Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Photo credit: Visit Florida

148 miles NW of Miami, 142 miles S of Tampa, 42 miles N of Naples

You know how there are two schools of martini drinkers -- one whose students consider themselves shaken-not-stirred purists and the other whose students believe in candy-colored cocktails -- the brighter and sweeter, the better? The purists usually shudder at the candy-cocktailers and vice versa. Now replace those opposing martini camps with fans of technological progress and those who thought things were just fine the way they were, and you're on your way to understanding the dual mindset of historic Fort Myers. You see, inventor Thomas Alva Edison came here in 1885 to regain his health after years of incessant toil and the death of his first wife. But unlike most new arrivals, he didn't just merge quietly into the population. Rather, his presence turned the city into one big light bulb: The cows didn't know what hit 'em. Some regret the light bulb ever making its way into Fort Myers. Others couldn't care less.

Today, however, the debate is moot, and the city's prime attractions are the homes Edison and Henry Ford built on the banks of the Caloosahatchee. Edison planted lush tropical gardens around the two homes and royal palms in front of the properties along McGregor Boulevard, once a cow trail leading from town to the docks at Punta Rassa. Had those two never showed up, Fort Myers would probably have been yet another Denny's-lined truck stop. Now lining McGregor Boulevard for miles, the trees give Fort Myers its nickname: the City of Palms.

After you've seen the Edison and Ford homes, you'll want to hightail it to the sands at nearby Fort Myers Beach or on Sanibel or Captiva islands. You also can venture inland and observe incredible numbers of wildlife in their river and swamp habitats, including those at the Babcock Ranch, largest of the surviving cattle producers and now a major game preserve. Note: If you're looking for action of the Girls Gone Wild, MTV Spring Break kind, this area is not even close to where you want to be.

• Daytona Beach
• Fort Lauderdale
• Fort Myers
• Jacksonville
• Key West
• Miami
• Orlando
• Sarasota
• St. Petersburg
• Tampa