Considered Fort Myers' main downtown area, the River District is filled with things to do, see and eat. Take a stroll through the brick-paved streets to admire the early 1900s buildings, including the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center, which was constructed in 1933 using Florida Keys limestone. City hall, the county courthouse, boutiques and restaurants are located in this neighborhood, making it a fantastic place to visit any time of day. Discover myriad works of public art during your time in the River District, or take a tour to learn more about the area's history along with its ghostly hauntings. Conveniently, popular hotels – like the Banyan Hotel Fort Myers, Tapestry Collection by Hilton – are located in this neighborhood as well.

For an extra special evening, head downtown on the first Friday of every month for Art Walk, where you will find vendors selling jewelry, clothes and paintings. If you're more musically inclined, time your visit with Music Walk, which takes place the third Friday of each month. The Music Walk features performers who play live music for crowds in the streets, ranging from jazz to rock-and-roll.

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are a home base for history buffs who visit the area. The two American innovators – Thomas Edison, the inventor of both the electric light bulb and the phonograph, and Henry Ford, pioneer of the automobile – were good friends who built their winter homes next to each other about a mile south of Fort Myers' River District. Dating back to the early 1900s, the historic estates are now on display for visitors. Along with the homes, the grounds also include a botanical garden (with trees planted by Edison and Ford themselves), a research laboratory and a museum with hundreds of artifacts and inventions from the entrepreneurs. Recent visitors found their tours of the estate and that they were worth the price of admission, especially those who are interested in the history of either inventor.

The estate is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 4:30 p.m. daily.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Start your day with a sunrise walk on the beach. Early rises get their pick of the seashells and maybe even sand dollars that have washed ashore. – Susan B. Barnes

Though still recovering from Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers Beach is open for business and remains a big draw for travelers visiting the area. About 15 miles south of the city on Estero Island, it can take as long as an hour to get there in peak traffic. Still, travelers who head to the shoreline can expect wide swaths of clean, white sand as fine as powdered sugar, which is well worth the journey for many.

Although the nearest major league baseball teams are in Tampa and Miami, those visiting Fort Myers can still see big league action in the form of spring training. Every March, the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins escape the cold for the warm spring temperatures the city has to offer.

The Red Sox have been making their spring training home in Fort Myers since 1993, and at JetBlue Park since 2012, where diehard fans can see a replica of the Green Monster and an old school manual scoreboard; their home away from home field has the exact field dimensions of Fenway Park. Fans typically enjoy their time at "Fenway South," though the free parking had mixed reviews. Some visitors said it was easy while others had a harder time (think: tons of traffic and some disorganization). Others said the staff is friendly and concession lines were short.

U.S. News Insider Tip: You'll see the most wildlife if you visit during low tide, or early-morning or late-afternoon when animals are most active. – Susan B. Barnes

Named after a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist and conservationist, the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 7,600 acres on Sanibel Island, located about 24 miles southwest of Fort Myers. The refuge, which takes up about half the entire island, was originally meant to preserve migratory bird habitats. Today, it is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the U.S. where visitors find untouched mangroves and animals like bobcats, alligators and 250 species of birds. In fact, for herons, egrets, ospreys and other birds, the refuge is an important stop along their migratory path. Recent visitors said that the visitor's center is quite informative, the staff friendly and helpful and visiting the refuge was a highlight of the trip. 

Set on 3,500 acres of wetlands, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is home to an array of plant and animal life. The slough (pronounced "sloo") is a slim wetland with slowly moving freshwater. While visiting, you could spot turtles, birds, alligators, otters and more in the marsh habitat as you walk along the lush, 1.2-mile boardwalk trail. Before or after hiking, pop into the Interpretive Center to view interactive exhibits and learn more about the slough, or peruse souvenirs in the on-site gift shop (proceeds are used to protect the slough).

Recent visitors said this beautiful, affordable gem is worth a visit. They spotted alligators, fish, woodpeckers, blue herons and more wildlife during their walk along the boardwalk. Others suggest taking a guided tour for a more enriching experience. Travelers also recommended bringing binoculars to spot animals at a distance from the trail, and others note that bug spray and drinking water are musts during the summer months.

Manatee Park is a refuge for Florida manatees between December and February. During these colder months, the animals flock to warm pockets of water to escape chilly temperatures. Since the park is directly on the warm water discharge canal of the Florida Power & Light plant, it's a popular spot for these gentle creatures. There are a handful of observation decks from which to spot the animals, but you can also hop into a kayak and paddle out to spot them. Kayak rentals and guided tours are available through Manatee Kayaking Company. It's unlikely you'll see manatees if you visit in summer, but you can enjoy the park's 17 acres in kayaks or on its paths. There's also an impressive butterfly garden to walk through. The park sits about 7.5 northeast of downtown Fort Myers.

Those lucky enough to see manatees highly recommend getting in a kayak for a better view. Visitors also reported seeing turtles, ducks, alligators and birds during their paddles. They also said the park was worth a visit, manatees or no. In the warmer months, they suggest bringing along water and sunscreen. 

Described by some recent travelers as fascinating and a highly-recommended spot to visit in Fort Myers Beach, the William H. Case House – also known as the Mound House – is the oldest standing structure on Estero Island. The grounds serve as an archeological dig site and houses a museum that teaches visitors about the Calusa tribe, the original settlers and inhabitants of Southwest Florida.

Nicknamed "The Shell Indians," the Calusa were known for carving tools and weapons out of seashells roughly 2,000 years ago. Once the tools were no longer usable, members of the tribe would discard them in what became a mound of shells. On top of that ancient shell mound, the Case family built the Mound House in 1906. It has been modernized over time and today reflects what the house might have looked like in the early 1920s, complete with antique furniture and other decor.   

Paddlers – including stand-up, kayak and canoe, beginner or advanced – will delight at the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail. The 190-mile trail winds through coastal waterways and inland tributaries throughout Lee County, in which Fort Myers sits. While out on the water you may spot all types of birds, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and even river otters. Guided tours are available, as are rentals, from outfitters like Adventure Sea Kayak, Gulf Coast Kayak and Sea Dog Eco Tours.

Developed by Lee County Parks & Recreation, free, downloadable maps provide overviews of the trail's three regions. Each details a different area including highlights and access points. Another option is the Great Calusa Blueway app, a terrific way to navigate the trail when you're out on the water.

If you're looking for more than 2 miles of pristine white sand beaches, look no further than Lovers Key State Park. What was once slated for the development of luxury condos, this strip of land was instead donated to the state in an effort to protect the area's beaches and mangrove forests.

In addition to sandy space perfect for laying out a blanket and lazing the days away, the park offers lots of active pursuits. More than 7 miles of multiuse trails await bicyclists, runners, walkers and hikers with plenty of observation points along the way. Or, take a walk on the beach and collect seashells. Want to fish? Cast your lines for trout, redfish, snook and tarpon seasonally, or throw nets for mullet in the bay year-round. (Keep in mind, there are some fishing regulations and you may need a fishing license.) Paddlers can glide 2.5 miles through mangroves for a chance to spot alligators, dolphins, osprey and bald eagles. To learn more about the area, visit the Welcome and Discovery Center, free with park entry. It's filled with exhibits that highlight the park's habitats, wildlife and plants. Recent visitors touted plenty of space to spread out on the beach, even on busy days, and some lucky beachgoers found sand dollars while searching for seashells.

If you're looking for a mix of fun and relaxation suitable for the entire family, head to Lakes Regional Park. Located about 9 miles south of downtown Fort Myers, the nearly 300-acre park features a freshwater lake for fishing, kayaking and canoeing; multiple playgrounds; paved biking/walking paths; picnic areas; gardens; and bike and boat rentals. Lakes Park also houses the Railroad Museum of Southwest Florida, which offers daily train rides.

Recent travelers said the park was a great place to spend a morning or afternoon, emphasizing that it is large, clean and well-maintained. Families with children were especially fond of the train rides, playgrounds and rental bikes. Some also noted spotting alligators, bald eagles and turtles while there. The park hosts festivals and special events regularly, including a weekly farmers market on Wednesday mornings from October to June.

You'll see a wide range of animals native to Florida at the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, including bald eagles, alligators, hawks and owls.

Allot one to two hours to enjoy Calusa's highlights, including walking along the two nature trails, exploring the butterfly garden, participating in education programs and watching shows in the area's only public planetarium. Special events like night hikes are held throughout the year. Visitors praised the planetarium and enjoyed the different exhibits. You may want to pair it with a trip to the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, as Calusa is less than 5 miles north.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Catch the sunset from Sidney's Rooftop Sculpture Garden, open Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6 p.m. – Susan B. Barnes

Fort Myers enjoys a rich arts and cultural scene, including the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center downtown. For more than 15 years the center has cultivated community through exhibitions, performances, education and outreach. Curated art shows change monthly in both the Capital Gallery and Grand Atrium Gallery, and Sidney's Rooftop Sculpture Garden is a terrific place to spend an evening under the stars.