The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Fort Myers, Florida (FL)

Magic Wind Adventure Sailing specializes in sailing adventures on the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Fort Myers Beach Florida. Half Day, Quarter Day, & Sunset Sails are available. We've been in business since 2007 in Fort Myers Beach and enjoy sharing the Magic of the Sea aboard s/v Star of Orion, a 38 foot sailing yacht. I look forward to our time on the sea.

Shell Point Retirement Community's massive 43' x 41' model train display features several running trains and hundreds of recognizable miniature geographic landmarks. The popular attraction is open from October through April each year, with free tours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., conducted by Shell Point resident volunteers who enjoy model railroads as a hobby and want to share their interest with others. Landmarks to explore include Tallahassee's old Capitol Building, Pensacola freight yards, the Gainesville Gator Bowl, Walt Disney World, Kennedy Space Center with an orbiting space shuttle, Everglades National Park, the Sanibel Lighthouse, and even Shell Point Retirement Community. Be sure to check out the realistic "burning" house in St. Petersburg, with simulated smoke pouring out of the windows. The Gulf Coast Model Railroad has welcomed visitors since 1973, with Shell Point resident volunteers who serve as conductors on each journey "around the state." Ticket booth Millie welcomes more than 3,000 guests each year, many who write complimentary comments after their free tour (donations are appreciated).

List Distillery is a Family Owned and Operated Craft Spirit Distillery founded in 2015 and located in Fort Myers, Florida. Renate and Thomas List are passionate people devoted to the art of distilling the best craft spirits possible using locally sourced crops and organic ingredients. Working side by side, in their state of the art distillery, Renate and Thomas combine their passion and knowledge of old world craft distilling with innovative ideas to produce unique flavors and memorable experiences. To Renate and Thomas, “Craft Distilling is the art of combining our love, knowledge, local ingredients, creativity and the ability to dream!” Stop by the List Distillery and watch as they Mash, Cook, Mix and Distill unique flavors such as Apple Pie Rum, Key Lime Pie Rum, Habanero Honey Whiskey, Ginger Lime Gin, Hazelnut Liqueur and Caffe Latte. Don’t forget to stop by the tasting room as well to get a true taste for Mr. Tom’s Spirits.

Look for the West Indian manatee.

Visitors to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will enjoy seeing the winter residences of famous inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. There are historical buildings, award-winning gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Inventions Museum. The museum has hundreds of inventions, artifacts and special exhibits. Edison Ford offers many tour options, including special "Inside-the-Homes" and "Inside-the-Lab" Tours on select days. The audio tour is available in English, Spanish, German and French. Historian led tours are also offered in German on select days. Group tours can be arranged in advance.

The Fort Myers Miracle are the Class A Advanced minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. Since moving to Fort Myers in 1992, the Miracle have qualified for the Florida State League Playoffs eight times and won the Florida State League Championship in 2014. Home games are played at Hammond Stadium at the CenturyLink Sports Complex. The Fort Myers Miracle season begins in April and ends in September.

Lakes Park encompasses nearly 300 acres of beautiful nature trails, lakes and gardens. Two playgrounds and water parks, a miniature train ride and railroad museum, bikes and watercraft available for rental, food concession, fitness trail and lots of picnicking areas. Every year over a million people enjoy Lakes Park's natural beauty for exercise and family recreation.