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Naples lies on southwest Florida's Gulf coast, a well-groomed resort town known for white-sand beaches, golf, upscale shopping and warm winters. It grew slowly until the twentieth century, and its older center still has a low-rise, residential feel, with the Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands stretching away to the south.
The Naples Pier, a local landmark rebuilt more than once after storms, is where people fish, stroll and gather for sunset. Nearby, Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South hold galleries, boutiques and sidewalk restaurants. On Naples Bay, Tin City's former clam-processing buildings house shops and boat tours, and Baker Park links to the Gordon River Greenway's boardwalks through mangroves. Naples Botanical Garden showcases tropical plants, and Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens grew from a historic garden attraction. Culture centers on Artis Naples, home to the Baker Museum and a resident orchestra, while Palm Cottage preserves one of the town's oldest homes. To the north, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park and Vanderbilt Beach offer wide sand and shelling.
Naples appeals to couples, retirees and families seeking a calm, polished beach base. Winter is peak season, when prices climb and restaurants fill. Marco Island, Everglades City and the boardwalk at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary make good side trips.
WiserMap travel guideNaples Florida Gulf Beaches and Mangrove PaddlingPlan a trip to Naples, Florida: quiet Gulf beaches, Fifth Avenue South, the botanical garden, Corkscrew Swamp boardwalk, mangrove paddles and sunset tips.Read the guide
A wooden pier stretching about 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico at the end of 12th Avenue South, a local landmark since 1888. People fish, watch dolphins and pelicans, and gather for sunset. It is free to walk; parking nearby is metered, so arrive early on winter evenings.
The two main shopping and dining streets of Old Naples, lined with boutiques, galleries, sidewalk cafes and restaurants under palm trees. Third Street South hosts a Saturday morning farmers market in season. Park in the free public garages and stroll from one street to the other.
A cluster of old tin-roofed clam and oyster processing buildings on Naples Bay converted into gift shops and seafood restaurants on the docks. Dolphin cruises, sunset sails and boat rentals leave from here. It is relaxed and touristy; try a waterfront lunch and watch the boats.
A paved path and boardwalk of about two miles through mangroves and wetlands along the Gordon River, linking several parks including Baker Park. Herons, ibis and the occasional alligator are common. It is good for walking or biking, and kayak launches let you paddle the river.
A 170-acre garden of tropical and subtropical plants with themed areas for Florida, the Caribbean, Asia and Brazil, a children's garden and preserved natural habitat with birds. Allow at least half a day. Go in the morning to avoid heat, and check the calendar for evening events.
A zoo inside a historic botanical garden with lions, giraffes, Florida panthers, lemurs and bears. A short boat ride passes primate islands, and keeper talks run through the day. It is compact and shaded, and suits families with young children in two to three hours.
A national estuarine research reserve south of Naples protecting mangrove forests, bays and barrier islands. The Environmental Learning Center has aquariums and exhibits, and kayak or boat tours explore the waters. Watch for dolphins, manatees and wading birds on the guided tours.
The art museum on the Artis Naples cultural campus, with modern and contemporary American art, Mexican modernism and rotating exhibits, next to the hall where the Naples Philharmonic performs. Check the concert season and pair a museum visit with an evening performance.
A historic 1895 home built with tabby mortar made from burned shells, now run by the Naples Historical Society with guided tours on early Naples life. Its gardens sit near the pier in Old Naples. Tours are short and informative, and the hours vary by season.
A state park on a barrier island in north Naples with about a mile of sandy beach, shaded picnic areas, an observation tower and good shelling. Sea turtles nest here in summer. Arrive early in winter, as the park closes the gate once its parking lots are full.
A popular wide beach in north Naples with calm Gulf water, soft sand and beachfront resorts and restaurants. A public parking garage sits close to the sand. It is a favorite sunset spot; bring a chair and watch for dolphins swimming close to shore in the evening.
A beach park reached by a boardwalk of about three quarters of a mile through mangrove forest, with a free tram running between the parking area and the sand. The beach is quieter than others in town. Watch for wading birds along the boardwalk, and swim near the pass with care.
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