Naples, FL Road Trips

The economy of Naples is based largely on tourism and was historically based on real estate development and agriculture. Due to its proximity to the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands, Naples is also popular among ecotourists. The city is also known for being appealing to retirees, who make up a large percentage of the population. It is home to about 19,000 people (census, 1 April 2020) Like much of central and southern Florida there are two basic seasons in Naples. From May through October there is a hot and wet season in Naples, when hot temperatures (average high temperature is 92 °F or 33.3 °C) and frequent thundershowers are common. From November through April is the dry season, when sunshine, dry weather, and milder temperatures with daily highs around 74 °F or 23.3 °C.

1 Tin City. On the river in Downtown Naples: a Naples tradition. Built as a fisherman's wharf (it is still used as such), it is now a large collection of shops (all indoor and air-conditioned) offering a huge array of trinkets, clothing, art, and miscellaneous. 2 Naples City Pier, 25 12th Ave S. One of the most popular attractions in town, the thousand-foot-long pier was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. The pier was built in the late 19th century, and has been rebuilt several times, usually taking about three years to complete. No fishing license was required to cast a line from the pier (no fishing on Sundays or overnight). You can still watch the dolphins and take amazing photos of the sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico from the beach. (updated Sep 2022)

1 Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, 1590 Goodlette Rd, ☏ +1 239-262-5409. Daily 9AM-5PM. Rediscover natural fun in the heart of Naples. Explore this nationally accredited zoo with animals from alligators to zebras blended into a historic botanical garden - two attractions in one. See Tiger Forest, Panther Glade, and African Oasis. Enjoy exciting wildlife presentations all day and a cruise past islands of monkeys. Everglades Tours There are many companies that offer all varieties of excursions to the everglades. This is a great day trip. Fishing Naples has many experienced guides to help you catch that trophy. But if you want to explore on your own, there also are plenty of marinas and tackle shops for boat rentals, tackle and advice. And, if you would prefer, there are places where you can fish without a boat. Some of the more popular spots are our rivers and the Naples Pier. Many people also fish the canals, especially where and when the tidal currents are relatively strong. The beaches can also be productive, especially at dawn and at dusk. Whether your preferred technique is fly, spin, plug or bait, you will enjoy fine fishing in a great environment. Shopping the shops around 5th Avenue would be considered exclusive by some, pretentious by others. Third Avenues is also a great place to shop the many art galleries and shops.Downtown Naples, Tin City, Fifth Avenue South, 3rd Street South, Mercato, Bayfront, Venetian Village, Coastland Mall, and the Waterside Shops are Naples Shopping venues not to be missed! Naples Florida has beautiful boutique style shopping!

Joe's Diner, on US40. For breakfast. McCabe's Irish Pub & Grill, 699 5th Avenue South, ☏ +1 239-403-7170. Authentic Irish pub featuring great food and lively music. Truluck's Seafood, Steak, and Crab House, 698 4th Ave. South, ☏ +1 239-530-3131. Semi-casual restaurant that offers fresh, high-quality stone crab claws. Take a ride out to Marco Island and eat at the Snooks Inn. It is right on the water. Shula's Steak House, 5111 Tamiami Trail North (from Southwest Florida International Airport: follow signs from Airport to I-75 South to Naples; Exit # 107 Pine Ridge road; turn right, going west approximately 3.5 miles; turn left, south on US 41 (Tamiami Trail) and the hotel is immediately on the right), ☏ +1 239-430-4999. 6:30AM. Upscale steak house honoring the 1972 Miami Dolphins Perfect Season. Open for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Located off the lobby of the Hilton Naples. 10PM. Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar, 1220 3rd Street, ☏ +1 239-643-6889. 11AM for lunch, dinner daily. Eclectic with a tropical twist, they offer a relaxed, elegant island ambience. They recommend their coconut shrimp, San Juan shrimp and scallops and pina colada cake and their cocktails. Live entertainment nightly. expensive. Mel's Diner - Naples, 3650 Tamiami Trail N, ☏ +1 239-643-9898. Su–Th 6:30AM-9PM; F Sa 6:30AM-9:30PM.

Sunset Beach Bar, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N. (in the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club; from the north, take Rt #41 to Golf Drive, turn right and continue to Gulf Shore Blvd), ☏ +1 239-261-2222. Good place to catch a sunset. It was once awarded the title of Naples' "Best Beach Bar" by Travel Channel. Live entertainment is available each evening. Food and Thought, Gateway Plaza, ☏ +1 239-213-2222. 9AM-8PM. Southwest Florida's only 100% organic market and restaurant. Good service, nice people, great food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. $6-14. Blue Martini, 9114 Strada Place Suite 12105, ☏ +1 239-591-2583. Daily 4PM - 2AM. Blue Martini features over 25 martinis. Listen or dance to live entertainment while enjoying a tapas menu. The Turtle Club at Vanderbilt Beach / Restaurant and Bar, 9225 Gulf Shore Drive (on Vanderbilt Beach in Naples at 9225 Gulfshore Drive North on the grounds of the Vanderbilt Beach Resort between the Ritz Carlton Hotel and the La Playa Resort). Daily 11AM to 2:45PM (reservations not accepted for lunch), Su-Th 5-9PM, F Sa 5-10PM. Focusing on fresh seafood and fine steaks and chops served in a beachfront setting. Casually elegant fine dining, hospitable staff.

Bellasera Resort Luxury Hotel, 221 Ninth Street South, toll-free: +1-888-627-1595. A four-diamond luxury hotel featuring studio and three-room suites with full kitchens, business meeting facilities, and onsite Zizi Restaurant. Doubletree Suites. This all-suites hotel is set on a peninsula overlooking the Cocohatchee River and Wildlife Preserve. 101 suites, an outdoor heated pool, a 24-hour fitness center and an on-site restaurant which serves lunch and dinner. Hilton Naples Hotel, 5111 Tamiami Trail North (from Southwest Florida Airport, follow signs from Airport to I-75 South to Naples; exit # 107 Pine Ridge road turn right, going west approximately 3½ miles; turn left, south on US 41 (Tamiami Trail) and the hotel is immediately on the right), ☏ +1 239-430-4900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. See listing for Shula's Steak House in "Eat". The Inn on Fifth, 699 5th Avenue South, toll-free: +1-888-403-8778. This resort-style hotel with 87 rooms is in the heart of the city. Has Wi-Fi, two restaurants: McCabe's Irish Pub & Grill and Truluck's Seafood, Steak, and Crab House. The Inn at Pelican Bay, 800 Vanderbilt Beach Rd (Toll Free: 800-597-8770), ☏ +1 239-597-8777. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Part of the Florida Green Lodging Program. Complimentary breakfast, business center, fitness center, heated swimming pool, and complimentary wireless Internet access. Hawthorn Suites Naples, 3557 Pine Ridge Road, ☏ +1 239-593-1300, [email protected]. Lemon Tree Inn, 250 Ninth Street, ☏ +1 239-262-1414, fax: +1 239-262-2638.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW IATA), is approximately 30 miles to the north of Naples, in Fort Myers. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Naples, which takes approximately 45-60 minutes via I-75 South. There are two smaller airports available within 15 miles of Naples, and residents of Southwest Florida's affluent communities often use charter planes to fly directly to/from Naples, Marco Island, and other areas of the Gulf Coast. 1 Naples Airport (APF IATA, formerly known as Naples Municipal Airport) (2 nautical miles (4 km) northeast of the central business district). offers the most direct flights Marco Island Executive Airport (FAA LID: MKY), known as Marco Island Airport, is 15 miles south of Naples, and just southwest of the Tamiami Trail. Air charter and jet rental companies including Naples Air Inc. and Naples Jet Charter offer access to a variety of planes based across SW Florida, with aircraft ranging from small single and twin-engine planes to luxury business jets. Greyhound serves nearby Bonita Springs. RedCoach serves a station on the outskirts of Naples.

The best way to get around Naples is to rent a car. Alternatively, you can rent a bike, and there are bike lanes on many of the major roads (though they are seldom used). If you stay in "Old Naples" (the historic district), then it is very easy to get to shopping centers, the pier, and the beach. CAT provides local bus service.