Naples Florida

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.

With over 35 golf courses, Naples has the highest ratio of golf courses to golfers in the USA. But tennis enthusiasts find equally high standards of play here, while water lovers discover pristine white beaches of unsurpassed tropical beauty, complete with splendid shells and a full array of sea sports.

The fishing is great, even at The Pier, Naples' classic landmark, where fish abound in the translucent water for the pleasure of dolphins, pelicans and humans alike. Or simply come stroll along the beach or pier for a panoramic view of the sunset.

Canoes can be rented for a tranquil exploration of the mangrove waterways, while boat charters are readily available for deep-sea fishing. Taking advantage of local sea fare are many casual waterfront and award-winning restaurants. The best cuisine from all over the world can be sampled in and around Naples, home also to many exceptional resorts such as the Ritz, Hotel Escalante, Vanderbilt Inn, Grand Inn of Naples, Naples Best Western, Cove Inn on Naples Bay, and Naples Beach Hotel.

Shopping in Naples is another treat in store, with a spectacular selection of fashionable centers and plazas to choose from. From small boutiques and shops at Crayton Cove, Third Street, Fifth Avenue South, Tin City, and Venetian Village to the large chain and department stores at Coastland Center Mall and Waterside Shops, you can find just about anything in Naples.

But if it's culture you're after, spend an evening at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts or the popular Dinner Theater. Take in a couple of art galleries while you're about it, or a movie, and visit some historic sites around the city.

Special attractions include the picturesque Naples Trolley Tours, and a luxurious display of mansions along Port Royal - no charge for this one.

But don't overlook the natural attractions of our West Florida Coast. Sensitively preserved at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Conservancy, Jungle Larry's Caribbean Gardens, Wiggins State Park Beach and so many other Florida parks, trails and centers, are rare species of flora and fauna indigenous to the State.

For a real Florida thrill - swamp buggy and air boat rides, island tours and all - head south to the Everglades, perhaps stopping on the way at Collier Seminole State Park for a true commune with nature. It's all here for your pleasure and leisure. And do not forget the beautiful sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Only a limited sampling of the Naples environment can be accommodated within the scope of this QuickTour. But you will find a complete list under the appropriate headings in our Naples City Guide. This innovative information system is designed to give you, the visitor or newcomer to Naples, a hands-on experience of what the city has to offer, enabling you to enjoy our community the way we do. Plentiful photographs, explicit maps and helpful cross-references will guide you quickly between items of interest. You may now select an Overview of Area History, Life Styles, Culture, Communities, Golf, or Shopping from the Buttons to the Left. If you would like to just let us 'Walk You Through' our fair city, Press Continue Below.

Home to the Calusa Indians until the early 1700's, and then to the Seminoles in the mid 19th century, and always to an incredible population of wildlife, Southwest Florida is rich in human and natural history. Our first European visitor was Spanish explorer, Ponce de Leon, in the sixteenth century, and many famous figures of history have followed since, including Teddy Roosevelt. On May 8, 1923, Collier County was founded by and named after entrepreneur Barron Gift Collier.

The first County Government was located in Everglades City. It remained there until 1966, when it was moved to Naples. The vision of some very determined people, the advent of the railroad, and the Tamiami Trail, hewn through swampland from Tampa to Miami, set Naples on the path to becoming today one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. A dredge used to build the Trail can be seen at the Collier Seminole State Park, located 17 miles southeast of Naples.

On the way to Naples' historic Pier is Palm Cottage, built in 1895 and reputedly Naples' oldest house, where guided tours are offered in season. Other historic buildings include the Naples Commissary Building in Olde Naples, dating back to 1903, and the renovated Naples Depot (1927), once the Naples Train Station and now displaying a caboose and other railroad memorabilia. History buffs will also find much of interest at the Collier County Museum, which houses a permanent collection from Prehistoric times through to the present day. You will learn about the early Indian settlements here and may wish to go on to visit an Indian Village in the area, where genuine Indian, hand-crafted artifacts are sold.

Nature lovers will have a field day in the Everglades or in any of the area's many parks and wildlife preserves. The Everglades, which has been called the "River of Grass," is the only ecosystem of its kind in the world. Florida's state reptile, the American alligator, thrives here, as do raccoons, black bears, panthers, bobcats and marsh rabbits, along with 300 varieties of birds and butterflies, and over 45 indigenous species of plants and trees. Inhabiting the rich salt waters of The 10,000 Islands, are gentle dolphins and manatees, and 600 kinds of fish.

Various ways to explore the Everglades include hiking and canoeing. But outside the National Park's boundaries, you can go airboating in the wetlands and marshes, and swamp buggying in the cypress swamps. Guided tours in these unusual Floridian contraptions are also offered by Everglades Island Airboat Tours and Eden of the Everglades. Visit Animal Sanctuaries, and see up close the rare American crocodile and endangered Florida panther, not to mention a writhing selection of deadly snakes.

In Naples itself, the Conservancy's Nature Center provides a science museum, lectures, and an animal clinic for injured native wildlife. There are also free guided nature trails through a subtropical hammock and 45-minute boat tours through the mangroves. Or you may prefer to paddle your own canoe or kayak by renting one.

At Caribbean Gardens: The ZOO in Naples, you'll experience animals from apes to zebras up close inside a 52-acre botanical garden founded in 1919. Board a guided catamaran for a tour through through islands of monkeys, lemurs, and apes. This AZA accredited zoo also offers exciting presentations all day including the Safari Canyon live animal/multimedia presentation, audience participation Scales " Tails Show, Meet the keeper Series, Alligator Bay Feeding, playgrounds, and more

Much of Naples' activities are naturally centered on the water, with year-round sailing, boating, jetskiing and windsurfing. Fishing for grouper, pompano, cobia and sea trout never ceases either, but in the spring and early summer, tarpon becomes the big catch.
Naples' largest fishing fleet moors at the City Dock at Crayton Cove, where you can charter a boat or rent one for yourself for deep-sea fishing and shelling excursions to one of the islands. Tin City, Olde Naples Seaport and Naples Marina will also set you up for a day on the water. Or simply cast your line over the newly remodeled Pier in the company of other fishing enthusiasts. You will find some very unusual competition along the 1,000 ft. boardwalk!
There's no appetizer like fresh air, so after a relaxing day at the beach or an invigorating round of golf or tennis, you may well be looking around for somewhere to eat. Naples will not disappoint in this respect either. Whatever your preference - casual or formal, surf or turf - the right restaurant exists for you. The tropical climate is conducive to relaxed dining and what better place to enjoy fresh, local seafood than on the waterfront?

Try the Ridgway Bar and Grill or Tony's off Third for a casual meal or just a refreshing cocktail. Purchase a CLUB NAPLES membership and enjoy discounts and many of Naples fine restaurants. Chops City Grill, Yabba Island Grill and Pazzo! Italian Cafe are some of Naples best restaurants!

Something traditional? St. George & the Dragon prepares succulent steak and prime rib, and Lafite at the Registry Resort presents the best in sumptuous hotel dining. Something continental? You will find everything from fine French cuisine at the Chardonnay to wood fired pizzas at Carrabbas. Options also include Cuban, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Thai ... and "Floribbean"! Sample this new combination, named for its spicy and colorful Caribbean influence, at the Mangrove Cafe on Fifth Avenue.

An abundance of sidewalk cafes, chic bistros and gourmet delis serve up lunch, snacks and pastries. And don't forget afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton, an elegant, piano-serenaded treat offered only in season.

What ever your mood, Naples can provide a wonderful place to enjoy life the way it was meant to be....

Completed in 1989 at a cost of almost $20 million, the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Pelican Bay has a full program of music, dance and theater. At the Naples Playhouse, the local Naples Players regale the public with plays and musicals, while the Naples Dinner Theater puts on year-round professional productions.
Open air concerts are held at Cambier Park and at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, which also holds a free admission Summer Jazz on the Gulf schedule. The Naples Spring Art Festival is another popular outdoors event, at which artists from far and wide exhibit and sell their work. Notable among the many resident art galleries in Naples are The Naples Art Association & Gallery, which sells paintings, sculptures, jewelry and ceramics, The Shaw Gallery and Gallery One and 2. On Central Avenue, we have a fine modern library with extensive reference facilities, free video rental, theme exhibits, and a separate children's section.
Also for children, and the young at heart, is our famous Teddy Bear Museum, home to 3,000 unique, antique, and totally adorable stuffed bears and moving displays.

Fun for all ages too are the Naples Trolley Tours, a picturesque method of sightseeing used in Collier County at the turn of the century, and now Naples' one remaining form of public transport! A fun and informative way to see Naples, this narrated (open air) tour covers over 100 points of interest.
For something a little more ordinary, take in a movie at any of three strategic locations: the Towne Centre in East Naples, Pavilion Shopping Center in North Naples, or the new Hollywood 20, just north of Pine Ridge off Airport Road.

For historical attractions, please see under AREA HISTORY.


Educational, emergency and medical facilities have kept pace with rapid residential growth in Naples. New single- and multi-family home communities, in styles ranging from Old Florida to Mediterranean, are built around a lifestyle, such as boating, golf, or an appreciation for nature. Many developments strive to combine every element, and offer pool, tennis and fitness centers as well. Waterfront living is naturally at a premium, with developers capitalizing on breathtaking views by building skyward. Stylish condominium towers in Pelican Bay and Cape Marco on Marco Island are prime examples of luxury Gulf front living. Comprising condominiums and coach homes, The Colonnade at Park Shore even has its own private beach, while Pelican Harbor on Vanderbilt Beach Road offers condominium harbor homes with 70 boat slips close to the Gulf and to golf. Inland, many Naples developments also enjoy views of the water. The phenomenally popular Village Walk by DiVosta Homes has patio and single-family homes built on waterways that radiate out from a convenient Village Center. Calusa Bay is another gated, waterfront development off Airport Road, with condominiums and carriage homes clustered in villages on six lakes. The popular Fiddler's Creek by Gulf Bay offers single family homes, villas, condos on a 4,000 acre community complete with nature preserve, spa, clubhouse, racquet club and 72 holes of championship golf. Golfing communities are Naples' specialty, with such outstanding examples as Lely Resort and Eagle Creek, east of town, Collier Reserve to the north, and Grey Oaks, located on Airport Road and Golden Gate Parkway. All offer beautifully sculpted championship courses amid landscaped settings. Wilderness Country Club in North Naples, a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System, is a gated clubhouse community featuring five pools, several lakes and an 18-hole golf course designed by Arthur Hills. Compared to the larger Metropolitan areas in the Midwest and East, housing is relatively inexpensive in Southwest Florida and the best in professional assistance is available for finding and financing your new home or vacation retreat. Many real estate offices also have listings of seasonal rental properties. Single-family homes, villas, and condos are all available.


Golf is an important part of Naples and its History. There's a story that goes something like this… Shortly after the Naples Beach Hotel Course was built, a small single engine airplane would often land on one of the fairways. The pilot would disembark and play a round(9 holes then), climb in his plane and depart. This was fine until a new Course Superintendent came on board. When he saw this, he immediately chased the flyer away(off HIS fairways). Mr. Lindbergh never landed on the course again!!! Golfers have been coming ever since by boat, car, train, and once again by air. Naples has hosted major state, national and professional tournaments for several decades and continues to expand its role in competition play. The new LG Championship(Seniors Tour) has increased its purse to $1,000,000 for 1997. Played at the Classics at Lely Resort, the Vineyards, and Pelican Bay in past years this event draws more golf enthusiasts every year to Southwest Florida. large number of our developments are Golf Course Communities. Some excellent designers have 'carved' a place in the sun. They include; Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Arthur Hills, Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Joe Lee, and many, many more. In fact, we have more courses per capita than any area in the world. When you stop for lunch or go out to dinner, odds are you will be in close proximity to a golfer's table. Listen carefully, it might be tomorrow's match…. With so many wonderful and challenging courses in the area, its a new experience everyday!! Whether you enjoy the challenge of bunker play, navigating water hazards, the company of local wildlife, fast or undulating greens, or just a friendly wide open course; you can find them all in Naples. Showoff your long drives on Lely Flamingo, playing 7171 yards from the Championship Tees. Challenge the wind at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, or demonstrate your finesse around the green at Pelican's Nest. If you like golf, you will love Naples. Naples sets the standard for golf in South Florida. One of the true joys of playing a golf in Southwest Florida is you can see nature in the wild. Eagles, Osprey, Alligators, and other wild life abound. You just have to look for them, they are there. Watch where you go, you are on THEIR turf!!

The fishing is great, even at The Pier, Naples' classic landmark, where fish abound in the translucent water for the pleasure of dolphins, pelicans and humans alike. Or simply come stroll along the beach or pier for a panoramic view of the sunset.

Try the Ridgway Bar and Grill or Tony's off Third for a casual meal or just a refreshing cocktail. Purchase a CLUB NAPLES membership and enjoy discounts and many of Naples fine restaurants. Chops City Grill, Yabba Island Grill and Pazzo! Italian Cafe are some of Naples best restaurants!

One of the true joys of playing a golf in Southwest Florida is you can see nature in the wild. Eagles, Osprey, Alligators, and other wild life abound. You just have to look for them, they are there. Watch where you go, you are on THEIR turf!!