Naples is located in Florida' s near-tropical southwest corner and is one of the more glamorous of Florida’s beach areas. It has beautiful white beaches, ample water access, and many upscale restaurants and shops. In the twenty years since we first started visiting Naples it has grown considerably in size as the Gulf Coast has become more and more popular with tourists.
Naples has many historic buildings, museums, and interesting sightseeing opportunities. Many years ago we took an organized tour of Naples so that we could more readily identify the landmarks for exploring at a later date. These days we just drive to where we want to explore and then stroll around on foot.
You must visit the cities up market shopping districts, Third Street and Fifth Avenue where you will find some of the best top boutiques and specialty shops on Florida' s Gulf Coast. If you want fine dining you will really be spoilt for choice in Naples who employ some of the finest chefs. However you need to be aware that in busy holiday periods you may have to wait up to two hours for a table!
Whether you want simple picnic, afternoon visit to the park, round of golf or water sport activities you will find all these in Naples
Go to Lowdermilk Park which is located near the intersection of Gulf Shore Boulevard and Banyan Boulevard. Here you will find plenty of leisure activities including volleyball and water sports.
There are numerous opportunities for recreation and exploration at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. However for me the best part here is the wide, sandy beach which goes from the exciting bustle of Naples Pier to the less-congested Barefoot Beach or Clam Pass, there is wonderful scenery here.
Naples’s Municipal Beach and Pier is located near the intersection of 12th Avenue South and Gulf Shore Boulevard and is a throwback to the city' s early days as a resort town. The pier is still the centre of the city for many particularly the fishermen who love to fish off the Pier. You will find Restroom facilities and a parking area here.
If you like unspoiled beach head for Collier County' s Barefoot Beach Preserve which is located north of Naples and south of Bonita Beach Park. It is so unspoiled that it is home for animals like the gopher tortoise and loggerhead sea turtle. There is over 340 acres of beach here and it also has a one mile nature trail, public showers, a picnic area, a concession stand, and equipment rental
Finally do try to visit Clam Pass which is situated near the Registry Hotel. Here, you will find beautiful boardwalks by the beach, over five miles of kayak trails, and many acres of mangrove swamps.
Enjoy Naples.