Vacation In Naples Florida
Looking for the most exciting and relaxing vacation in Naples Florida? You’ve come to the right place. While you’re here I want to point out a few of my favorite sites and vacation attraction. The first is The Cove Beach, located in Naples Fl; it has some great history as well as being beautiful. Next up The Historic Naples Museum is great, with no admission charge. If you like to party or just see a great annual event the Festival of the Arts is something to check out while in Naples, it runs year round. All that and I haven’t even mentioned the beautiful weather or incredible food yet!
Naples Florida is a extremely popular travel destination in the United States. Each year, almost ten million people take a vacation in Naples Florida. This article will provide you with information on why tourists should visit Naples as well as provide you with vacation ideas.
A writer is looking for an affordable getaway, Naples Florida offers its visitors a beginning and an end to the perfect vacation. This town is situated at the waterline which provides travelers with a number of water activities. Its location places it close to the things that make traveling fun, making this city the ideal place to spend some downtime.
Florida is the perfect place for a family vacation or romantic getaway! You’ll find Sunrise condos and homes in safe, family-friendly neighborhoods. Relax on the beach or explore Key West – the choice is yours. Get outside and enjoy this special corner of paradise!
If this is your first visit to southwest Florida, you’ll be amazed by all the incredible things to do in Naples Florida. From over 700 restaurants (just in Naples alone), gorgeous beaches, interesting eco-systems to explore, year round outdoor activities and a laid back tropical lifestyle, it’s no wonder Naples is the jewel of southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast!
Vacation In Naples Florida
Naples continues to be top-rated as one of the Best Places to Retire in the US and a Top Florida Vacation Spot, it’s one of the best destinations for a Florida beach vacation — the soft white sand Naples Florida beaches are an abundance of riches when it comes to natural good looks.
You may be tempted to spend all your time at the brochure hotspots, but please don’t. There’s much more to see and do in Naples than that.
We wrote this Naples Visitors Guide from a local’s point of view — with a blend of tourist and lesser-known local places on our southwest Florida bucket list to help you plan a spectacular trip.
But don’t worry if you don’t do them all — there are plenty of things to do in Naples Florida to keep you coming back for years.
Naples Florida Travel Tips
Located on southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast at the edge of the Everglades, Naples has palm tree-lined avenues and a glitzy reputation. But the city also has a small-town feel and wears its affluence and easy island style in equal measure, making it a great destination for those seeking a romantic or luxury getaway, family vacay, Everglades adventure, or chill beach vibe.
Here are a few travel tips and things to know before you go:
- The 280 average days of sunshine is great for visitors who love golfing year round, but there are so many other things to do in Naples as well, making it a favorite destination for couples and families.
- Shopping in Naples Florida could truly an Olympic sport, and yes the beaches are really all that. It’s a restaurant powerhouse (over 700 restaurants serve some of the best food in Florida), and home to the arts and endless outdoor activities, including some of the best fishing in Florida.
- Naples and Marco Island are are highly “seasonal” — the winter months of December through March is considered “season” when the northern snowbirds flock south to escape the harsh winter up north.
- Christmas in Naples is especially busy so be plan well in advance for activity and dinner reservations around the holidays.
- Hurricane Season — Florida is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes, especially central and south Florida. Technically, hurricane season runs from June through October.
BEST TIME TO VISIT NAPLES
So what is the best time to visit Naples, Florida? There are several times of the year. Shoulder seasons before and after the “season” is over are some of the best times to visit Naples. Most of the seasonal snowbirds arrive in southwest Florida between Christmas and New Years (give or take a few weeks) and the majority of them go back north around Easter.
So, April through the end of May is a great time to visit — the Gulf water is nice and clear and the temp is just about perfect, and the weather is not yet hot and humid. Late September through the end of November is also a good time after the hot summer but before the majority of the season begins.
Of course, if you want the ideal temperatures or long to escape the cold winter
temps, December through March is ideal for great weather, but traffic is high and restaurants and beaches are more crowded. That said, the word “crowded” is relative. If you’re coming from urban cities or the northeast US, you may think otherwise.
GETTING TO NAPLES FLORIDA
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW: Regional Southwest) is the closest airport to Naples, just 30-40 minutes away depending on where you are in Naples. If you’re not local, renting a car at the airport is a great idea.
You’ll want the flexibility to see Naples, and the surrounding area when you’re here. Naples also has it’s own airport (APF) though it’s generally smaller corporate and charter flights. You’ll find much better flight deals out of RSW.
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Where to Stay in Naples
Honestly, there’s so much to see and do in Naples, your biggest decision may be where to begin, or maybe where to stay. There’s a wide range of accommodations in Naples to suit any style, taste, and budget.
From luxury beachfront resorts and intimate boutique hotels to full-service vacation rentals and comfy family campgrounds, you’re sure to find something that’s right for everyone.
Things To Do In Naples, Florida
There are more great attractions in Naples that the whole family can enjoy, many of which are institutions with a rich history in the community. With so many things to do in Naples Florida, where should you start? We say — head for the beach!
1. HIT THE BEACH
The first thing to do when you get to town is head to the nearest beach to take in a deep breath of salt air and sink your toes into the soft white sand. Naples beaches consistently rank among the best beaches in the world. There may be 16 miles of shoreline from which to choose but these are my picks for the best beaches in Naples.
All Naples beaches offer public access with no bridges to cross (or pay for) and very little traffic. You won’t find boardwalks, t-shirt shops, major thoroughfares or any highways running along the beach. Street access along the beach is largely residential and therefore fairly quiet. Just park your car at one of the major access points in town and walk to your nearest favorite beach.
What’s Allowed at the Beach?
BEER & WINE are allowed at the Naples Pier and beach. The Naples Pier sells beer and wine, or you can bring your own beer and wine BUT NOT IN A GLASS CONTAINER!
What’s Not Allowed? Pets (except on Keewaydin Island), Glass, Fires, or Vehicles
2. CELEBRATE SUNSET
You may think sunset is just the end of the day, but on the Paradise Coast, sunset is something to celebrate. Head to the Naples Pier (which now sells beer and wine from approved vendors), toast to the fiery sunset and bid goodbye to the day. It’s just one of the fun places to catch the sunset in Naples, and no two are ever the same.
Look for the green flash in summer months — a phenomenon unique to Southwest Florida — which happens just seconds after the sun disappears over the horizon. Bring your camera or phone to Instagram a pic or text to friends. 2.
3. EAT AT CELEBRATION FOOD TRUCK PARK
Naples’ newest fun place is a relaxed and happening place — choose your favorite food bites from about a dozen excellent quality food trucks, grab a table (go early during the season if you want to find a table!) and order drinks from the bar.
Celebration Park on Bayshore Drive off the south Trail is on one of the inland waterways in south Naples that leads to Naples Bay. Board games and corn hole keep kids busy or make a fun day relaxing with friends overlooking the water.
4. GO SHELLING ON KEEWAYDIN ISLAND
Nearby Sanibel Island may be the Shelling Capital of the World, but some of the beaches in Naples offer excellent shelling. Barefoot Beach in North Naples is a great place to find shells, as is the southern barrier island of Keewaydin with nearly eight miles of deserted beach to explore.
It’s one of the best kept secrets in all of Naples, but there’s a kicker — this small and uninhabited island is only accessible by boat. Thankfully, this pretty little gem will be kept pristine for us to enjoy in its natural state. A number of tour boats offer Keewaydin excursions.
5. STROLL THE FAMOUS NAPLES PIER
The 130-year old Naples Pier has been beloved by generations, and got a facelift in 2017 after Hurricane Irma with new planking, rails, and lighting. After all these years, the Naples Fishing Pier is still the best place in town for a casual stroll or to catch sunset.
The historic Palm Cottage, Naples oldest surviving home, is open Tuesday – Saturday for docent-guided tours and self-guided tours of the outdoor Norris Gardens. Or join a guided walking tour around Naples’ historic district with a member of the Naples Historical Society.