ft myers, ford/edison winter estates
 

We're spending one night in Ft. Myers before heading to Sanibel for the week. How interesting is the Ford/Edison Winter Estate? I have two elementary aged children. From their website it is difficult to tell if you must go on a GUIDED tour, or if you can stroll on your own.

Any one been there and done that? Thanks.

You and the kids will love it. You'll want to take the guided tour as they have so much information and cost the sme as walking round yourself. Afterward you can walk around all you want.

We help out during the Holiday display which is quite beautiful.

enjoy,
Duane

I drive by this wonderful place every morning on my way to work. The advice you have been given is absolutely correct and essential. Without a guide, you will miss the importance of most of it. It is a place that needs its story to be told. The story of the place is wonderful to hear and you will enjoy it probably more than your kids.

The bougainvillea is in bloom and even though the vegetation was ravaged by Hurricane Charley and then Hurricane Wilma, the place is looking very good with its restoration (not hurricane related) almost complete. LMF

We brought two 12 year olds and they enjoyed it. My husband and I really enjoyed it. There's a museum which might bore the kids if you stop to read everything, but it is very interesting.

Edison invented a lot of things that I never knew he should be credited for!!!

It's definitely worth a stop. And wait until you see the banyan tree in the parking lot...the 2nd largest in the world. It's awesome. The kids will love it!

Have fun.

Great information and thank you very much for your responses. We will definitely visit!
Nancy

The greatest thing about the Edison-Ford museum is how incredibly simply the fabulously rich used to live. People who cvould afford anything chose to live in comfortable but very plain houses. I would think this would be a good lesson for kids growing up today to learn.

It is fabulous at Christmas! Very good stop, Edison was an insomniac and had nap places in lots of rooms. You also might enjoy the children's hands-on museum, the Imaginarium. Lots of fun things to do.
http://www.cityftmyers.com/imaginarium/index.aspx

Thank you thank you thank you. I get such good information from you all!