Fort Myers, fifty miles south, may lack the élan of Sarasota, but it's nonetheless one of the up-and-coming communities of the southwest coast. Fortunately, most of its recent growth has occurred on the north side of the wide Caloosahatchee River, which the town straddles, allowing the traditional center, along the waterway's south shore, to remain relatively unspoiled. Once across the river, US-41 strikes downtown Fort Myers, picturesquely nestled on the water's edge. Here, the Fort Myers Historical Museum , 2300 Peck St (Tues-Sat 9am-4pm), provides thorough insights into the town's past, including the exploits of Dr Franklin Miles, the local man who developed Alka Seltzer. Hotels in Ft Myers |