Ayleen’s guidebook
Neighborhoods
Thirdstreetsouth dot com
“Third Street South provides wonderful food for every mood, taste, and time slot. Nestled among beautifully flowered courtyards and magnificent antique fountains, the celebrated chefs and chef-owners provide delicious menus, superb wine lists, live entertainment, outdoor patio dining, and a pet-friendly attitude that makes dining a delight. These restaurants, cafés and bistros also provide take-out food and catering – in the tradition of total service that defines Third Street South.
44 locals recommend
3rd Street South
3rd Street SouthThirdstreetsouth dot com
“Third Street South provides wonderful food for every mood, taste, and time slot. Nestled among beautifully flowered courtyards and magnificent antique fountains, the celebrated chefs and chef-owners provide delicious menus, superb wine lists, live entertainment, outdoor patio dining, and a pet-friendly attitude that makes dining a delight. These restaurants, cafés and bistros also provide take-out food and catering – in the tradition of total service that defines Third Street South.
Fifth avenue south dot com
“DISCOVER
THE CROWN JEWEL OF NAPLES
5th Avenue South
5th Avenue South is an irresistible mix of glamour and laid-back ease. Historic and modern architecture blend together here in eclectic sophistication, while tropical blooms and lush greenery grace the pedestrian-friendly promenades, and each storefront is filled with wonderful finds and delights.
One of the nation’s most exclusive addresses, 5th Avenue South stretches from Tamiami Trail to the Gulf of Mexico in Old Naples, and is home to upscale fashion and jewelry, spas, one-of-a-kind gifts, artwork, home décor, fine dining, and entertainment – everything that our discerning residents and visitors have come to expect of Naples.”
287 locals recommend
5th Avenue South
5th Avenue SouthFifth avenue south dot com
“DISCOVER
THE CROWN JEWEL OF NAPLES
5th Avenue South
5th Avenue South is an irresistible mix of glamour and laid-back ease. Historic and modern architecture blend together here in eclectic sophistication, while tropical blooms and lush greenery grace the pedestrian-friendly promenades, and each storefront is filled with wonderful finds and delights.
One of the nation’s most exclusive addresses, 5th Avenue South stretches from Tamiami Trail to the Gulf of Mexico in Old Naples, and is home to upscale fashion and jewelry, spas, one-of-a-kind gifts, artwork, home décor, fine dining, and entertainment – everything that our discerning residents and visitors have come to expect of Naples.”
Sightseeing
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, encompassing 110,000 acres of protected lands and waters on the Gulf coast near Naples, provides unique opportunities to explore coastal uplands and enjoy barrier island beaches. Guided boat and kayak tours in the pristine backwaters include admission to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center where you can enjoy hands-on exhibits, Observation Bridge, nature trail, daily programs, an art gallery, gift shop, and more!
History
Established in 1978.
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is State/federal agency was established in 1978 following a grassroots effort to protect Rookery Bay from development.
26 locals recommend
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
300 Tower RdRookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, encompassing 110,000 acres of protected lands and waters on the Gulf coast near Naples, provides unique opportunities to explore coastal uplands and enjoy barrier island beaches. Guided boat and kayak tours in the pristine backwaters include admission to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center where you can enjoy hands-on exhibits, Observation Bridge, nature trail, daily programs, an art gallery, gift shop, and more!
History
Established in 1978.
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is State/federal agency was established in 1978 following a grassroots effort to protect Rookery Bay from development.
A wonderland awaits the moment you step onto our entryway boardwalk. Naples Botanical Garden is among a handful of tropical gardens in the United States, a place to experience everything from rainforests to succulent displays to waterlily-laden pools to flowering trees whose bold colors enliven lush green backdrops.
259 locals recommend
Naples Botanical Garden
4820 Bayshore DrA wonderland awaits the moment you step onto our entryway boardwalk. Naples Botanical Garden is among a handful of tropical gardens in the United States, a place to experience everything from rainforests to succulent displays to waterlily-laden pools to flowering trees whose bold colors enliven lush green backdrops.
Naples Zoo is a nationally accredited zoo and yet much more than a walk-through zoo. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable institution also features a full day of fun activities. The paved path winds nearly a mile past rare and beautiful animals residing within a historic tropical garden of exotic plants first planted in 1919 with a fascinating history.
In this tropical setting, you can take delight at seeing many of your favorite animals like lions, giraffes, monkeys, pythons, and bears. In addition, you'll also discover feature exhibits and an array of more rarely seen creatures like a giant anteater.
407 locals recommend
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
1590 Goodlette-Frank RdNaples Zoo is a nationally accredited zoo and yet much more than a walk-through zoo. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable institution also features a full day of fun activities. The paved path winds nearly a mile past rare and beautiful animals residing within a historic tropical garden of exotic plants first planted in 1919 with a fascinating history.
In this tropical setting, you can take delight at seeing many of your favorite animals like lions, giraffes, monkeys, pythons, and bears. In addition, you'll also discover feature exhibits and an array of more rarely seen creatures like a giant anteater.
Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary-ONLINE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. NO WALK-INS
375 Sanctuary Rd WMust see attraction in Fort Myers FL, Edison Ford Winter Estates feature museum, botanical garden, laboratory, and homes of Thomas Edison & Henry Ford.
459 locals recommend
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor BlvdMust see attraction in Fort Myers FL, Edison Ford Winter Estates feature museum, botanical garden, laboratory, and homes of Thomas Edison & Henry Ford.
This kid-friendly park features waterslides, a lazy river, a kids' water play area & diving pools.
93 locals recommend
Sun-N-Fun Lagoon
15000 Livingston RdThis kid-friendly park features waterslides, a lazy river, a kids' water play area & diving pools.
1. If you are planning to walk around, take mosquito netting. 🦟
2. If you want to drive through, you can drive down "Jane's Scenic Drive" in Fakahatchee. Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve is a Florida State Park just west of Copeland, Florida. It is located in the Fakahatchee Strand, a thread of forested strand in Big Cypress, a section of the Florida Everglades off SR 29.
3. Airboat ride options:
-Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours wootenseverglades dot com (open on Sundays)
-Everglades-Excursions dot com
-Corey Billie's Airboat Rides cbairboatrides dot com
350 locals recommend
Everglades National Park
1. If you are planning to walk around, take mosquito netting. 🦟
2. If you want to drive through, you can drive down "Jane's Scenic Drive" in Fakahatchee. Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve is a Florida State Park just west of Copeland, Florida. It is located in the Fakahatchee Strand, a thread of forested strand in Big Cypress, a section of the Florida Everglades off SR 29.
3. Airboat ride options:
-Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours wootenseverglades dot com (open on Sundays)
-Everglades-Excursions dot com
-Corey Billie's Airboat Rides cbairboatrides dot com
Revs Institute
2500 Horseshoe Dr Sold car museum!
City/town information
At 24 square miles, Marco Island is the largest barrier island in the 10,000 islands formation on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico (15 miles South of Naples) on Florida’s South West coast.
123 locals recommend
Marco Island
At 24 square miles, Marco Island is the largest barrier island in the 10,000 islands formation on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico (15 miles South of Naples) on Florida’s South West coast.
“Sanibel is one of the unique barrier islands of the world, having an east-west orientation when most islands are north-south. Hence, the island is gifted with great sandy beaches and an abundance of shells, winning awards for being the best shelling beach and one of the best beaches in Florida.” Sanibel-Captiva dot org
“Sanibel happens to be North America’s unofficial seashell capital. It’s home to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, the world’s only reference center devoted to the study of conchology (mollusk shells) and malacology (mollusks themselves), and to more than 250 species of seashells, including buttercup lucines, rare spotted junonias, spiky lace murex and Tampa drills.” - Laura Bannister for Vogue Magazine
118 locals recommend
Sanibel
“Sanibel is one of the unique barrier islands of the world, having an east-west orientation when most islands are north-south. Hence, the island is gifted with great sandy beaches and an abundance of shells, winning awards for being the best shelling beach and one of the best beaches in Florida.” Sanibel-Captiva dot org
“Sanibel happens to be North America’s unofficial seashell capital. It’s home to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, the world’s only reference center devoted to the study of conchology (mollusk shells) and malacology (mollusks themselves), and to more than 250 species of seashells, including buttercup lucines, rare spotted junonias, spiky lace murex and Tampa drills.” - Laura Bannister for Vogue Magazine
Food scene
Welcome to Bleu Provence, Award Winning French Restaurant in Naples, FL. Zagat-Rated and Wine Spectator Grand Award Recipient.
14 locals recommend
Bleu Provence
1234 8th St SWelcome to Bleu Provence, Award Winning French Restaurant in Naples, FL. Zagat-Rated and Wine Spectator Grand Award Recipient.
BALEEN
9891 Gulf Shore Drbeachfront dining
The Turtle Club Restaurant
9225 Gulf Shore DrBeachfront restaurant
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
1220 3rd St SNaples classic dining
Aurelio's Pizza of Naples
2048 Tamiami Trail NThin crust, Chicago pizza
Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza - Naples
2355 Vanderbilt Beach RdDelicious, fresh pizza
The Cafe
821 5th Ave SBreakfast spot
Naples Brunch
Breakfast spot
Jane's Cafe on 3rd
1209 3rd St SBreakfast
Hogfish Harry's Restaurant + Bar
600 Neapolitan WayGumbo Limbo
280 Vanderbilt Beach RdCasual dining on the beach (located in the Ritz)
First Watch
1000 Immokalee Rdbreakfast