10 Museums in Southwest Gulf Coast That You Shouldn't Miss

Naples Historical Society's Historic Palm Cottage is Naples oldest house (1895) and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Open for house tours and historic district walking tours.

The Military Heritage Museum recently moved to a new location: 900 W. Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda Fl . Just a few steps away from Fishermen's Village, the Museum has over 17,000 sq ft of exhibit and activity areas. On the first level, take a walk-through history through three unique galleries; from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. Visit the Hall of Hero's gallery and its special Medal of Honor exhibit. On the second level become part of history, through simulations and virtual reality including aircraft, tank, and naval simulators. Take a special forces "parachute jump" or drive a "tank" - two incredible virtual reality experiences we offer. Also found on the second floor is our Academy Library and ancestry research. Be sure to visit the War Room, Library and our our 247-seat Gulf theater.

Revs Institute® is now open with limited capacity. Tickets must be purchased online for specific dates/times in advance. No telephone orders or walk-up visitors can be accommodated. Face coverings are mandatory. Revs Institute is dedicated to the study of the automobile past, present and future. Revs Institute offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to view over 100 of the most influential automobiles of our time. Many of the cars are unique or exceptionally rare, and each meets rigid standards of historical, technical, aesthetic or social significance. To enhance the visitor experience, specially designed interactive displays and artifact showcases are presented within four themed galleries. They include unique items from the extensive Revs Institute library and archives. Revs Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For information, visit revsinstitute.org.

Art gallery featuring the finest Marco Island artisans. Oils, multi-media, watercolors, sculpture, photography, jewelery and textile creations for the discriminating taste. We have custom framing. Art featuring the sights of Marco Island and the world. Cards, prints and gifts all created locally by our artists. Please inquire about ART LESSONS.

Discover Clyde Butcher. Internationally renowned photographer shows his exquisite black and white photographs that beckon the viewer to a personal communion with the natural world. Clyde's breathtaking images capture the primordial beauty of everything from the lush Florida Everglades to Cuba's expansive horizons and endless vistas. The Venice Gallery features a large selection of Clyde's award winning, limited edition and hand signed photographs. Clyde's images are captured with an 8"x10", 11"x14, and 12"x20" view camera, allowing him to express elaborate detail and texture that distinguish the intricacy of the landscape. Photographs range in sizes from 8x10 inches to 5x8 feet. Each one is epic in its beauty and scale. Also available published books by Clyde, calendars and note cards.

KAJ Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in the heart of the Design District in Naples, Florida. The gallery was opened by longtime friends Jason Taylor and sculptor Kosmas Ballis in November 2018. Their goal with a full-fledged art gallery was so they could expand and diversify their offerings to collectors and art lovers alike.

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the only museum in the U.S. devoted entirely to shells and mollusks, and one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island. It features more than 30 engaging exhibits of stunning shells, showcasing some of the largest and rarest shell specimens in the world, including the goliath conch, lightning whelk and Atlantic trumpet triton, as well as common Southwest Florida shells, fossil shells and more. New in March 2020, “Beyond Shells: The Mysterious World of Mollusks” adds the live animals that create shells to its must-see experiences. New aquariums include live octopuses, giant clams, nautilus, nudibranchs and gastropods, and two 15-foot-long touch tanks let young visitors get their hands wet. For a perfect Sanibel experience, fun daily beach walks can be reserved, and the nonprofit museum’s scientists also conduct research with local mollusk species.

The Ringling is located in Sarasota, Florida and preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling. It is home to the State Art Museum of Florida, the historic Ca' d'Zan Mansion, Bayfront Gardens, the Art Library, two Circus Museums, and the Historic Asolo Theater. The grounds and gardens are free to visit, and the Museum of Art offers free admission on Mondays.

Visitors to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will enjoy seeing the winter residences of famous inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. There are historical buildings, award-winning gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Inventions Museum. The museum has hundreds of inventions, artifacts and special exhibits. Edison Ford offers many tour options, including special "Inside-the-Homes" and "Inside-the-Lab" Tours on select days. The audio tour is available in English, Spanish, German and French. Historian led tours are also offered in German on select days. Group tours can be arranged in advance.