You have found the Ultimate Guide to Naples Attractions! We hope this guide helps you make the most of your vacation in Southwest Florida. If you have never been to Southwest Florida before, you might be surprised by the sheer number of awesome things to do in Naples.
Naples, Florida has year-round outdoor activities, beautiful beaches more than 700 restaurants. The atmosphere of laid back island leaving, you might discover that this is your new favorite vacation destination.
While there are plenty of visitor hotspots that you can find on any hotel brochure then there is so much more to Naples than the standard tourist traps.
Of course, it’s fun to see Naples’ top sights and check out all of the most popular attractions. Here we will challenge you to get off the beaten path! Here we hope to help you discover the true depth of Naples beauty and history.
If you are building your itinerary for your Naples getaway then you have come to the right place. We have put together a list of some of the top things to do around Naples FL to ensure that this is a vacation you remember for a lifetime.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the Ultimate Guide to Naples Attractions!
Things to Do Around Naples, FL for Animal and Nature Lovers
The ecosystem of Southwest Florida offers a truly unique experience to witness countless species of flora and fauna alike. Depending on where you focus your exploration here, you can see dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, hundreds of bird species, and so much more.
Whether you want to check out exotic animals at the local Naples Zoo or you want to go hiking in one of the best-preserved pieces of land in Southwest Florida, Naples is an awesome spot for nature lovers.
Naples Zoo
The Naples Zoo is one of the first place on our Naples attractions map. If you and your family are hoping to see some exotic animals while you’re in Naples Florida the Naples Zoo is your place.
While it is not quite as sizable as some of the zoos in nearby cities, the Naples Zoo is known for its impressive primate collection as well as its leopards, hyenas and tigers.
You might want to consider visiting when one of their regular scheduled events such as live feedings are being held to get the opportunity for an up close and personal experience with magnificent creatures.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is one place you definitely won’t want to miss if you love nature. This is one of the best preserved natural attractions in the region this swamp preserve contains more than 10,000 acres.
While this is about an hour’s drive from Naples visitors mention that the experience is well worth the travel time.
Here you will get to see a wide variety of natural environments that’s includes cypress stands, marshlands and of course, swamps. Loaded with an abundance of birds as well as river otters you will feel like you stepped back in time.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
Delnor Wiggins State Park is only twenty minutes outside of Naples, Florida and consists of more than 150 acres of undeveloped land.
This Naples attraction is known for having beautiful white sand beaches and clear waters. This is the perfect spot to do some swimming or even some snorkeling.
This park is a lovely place to spend an afternoon or the day. Whether you choose to simply relax on the beach or take advantage of one of the guided tours. Hatching season might even offer a peak into the turtle nursery to witness the pinnacle of beachside cuteness.
There is ample parking at this State Park as well as umbrellas and chairs available for rent. Admission to the park is $6 per vehicle or $4 if there is only one person in the car. Bicyclists and pedestrians can enter for just $2.
Open from 8 a.m. to sundown every day of the year. However, this Southwest Florida park does experience frequent closures on weekends due to high visitation between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
As an alternative, you can park at Collier County’s Conner Park across the bridge and enter the park on foot.
Naples Botanical Garden
The Naples Botanical Garden is home to more than one thousand species of trees, flowers, and plants. This garden is just a few miles outside of town on Bayshore Drive.
If you are looking to immerse yourself in a peaceful location, the Naples Botanical Garden is a great Naples attraction. Yes, it should be on the top of your list.
The Botanical Garden in Naples is actually a part of a more than 100-acre nature preserve. There are guided tours offered daily between November and April.
The garden is fairly large and a guide can be helpful as you explore this large natural area. Worth noting the hours here can change depending on the season. So it’s worth checking online or even calling before you head out for a special trip.
Museums and Historic Attractions in Naples Florida
The Naples area has been inhabited for thousands of years, originally by the indigenous Calusa people. With a rich history that includes Spanish conquistadors, settlers, fishermen, the U.S. Army Air Forces and more. There is a lot to explore when it comes to the history of Naples Florida.
Collier County Museum
The Collier Co. Museum is the premier historical museum in Naples. The museum focuses on the history of the region stretching all the way back to prehistory.
While visiting this museum you can learn about the early settlers, the Native Americans and the geology of Southwest Florida.
The expansive grounds of the Collier County Museum offer a courtyard with covered seating, cultivated gardens as well as a recreated Native American village.
Naples Depot Museum
The Naples Depot Museum is dedicated to telling the story of the region’s transportation history. Located in the old Seaboard Air Line depot.
This museum heavily focuses on the history of the railroad in the Naples. If you have little ones with you then there is even a mini train that offers rides for a memorable time!
Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
If you are traveling with children then you know they are not going to lay around and do nothing. Golisano Children’s Museum can be a great way for your kids to burn off some steam while also engaging in educational play.
Loaded with great interactive exhibits. This museum focuses on topics including farming, weather, the natural world, art and animals. Not only do they have permanent exhibits but there are also a number of special guided activities offered by the museum’s staff.
The cost of admission here is quite affordable, with tickets costing $10 for adults and $12 for children between the ages of 1 and 17. Admission is free for children under the age of one.
Finally the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is open every day of the week except Wednesdays. On these days the hours of operation are between 10 am and 5 pm. Located in North Collier County Regional Park on Livingston Road.
Von Liebig Art Center
The Von Liebig Art Center is a cultural gem where you can view rotating exhibitions as well as attending art classes, lectures, and workshops. A mainstay in the community, this Naples art center is located in downtown Naples at 585 Park Street on the northwest corner of Cambier Park.
Within walking distance from Fifth Avenue South, visiting this Florida-focused art center is a great addition to a day on the town in downtown Naples.
Palm Cottage
Palm Cottage is managed and owned by the Naples Historical Society. Built in the early 1900s the cottage has since been restored to practically its original condition.
Inside, you will find period furniture and housewares to give you a glimpse into the lives of early settlers in Southwest Florida.
Adjacent to Norris Gardens, there are guided tours available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when you can view both the Gardens and the cottage. However to snag a spot on the tours you will need to make reservations ahead of time.
Naples Pier, a great attraction!
The Naples Pier has been beloved by generations of locals and visitors. 130 years old and recently renovated after Hurricane Irma. The Naples Pier is one of the best places to catch the sunset or take a relaxing walk.
If you wanna catch a sunset from home, a Naples Beach Cam is always a welcome site!
Next on the list of our ultimate guide to Naples attractions: tours!
Naples Florida Ultimate Guide: Tours
We hope this ultimate guide to Naples attractions is helping with your vacation ideas. While there are plenty of things to do in Naples on your own. There is something to be said for the knowledge of local experts.
There are countless opportunities to go on tours in Naples and Marco Island. Whether your preferred method of travel is by foot, bike, boat or plane.
Naples Attraction Guided Tours
Looking to enhance your vacation? Well guided tours is a great way to increase the fun! The area around Naples, Marco Island and the western Everglades is known as the Paradise Coast. It does not take long to understand why that is such a deserving name. Here is a great list of local tours.
You can purchase tickets to explore the landscape with expert tour guides, take eco-cruise boats, journey down paddling routes and engage with nature based educational opportunities.
There are a number of kayak and canoe tours available in the Naples area. Some focus on ecological education while others are just fun.
These include day trips as well as longer excursions that involve camping overnight on remote island beaches.
There are also a number of boat tours that combine sightseeing in Naples Florida with looking for manatees and dolphins.
Boat tours in Naples are wide ranging from total fun to an educational experience. It’s really up to your preference.
Southwest Florida bike tours are a good option if you want to keep your feet dry.
For a bird’s eye view of the incredible land, consider taking an airplane or helicopter tour. This is truly the ultimate sightseeing experience. You will be able to witness the 10,000 islands from an entirely new perspective.
The Ultimate Naples Attraction, Sunset Cruises
One of the best things about the Paradise Coast of Florida is that nearly every night there is an outstanding sunset.
Sky is painted with vibrant reds, pinks, blues and purples. The weather once in a while, will ruin a sunset but typically you are rewarded!
The intense color of the sky remains for a few minutes after the sun goes down. Even getting more vivid in some instances experience is truly breathtaking.
Want to enjoy a Naples sunset from a different view? The experience is amazing on the water. Luckily there are many different sunset boat cruises from Naples and Marco Island.
Shelling Tours
Southwest Florida has always been known for the seemingly endless supply of seashells. Keep in mind tourist places and well traveled beaches do tend to get picked over. However there are plenty of remote island beaches where the shells have been completely untouched.
It can be hard to know how to get to the best shelling places in the 10,000 islands. Signing up for a shelling cruise, though, you benefit from the knowledge of a local expert. They will take you to remote locations to search for the perfect shells to bring home.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this ultimate guide to Naples attractions shows you the unlimited number of things for a great trip!
You have found the Ultimate Guide to Naples Attractions! We hope this guide helps you make the most of your vacation in Southwest Florida.
If you have never been to Southwest Florida before, you might be surprised by the sheer number of awesome things to do in Naples.
Naples Florida has year-round outdoor activities, beautiful beaches, more than 700 restaurants. The atmosphere is laid back of island living you might discover that this is your new favorite vacation destination.
While there are plenty of visitor hotspots that you can find on any hotel brochure, there is so much more to Naples than the standard tourist traps.
Of course, it’s fun to see Naples’ top sights and check out all of the most popular attractions. Here we will challenge you to get off the beaten path! Here we hope to help you discover the true depth of Naples’s beauty and history.
If you are building your itinerary for your Naples getaway then you have come to the right place. We have put together a list of some of the top things to do around Naples FL to ensure that this is a vacation you remember for a lifetime.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the Ultimate Guide to Naples Attractions!
