Fort Myers

The former winter residences of these two important Americans are today a cultural site that is worth a visit, whether you're interested in history, technology or nature: Thomas Edison set up a laboratory and a botanical garden which you'll be able to explore, together with the historical house interiors and a museum dedicated to the inventor.

Stretching across 10 acres on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, Centennial Park is a good location for a walk or a picnic in town, offering a playground and a fishing pier. Here you will also find the Uncommon Friends, a sculpture commemorating the town's most famous visitors.

Held every Thursday in Centennial Park, the Farmer's Market offers many kinds of local produce, including fruit, bakery, seafood and flowers. Since it is a popular meetup location for the people of Fort Myers, it can be a good occasion to mingle with locals.

The area around Fort Myers offers beautiful, diverse landscapes, which you can admire in the many nature reserves. It's not only about the ocean - inland, you'll find river banks lined by woods, and coastal wetlands. Bird-watching lovers should head to J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge: established in 1945 on Sanibel Island, it hosts 245 different bird species, along with mammals and other sea creatures. It also offers activities for guests, such as kayaking, tram tours and fishing. 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL +1 239 472 1100 www.fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling dingdarling@fws.gov The 3500-acre-wide Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve also makes for good hiking grounds. On its 1.2 mile boardwalk, between dense trees and bayous, you'll admire herons, egrets, alligators, turtles, and other typical fauna. 7791 Penzance Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL +1 239 533 7557 www.sloughpreserve.org

For some cultural entertainment, add Fort Myers's Art Walks and Music Walks to your agenda: these free happenings animate the social scene of the downtown River District at fixed times every month, while shops, art galleries and restaurants stay open until late at night, providing drinks on the sidewalk. The Art Walk takes place every first Friday of the month, 6pm-10pm, and features 13 art galleries which offer self-guided tours and meet-ups with the artists. www.fortmyersartwalk.com The Music Walk starts every third Friday of the month at 7pm, with bands and singers taking over the streets, performing in a wide range of music genres. facebook.com/fortmyersmusicwalk

This luxury mansion was a well-known social event venue among Fort Myers's elite at the turn of the century. Built in 1901 in an imposing Georgian Revival style, it is now open for historical tours, and it's also a popular location for marriages and private ceremonies.

With a planetarium, a butterfly house, nature trails and an aviary for rehabilitated birds, the independent non-profit organization of Calusa Nature Center provides environmental education for all ages.