subject: Naples and Southwest Florida from D To G [print this page] Naples and Southwest Florida from D To G Naples and Southwest Florida from D To G
D
Dining is bountiful throughout Naples Southwest Florida. From casual beach joints hawking hot dogs and soft drinks to sophisticated restaurants where tuxedo-clad waitstaff serves haute cuisine, there are hundreds of choices suited to any budget, taste and occasion. A world of ethnic eateries showcases the foods of Asia, Europe and the Americas. And growing numbers of Floribbean restaurants feature a zesty union of local produce and fish infused with the bright flavors of the Caribbean islands.
E
Edison, as in Thomas Alva, remains one of Fort Myers' most famous snowbirds. He and wife Mina escaped New Jersey winters at their riverfront estate along McGregor Boulevard. The winter respite didn't mean Edison took a break from work, though. His laboratory and gardens across McGregor from the house also are maintained by the city of Fort Myers. Edison's friend, Henry Ford, bought the house next door and the two properties now comprise the Edison-Ford Winter Estates, popular tourist attractions just west of downtown.
F
Festivals celebrating heritage, history and a bounty of local foodstuffs take place year-round, with the majority held during the cooler months. Seafood, swamp cabbage (the heart of the cabbage palm), mangos and watermelon each have their day, as do Greek, Indian and soul food. The area's two biggest annual bashes are Fort Myers' Edison Festival of Light, a three-week affair held in February celebrating the life of Thomas Edison and concluding with the nighttime Festival of Light Parade; and Sarasota's Florida Winefest and Auction, a week-long culinary celebration and wine auction that draws food and wine connoisseurs from around the world.
G
Golf and its trappings are big business all year. The region is reputed to have more golf holes per capita than any place in the country, but the number of golfers who want to use them is pretty large, too. More than 60 golf courses are private; some are private during the winter but public during the off-season; and more than 50 are open to the public all year. Prices are higher and tee times harder to get in the winter. In the summer, heat and afternoon storms make it advisable to start and end games early. The first streak of lightning is a divine sign to get off the course right away.
