Fort Myers

John Ringling's primary work was his traveling circus, which still entertains Americans to this day. But he also dabbled in oil, real estate, finance, and ranching. — Frommer's

This riverside complex holds the winter homes and tropical gardens of inventor Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) and auto manufacturer Henry Ford (1863-1947), who became lifelong friends in 1896. — Michelin Guide

The pride of Naples, this engaging, sophisticated art museum is part of the Artis–Naples campus, which includes the fabulous Philharmonic Center next door. — Lonely Planet

The pride of Naples, this engaging, sophisticated art museum is part of the Artis–Naples campus, which includes the fabulous Philharmonic Center next door. — Lonely Planet

Kids get to touch such cool stuff as stingrays (minus the stinger) and watch sharks in the shark tank at this excellent aquarium. — Frommer's

This lovely state park and beach extends for a mile from the mouth of the Cocohatchee River. — Lonely Planet

This may be the prettiest strip mall in all of Florida. — Frommer's

for herons, cuckoos, ospreys, and other birds, the refuge is an important stop along their migratory path. — U.S. News & World Report

Orchids make up nearly a third of the 20,000 species of flowers and plants here. — Fodor's

Nestled on the Manatee River, west of downtown, this park attracts history buffs by re-creating the look and atmosphere of the period when Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto landed in 1539. — Frommer's

Crammed with artifacts, this small museum leapfrogs from the giant sloths of the Pleistocene Era to the twisted props of downed WWII fighter jets in a veritable blink. — Lonely Planet

This is the only zoo in the Southeast where you can see the fosas of Madagascar (an agile carnivore that can even catch lemurs). — Frommer's

This bright, cheery 30,000-square-foot ode to playful learning burst onto Naples's cultural scene in 2012 after a decade of much-anticipated planning, and its 12 state-of-the-art permanent galleries do not disappoint. — Fodor's

Managed by the National Audubon Society, the sanctuary protects North America's largest remaining stand of ancient bald cypress, 600-year-old trees as tall as 130 feet. — Fodor's

Now a nonprofit museum dedicated to preserving antique automobiles. But there's more to the place. — Frommer's

This community-oriented nonprofit gallery has four exhibition spaces that mix local and out-of-town artists. — Lonely Planet

As kid-friendly as nature gets, there are hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, easy to manage walking trails into three different biomes, and enough wildlife to satisfy the most avid amateur zoologists. — Lonely Planet

Head here to cool off when summer swelters. Nearly two dozen wet and dry attractions include ten thrill waterslides. — Fodor's

Considered one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks, Myakka River State Park stretches across 58 square miles of wetlands, hammocks, pinelands and prairies. — U.S. News & World Report