Naples, Florida is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States and that is why many wealthy international families have decided to make Naples their home. It is a beautiful city near the ocean and lots of fun to visit. If you plan to visit this place, be sure to check out the beaches. When you are done relaxing on the beach or want to see what else the city has to offer, do make it a point to visit the other attractions of Naples. And plenty of amazing accommodations are available here - from beautiful Vrbo vacation rentals in Hammock Bay to gorgeous Vrbo vacation rentals in Treviso Bay. For an awesome time in the city, check out these fun things to do in Naples, Florida.
1. The Naples Preserve
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Catch butterflies at The Naples Preserve. What people see as a mere giant wetland is, in reality, a sanctuary for butterflies, tortoises, rabbits, birds, and many other species. This park sits in the heart of a busy district, and anyone who wanders inside finds it a pleasant surprise, a refuge after a hectic schedule. At The Naples Preserve, your kids will enjoy watching butterflies in different colors fly around and seeing tortoises crawling here and there as you walk through the boardwalk. Its onsite educational center helps children and adults alike learn more about the ecosystem.
The Naples Preserve
Address: 1690 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34102, United States
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
2. Collier Museum at Government Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Today we’re spotlighting the Naples Cottage at Collier Museum at Government Center. Built in 1926, when Naples was still...
Posted by Collier County Museums on Saturday, May 28, 2022
Visit Collier Museum at Government Center and listen to fascinating stories about the kind of life led by Southwest Florida’s early settlers. The museum carries exhibits of different themes to entice and educate the public about local history. You will learn about prehistoric Collier County and its people, including American Indians and Seminoles. A visit here is always worth your time and it’s free of charge. Not to mention its outdoor exhibits look lovely against the grassy background, where you can take quiet strolls anytime you need a breather.
Collier Museum at Government Center
Address: 3331 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34112, United States
Website: Collier Museum at Government Center
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Mon & Sun)
Price: Free
3. Naples Historical Society
The resort town of Naples has won the hearts of many since pre-millennium years up to the present day. Thankfully, you can somehow relive the past with Naples Historical Society. It holds walking tours that take you around beautiful spots in Naples and educate you about local history. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the charming Palm Cottage, the oldest house in the city on 12th Avenue South. The lovely space inside is full of memorabilia and exhibits. As you tour the historic Third Street South, your friendly docent will point out places where the old hotels, theaters, general merchandise stores, and other establishments were found. What a unique way to appreciate history!
Naples Historical Society
Address: 137 12th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102, United States
Website: Naples Historical Society
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4. Downtown Naples
End your week with a lovely dinner at Downtown Naples, the city’s famous waterfront district and premier destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Albeit busy, the upscale vibe of the place gives off a relaxing ambiance. You can have a warm cup of coffee in a cafe, listen to soothing music, and look out to the scenic Gulf of Mexico. Its spacious sidewalk and fancy architecture offer a space for cycling and walking - ice cream in one hand, your camera in the other. Visit Downtown Naples during sunset hours when the view and the ambiance appear magical. And if you are lucky, you may witness colorful parades organized by the city government.
Downtown Naples
Address: 5th Avenue, Naples, FL 34102, United States
5. Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
This exciting place is a beautiful and scenic place where there is a famous boardwalk that goes through pine flat woods, wet prairies, around a marsh, and into the largest old growth bald cypress forest in North America, which are being specially preserved by the park. You will also find some lovely creatures here such as alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles. All kind of songbirds, raptors, and the fabulous Painted Bunting can be seen here year round at this interesting and breathtaking sanctuary. Last, but not least, the sanctuary is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Eastern Time). Just a note that the last ticket for admission to the park must be purchased one hour before closing at the latest, so be sure to make it there before you miss the opportunity to explore the exciting sanctuary.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Address: 375 Sanctuary Road West, Naples, FL
Website: Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
6. Naples Botanical Garden
A visit to Naples Botanical Garden is one of the most relaxing Naples activities that you can undertake. It is, as the title says, a 170-acre (69 hectare) world-class garden that has various plants from the tropics and subtropics. This place offers a hands-on interactive Children’s Garden as well as various natural habitats, walking trails, and a Butterfly Garden. This is a great place to be educated and entertained at the same time. The locals as well as tourists love to visit and observe the natural beauty this place offers. The flowers here are worth a stop and the garden is worth walking through. Be sure to stop here and smell the flowers when in Naples.
Naples Botanical Garden
Address: 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL
Website: Naples Botanical Garden
7. Picayune Strand State Forest
This is the fourth largest state forest in Florida, which is named after the largest of several cypress stands that once occupied some of the property. What is interesting is that the forest is located in the heart of the Big Cypress Basin and that is why most of this place is under water during the wet season. Also, this is a place where many threatened and endangered species have found a safe home. Lastly, tracks of Florida panthers have been observed by locals and tourists alike on the sandy roads and trails.
Picayune Strand State Forest
Address: 2121 52nd Ave. S.E., Naples, FL
Website: Picayune Strand State Forest
8. Naples Zoo
The Naples Zoo was opened in September 1969 in the place that once contained the gardens for the botanist Dr. Henry Nehrling’s collection of plants. This zoo offers so much more than a regular zoo and it is one of the best things to do in Naples with kids. This is a non-profit charitable institution that offers visitors a full day of fun activities. There is a paved path that passes through the home of beautiful animals. What is unique is that where all of the animals currently live is a historic tropical garden full of exotic plants. After all, this is a zoo, so you will find such animals as lions, giraffes, monkeys, pythons, and bears here.
Naples Zoo
Address: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road North, Naples, FL
Website: Naples Zoo
9. The Village on Venetian Bay
This is an upscale outdoor, waterfront shopping complex in Naples, Florida that is only one block from the beach. The Village Shops on Venetian Bay is one of the top shopping malls in Naples and has over forty locally-owned shops and six waterfront restaurants that overlook the beautiful, scenic bay. This place reminds me of Blackhawk Plaza nearby here in Danville, California. The difference is that the Naples complex is located on the waterfront, but Blackhawk is not. They are both upscale, outdoor complexes that are fun to stroll through, shop at, or dine in. The Village’s pristine waterfront dining options include: Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar, Fish Restaurant, M Waterfront Grille, MiraMare Ristorante, T-Michaels Steak & Lobster, and The Village Pub. Shop and dine while enjoying the views.
The Village on Venetian Bay
Address: 4200 Gulf Shore Bouleveard North, Naples, FL
Website: The Village on Venetian Bay
10. Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
If you’re wondering what to see in Naples, then head over to Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. It is situated between Marco Island and Everglades City, Florida, so the best way to access it is by boat. Approximately two thirds of the refuge is mangrove forest, which dominates most tidal fringes and the numerous islands of the Florida Keys. It is interesting to observe the more than 189 species of birds that use the refuge at some time during the year. There are many mammals found in the area including raccoons, river otters, and bottlenose dolphins. Finally, other species that reside here are threatened and endangered species like the West Indian manatee, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Wood Stork, the Atlantic loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, and many more.
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Address: 3860 Tollgate Boulevard, Suite 300, Naples, FL
11. Lowdermilk Beach Park
Lowdermilk Beach Park is a wonderful place to spend an entire day with your family or friends in Naples. Soft white sand, turquoise waters and the warm Floridan sun are sure to keep you mesmerised at this beach park. It is one of the most popular beaches in the city and offers many facilities to visitors, like a concessions stand, picnic tables and benches, volleyball courts, gazebos, showers, restrooms, children’s playgrounds and more. Beach umbrella and chair rentals are also available here.
Lowdermilk Beach Park
Address: 1301 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34102, United States
Website: Lowdermilk Beach Park
12. The von Liebig Art Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Join your artistic community for a preview reception of Gareth Rockliffe's The Great American Coastline and Olde Naples:...
Posted by Naples Art Institute on Tuesday, July 21, 2015
For a touch art and culture to your Naples visit, head over to The von Liebig Art Center. Opened in 1998 by Naples Art, it is the cornerstone of all art and cultural activities in the city. Besides holding exhibitions of various local, national and international artists, the center also conducts workshops and art classes for kids and adults. It hosts outdoor art shows, fairs and festivals too. You can also enjoy purchasing small mementoes of your visit at the gift shop of this art center.
The von Liebig Art Center
Address: 585 Park St, Naples, FL 34102, United States
Website: The von Liebig Art Center
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm
13. The Golisano Children's Museum of Naples
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
During your trip to Naples, keep your kids entertained for hours on end by taking them to The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. This museum is a lovely place that makes learning a fun activity for children. There are different areas or activity centers in the museum for kids of all ages and the exhibits cover a range of scientific, ecological, social, art, culture and other such topics. Children can also enjoy workshops, field trips and more events throughout the year at this museum.
The Golisano Children's Museum of Naples
Address: 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples, FL 34109, United States
Website: The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 9am - 12:30pm, 1:30pm - 5pm; Thu - Sat: 9am - 12:30pm, 1:30pm - 5pm (closed on Wed & Sun)
Price: 10 USD onwards
14. Naples Pier
Jutting out of the shores into Gulf of Mexico is the famous Naples Pier. It is a prominent tourist attraction in the city and is the perfect place to capture beautiful pictures of the sunset. Besides taking a leisurely stroll on the pier, you can even enjoy fishing, birdwatching, people-watching or catching the occasional glimpse of dolphins swimming by. The beach along the pier is a great spot for sunbathing, swimming or enjoying a picnic with family and friends.
Naples Pier
Address: 25 12th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102, United States
Website: Naples Pier
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
15. Private Sunset Boat Tour at Naples Bay (from USD 320.0)
One of the most romantic things to do in Naples is to take a boat tour of Naples Bay at sunset. And a private boat tour makes it all the more romantic! Depart in the late afternoon on a cozy motorboat and enjoy the fresh breeze of the open waters. Keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins and birds like spoonbills, egrets, herons and more. You can also include an optional stop at a secluded beach of Keewaydin Island to enjoy swimming or collecting shells. Watch a beautiful sunset as you sip wine or click pictures of the remarkable scenery. So grab your partner and embark on this intimate cruise of Naples Bay.
Naples Bay: Private Sunset & Sightseeing Boat Tour
Duration: 2.5 hour
Some last words about beautiful Naples, Florida
Naples, Florida, is a really nice city by the bay that has many wealthy residents. There is a reason people choose to live here. Naples features a friendly community, breathtaking views, and lots to do and see. Naples is a place not to be missed. For the best of Naples, do remember to refer to our handy list before you visit this beautiful city.
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