Considered Fort Myers' main downtown area, the River District is filled with things to do, see and – of course – eat. Take a stroll through the brick-paved streets to admire the early 1900s-era buildings, including the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center, which was constructed in 1933 using Florida Keys limestone. City hall, the county courthouse, several top attractions (like the Edison and Ford Winter Estates) and boutiques are located in this neighborhood, and you'll also have a number of restaurants and bars to choose from. When hunger strikes, sit down for a bite to eat at Ford's Garage, a traveler favorite named after Henry Ford and known for its mouthwatering burgers and classic car-themed decor. Conveniently, popular hotels – like the Hotel Indigo Ft. Myers Downtown River District – are located in this neighborhood as well.

Recent travelers enjoyed exploring the Fort Myers River District, praising its plethora of eateries and nicely restored historic buildings. For an extra special evening, many recommend heading downtown on the first Friday of every month for Art Walk, where you will find vendors selling jewelry, clothes and paintings. Stores and museums in the River District typically stay open late on these nights. If you're more musically inclined, time your visit with Music Walk, which takes place every third Friday of the 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 the electric light bulb and the phonograph, and Henry Ford, the pioneer of the automobile – were good friends who built their winter homes next to each other about a mile south of downtown Fort Myers. Dating back to the early 1900s, the historic estates are now on display for visitors. Along with the grand homes, the grounds also include a botanical garden (with trees planted by Edison himself), a research laboratory and a museum with hundreds of artifacts and inventions from the entrepreneurs.

The estates are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Guided and self-guided tours are available; the cost of admission depends on the type of tour you sign up for. Self-guided tour prices range from $15 to $25, depending on age. Recent visitors found the price of admission a bit high, but they reported it was worth it for those who are interested in the history of either inventor. For more information on prices and tour times, visit the organization's website. 

Fort Myers Beach is big draw for travelers visiting the area. Located on Estero Island, it is the closest – and most popular – beach spot to downtown Fort Myers, though it is a roughly 20-mile drive south. In peak traffic, it can take as long as an hour to get there. 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.

Fort Myers Beach is an excellent spot for swimming and sunbathing, as well as water sports like kayaking and parasailing. Rental shops for water sports equipment are positioned along the beachfront, and travelers can also reserve equipment ahead of time online through a company like Holiday Water Sports. Fishing enthusiasts can reel in their catches on the Fort Myers Beach Pier, which has an on-site bait shack and plenty of space to take a stroll and enjoy the views. Adjacent to the beach and pier, you'll find Times Square, a shopping and dining hot spot where you can grab a drink or enjoy live music.

Set on 3,500 acres of wetlands, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is home to an array of plant and animal life. Here, visitors can spot turtles, birds, alligators, otters and more in the marsh habitat as they walk along the lush boardwalk trail. Before or after hiking, pop into the Interpretive Center to view interactive exhibits and learn more about the slough (pronounced "sloo"), or peruse souvenirs in the on-site gift shop.

Recent visitors said this quiet, peaceful oasis is worth a visit to reset the mind and body. Most reported seeing herons, alligators and other creatures at all times of year, but some say the best time to view the park's wildlife is during the wet season from June to September – especially in the early morning, when crowds are limited. Travelers also recommend bringing binoculars to spot animals at a distance from the trail, and others note that bug spray is a must in the summer months.

It's best to stop by Manatee Park, a refuge for Florida manatees, during the winter season (between December and February). During the 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 company, it's a popular spot for these gentle creatures. There are a handful of observation decks to see the animals up close, but you can also hop into a kayak and paddle out to spot them. You probably won't see manatees if you visit in summer, but you can enjoy the park's 16 acres in kayaks or on guided tours. Recent visitors to the park say when it's cool out (and with a little patience) you can see upward of 50 manatees at the park. 

General admission to the park is free, but there is a small fee for parking ($5 per day). The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset daily (including holidays), and kayak rentals are available through Manatee Kayaking Company. After catching a glimpse of the manatees, you can also explore the extensive on-site butterfly garden. Check the Manatee Park website to learn more and see if manatees are present at the park on any given day.

Although the nearest major league baseball teams are in Tampa and Miami, those visiting Fort Myers 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 home at JetBlue Park since 2011, where diehard fans can see a replica of the Green Monster as well as an old school manual scoreboard. Fans who visited recently said the park has earned the nicknamed "Fenway South." The Minnesota Twins have been suiting up to prepare for the season in Fort Myers since 1990. Their stadium, located at CenturyLink Sports Complex, is about 5 miles west of JetBlue Park. When it's not spring training, the complex is also home to the two minor league affiliates of the Twins, the Fort Myers Miracle and the Gulf Coast League Twins, as well as facilities utilized by local collegiate and community teams. Recent visitors to the stadium said they found concessions easy to find and that every seat provides a great view of the action on the field.

If you're looking for a mix of fun and relaxation suitable for the whole family, head to Lakes Regional Park. Located about 10 miles south of Downtown Fort Myers, the almost 300-acre park offers a freshwater lake for fishing, multiple playgrounds, campsites, more than 2 miles of walking paths, a small splash pad water park, picnic areas, gardens and bike and boat rentals. Lakes Park also houses the Railroad Museum of Southwest Florida, which offers daily train rides for children.

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 and multiple fun spaces to explore. Some also noted spotting alligators and other wildlife, such as fish and rabbits, while there. The park hosts festivals and special events regularly, and there is a weekly farmers market on Wednesday mornings.

Named after a political cartoonist and conservationist, the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge occupies 8,000 acres of land on Sanibel Island, located southwest of Fort Myer's city center. The refuge, which takes up about half the entire island, was originally meant to conserve the island's significant mangrove forest. Today, it is still home to those mangroves, as well as animals like crocodiles, alligators and countless species of birds. In fact, for herons, cuckoos, ospreys and other birds, the refuge is an important stop along their migratory path. Recent visitors to the park said it's a unique way to see a variety of wildlife. 

You'll see the most wildlife if you visit between the months of November and April during low tide. If you visit in the summer be aware of the high humidity and increased amount of bugs – including mosquitos. You can explore the refuge in whatever way suits your tastes: on foot or bike via trails, in a canoe or by car. Parts of the park also allow boating and fishing. The park is open every day except Friday. It also offers a free visitor and education center that's open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round. Park hours vary throughout the year, so check the website before visiting. Admission is $10 per vehicle or $1 per pedestrian or bicycle. 

Future scientists and engineers (and their families) come to the IMAG History & Science Center to explore topics, such as earth and space science, Florida history, technology, marine animals and more through interactive exhibits. The center also offers live animal encounters with its touch tanks and aquarium.  

Recent visitors were pleased with the center and its hands-on exhibits, calling IMAG a great indoor activity when the weather won't cooperate. Others felt the admission price was too high given the center's small size. Some reviewers note this activity is best suited for children 12 and younger.

You'll see a wide range of animals native to Florida at the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, including bald eagles, alligators, hawks and owls. There are also daily shows and animal demonstrations, as well as touch tanks and fossils that kids will enjoy.

Allot one to two hours to enjoy tours of Calusa's artificial habitats, experience the wetlands or visit the butterfly house. If there's still time left over, take in the attraction's laser and space-related shows. Recent visitors say the planetarium is a highlight, but the rest of the nature center is fun for families with smaller children.

Described by some recent travelers as a hidden gem in the town of Fort Myers Beach, the William H. Case house – also known as the Mound House – is the oldest standing structure on Estero Island. The attraction serves as an archeological dig site and 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.