Tin City Waterfront Shops
Website: https://www.tincityofnaples.com/
Address: 1200 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
Every visitor to beautiful Naples, Florida should stop by Tin City Shops, located on the Gordon River for a very unique experience. Tin City has the "Old Florida" charm with a mix of waterfront dining, boutique shopping and unique attractions. There are a number of stores that sell everything from coastal decor to handmade jewelry. If you're hungry, Tin City's waterfront restaurants have excellent seafood with views of Naples Bay.
Aside from shopping and dining, Tin City has a variety of waterfront adventures such as dolphin and manatee tours, jet ski rentals, or fishing charters. I have been out fishing with Pure Florida a number of times now and it has always been a blast.
Fifth Avenue South
Website: https://www.fifthavenuesouth.com/
Address: 800 5th Ave South, Naples, FL 34102
There are so many great activities, restaurants, events, shops and more on Fifth Avenue South that it's hard to even find a place to start. This is the city's premier shopping, dining and cultural district. Lined with palm trees and elegant architecture, this vibrant street offers upscale shopping and dining yet it still carries a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're looking for fresh seafood, incredible steaks or just a slice of pizza, 5th Avenue South is the place to go. The shops feature clothing, jewelry, fine art and more. Check out the official website for a directory of stores and locations.
Historic 5th Avenue South is also known for it's year-round events. There are art festivals, live music and more. One of my favorite events each year is the chalk art on the streets. 5th Avenue is blocked off and local businesses, schools and groups come out and paint huge squares of the street. Visitors purchase tickets, which raises a lot of money for charities, and hand those tickets to the artists. Each ticket is a vote for the best art and winners are announced at the end of the day. It really is a lot of fun!
Celebration Park
Website: https://celebrationparknaples.com/
Address: 2880 Becca Avenue, Naples, FL 34112
Celebration Park is located in the Bayshore Arts District and was founded in 2018 as a gathering spot for food trucks. There are so many great food trucks to choose from which provides an enormous amount of variety and so there's something for everyone. Plus, there is a rotating lineup of food trucks so there's always something new to try. There's live music to enjoy as well.
I love the location of Celebration Park as it sits on the Gordon River and has great views of the waterfront. I've always found the crowd to be very friendly and a great place to meet new people, socialize, and just have a great experience.
Third Street South
Website: https://thirdstreetsouth.com/
Address: Naples, Florida 34102
This is one of my favorite places for a walk in Naples. The landscaping, fountains and tree-lined streets are beautiful and there's so many things to see along the way. The street is mostly known for shopping as there are over 100 shops and boutiques. There are art galleries, gift shops and home decor stores as well.
When it's time to eat, you'll have no shortage of restaurants to choose from. There is world class restaurants like The Continental, Campiello, or our personal favorite, Sea Salt.
Finally, you'll want to check the calendar on their website because there are always great events happening. There are weekly events like the famous Third Street South Farmer's Market but my favorite event is the annual holiday parties. The streets are blocked off and "snow" falls from the lamp posts. There's live music and entertainment through the entire street so you can just walk and take in the sights. It's a must-see Naples tradition.
Golisano Children's Museum of Naples (C'MON)
Website: https://www.cmon.org/
Address: 15080 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109
As a parent of two boys, I've spent a lot of time in the Children's Museum of Naples (C'MON) and enjoyed it each time. The building features a variety of areas where children of different ages can play and learn. There is a grocery store (complete with carts!), a big kitchen with toy food, a tree that children can use to climb to the 2nd floor, a library and even a "teens only" area and more. You can head outside for even more fun where there is a large water feature with plenty of toys and objects for the kids to use.
A great feature of C'MON is that there is a large area as you enter that changes periodically. Exhibits will come and go which keeps the entertainment fresh for the kids.
This is a great option for when it rains so keep it in mind! Day passes are available but consider a membership if you're going to go more than a few times.
Finally, one fun fact is that you will see that the elevators there were donated by the "Farrugia's." Yes, that's my last name but no, we didn't make that donation!
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Website: https://www.napleszoo.org/
Address: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples, FL 34102
I'll admit, I'm a huge animal lover so the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens doesn't disappoint. The zoo itself is small compared to most zoos in big cities but it has so many exhibits that are fantastic and a lot of trails to explore. There are shows throughout the day, a pontoon boat ride on the large lake to see various primates, a playground, a gift shop, and a cafeteria. But, the show stopper for me are the giraffes. For $5, you can purchase romaine lettuce and hand-feed the giraffes. They're extremely gentle so even smaller children can have that experience as well.
Tickets for the zoo are a bit pricey in my opinion with adult tickets (ages 13-64) at $27 and $18 for children (3-12). However, the zoo offers free entry on the first Saturday of each month for Collier County residents.
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Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Website: https://www.audubon.org/corkscrew
Address: 375 Sanctuary Rd W, Naples, FL 34120
This is another one of my family's favorite spots. The sanctuary is located in the Western Everglades and the main feature is the 2.25 mile boardwalk where you can walk through the largest remaining old-growth bald cypress forest. The boardwalk is elevated over the land so it is quite safe. You are guaranteed to see all sorts of wildlife as you hike along and you'll encounter special areas with benches to sit and quietly observe the nature surrounding you.
The sanctuary also features a visitor center that has various exhibits throughout the year. You can purchase single-day tickets online at their website or an annual membership if you plan on enjoying the park multiple times throughout the year.
Naples Botanical Garden
Website: https://www.naplesgarden.org/
Address: 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples, FL 34112
Located in the Bayshore Arts District is this incredible attraction that every local has certainly been to! Simply put, it is beautiful! It's more than just a garden though. As you walk through, you'll see plants from all over the world from the swamps of Florida to the Asian water garden. I love the Orchid garden as there are so many different varieties to take in. There's a fantastic cafe and a children's area as well!
The Village Shops on Venetian Bay
Website: https://www.venetianvillage.com/
Address: 4300 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34103
It's hard to put into words but the Village Shops on Venetian Bay just feels like Naples, Florida. There's something about shopping or dining right on the beautiful Venetian Bay that is extraordinarily special. There are plenty of high-end shops and restaurants to visit and you can see the full directory here. My personal favorite restaurant is M Waterfront Grille where the food is great and the setting is even better. My wife and I also love Bayside Seafood because of the view.
It's important to note that there are often events at The Village Shops so check out the calendar!
Coral Cay Adventure Golf
Website: https://coralcaygolf.com/
Address: 2205 E. Tamiami Trail Naples, FL 34112
Coral Cay is putt putt at it's finest. This is your classic mini golf course with bridges, hills, multiple holes, water hazards and more! I can tell you from experience that it is not too hard for younger kids yet still hard enough that it is fun for adults. There's a snack bar for drinks and treats.
One of the great things about Coral Cay is the location. It is about a mile from Tin City so very easily accessible for those visiting. I think pricing is fair too. Teens and adults golf for $14 and ages 5-11 are $12. Go have some fun (and don't cheat!).
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Website: https://conservancy.org/
Address: 1495 Smith Preserve Way Admission Cost, Naples, FL 34102
I've included the Conservancy of Southwest Florida under things to do on land but it is really a mix of both land and water activities. There are a number of things to do at the Conservancy and it is worth the cost of admission.
