The Official 2009 RVers Guide to Florida

REGION 1 A trip to the Gamble Plantation in Ellenton offers a glimpse into the workings of an antebellum sugar plantation. Built in 1850, the mansion was the hub of an enterprise that used to ship molasses and sugar up the nearby Manatee River to markets in New Orleans. Further south, Sarasota has long been known for its worldclass cultural offerings. It’s here that John Ringling built Ca’d’Zan (House of John), his 30-room, Venetian-styled villa, and housed his priceless Baroque, Italian and Flemish Renaissance art collection and exquisite 17th-century tapestries. Every piece in the collection at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is now owned by the state. Located on the grounds is the Circus Museum, a collection of original circus art and artifacts, along with the historic Asolo Theater, the nation’s only authentic 19th-century Italian theater. For different kinds of treasures, families can visit the Mote Marine Aquarium, south of Longboat Key. The centerpiece of the aquarium is a 135,000-gallon outdoor shark tank. After the shark tank, take the kids to the 30-foot “Touch Tank,” where horseshoe crabs, rays and sea urchins can be gently handled. For a slower pace, head a little inland to Myakka River State Park, Florida’s largest, to canoe or fish in freshwater and observe wildlife, including alligators. Those who prefer quiet getaways will find that the rustic charm of “Old Florida” survives in many of Southwest Florida’s communities. Charlotte Harbor and the surrounding area are fine examples. Fishermen and boaters flock to the harbor - part of the nation’s largest federally protected marine estuary - as well as to the nearby Peace and Myakka rivers. On the barrier island of Boca Grande, Cayo Costa State Park is as close to a deserted tropical island as most vacationers will ever get. The park’s vast stretches of sand offer great shelling, and acres of pine forest, oak palm hammocks and mangrove swamps provide for a spectacular display of bird life. Boca Grande, a sleepy Southern town, has successfully maintained its quaint, fishing village atmosphere. As a result, visitors can wander through historic shops and inns that have been in business for nearly a century, such as the Gasparilla Inn. In Charlotte County, the Don Pedro Island State Recreation Area, accessible only by private boat or ferry, offers secluded beaches ideal for recreation and nature study. Off the Lee County coast, tiny Sanibel and Captiva islands are among the best known in the region, popular for their excellent shelling and captivating beaches. Hundreds of varieties of shells can be found on their pristine shorelines. Visitors will find picturesque paths and historical gems tucked along Sanibel’s main thoroughfare, Periwinkle Way, with shops, galleries and restaurants framed by Australian pines and tall palms. Visit the Sanibel Historical Village and Museum, which showcases the island’s history with a pioneer vintage island residence and a 1920s-style general store, post office and tea room. Or stop by the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum for a display of shells that wash up on the island. At the east end of Periwinkle Way, travelers can get a close look at one of the region’s most photographed landmarks, the Sanibel Lighthouse, which dates back to 1884, when the entire island was a wildlife refuge. Heading to the mainland, the Fort Myers area combines a rich history with the casual, beach-town atmosphere of nearby Fort Myers Beach. RVers can hop on the downtown tram for a narrated tour of Fort Myers’ history. Among the favorite stops are the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, two famous friends who spent years as neighbors on the Caloosahatchee River. At the Edison Winter Home, visitors can explore the home, laboratory and experimental gardens of the great inventor. In 1916, automobile pioneer Henry Ford bought the house next door, with only a fence called the “Friendship Gate” by members of both families separating the two estates. The living history lesson continues at the charming Burroughs Home, where tour guides in 1920s-era costumes share insight about the Georgian revival-style home, considered Fort Myers’ first luxury residence. 16 2009 FRVTA RVers GUIDE TO FLORIDA http://www.riverbendflorida.com http://www.riverbendflorida.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Official 2009 RVers Guide to Florida

The Official 2009 RVers Guide to Florida Contents RV Friendly Logos Meet Roadie Behind the Wheel Region 1 - Southwest Florida Region 2 - Southeast Florida Region 3 - Tampa Bay Area Region 4 - Orlando & Space Coast RV Rentals Region 5 - Florida Panhandle Financing Your RV Region 6 - Northeast Florida Region 7 - North Central Florida Florida Regional Shows Region 10 - Out of State Members Indian Mounds in Florida Springs in Florida What’s Your Type? Lighthouse Tour Insurance, Who Needs It?

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.