According to local lore, Cabbage Key’s restaurant is home to the cheeseburger that inspired Jimmy Buffett’s famous song “Cheeseburger in Paradise. (Karon Warren for the AJC)

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Looking for your next cold weather getaway? Visit this historical town with a big legacy.

Many years ago, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford would spend their winters in balmy Fort Myers, Florida, and it’s easy to see why: gorgeous beaches, lots of sunshine and, of course, warm days.

During your winter getaway, you could enjoy these and much more, including a tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates; the Edison Museum; sailing to Cabbage Key for lunch, including the cheeseburger Jimmy Buffett made famous; and searching for shells on Sanibel Island, the world’s best shelling beach.

Step back in time

At the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, you’ll start your journey at the museum shop, where you can purchase your tickets. Then, you will cross the street to explore the neighboring homes where the men lived.

Edison arrived in the area in 1885 from New Jersey after his doctors’ recommendation to spend the winters in warm weather. Upon arriving in Fort Myers via the Caloosahatchee River, he purchased 13 riverfront acres and built his home.

“Edison was attracted to the property for a variety of reasons, but one thing that caught his eye was bamboo,” said Breanna Alexander, marketing and public relations coordinator for Edison and Ford Winter Estates. “It is a mystery, but there was bamboo on the property in 1885 that Edison later used to create a filament while he was experimenting with the light bulb invention. He would later import many different varieties of bamboo that you can see on the site today.”

Ford visited Edison in 1914 and bought the neighboring property just two years later.

“Edison and Ford have about a 16-year age difference, so they had a mentor-type of friendship,” Alexander said. “Ford really looked up to Edison as an inventor, and the two soon became close friends.”

Seeing the homes provides insights into these two men, their families and work lives. Back across the street, the Edison Museum provides a deep dive into Edison and his many inventions, as well as a look at Ford’s legacy and vehicles.

In the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory, you can see where Edison and Ford worked to find a source of rubber that could be grown and cultivated in the United States. Don’t forget to stroll through the estate’s gardens, which feature more than 1,700 plants representing more than 400 species from six continents.

Grab a cheeseburger in paradise

You can’t visit Fort Myers without enjoying the glorious sunshine and time on the water. A perfect way to do this is by setting sail with Captiva Cruises to Cabbage Key, an island reminiscent of “Old Florida” from times gone by.

As you make your way to the island, the captain will share a bit of history on the area. Once you arrive, head to the restaurant, where you can try the burger believed to be the inspiration for Buffett’s iconic song “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” Don’t forget to sign and leave a dollar bill on the wall (or ceiling) to mark your visit.

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This is an excerpt of an article by Karon Warren – For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was originally posted on www.ajc.com