Naples Vacation Ideas, Vetted by Mark & Mende

Parks & Hiking

Baker Park

Gordon River Park

Freedom Park

Bird Rookery Swamp Trails (best place to see a gator in the wild)

Corkscrew Swamp Trails

Sugden Park

The Naples Preserve (tortoise sanctuary)

Cambier Park (music / playground)

Gardens & Zoos

Botanical Garden

The Naples Zoo

Bird Garden of Naples

Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs

Boats

Swamp Airboat Ride / Captain Jacks

Sunset Cruise

Jet Ski Tour

Rookery Bay Kayak Tour

La Gondola

Beach & Ocean

Sunset at the beach (near the pier is best)

Shelling at the Beach

Kayak to Keewaydin

Naples Pier / Dolphin Watching

Paddleboarding in the Gordon river or ocean on a calm day

Clam Pass Park (hiking and beach)

Lowdermilk Beach (ample parking & snack shack)

Shopping, Dining, & Sightseeing

Celebration Park

Third Street South (farmers market Saturday mornings & lots of restaurants)

Fifth Ave

Tin City

Venetian Village (multiple waterside restaurants)

Food & Thought organic grocery store

Turco Taco

Mercato (lots of dining & shopping & movie theater)

Isle of Capri (lot of waterside restaurants here)

Hogfish Harry’s

Island Gypsy

The Dock at Crayton Cove

Seed To Table - for some cray

Museums

Naples Children’s museum

The Baker Art Museum & Artis

Christmas Activities

Botanical Garden Lights at Night (Thanksgiving weekend through January 1st each year)

Christmas Lights at Victoria Park

Magic of Lights

Christmas lights on Fifth Ave

Christmas Lights & snow on Third Street South

Christmas parade Fifth Ave & 3rd St South – December 3rd, 2024

Christmas Boat Parade, Tin City – December 14, 2024 6:15pm - 8:30pm

Other Fun Things

Mini Golf

Drive through the Everglades to Miami

Bro’n

Swamp Axe

The Cove @ Paradise Coast Sports Complex (food trucks, drinks, cornhole)

Whiskey Park (live music)

Swamp Buggy Races Fall Classic Race is December 08, 2024

Golfin'

Lakewood Golf Course (executive course)

Hibiscus Golf Course

Arrowhead Golf Course

Eagle Lakes Golf Course

Lely Golf Course