Fort Myers

This riverside complex holds the winter homes and tropical gardens of inventor Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) and auto manufacturer Henry Ford (1863-1947), who became lifelong friends in 1896. — Michelin Guide

John Ringling's primary work was his traveling circus, which still entertains Americans to this day. But he also dabbled in oil, real estate, finance, and ranching. — Frommer's

Crammed with artifacts, this small museum leapfrogs from the giant sloths of the Pleistocene Era to the twisted props of downed WWII fighter jets in a veritable blink. — Lonely Planet

This bright, cheery 30,000-square-foot ode to playful learning burst onto Naples's cultural scene in 2012 after a decade of much-anticipated planning, and its 12 state-of-the-art permanent galleries do not disappoint. — Fodor's

The pride of Naples, this engaging, sophisticated art museum is part of the Artis–Naples campus, which includes the fabulous Philharmonic Center next door. — Lonely Planet

Kids get to touch such cool stuff as stingrays (minus the stinger) and watch sharks in the shark tank at this excellent aquarium. — Frommer's

An old-guard establishment created in the 1880's, which now has 319 beachfront rooms. Articles Celebrity Travel Guide to Florida T L's Ultimate Guide to Florida. — Travel + Leisure

Orchids make up nearly a third of the 20,000 species of flowers and plants here. — Fodor's

This county park covers 35 acres of coastal habitat, including a 0.75-mile boardwalk through a mangrove forest that leads out to a powdery white-sand beach. — Lonely Planet

Nestled on the Manatee River, west of downtown, this park attracts history buffs by re-creating the look and atmosphere of the period when Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto landed in 1539. — Frommer's

It's best to stop by Manatee Park, a refuge for Florida manatees, during the winter season (between December and February). — U.S. News & World Report

Do you prefer your beach loud and active with a big dose of good old-fashioned fun? Kids running around in the surf, volleyballers hitting the sand, and tykes getting up close and personal with the park's most colorful residents, the red-throated Muscovy ducks, are all part of the Lowdermilk experience. — Fodor's

This reserve protects 110,000 acres of coastal lands and marine estuaries at the northern end of the Ten Thousand Islands, just south of Naples and north of Marco Island. — Lonely Planet

As kid-friendly as nature gets, there are hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, easy to manage walking trails into three different biomes, and enough wildlife to satisfy the most avid amateur zoologists. — Lonely Planet

Now a nonprofit museum dedicated to preserving antique automobiles. But there's more to the place. — Frommer's