Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates, House museum and botanical garden in Fort Myers, United States
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is a dual property along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers that includes two residences, a botanical garden with tropical plants, and historic research buildings. The grounds stretch along the riverfront and contain pathways through beds of palms, orchids, and crops from different climate zones.
The inventor purchased the land in 1885 and built his home, where he spent every winter until his death in 1931. His neighbor bought the adjacent property in 1916, and both worked there on experimental projects during the warm months.
The first winter home is a wood structure prefabricated in Maine and shipped to Florida by schooner. The second reveals details from the automobile era and how both men spent their leisure time away from factories.
The museum sits in downtown Fort Myers and is reachable on foot from several neighborhoods. Visitors should bring light clothing, water, and a hat because of the humidity and sun.
A giant rubber tree with aerial roots forming a natural pavilion stands at the center of the garden. The tree was planted as a gift by a tire manufacturer and has spread across several property lines.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Florida combines multiple facets: Orlando's amusement parks, the protected wetlands of the Everglades, Miami's beaches, and the Keys archipelago. This route passes through national parks, historic sites, coastal lighthouses, and botanical gardens. Visitors explore diverse ecosystems including...
Florida offers a trip that includes theme parks, white sandy beaches, and nature reserves where children can see alligators and birds in their environment. Orlando has several parks like Disney's Hollywood Studios and LEGOLAND Florida, while Miami shows its energy in busy neighborhoods and along the...
Edison Bridge
2.2 km
Murphy-Burroughs House
2.1 km
Caloosahatchee Bridge
1.4 km
Fort Myers Downtown Commercial District
1.6 km
Southwest Florida Museum of History
1.6 km
Old Lee County Courthouse
1.4 km
Casa Rio
114 m
Edison Park Elementary School
623 mImaginarium Science Center
2.3 km
Alderman House
2.4 km
William H. Towles House
867 m
Dean Park Historic Residential District
2.8 km
Paul Laurence Dunbar School
3 km
Henry Ford Winter Estate
78 m
Thomas Edison Winter Estate
69 mThe Butterfly Estates
2 kmThe Florida Native Butterfly Society
2 kmFort Myers Country Club
2.4 kmFlorida Repertory Theatre
1.7 kmCaloosa Sound Amphitheater
1.5 kmStatue of Ford, Edison, and Firestone
1.4 kmAmerican Bald Eagle
1.4 kmCaloosahatchee Manuscripts
1.7 kmLux
1.7 kmRobert E. Lee
1.4 kmThe Florida Panther
1.4 kmSun Gate
1.3 kmStatue, Work of art
1.8 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes