature trails, or hop on a ferry to the resort’s secluded island for a change of scenery and beach time.

When it’s time to settle in for the evening, the residential-style studios and one- and two-bedroom villas at Coconut Cove offer the comforts of home and private patios or balconies — with just the right touch of vacation vibes. 

Start your Florida exploration with a reservation at Hyatt Vacation Club^® at Coconut Cove.

* No inquiry has been made into the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, or the qualifications, safety, or quality of the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, and WHV Resort Group, Inc. and HV Global Group, Inc. (collectively, “HVC”) make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, or any other aspect of such off-site locations, activities, events, or service providers listed herein. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the off-site locations, activities, services, events, or providers. Neither WHV Resort Group, Inc. nor HV Global Group, Inc. assumes liability for attendance at, or visits to, any off-site locations, or the products, activities, or services furnished by independent service providers. Additional fees and costs may apply. Activities and events are subject to change. Some activities or events may require the participant to be in good health and have a certain level of skill.