Naples, Florida, located along the stunning Gulf of Mexico, is a gem of the Sunshine State known for its powdery white beaches, high-end shopping, fine dining, and pristine natural reserves. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, Naples offers a perfect blend of relaxation, culture, and adventure. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Naples, Florida.
1. Outdoor and Nature Attractions
- 🌴 Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park – One of Naples’ most beautiful and well-preserved beaches, Delnor-Wiggins Pass offers turquoise waters, white sand, and stunning Gulf views. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and sunbathing, as well as shaded picnic areas and barbecue stations. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available nearby, and the park’s observation tower provides a perfect vantage point for watching dolphins and pelicans. The beach opens daily until sundown; arrive early to secure a parking spot, especially on weekends or holidays.
- 🌿 Clam Pass Park – A unique natural escape featuring a ¾-mile mangrove boardwalk that leads to a quiet, scenic beach. Guests can walk or take the free tram ride while spotting herons, egrets, and other native wildlife along the way. The beach area offers rental chairs and umbrellas, restrooms, and a small snack bar. Families appreciate the calm, shallow water and educational signage along the boardwalk that describes local flora and fauna. Perfect for morning strolls and sunset photography.
- ☀️ Lowdermilk Park – One of the most popular community beaches in Naples, known for its central location, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and well-maintained picnic areas. The park provides showers, concession stands, and cabana rentals. It’s an excellent spot for families with young children due to gentle surf and lifeguards on duty. Arrive early for beachfront parking and stay for the stunning sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico.
- 🏖️ Vanderbilt Beach Park – A lively beach favored by both locals and visitors. Located near upscale hotels and restaurants, it offers public restrooms, showers, and easy access from the Vanderbilt Beach Garage. The wide stretch of sand is ideal for sunbathing, shelling, and paddleboarding. Visitors often see dolphins playing just offshore. For convenience, nearby dining options and shaded areas make it a full-day destination for beach lovers.
- 🐚 Barefoot Beach Preserve – One of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s southwest coast, Barefoot Beach offers a peaceful retreat filled with nature trails, sea oats, and coastal wildlife. It’s perfect for shell collecting, paddleboarding, or spotting gopher tortoises along the trails. Couples and photographers love its quiet, romantic atmosphere and picturesque sunsets. Limited facilities maintain the area’s natural feel—bring your own snacks and water.
- 🌾 Collier-Seminole State Park – Spanning over 7,000 acres of mangrove swamps, cypress forests, and open marshes, this park gives visitors a taste of old Florida wilderness. Activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping. The historic Bay City Walking Dredge, an engineering landmark from the early 1900s, tells the story of Florida’s development era. Nature enthusiasts can spot manatees and ospreys while paddling the Blackwater River Canoe Trail.
- 🐊 Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary – A globally recognized Audubon sanctuary known for its 2.25-mile boardwalk winding through ancient bald cypress forests. Visitors encounter a thriving ecosystem of herons, alligators, anhingas, and occasionally rare ghost orchids. Interpretive signage and guided tours enrich the experience, and the visitor center offers exhibits and a gift shop. Visit early morning for the best wildlife sightings and cooler temperatures.
- 🛶 Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – Covering more than 110,000 acres of pristine coastal habitat, this reserve offers trails, observation decks, and kayak tours through winding mangrove tunnels. The Environmental Learning Center features interactive displays, touch tanks, and educational films about local ecosystems. Eco-tours, birding excursions, and volunteer programs make it a favorite among nature enthusiasts and families seeking meaningful outdoor experiences.
- 🦜 Bird Gardens of Naples – A nonprofit sanctuary housing over 200 rescued parrots and exotic birds from around the world. Weekend tours allow visitors to learn about parrot conservation and interact directly with the birds in a tropical garden setting. Guests can feed parrots nuts or fruits and take part in educational talks about habitat preservation. It’s a colorful, uplifting experience for animal lovers and families.
2. Arts and Culture
- 🎨 The Baker Museum (Artis—Naples) – Naples’ premier art institution, The Baker Museum, is a centerpiece of the Artis—Naples cultural campus. It showcases world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, ranging from glass installations and sculpture gardens to photography and regional artists. The museum’s architecture itself is a masterpiece, with elegant glass facades and spacious galleries. Visitors can pair their visit with performances by the Naples Philharmonic in the adjacent concert hall or attend lectures, film screenings, and art workshops hosted throughout the year. Don’t miss the rooftop sculpture terrace, offering panoramic views and an inspiring outdoor art experience.
- 🏛️ Historic Palm Cottage – Built in 1895, this charming, tabby mortar home is Naples’ oldest surviving house and a beautifully preserved museum run by the Naples Historical Society. Guided tours by knowledgeable docents provide fascinating insights into the city’s early days, when it was little more than a small fishing village. Visitors can explore authentic period furnishings, historical photographs, and exhibits that illustrate Naples’ transformation into the sophisticated coastal city it is today. The surrounding Norris Gardens add extra charm, featuring native Florida plants and traditional landscaping techniques from the 19th century.
- 🕊️ Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida – A deeply moving museum dedicated to honoring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust while educating visitors about human rights and tolerance. Through photographs, artifacts, personal testimonies, and traveling exhibitions, the museum brings history to life and connects it with contemporary lessons on compassion and justice. Interactive displays engage both students and adults, and the museum frequently hosts lectures by historians, educators, and Holocaust survivors. It’s an essential visit for those interested in history and moral reflection.
- 🚂 Naples Railroad Depot Museum – A fascinating destination for history enthusiasts, this museum is located in a beautifully restored 1920s Seaboard Air Line Railway station. The exhibits trace the development of Naples through its transportation and commerce history, featuring vintage railcars, model trains, and original memorabilia from the city’s early years. The museum also explores the role of railroads in shaping Florida’s growth and the rise of tourism in the region. Though temporarily closed for restoration, the depot remains an architectural landmark, and its reopening promises an even richer educational experience for families and visitors.
3. Shopping and Dining Destinations
- 🛍️ Fifth Avenue South – Naples’ most iconic street, Fifth Avenue South, is lined with luxury boutiques, art galleries, and award-winning restaurants. The avenue stretches through the heart of downtown, offering palm-lined sidewalks, open-air patios, and vibrant nightlife. Visitors can shop for high-end fashion, local art, and handmade jewelry, then relax at charming cafés or fine dining establishments featuring fresh Gulf seafood. Seasonal events like holiday parades and art festivals make this area a must-see cultural hub, both day and night.
- 🛥️ Tin City Waterfront Shops – This historic marketplace on Naples Bay once served as a 1920s clam shelling and fish packing hub. Today, it’s a lively waterfront destination featuring unique boutiques, souvenir stores, and local eateries serving Florida favorites like grouper tacos and key lime pie. Visitors can stroll along wooden boardwalks, enjoy scenic views of the marina, or hop aboard a sightseeing or sunset cruise departing right from Tin City’s docks. The atmosphere is laid-back and nostalgic, reflecting Naples’ maritime heritage.
- 👠 Waterside Shops – For a luxury retail experience, Waterside Shops combines the elegance of high-end brands with the serenity of tropical landscaping. Stores like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co. are set among flowing fountains and palm-lined pathways. Beyond shopping, guests can enjoy al fresco dining at upscale restaurants and cafés. It’s not just a mall—it’s an architectural showcase of Naples’ refined coastal style. The ambiance is especially magical in the evenings when lights reflect off the water features, creating a resort-like feel.
- 🍸 The Mercato – A modern, mixed-use complex where shopping, dining, and nightlife converge. The Mercato offers trendy boutiques, cozy wine bars, and gourmet restaurants like Capital Grille and Barbatella. At night, it transforms into a lively social scene with live music, outdoor events, and rooftop lounges. The cinema, art installations, and regular cultural gatherings make it more than a shopping center—it’s a vibrant lifestyle destination for locals and visitors alike.
- 🦞 Dining Highlights – Naples’ culinary scene is among the most celebrated on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Seafood dominates the menu, with fresh catches like snapper, grouper, and stone crab claws (in season from October to May). Many waterfront restaurants along Naples Bay and the Gulf offer outdoor terraces with panoramic sunset views. Don’t miss local specialties like blackened grouper sandwiches, coconut shrimp, or a classic slice of tangy key lime pie. Whether you prefer fine dining at a white-tablecloth establishment or a casual beachside café, Naples delivers a world-class gastronomic experience.
4. Family-Friendly Attractions
- 🦒 Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens – A beautifully landscaped zoo featuring giraffe feeding, primate exhibits, and a scenic boat tour around the lake. The zoo spans a historic tropical garden originally established in the early 1900s, blending lush vegetation with immersive wildlife encounters. Guests can observe lions, tigers, and rare lemurs while learning about conservation efforts. Educational programs, wildlife shows, and guided tours are offered throughout the day. Families can relax at shaded picnic spots or visit the on-site café for refreshments, making it an ideal half-day adventure for all ages.
- 🧩 Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (CMON) – A vibrant, interactive museum designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds. With themed zones such as the Build It! construction area, Water Play station, and Art Studio, children can learn through tactile, sensory, and collaborative play. The museum encourages hands-on discovery across science, art, and nature exhibits, all within a safe, climate-controlled environment. Seasonal workshops, birthday programs, and family events make CMON a year-round destination for both residents and tourists. Parents can relax at the museum café while their children explore and create.
- 💦 Sun-N-Fun Lagoon – Collier County’s only waterpark, featuring thrilling slides, a relaxing lazy river, and splash zones tailored for toddlers and teens alike. The park includes the Sunny’s River for tubing, the Dolphin Dive and Lap Pool for swimming, and the family-friendly Turtle Cove play area. With lifeguards stationed throughout and plenty of shaded rest areas, Sun-N-Fun Lagoon provides a safe and exciting environment to cool off on hot Florida days. Visitors can rent cabanas, enjoy food from on-site vendors, and even attend special summer events like night swims and family fun days.
- 🛳️ Naples Princess Cruises – Offering sightseeing and sunset cruises across the sparkling waters of Naples Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, these excursions deliver breathtaking views of luxury waterfront homes and marine wildlife. The spacious, air-conditioned yacht features open decks, a bar, and dinner service, creating a memorable experience for families, couples, and groups. Guests often spot dolphins and seabirds along the way. Themed events, such as holiday cruises and private charters, add extra excitement. It’s a relaxing way to experience the beauty of Naples from a new perspective while enjoying the cool sea breeze.
5. Unique Local Experiences
- 🥐 Third Street South Farmers Market – Every Saturday morning, this vibrant market fills the air with the scent of fresh pastries, flowers, and citrus. Shoppers can browse a variety of stalls offering organic produce, handmade crafts, and local delicacies like honey, cheese, and tropical fruits. Live music from local artists adds to the lively atmosphere, while nearby cafés invite visitors to enjoy a leisurely brunch. It’s a community favorite and a must-visit for those who want to experience authentic Naples culture.
- 🦀 Naples Stone Crab Festival – Held every October along the waterfront, this three-day festival marks the beginning of the stone crab season, one of Florida’s most anticipated culinary traditions. Guests can enjoy an array of seafood dishes, live bands performing blues and jazz, and family-friendly entertainment such as cooking demos and kids’ activities. Local restaurants and vendors serve fresh claws and coastal cuisine, while artisans showcase handmade jewelry, art, and coastal décor. The atmosphere is festive and energetic, celebrating Naples’ deep ties to the sea.
- 🎶 Naples Seafood & Music Festival – Taking place each spring, this beloved annual event combines the area’s best seafood with nonstop live entertainment. Guests can savor everything from lobster rolls to shrimp tacos while enjoying performances by local and national musicians. The festival also features an arts and crafts marketplace, beer gardens, and shaded dining tents, creating a full-day experience for families and friends. With its free admission and waterfront setting, it’s an event that perfectly captures Naples’ relaxed, coastal vibe.
- 🎆 Seasonal Highlights – Naples hosts numerous annual events that reflect the city’s festive spirit and community pride. The Holiday Boat Parade lights up Naples Bay each December with dazzling, decorated vessels, while the Naples National Art Fair draws artists from across the country every February. Other highlights include outdoor concerts at Cambier Park, the downtown tree-lighting ceremony, and summer farmer’s markets showcasing local cuisine. No matter the time of year, Naples offers visitors something special to celebrate—making it a city that’s alive with events all year long.
Plan Your Naples Getaway
Naples, Florida, offers something for everyone—whether you’re seeking a luxurious escape, a cultural adventure, or a family beach vacation. With its blend of nature, art, shopping, and coastal charm, Naples truly captures the essence of Gulf Coast living. Plan ahead, explore, and make the most of your trip to one of Florida’s most elegant coastal cities.
