q I
I
2013 TRAVEL GUIDE Tfl
www.f I oridatravel gui de.trave
ATIAZNG REGIOI{S
I
TOP-NOTCH BEACHES & Scenic Drives
'ruMILY
*+[4EMORIES
0tsPLAY Ur{flL MARCH 15,2013
BY KATHERINE SGROI --
,
.
;:¡¡*ro¡ir'*
New entrance to the Nature Center at
the Conservancy of Southwest Florida
urquoise Gulf rvaters, sun-kissed
beaches, nature preserves and smalì-city sophistication define Southwest Flo¡ida. Diverse cultural amenities,
such as museums, art gaìleries and philharmonic theaters, co-exist with beautiful beaches
and water sports. Bordered by the cities of Bradenton and Sarasota to the north and Fort Myers and Naples to the south, Southwest Florida has
a
distinctive natural landscape cou-
pled r,r'ith a spirited dedication toward its presen'ation. Sprinkled with smaìl towns and
barrier islands, this scenic stretch of coastline offers abundant vacation options for everyone.
WHAT'S NEW Preservation of its natural resources and envi-
ronment is the mission of the Conservanc)' of Southwest Florida. Founded in 1964 by a group
of residents
passionate about plotecting the
unique natural environment in Collier County,
the Conservancl' has grown to meet 122
2OI3
TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
the
Ringling rose garden in Sarasota
challenges of protecting the water, land, wildlife and future of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and
Hendry counties and is now investing in the fu-
ture r,vith a $2O-million expansion of the Conservancy Natu¡e Center. Scheduled to celebrate its grand re-opening in 2013, the sus-
tainable Nature Center includes several new facilities for scientific testing and learning at the Eva Sugden Gomez Environmental Planning Center, the Dalton Discovery Center, the von
Wildlife Hospital, the interactive
Arx
Ferguson
Learning Lab and the Eaton Conservation Hall leaturing the Jeannie Meg Smith Theater. Upon entering the Conservancy Nature Center, a dramatic new bridge over the Smith Preserve Way provides
a viewing platform into the natural habitat of gopher tortoises. Filter z marshes fìlled with sweeping vegetation clean
ui È f j F
È
-
É c
the lvater runoff from a nearby commercial development. The Dalton Discovery Center teaches young and old about ecosystems in the
area through exhibits containing 125 live
animals living
in their natural habitats.
4
z Educational videos document the research r work on the Conservanc¡ including Florida zc
Thomas Edison's guesthouse in Fort Myers
HERITAGE
AND CULTURE
The cultural landscape of Southwest Florida is
well
developed
and sophisticated.
The
!)
panthers, gopher tortoises and the importance
Philha¡monic Center for the Arts in Naples
:o
ofprotecting the natural resources. A "touch tank' filled with live horseshoe crabs, hermit
presents an exciting variety of visual and per-
= o È o
crabs and other small marine life that live near
Broadway shows, musical entertainers and the
O
F
J
the shore provides a hands-on experience. Today the Wildlife Clinic shelters injured,
o É E È
sick and orphaned native wildlife, providing medical assistance and rehabilitation. More
forming ârts
in a state-of-the-a¡t
theater.
lvliami City Ballet are examples of the excep-
it is known by locals, also houses the nationally recognized Naples Philharmonic Orchestra whose inspjrational options. The Phil, as
È_
than 3,200 native animals are now cared for an-
tional performances of classical, pops, chamber
o 5
nually and approximately half are retu¡ned to
and opera are truly memorable.
) 2 o o a o q z z U o Ë f,
their native habitats. The newvon ArxWildlife
The Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort
Hospital has the capacity to double the number
Myers provide a glimpse into the past of inven-
ofanimals that are getting
tors Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Set on the
museum featuring the world's largest miniature
The new facilities embrace 'green' technolo-
Caloosahatchee River, the estates are a tropical
circus that kids wont want to miss.
gies, such as geothermal, LEED and energy management systems to protect the future of
paradise with 20 acres ofbotanical gardens con-
a second chance.
Southwest Florida. Electric boat rides and ù o kayak tours up the Gordon fuver offer enjoyts o É
able excursions. Or explore the walking trails
U
to
I o o J
observe the natural environments. The grand re-opening is scheduled for Earth Day Weekend in
April
2013.
art galleries, a sculpture garden and a ci¡cus
MUST SEE, MUST DO
taining more than a thousand varieties of plants, flowers and trees. Visit their homes, museum
Just a short ride from the picturesque streets
and the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory.
downtown Old Naples is the western edge of the
A trip to Sarasota is not complete without a visit to the fohn and lvlable Ringling Museum of Art located at the Ringling winter estate-
largest subtropical wilderness-the Everglades.
the Cd d'Zan Mansion. The complex includes
of
Showcasing the area, the Rookery Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve contains natu¡e trails, a butterfly garden and learning centers.
20I3
TRAVEL GUIDE TO
FLORIDA 123