1. Naples Pier: Blissful Sunsets and Great Fishing
Stretching out into the Gulf of Mexico, Naples Pier is more than just a wooden jetty. For one thing, the end of the pier is an achingly romantic place to watch the sun go down, with just the waters of the gulf between you and the horizon. For another, it's a hell of a fishing spot, with plenty of room for you to join in. There's no need to pay for a license either, unlike at some other nearby locations, and you'll be sure to receive no end of tips from the locals.
2. Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens: Great Fun, Naturally!
A mile or so inland and just off Goodlette-Frank Road, you'll find Caribbean Gardens and, more importantly, one of the best zoos in the southeast USA. With an all-day ticket to the zoo you can take primate tours to see monkeys and lemurs, watch alligators being fed by hand, watch lions and Malayan tigers in their enclosures and listen to fascinating "Meet the Keepers" lectures by the experts. For anyone with an interest in nature, it's a blast.
3. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: A Fascinating Everglades Tour
There's hardly a better way to learn about the biological riches of the Everglades than a visit to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Managed by the Audubon Society, the Sanctuary is built around an enchanting 2.5-mile causeway which winds through various Everglades habitats as well as those of gators, deer, otters and turtles. And for bird-watchers, there are some treasures in store, not least the Painted Bunting, which you are almost certain to glimpse. Again, it's a real delight for nature fans.
4. Naples Botanical Garden: Planting the Seeds of Horticultural Curiosity
170 acres of beautifully managed floral beauty, Naples Botanical Garden is located on Bayshore Drive, a couple of miles south of downtown Naples. It's well worth making the short drive to the Gardens, which seek to show off the distinctive species of the 26th line of latitude. This doesn't just mean Floridian species; you'll also find Caribbean cacti, a stunning Brazilian Garden and the Children's Garden complete with sidewalk chalk boards to draw what kids see, a butterfly house and cooling fountains too.
5. The Revs Institute: A Revolutionary Family Attraction
If you love automobiles, the Revs Institute is an absolute must-visit attraction. This unique institution, which is just to the southwest of the Caribbean Gardens, is dedicated to the study and preservation of vintage cars. The crown jewel of the museum is the Collier Collection, which stretches from an 1896 Panhard and Levassor through to 1920s Packard Speedsters, 1960s Porsche Spyders and even a 1989 Trabant from East Germany. In total, there are over 100 vehicles on display as well as fascinating documents from automotive history. And, even better, there are regular "revealing" sessions where the engines of these vintage beauties are uncovered for visitors to see.
6. Edison and Ford Winter Estates: Illustrous History
Once the winter home of Thomas Edison as well as Henry Ford, this expansive Floridian estate is now host to a historical museum and botanical gardens. The grounds have remained remarkably authentic. The 1920s buildings have been lovingly restored to their original state, and the gardens continue to flourish with thousands of species from around the world planted by the Edisons themselves. The moonlight garden is a must-see, as well as the enormous banyan tree.
