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Naples, Florida is known for having great beaches and golf, but there is so much more to do here. So if youβre planning a trip, youβre probably wondering what are the best things to do in Naples, Fl. And if youβre worried about the food scene, donβt be β there are a variety of great restaurants in Naples.
There are so many fun things to do in Naples, Florida! So whether youβre considering the best Naples, Florida activities for outdoor lovers, or visiting the best breweries in Naples, Florida, or just the best Naples, Florida activities, youβre sure to find something of interest in this list.
Best Naples, Florida Activities for Outdoor Lovers
1. Soak up the rays at Lowdermilk Beach Park
1301 Gulf Shore Blvd. North
Lowdermilk Beach, Naples, is among the best beaches in Naples, Florida. Picture yourself with white sand between your toes as a slight breeze blows off the Gulf of Mexico.
Lowdermilk Beach Park has everything you could need, including restrooms, showers, and a concession stand. There are two volleyball courts and a childrenβs playground. Unless youβre a resident, youβll need to pay for parking but there is no fee to access the beach.
PRO TIP: Unless you arrive between 7:30 and 8:30 am, youβll miss out on the eight palapas that provide the only shade on this beach. They are free but available on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. Explore the Everglades
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Everglades, Naples, is a national treasure. A visit to Naples should include a visit to the Everglades.
Visitors should take advantage of one of the Everglades tours in Naples. One of the most popular ways to visit the Everglades is to take an airboat ride in Naples. While visitors can usually arrive and take a tour without a reservation, during popular times of the year, it is recommended to reserve a time online.
Airboat rides can be loud. Other ways to explore the Everglades include tours by swamp buggy (think open seating elevated platform over tractor tires), kayak, hiking, walking, and bicycle. Costs vary by tour.
3. Go Alligator Spotting
If you donβt feel like taking an Everglades tour in Naples, other spotting alligators along Alligator Alley in Florida. Several visitor centers along Tamiami Trail offer alligator spotting spots. One of our family favorites (far from Naples but good if youβre driving between Miami and Naples) is the Big Cyprus Oasis Visitors Center β 52101 Tamiami Trail East β where youβll often spot at least a dozen alligators.
Aptly named Alligator Alley (Tamiami Trail East or old Highway 41) is the most commonplace for visitors to look for alligators. Please remember that this is a busy highway and that you should carefully consider where you pull over so as not to impede traffic. While youβre out here, visit the smallest post office in operation in Ochopee FL, where the mail person graciously poses for visitor photos all day long.
If youβd like to see even more alligators, drive further east and visit the Fakahatchee Hilton in the Everglades.
PRO TIP: Alligators love to sun themselves on rocks. If you see other cars pulled over, that is usually a good sign that others have spotted alligators.
4. Visit Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
375 Sanctuary Road West
Open every day of the year, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary allows visitors to walk into the swamp without walking through the swamp on a boardwalk. This elevated 2.25-mile boardwalk offers a glimpse into the local wildlife. The sanctuary is home to the largest colony of Wood Storks, an endangered species, in the nation. The panther, black bear, egret, and ghost orchid also make this sanctuary their home.
Visitors from March to November should wear long sleeves and long pants, particularly from April to June, to avoid being bitten by yellow flies and deer flies. These flies are not deterred by DEET.
The admission fee is $14 for adults.
PRO TIP: Enjoy a FREE guided walk at 10:30 am during the high season
5. Relax in the Naples Botanical Gardens
4820 Bayshore Drive
Founded in 1993, this award-winning botanical garden envelops visitors with a sense of serenity. This 170-acre garden includes plants from all over the world. There are at least fourteen different areas, including a water garden, and my favorite, an orchid garden. This is a great spot to relax and admire the beautiful gardens.
Adult admission tickets cost $19.95.
PRO TIP: During the holiday season, enjoy Night Lights in the Garden.
Best Breweries in Naples, Florida
When it comes to breweries in Naples, FL, craft beer lovers have five options. Not to be outdone by the rest of the country, Naples, FL is riding the craft beer movement too. Visitors will find a variety of beers from light beachy flavors to traditional favorites:
- Naples Beach Brewery
4120 Enterprise Avenue, Suite 116 - Riptide Brewing Company
987 3rd Avenue N. - Bone Hook Brewing Company
1514 Immokalee Rd. - Ankrolab Brewing Company
3555 Bayshore Dr. - South Cypress Brewing
895 Wiggins Pass Rd.
Best Naples, Florida Activities for Museum Goers
There are several museums in Naples, Florida, so museum-goers will find plenty to keep them entertained. Whether it is a rainy day activity, or an excuse to get out of the sun, Naplesβ museums offer a little bit of something for every taste.
1. Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center
975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd.
Hours: January 1- April 30: Tuesday-Friday: 12:30 pm to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 1 pm to 4 pm
May 1-December 31: Tuesday-Sunday: 1 pm to 4 pm
Admission: Adults $15, Seniors $12, Students 12-22 $$
2. The Baker Museum
5833 Pelican Bay Blvd
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday: noon to 4 pm, Monday: closed
Admission: Adults $10, Full-time students and military $5, 17 and under free
3. Naples Depot Museum
1051 Fifth Avenue South
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 am to 4 pm
Admission: Free
4. Naples Train Museum (inside the Naples Depot Museum)
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm
Admission: Anyone over 14: $7, children 3-14: $3 (includes a ride on the outdoor train)
5. Naples Museum of Military History
500 Terminal Drive
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 am to 4 pm; Sunday noon to 3 pm
Admission: Free (Donations accepted)
6. The Revs Institute (Naples Car Museum)
2500 S. Horseshoe Drive
Hours: Tues/Thurs/Sat 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: Adults $17, Military and students $12
7. Golisano Childrenβs Museum Naples, Fl
15080 Livingston Road
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm; Closed Wednesday; Sunday 11 am to 4 pm
Admission: Adults $10, Children $12
Iconic Naples Activities You Donβt Want to Miss
1. Visit the Naples Pier
West end of 12th Avenue South
The Naples Pier is arguably the main attraction for visitors and residents of Naples. It is the one canβt-miss-spot during your Naples visit. It has survived six major hurricanes and underwent a major renovation in 2015.
Visitors can fish without a fishing license from the pier. Or watch the pelicans dive and compete with the fishermen for the fish. From the vantage point of the pier, you can watch paddleboarders and kayakers and the occasional surfer. But the best time to visit the pier is at sunset where visitors are regaled with the sky changing from blues to oranges to pink.
There is a fee to park but not to access the pier.
PRO TIP: This is the best spot in town to see the sunset.
2. Stroll 5th Avenue South
Between Third Street South and Eighth Street South
Do a little shopping, sit at a cafe, people watch. These few blocks on Fifth Avenue in Naples are where youβll want to see and be seen. Home to the Naples Players theater, art galleries, and sculptures displayed along the street, Fifth Avenue South is where art lovers will find their happy place in Naples.
Fifth Avenue Southβs boutiques will satisfy every shopper. After working up an appetite, meet your group at one of the many eateries. Fifth Avenue South is a great location for an evening out.
3. Ogle the mansions in the Port Royal neighborhood
Home, or vacation home, to celebrities and famous people, many such people who come to Naples stay in the Port Royal, Naples, neighborhood. With homes facing the beautiful Gulf of Mexico or the back bays in each backyard, each home has water access. For some of them, the private hedges wonβt allow you to see the huge mansions that hide behind the gates. With others, you can see bits and pieces of the opulent exteriors. It is a fun way to drive around admiring what you could have one day.
4. Visit Tin City
1200 5th Avenue South
Located next to the marina is Tin City. More of a touristy place these days, Tin City houses approximately 30 local stores and businesses and a few restaurants. Tin City is also the starting point for several local tours. Theyβll even give you a ride if you need it!
5. Take a tour
One of the best ways to learn about a city is to take a tour. Naples offers several options.
- There are trolley tours, which give a good overall introduction to the city.
- Or take a Segway tour.
- The Naples Historical Society offers a one-mile walking tour through the historical district.
- There is even a guided bicycle tour for those wanting to cover a little more ground than the walking tour.
Cost varies by tour.
6. Visit the Third Street South Farmers Market
1207 Third Street South
Every Saturday from 7:30 until 11:30 am, the Third Street Farmersβ Market showcases some of the best local products, from produce to pasta to crafts.
7. Take a cruise
Leaving from Naplesβ marina, several companies offer cruises to Naples visitors. Fishing charters are a popular activity in the Gulf of Mexico. Most people prefer to take a dolphin watching tour or a sunset tour. Because so many properties face the waterfront in Naples, a cruise is a great way to see some beautiful homes. As mentioned in the best way to see the sunset, a sunset cruise is also a great idea.
Costs vary by cruise.
We hope you have a great time with so many best things to do in Naples, Florida. So whether you experienced some of the best Naples, Florida activities for outdoor lovers, or visiting the best breweries in Naples, Florida, or just the best Naples, Florida activities on this list, drop us a note and let us know what you enjoyed!
If you enjoyed this post about the best things to do in Naples, Florida, you may enjoy the following:
- Best places to see the sunset in SW Florida
- Bone Hook Brewing
- Best things to do in Fort Myers
- Best things to do in Sanibel (other than the beach)
Happy travels!
Annick, The Common Traveler
Naples, Florida looks stunning! I want to soak my eyes with those views you mentioned. First picture is gorgeous. South Farmers Market must be a different experience. Naples Train Museum excited me π They have such different themes for museums. One has to really plan and have sufficient days to cover them all.
A plan is a must, but just pick your favorites and donβt feel like you have to see them all.
That is a lot more than I thought there was to do in Naples (granted I’ve never been). But I really like your tip about if you see others pulled over, it’s a good sign that there are alligators to see sunning themselves on rocks. That is kind of what it’s like in Montana for moose and Canada for bears. Definitely pull over and check to see what people are looking at. I would also want to visit the gardens and the farmers market…oh and take a cruise. All of those are favorite activities of mine when traveling!
No need to re-invent the wheel – follow the other spotters!
You had me at alligator spotting! Naples, Florida looks breathtaking with the beach and pier views and it is amazing to know there is so much to do and see. I will probably just go beach hopping and soak up the sun with a book in hand.
Thatβs when I finally get to catch up on all my reading too!
The Naples Pier does look like a fantastic place to visit. Love the outdoor activities too, especially the Lowdermilk Beach Park. Will keep these places in mind for when I’m able to visit Naples.
The pier is my favorite!
We had a roadtrip in Florida a few years ago and really loved exploring the Sunshine State. However, we didn’t go to Naples. We had no idea that there are so many museums! Next time we return to Florida, we’ll definitely stay in Naples a day or two. And it’s also good to know that you can tour the Everglades from there… we didn’t go to the Everglades last time as it was crazily hot in July.
July is such a hot month in Florida – I definitely recommend the slightly cooler months!