Located south of Lee County on Florida’s
Gulf Coast, Naples Florida is a paradise of sun, shore and nature perfectly
blended with cosmopolitan and cultural amenities. Naples Florida is renowned for gorgeous beach sunsets, upscale waterfront homes, the finest restaurants, world-class shopping, a vibrant arts scene and abundant nature-based activities. Because of its affluence, Naples Florida is one of America's most desirable visitor destinations. This is where you find Southwest Florida’s finest four and five star resorts like the Ritz Carlton and the Naples Grande. Naples is a superb vacation destination, especially for the well-to-do. For generations a visit to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens has been a visitor's highlight. This lush setting was founded in 1919 by conservationist Dr. Henry Nehrling and attracted the likes of President Theodore Roosevelt, inventor Thomas Edison, and botanist David Fairchild. In 1954, Julius Fleischmann’s vision for Naples Florida became reality and included the restoration of the gardens and an attraction featuring rare birds. In 1969, zoo operators Lawrence and Nancy Jane Tetzlaff (Jungle Larry and Safari Jane) introduced exotic animals from their attraction at the Cedar Point theme park in Ohio. In 2004, Collier County residents voted to purchase the Zoo from the Tetzlafs, and it became a non-profit municipal facility. Today, Naples Zoo is one of the top 10% of the nation’s zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Other outdoor attractions abound in Naples. Visitors can tour Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a quiet solace where walkers wind through pinelands, wet prairies and cypress grounds on an elevated boardwalk. Delnor-Wiggins State Recreation Area in North Naples offers a wonderful natural setting for a day at the beach or picnic. Other great beach locations are found surrounding the City Pier near downtown Naples Florida, at Clam Pass and Lowdermilk Parks, and at smaller beach accesses along Gulf Shore Blvd to the north. One of the best ways to explore Naples is aboard Naples Trolley Tours. Their fully narrated tour covers over 100 points of interest in and around the heart of Naples. You can board the trolley at dozens of locations, hop off to shop or dine along the route, and hop on the next trolley to complete your circle tour. Naples Florida shopping is another treat in store, with a spectacular selection of retail options to choose from. Coastland Center is the major regional mall, but the selection doesn’t stop there. If you want to see Naples from the water, your best bets are Pure Florida - Naples which operates a variety of excursions from Tin City and the Naples Princess for delightful lunch and dinner cruises. If sailing is your thing, call on Sweet Liberty or Miss Naples for sightseeing aboard a large catamaran. Fishing is great, too! Pure Florida - Naples at Tin City has a brand new vessel, Sea Flight, out farther and faster to get to the big fish! Naples offers hundreds of small boutiques and with shops in the downtown district along Third Street South and Fifth Avenue South, you can find just about anything you desire in Naples Florida. Dining around Naples is a delicious experience. Whether it's at favored seafood restaurants or in north Naples at a family restaurant like the Watermark Grill, you'll find just what you are looking for. For mini golf, go to Coral Cay and meet their new mascot Coral Kong - a 20 ft tall gorilla and get a selfie! The Artis-Naples is the premiere performance hall in the region and is home to the Naples Philharmonic. With over 130 galleries in Greater Naples, the region is definitely on the map as a cultural destination. Naples Florida is a high amenity town with a variety of attractions and activities to enjoy. Call on the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce for full visitor information about Naples Florida. |