10 Best Things to Do in Naples, Florida

Naples Beach offers a variety of restaurants armed with outdoor patios, intriguing shops to visit, and a farmers market on Saturdays, all just a mile from the heart of downtown. While it might be more populated than some other beaches, this is a great place to visit when you want the true tourist experience.

The historic Naples Beach Pier, which juts out 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, is located here and is perfect for photo opportunities and selfies. From lazing in the sun and playing volleyball to catching a romantic sunset, strolling onto the pier for a cold drink, or taking a walk through Gordon’s Pass, there’s a little bit of everything here.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is a barrier island just off the southwest coast of Naples. From here you can access the Gulf of Mexico and view a tropical paradise with white sand beaches. You can see a wide range of wildlife and shorebirds, go sunbathing, paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, or just have a quiet picnic lunch. 

Anglers can find designated fishing spots to drop their lines, and boaters can launch into Turkey Bay and even explore the Cocohatchee River. Guided tours and interpretive programs are also available.

The Naples Botanical Garden encompasses a full 170 acres of walking paths and intricately-tended specimens of both domestic and exotic flora. It's among the most brightly-colored and serene places in Naples. It's the youngest garden to date to receive the prestigious Award for Garden Excellence from the American Public Gardens Association. 

You'll find 9 different gardens to experience, including a water garden with several species of flowering lily pads. You can also walk a 90-acre nature sanctuary where you can view native animals like deer and 150 types of birds.

The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary under the auspices of the National Audubon Society. Here you can take an excursion deep into the heart of the Florida Everglades and witness the rich and wild ecosystem that exists therein. 

You can walk a 2.5-mile boardwalk to witness wet prairie, unspoiled marshlands, flatwoods, and deep into the largest Bald Cypress old-growth forest on the continent. As you walk you may see a range of wildlife including red-bellied turtles, white-tailed deer, otters, alligators, and dozens of bird species.

Lowdermilk Beach (more properly, Lowdermilk Park) is a premier beachfront area in the city. Naturally, when people head to Florida for a vacation, one of the foremost attractions is the beach, and Naples delivers. Here, you’ll find not only stretches of sun, sand, and surf, but volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnic tables, and even gazebos that you can rent for group events. 

It’s a great place to spend a day at play and relaxation. It even features a concession stand, so you don’t have to worry about where to go to grab a bite.

Palm Cottage is the home of the Naples Historical Society. If you’re interested in the legacy and rich history of the region, this is the place to go. It’s set in the heart of the Naples Historic District and is a prime example of tabby mortar-style construction, which is quite rare. 

The cottage is the oldest house in Naples. Inside you’ll find that the house is decked out with antiques dating to 1895, appearing much as it did when it was a summer cottage in the Victorian era.

The Von Liebig Art Center is the home of the Naples Art Association. It attracts around 100,000 people every year to view the rotating and permanent art installations, listen to lectures, and take part in art classes and workshops. 

Exhibitions showcased here in the 16,000-sq-ft gallery spaces include national, international, and regional in nature, and feature some of the most important modern artists working today. When you’re done, don’t forget to stop by the gift shop to take home a souvenir of the stunning artwork you’ve seen. The Naples Art Association also puts on events throughout the city, including Art in the Park and summer jazz concerts. 

Naples Pier is a historic fishing and sightseeing pier, which draws thousands to the area every year to see the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. There’s a concession stand and eating area as well as beach supplies for those looking to hit the 10 miles of local surf and sand at Municipal Beach. 

If you’d like to fish, know that you can do so here without a license. From the pier, you can also simply view local wildlife: pelicans are often present, and there’s a good chance of spotting dolphins, stingrays, and other marine life.

The Tin City Waterfront Shops comprise a specialty shopping area in Naples in the form of an open-air market. Here you can find antiques, handmade novelties, and local arts and crafts. The entire market is situated across 4 buildings, and you can find such diverse offerings as candles, seashell jewelry, wine, antiques, mood rings, and general souvenirs. 

A popular place for couples and families, you can spend a whole day just perusing the stalls and discovering exciting trinkets, searching for that perfect gift or souvenir for the folks back home.

Fifth Avenue South is the primary shopping and commercial district that forms the heart and soul of Naples. Here you’ll find everything from luxurious glamor-shops to laid back independent stores. All of it is surrounded by well-tended tropical flowers and green space. 

It’s a highly pedestrian-friendly area with promenades and a range of finds including local arts and crafts. You can walk through art galleries and relax in fine-dining establishments, all while taking in any of the live entertainment or festivals that go on monthly, such as the Evening on Fifth event.