The Shell Factory

The Shell Factory, located off US 41 in North Fort Myers, is over 70 years old and a testament to perseverance. Despite being damaged by Hurricane Donna in 1960, nearly destroyed by a fire in 1980, ignored after the completion of I-75 detoured traffic away from US 41 in the mid 1980s, and in the clutches of bankruptcy in 1997, it remains as a historic tourist attraction thanks to Tom Cronin, a local businessman, who looked to preserve a piece of Florida history by saving the Shell Factory and improving upon its original stature.

The Shell Factory has always been a mega attraction for its massive collection of seashells, as well as, for its many shops of jewelry, Florida Style casual wear, Christmas items, collectibles, shell craft items and souvenirs. However, multimillion dollar renovations have added to the family entertainment experience with bumper boats, miniature golf and a nature park consisting of hundreds of animals, a petting zoo and a 7,000 square foot aviary with tropical landscaping and colorful birds.The renovations have also brought back some of the Shell Factory’s original flavor with a Florida souvenir and sweet shop, an old-fashioned fudge shop and an ice cream shop.

A steak and seafood restaurant, an outdoor bar, a post office, a Subway eatery, as well as, the largest free private Natural History Exhibit have also found a home at the Shell Factory. The Shell Factory remains in a constant flux of change while giving respect to the past, celebrating the present and looking to future.

The Shell Factory is open seven days a week where their motto is “At the Shell Factory we guarantee a warm welcome, magic moments and a fond farewell.”

Gatorama

Gatorama, located on US 27 between Palmdale and Moore Haven, is one of Florida's original roadside attractions still operating today. Even more amazing is the fact that it is still operated by the same family of native Floridians into the fifth and six generation.

This 15-acre attraction makes its home in a natural hammock with a covered 1,000 foot walkway and a lengthy wooden bridge. The walkway meanders past baby alligators, bobcats, ducks, geese, panthers, raccoons and peacocks while the wooden bridge brings visitors up close to the many alligators and crocodiles. Gatorama is open daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Randell Research Center

Several sites across the state of Florida have been designated as archaeological and/or historical sites to preserve and honor Florida’s lost tribes and ancient people. One of these sites is the Randell Research Center.

The Randell Research Center on Pineland is a program of the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida. The Center consists of 50 acres of massive shell mounds, sand burial mounds, and remnants of an ancient canal believed to be part of a 200-acre Calusa Indian village that lasted for over 1,500 years.

The Calusa Heritage Trail encircling the Research Center is a 3,700-foot walkway with informational signs and observation platforms atop the massive 30-foot shell mound.

Smallwood Store

Tucked away in the mist of the 10,000 Islands and west of the Everglades, a red wooden building sits atop piers to keep out rising flood waters during tropical storms and hurricanes and to preserve a part of Florida history.

Chokoloskee Island, at the end of Highway 29, is home to both fisherman and the historic Smallwood Store. Ted Smallwood opened his store in 1906 where it served as an active trading post until it closed in 1982. His granddaughter has since reopened the store as a museum and gift shop. Many items in the exhibit areas of the store date back to the early 1900s and tell the story of Florida's early pioneers.