Edison and Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Step back into old Florida, and explore the estates of two of the United States’ most prominent men. Registered as National Historic sites, the buildings and beautifully landscaped lawns of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates tell stories of early Florida as well as the lives and times of the inventors.
The Basics
A must for first-time visitors to this stretch of the Florida coast, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates rank among Fort Myers’ most popular attractions. Choose a self-guided tour with help from the free Edison Ford app, or an hour-long historian-led walk through the estates. Tickets give you access to the homes, the museum, and the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory.
Themed tours focus on topics like the Edison Ford automobile collection or closed-off areas of the winter estate homes, and sightseeing cruises along the Caloosahatchee River depart from the on-site marina.
Things to Know Before You Go
Tours are available in English, Spanish, French, and German.
Most visitors spend two to three hours at the estates and gardens.
The estates are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, and wheelchairs are available to use for free.
How to Get There
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are centrally located in the Fort Myers River District, within easy walking distance of several other top attractions. Free parking is available.
When to Get There
The grounds are usually open daily, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. During the holiday season, the estates host a popular display, complete with twinkling lights and historic decorations.
Edison Botanic Research Laboratory
A highlight of the property is the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory, where Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone once worked on a project to grow and produce rubber in the United States. Much of the lab remains as it was, including the chemical processing area, machine shop, and darkroom.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!