Cape Coral and Fort Myers sit on opposite banks of the Caloosahatchee River in Lee County, forming Southwest Florida's largest metro area. Both cities have distinct characters: Fort Myers is the older, more urbane city with a beautiful historic district, while Cape Coral is a planned community famous for its extraordinary network of 400+ miles of canals — more than any other city in the world.
Cape Coral's Canal System
Cape Coral was built from scratch in the late 1950s with a planned canal network designed to provide waterfront access to as many properties as possible. The result is 400+ miles of navigable canals (more than Venice, Italy or Amsterdam), creating a unique water-oriented lifestyle:
- Many homes have direct boat access from their backyard dock
- Dolphins and manatees frequent the canals
- Kayaking and paddleboarding the canals is a unique Cape Coral activity
- Boating to the Gulf via Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
Fort Myers's crown jewel — the side-by-side winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, preserved as a National Historic Landmark. Edison's 14-acre estate includes his botanical garden (once the largest private lab in America), the original Seminole Lodge home, and his laboratory where he worked on rubber research. The museum is excellent.
Fort Myers Riverwalk
The downtown Fort Myers Riverwalk along the Caloosahatchee River is undergoing ongoing improvements and is the center of the city's growing restaurant and entertainment scene. First Street is the main dining corridor.
Best Restaurants
- The Veranda (Fort Myers) — Two historic Victorian homes, fine dining, lovely garden setting
- Ford's Garage (Cape Coral and Fort Myers) — Henry Ford-themed burger restaurant, locally beloved
- Pinchers (multiple locations) — Stone crab and Gulf seafood, regional institution
- Blu Sushi (Fort Myers) — Outstanding sushi, upscale casual
Getting to Cape Coral & Fort Myers
- RSW Airport to Fort Myers Downtown: 15-20 min, from $40
- RSW Airport to Cape Coral: 20-30 min, from $50
- TPA to Fort Myers: 2+ hours, from $140