Headed south?
There are a number of attractions just a short drive down Interstate 75.
In Fort Myers, a family with diverse tastes can please everyone by visiting The Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
Open year-round and located in historic downtown Fort Myers, the site features historic homes, Thomas Edison's workshop and extensive gardens. A 15,000-square-foot museum features hundreds of Edison and Ford objects, including Ford vehicles and Edison inventions, as well as video theaters and rotating special exhibits. Approximately 20 acres with historic research and contemporary gardens that features 500 unique plants. And with 250,000-plus visitors per year, the site is the ninth most-visited national historic home in the country.
Guided Tours daily of the site include the homes (Edison's features the first private, backyard swimming pool ever constructed), museum, laboratory and gardens.
The Edison Estate was deeded to the city of Fort Myers by Mina Edison in 1947 and opened to the public in 1948. The Ford Estate was purchased by the Estates in 1988 and opened to the public in 1990. For more information, call 289-334-7419.
Naples Zoo
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a nationally accredited zoo and historic garden that offers a full day of shows and feature exhibits that include the Tiger Forest, Panther Glade, African Oasis, Backyard Habitat, Alligator Bay and a new exhibit featuring African Wild Dogs. A guided boat tour takes visitors on a journey through through islands of monkeys, lemurs and apes.
The zoo has several special events planned for the Fourth of July. From Friday through July 4, animals at Naples Zoo will get to play with firecrackers. Not live ones, of course. Instead of real explosives, giant red, white, and blue cardboard tubes decorated like firecrackers will be stuffed with the animals' favorite treats throughout the weekend.
The Naples Zoo offers free admission to all active and retired military personnel from Friday through July 4. Military personnel will receive free admission to the zoo by presenting military identification. Adult and child guests in their party will also receive $2 off regular admission during the weekend.
The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is at 1590 Goodlette Road, Naples. For more information, call 239-262-5409.
Babcock Wilderness Adventures
The 90,000 acres of the Crescent B Ranch straddles Lee and Charlotte counties and gives residents and visitors alike the chance to see Florida wildlife up close.
Panthers, Florida cracker cattle, birds, white-tailed deer and dozens of wild alligators are just a small portion of the animals you can see on this tour. Swamp buggies carry you through pinewoods, fresh water marsh and parts of the Telegraph Cypress Swamp.
A professional tour guide completes the experience with commentaries on the wildlife, ranch activities such as cattle and horses, and the history of the area. You can bring a picnic or enjoy a lunch of gator bites, hamburgers, hot dogs, and other luncheon items at the Gator Shack Restaurant. Give yourself an average of two and a half hours to experience the ranch. A museum, country store, outdoor exhibits, meeting facilities, educational programs and picnic facilities are also available.
Reservations are required for all tours. For more information, call 800-500-5583.
By ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER
Sun-Herald |