Naples is the pinnacle of Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast!
It features over 700 restaurants (only in Naples), beautiful beaches, fascinating ecosystems to discover, year-round outdoor activities, and a relaxed tropical lifestyle.
Naples is one of the best things to do in Florida beach vacation.
The smooth, white sand When it comes to natural beauty, Naples, Florida beaches are a treasure trove.
Please do not spend all of your time at the brochure hotspots. There is far more to see and things to do in Naples than that. Our southwest Florida bucket list includes tourist sites and lesser-known local destinations to help you plan a memorable vacation.
Summary of the 14 best things to do in Naples
But don’t worry if you don’t get to them all in one visit; there are enough things to do in Naples, Florida, to keep you coming back for years or even next season!
1. Head to the beach
When you arrive in town, you can head to the nearest beach and look at the salt air while sinking your toes into the silky white sand.
Naples’ beaches are among the greatest in the world.
Although there are 16 miles of coastline to select from, these are our top recommendations for the best beaches in Naples.
All Naples beaches are publicly accessible, with no bridges to cross (or pay for) and little traffic.
No boardwalks, t-shirt shops, large thoroughfares, or motorways are running along the beach.
The street access along the beach is primarily residential. You can park your car at one of the town’s major access points and walk to your favorite beach.
2. Visit a Naples museum
If you enjoy history or culture, there is a Naples museum.
You could spend an entire vacation just visiting the local cultural centers and museums, which showcase local native Seminole and Calusa history as well as the early Naples settlers, the artistry and engineering of fine automobiles, world-class works of art, locomotive history, and tragic and moving Holocaust history.
They are a source of pride for inhabitants, many of whom are involved in locating artifacts and other items of historical significance or who serve as knowledgeable Docents and guides. When you’re in town, you can visit the things to do in Naples and Train Museum, the Collier County Museum, the Naples Holocaust Museum, and the Baker Museum at Artis Naples.
3. Observe the Sunset
Sunset may seem like the end of the day. On the Paradise Coast, it’s a reason to celebrate.
Go to the Naples Pier (which now offers beer and wine from approved vendors), toast the blazing sunset, and say goodbye to the day.
It is one of the most enjoyable sites to watch the sunset.
In the summer, look for the green flash, a phenomenon peculiar to Southwest Florida that occurs only seconds after the sun vanishes over the horizon. Whatever you do, bring your camera or phone and Instagram or text a photo to your buddies up north.
4. The Naples Botanical Garden
The Naples Botanical Gardens is 170 acres of preserved land and cultivated gardens.
It represents seven diverse natural habitats and over 1,000 native flora species.
Take a morning to explore the rich flora; it’s one of Naples’ natural beauties, allowing you to view southwest Florida in its natural state. There are themed things to do in Naples, an interactive Children’s Garden and water elements that complement the 90-acre wetlands preserve.
5. Cruise Naples Tiki-Style
Cruisin’ Tikis is Naples’ newest way to cruise with friends, offering something absolutely original and thoroughly Tiki.
Imagine viewing Naples Bay and the Bonita inland bays from the comfort of your bar seat!
These floating tiki bars depart from two places and promise a fantastic afternoon of fun in the sun. Bring the kids, BYOB or juice boxes, and snacks, and you’re off. The Naples Cruisin’ Tiki departs from the Boathouse restaurant on Naples Bay. Call ahead to schedule a tiki-style cruise for yourself or your party.
6. Go Shelling on Keewaydin Island
Adjacent Sanibel Island may be known as the Shelling Capital of the World, but it has nothing on the shelling opportunities on the adjacent Ten Thousand Islands.
Some of Naples’ beaches are great for shelling.
Barefoot sand in North Naples is ideal for shelling, as is the southern barrier island of Keewaydin, which has over eight miles of desolate sand to explore. Keewaydin is one of Naples’ best-kept secrets, but there’s a catch: this little, practically uninhabited island can only be reached by boat (which helps to preserve its natural nature).
7. Walk along the well-known Naples Pier
The 130-year-old Naples Pier received a refurbishment in 2017 following Hurricane Irma, with new planking, railings, and lights.
Once again, Hurricane Ian damaged the end of the Pier in 2021, necessitating additional repair.
Despite this, after all these years, the Naples Fishing Pier remains the site in town for a casual stroll or to watch the sunset.
The historic Palm Cottage, Naples’ oldest surviving home, is open Tuesday through Saturday for docent-led tours and self-guided excursions of the outside Norris Gardens. Alternatively, you can take a guided walking tour of Naples’ historic district with a member of the Naples Historical Society.
8. Go walking in Naples
Hiking may not come to mind when you think about southwest Florida, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any sights to view!
The terrain is flat but lush, and various local boardwalk walks provide good opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature.
Hiking in Naples is smooth and level, with plenty of intriguing things to do in Naples and native flora and fauna.
The CREW Bird Rookery Swamp, located off Immokalee Road, is close to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and provides free trekking!
Finally, the Gordon River Greenway in Naples provides plenty of hiking opportunities over a 2-mile system of paths and smooth-paved walkways that are both serene and enjoyable to follow. The Greenway is accessible from Baker Park and the SWF Conservancy.
9. Koreshan State Park
The Koreshan State Historic Site, located just north of Naples in Estero, is an excellent site for a day walk and provides an intriguing peek into some of the area’s earliest intrepid immigrants.
It combines rich local history with an excellent Naples day walk. Best of all, it’s one of the free things to do in Naples, FL, that is enjoyable for the entire family, even your dog!
10. Lease a boat for the day
Looking for a calm day out on the water with your family but don’t want anyone else to join in? We understand that you are not being anti-social!
The nice thing about things to do in Naples and southwest Florida is the vast expanse of coastline and the number of marinas that serve it.
If a calm family picnic on the water is your thing, a pontoon boat is the ideal boat rental.
While renting a boat in Naples is convenient, it may not be the most cost-effective option. Half-day rents range from $250 to $400, depending on the boat. But think about the memories you’ll create.
11. Run kayaking in Naples
Naples is the western gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands and the Florida Everglades, but you don’t have to travel far to experience the subtropical ecology.
Kayaking in Naples, Bonita Springs, and Marco Island is one of the best ways to enjoy and appreciate the delicate ecosystem here. Rising Tide Explorers offers Everglades kayak eco-tours (more like ecology classes in a kayak) and motorboat excursions of Rookery Bay from the Isle of Capri conducted by scientists, eco- and family-friendly, and lots of fun.
12. Inspect the Street Art in Naples
If you enjoy local street art when traveling, several interesting works are throughout Naples.
Some of the items are throughout Olde Naples’ neighborhoods. They provide excellent photo opportunities, and you can turn them into your own street art pub crawl, as there are plenty of fantastic watering spots and cafes from dawn to night.
13. Grab a Naples Boat Tour
Seeing Naples from the water is one of the top things to do in Naples with children.
It’s an excellent way to see the sights, and we’ve taken various local boat tours in Naples that are ideal for children, parties, or romantic couples.
Several half- and full-day boat cruises depart from Naples Bay for adjacent islands.
From premium private boats to easygoing small-group tours, you’ll find something to suit you. Naples offers numerous pleasant sunset cruises aboard lovely catamarans, making it the ideal way to end any visit to the Paradise Coast.
14. Research the Ten Thousand Islands
Numerous Gulf islands surround Naples and Marco Island, as both cities are only minutes from the Ten Thousand Islands.
Marco Island is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, and many smaller islands are available for exploration. Go shelling for the day on a guided trip, or rent a boat (more on that below) and spend the day alone combing the backwaters, fishing for native species.
Conclusion
These top things to do in Naples may indicate that this coastal Florida city is more than just sandy coves. You may visit ancient Roman ruins, see world-class performances in opulent theatres, and shop at many stores.
Check out our guide to Naples’ most famous sites to ensure your trip is an unforgettable experience. After sightseeing, make time to unwind on the Atlantic’s coasts.