The graceful, swaying palms that line the downtown streets of Fort Myers give the historic town its nickname of "The City of Palms." It wasresident Thomas Edison who imported 200 Golden Palms from Cuba and had them planted along McGregor Boulevard. Modern Fort Myers is filled with historical interest dating back to the earliest Native American inhabitants, abundant wildlife, and exotic flora. Vacationers also know it as Florida's fun center, with plenty of golf, tennis, scuba diving, and snorkeling to keep them entertained. Baseball fans love visiting during spring, since Fort Myers is home to the spring training camps of the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox. Fishing is terrific, the waters teeming with red snapper, grouper, snook and tarpon.

Along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico, a multitude of barrier islands are the perfect place to kick back and experience the slow and easy pace of "island time." Known as "Florida's Tropical Island Getaway," many of these islands are reachable by boat, and you are invited to explore their many nature preserves. Whether you're taking a family vacation or a romantic holiday, Southwest Florida is a wonderful choice, where scenic waterways, protected wilderness, and more than 10,000 uninhabited islands offer more fun than you can have in one lifetime!