Naples, a paradise of sun, shore and nature harmoniously blended with the
cosmopolitan and cultural center this city has become.
Naples, beautiful, uncrowded beaches, luxury accommodations, fine dining,
sophisticated entertainment, pristine natural areas. It’s no wonder Naples and
Marco Island have developed such lofty reputations. Despite its
metropolitan population and myriad housing developments, Naples remembers its
Indian and early pioneering heritage. This diversity combined with its host of
attractions, amenities and activities make Naples a great place to live and
visit.
Naples has blossomed into an upscale playground, where multimillion-dollar
second, third or fourth residences are not uncommon, and where celebrities and
business and government leaders retreat to relax in the sunshine and play on
golf courses or tennis courts. Downtown Naples, notably Fifth Avenue, is a
shopper’s delight of upscale boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.
In the evening, take in a performance at the Naples Dinner Theater or the
popular Naples Players at Sugden Community Theater. Or revel in world-class
dance, music, or other entertainment at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts,
home of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. Be sure to arrive early to meander
through the art galleries at the Phil, but an art lover’s experience in Naples
isn’t complete without visits to the von Liebig Art Center and the Naples Museum
of Art.
Fascinating history lessons lie beneath the polished exteriors, and standing
firm at the edge of the manicured lawns and well-tended golf courses is the
daunting wilderness of the Florida Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands. This
is the territory of dangerous alligators, of birds with plumes so beautiful they
were hunted nearly to extinction. And this is where the Seminole, refusing to
surrender to federal forces, retreated to rebuild and exist.
Collier County has three museums that explore the history of the region and its
various inhabitants, in Naples, Everglades City, and Immokalee. In addition, the
Palm Cottage shows visitors a glimpse of the area’s architectural history.
Experiencing the Everglades gives people a better understanding of what early
settlers endured. Not too far from Naples and Marco is Big Cypress National
Preserve and Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, which offer views of the unique
ecosystem Marjory Stoneman Douglas dubbed “The River of Grass”. A visit to the
Conservancy of Southwest Florida and the Briggs Nature Center takes visitors
into the wet wildness of the region.
For all Naples’ attractions, the beaches and the Gulf of Mexico will always be
the main event. Miles of beautiful, white sand beach stretch along the
waterfront, and the town’s central gathering spot is the Naples pier, where
people of all interests and walks of life meet, play, fish, and chat. Delnor-Wiggins
Pass State Recreation Area north of Naples, Lowdermilk Park, Clam Pass and
Vanderbilt County Park and Tigertail Beach County Park on Marco Island are the
favorite spots to get outside and enjoy the water and natural beauty of
Southwest Florida. Those looking for a slightly different outdoor experience
find it by venturing on a shelling charter, and ecotour, or thrilling a trip
into the Everglades by airboat.
Map of
Naples
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Links of Interest (3rd party links will open in a new window):
City of Naples - official website
Naples Area Chamber of Commerce
Philharmonic Center
for the Arts - Naples Museum of Art, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra
The von
Liebig Art Center
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