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A Family Guide to Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers

Ranked among the best attractions in Fort Myers, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates offer a fascinating glimpse into those two creative minds.

Every destination in the U.S., from snowy Colorado to the sunny shores of North Carolina and Florida, has its own must-see attractions that belong on every visitor’s bucket list.

Visiting Fort Myers Beach for your next vacation? Be sure to include the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in your plans. Located in the mainland city of Fort Myers, just a 30-minute drive across the Matanzas Pass, this family-friendly site celebrates the winter homes, gardens, laboratories, and achievements of two of America’s most influential inventors: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The estates provide a fascinating glimpse into their lives and legacies and remain one of the most popular attractions in Southwest Florida.

Here’s a little something to spark your curiosity:

Historic Homes: Walk through Edison’s Victorian home, see Ford’s Mangoes estate, visit Edison’s swimming pool, pergola, and Ford’s vintage car garage.
Laboratory & Museum: Explore Edison’s preserved Botanic Research Lab and the museum’s 14,000+ artifacts.
Botanical Gardens: Over 20 acres of tropical trees, flowers, bamboo, and the iconic Banyan tree. Don’t miss the Moonlight Garden.
Shop & Garden Center: Pick up unique souvenirs and even plants cultivated from Edison’s original gardens.
Tours & Experiences: Choose from guided or self-guided tours, garden walks, and seasonal events like car shows and holiday celebrations.

At Sun Palace Vacations, we offer stunning vacation homes in Fort Myers Beach. Whether you’re looking for a beachfront escape or a cozy retreat, we have the perfect place for you. We consider ourselves Fort Myers Beach experts, and from the best shopping spots and top-notch restaurants to a comprehensive guide on fishing and hunting in the area, we’ve got you covered in our blog.

Curious to learn more? In this blog, I’ll share all the highlights of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and essential information to help you plan a visit with your family during your next trip to Fort Myers.

Let’s jump into the details!

An Intro to The Edison Ford Winter Estates

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates offer a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore the lives of two legendary figures whose innovations shaped modern America. From the peaceful gardens and historic homes to the innovative laboratories and fascinating museum exhibits, the estates provide an engaging and educational experience for anyone interested in the history of American innovation.

While visiting this must-see attraction in Fort Myers, you’ll enjoy 20 acres of historic buildings, beautiful gardens, the Edison Botanical Research Lab, and the Edison Ford Museum. The newly restored buildings include the Edison Main House, Guest House, Caretaker’s House, and the Ford House.

Why is it good for families?

A visit to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is a great family activity thanks to its unique blend of history, science, art, and nature, making it an appealing destination for visitors of all ages.

Kids and adults alike can explore Thomas Edison’s inventions and learn about innovation through hands-on exhibits in the museum and laboratory. If you have “little inventors” in tow, the displays are sure to spark their curiosity and keep them entertained. The expansive botanical gardens provide a beautiful outdoor space for families to explore together, while special programs, like guided tours and seasonal events.

Historical Tidbits

Thomas Edison purchased the property in Fort Myers in 1885 as a winter retreat to escape the harsh northern winters. He named the estate “Seminole Lodge.” Edison and his family spent many winters there, and it became a hub of innovation, relaxation, and social gatherings.
Henry Ford, a close friend of Edison, bought the neighboring estate in 1916, naming it “The Mangoes.” Ford frequently visited the Edisons in Fort Myers, and their estates became intertwined as a symbol of their friendship and shared vision for American progress.

Main Attractions & Activities

1. Historic Homes

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates aren’t just about inventions and labs — they’re also about the beautiful homes where these two icons spent their winters. Edison’s Victorian-style retreat and Ford’s more modest Mangoes house give you a peek into how they lived, relaxed, and entertained each other in sunny Fort Myers.

⭐ Highlights

Walk through Edison’s elegant Victorian home with wide porches, high ceilings, and original furnishings.
Step into Edison’s library, filled with his personal book collection.
See Edison’s phonograph in the parlor, often demonstrated for visitors.
Visit Edison’s bedroom with his custom desk and early electric lighting.
Explore Ford’s estate, The Mangoes, purchased in 1916, right next door.
Discover Ford’s simple yet elegant retreat, used as a winter home to spend time with the Edisons.

Here are other highlights when visiting the historical houses:

Edison’s swimming pool: This is one of the first concrete pools in Florida.
The pergola: It connects the guest house and main house. The pergola is a picturesque structure that is often draped in blooming plants from the gardens, adding to the estate’s beauty.
Ford’s Garage: Ford’s love of cars is on full display at The Mangoes. The garage houses some of his vintage vehicles, including a Model T, which was one of Ford’s most famous automobile designs.

2. Laboratory and Museum

Step inside Edison’s preserved Botanic Research Laboratory and see where he, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone once worked to find a domestic source of rubber. The lab still holds Edison’s original tools, from test tubes to notebooks, giving you a close look at his inventive process. Next door, the Edison Ford Museum adds depth with thousands of artifacts, blending personal stories with world-changing innovations.

⭐ Highlights

See Edison’s preserved Botanic Research Laboratory, complete with original beakers, test tubes, and equipment.
Explore the very plants and materials Edison tested during his rubber experiments.
Flip through Edison’s notes and journals for a peek into his problem-solving process.
Visit the Edison Ford Museum, home to more than 14,000 artifacts.
Discover everything from groundbreaking inventions to personal items that reveal the human side of Edison and Ford.

3. Botanical Gardens

The gardens at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates are as much a highlight as the historic homes themselves. Spread across more than 20 acres, they showcase Edison’s love of plants and his experiments with species from around the world. From fruit trees and fragrant flowers to unique design features, the gardens combine beauty, history, and science in a way that makes exploring them especially memorable.

⭐ Highlights

Wander through lush tropical gardens filled with mango, papaya, avocado, and orange trees.
See Edison’s famous Banyan tree, one of the largest in the continental U.S.
Discover several bamboo species that Edison studied for light bulb filaments.
Spot plaques marking Edison’s favorite blooms, including roses, jasmine, and hibiscus.
Step into the Moonlight Garden, designed in the 1920s with pale blossoms that glow under moonlight.

4. Edison Ford Shop and Garden Center

After exploring the estates, you can shop for unique souvenirs at the Edison Ford Museum Store, which offers books, gifts, and items related to Edison, Ford, and gardening. The Garden Center sells plants, many of which are cultivated from cuttings taken directly from Edison’s original gardens.

5. Tours and Experiences

The estates offer various guided tours, including the historical guided tour, which provides detailed insights into the lives of Edison, Ford, and their families. You can also take self-guided tours or garden tours focusing on the botanical aspects of the property.

Throughout the year, the estates host special events such as garden talks, historical re-enactments, car shows, and holiday celebrations.

Mission & Details

Their mission: To educate the public and inspire an inventive spirit by interpreting and preserving the innovations, legacies, artifacts, gardens, homes, laboratory, and other structures of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, emphasizing Florida history, science, horticulture, and the arts.
Guided tours: Private guided tours (minimum 20 people, maximum 25) require a minimum two-week advance reservation and are based on availability. Smaller groups can reserve a private guided tour at a flat rate of $450, or $600 in high season (January – March).
Audio guide: To listen to audio content during your visit, you can download the free Edison Ford app or access the audio content by dialing a phone number while on-site. The audio guide covers both the homes and gardens and takes approximately 60 minutes.
Ticket Prices: Admission prices vary. You can buy your tickets in advance on their website. Here’s a breakdown of the admission fees:

Adult (ages 20 and over) — $25
Teen (ages 13 – 19) — $20
Child (ages 6 – 12) — &15

Note: Group rates are offered on the self-guided admission option with advance reservations and a minimum of 20 people.

Service Animals: All Service Animals are welcome on site. Pets and other animals are not permitted inside the buildings or on the historic estates’ grounds.

Hours of operation: Open Daily 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Last ticket sold at 4:30 p.m.
Address: 2350 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Parking: All Parking is FREE

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