Naples

Around Naples

Photo: Charles Patrick Ewing · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Florida · 416k people

Naples

Locals say Paradise Coast

Naples · Marco Island

Sunshine, sunsets, and sea breezes.

Gulf tealSunset coralSand beige

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Welcome to Paradise Coast! Whether you're here for the season or settling in, you'll find a laid-back rhythm of sun, sand, and good seafood. Grab a cold drink, hit the beach, and let the Gulf breeze do the rest.

Clubs for Naples

No clubs for Naples yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Naples. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Naples. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Naples Pier Iconic fishing pier stretching into the Gulf of America.
  • Fifth Avenue South Upscale shopping and dining street in downtown Naples.
  • Tin City Waterfront marketplace with shops, restaurants, and boat tours.
  • Naples Botanical Garden Tropical gardens with themed areas and a children's garden.
  • Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Boardwalk through ancient cypress swamp, home to wood storks.
  • Tigertail Beach Marco Island's popular beach with a lagoon and shelling.
  • Outdoors Kayak through the mangroves
  • Outdoors Shelling on Keewaydin Island
  • With kids Naples Zoo
  • With kids Golisano Children's Museum of Naples
  • Evenings Sunset cruises
  • Evenings Live music at Tin City
  • Locals love Tiki bars
  • Locals love Shelling beaches

Through the year

  • Naples Winter Wine Festival January Prestigious charity wine auction and tasting in January.
  • Naples International Film Festival November Showcases independent films and filmmakers in November.
  • Swamp Buggy Races February, April, September Off-road racing in swamp buggies at Florida Sports Park, held several times a year.
  • Marco Island Seafood Festival March Local seafood, music, and crafts on the beach in March.
  • Naples Craft Beer Fest April Craft beer tastings and live music in April.

Hot, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms; mild, dry winters are the peak season. Best time to be out is November to April. Best: November to April offers mild, dry days perfect for outdoor activities.

Talk like a local

“Paradise Coast”
Local nickname for the Naples area.
“Snowbirds”
Seasonal visitors who spend winter in Florida.
“Gulfside”
On the Gulf side, as opposed to the bay or inland.
“Shelling”
The activity of collecting seashells on beaches.

Getaways

  • Cape Coral-Fort Myers Nearby metro area with beaches, shopping, and the Edison Ford Winter Estates.
  • Clewiston Small town on Lake Okeechobee, known for fishing and the Clewiston Inn.
  • Punta Gorda Historic waterfront town with a lively harbor and Fishermen's Village.
  • Arcadia Rural town with a historic courthouse and cattle ranching heritage.

Local flavour

Rooting for Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Heat, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Inter Miami CF, Orlando City SC, Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes

Eat and drink

  • Stone crab A Florida delicacy, especially popular in the Naples area
  • Grouper sandwich Fresh local catch, often served blackened or fried
  • Key lime pie A classic Florida dessert
  • Gulf shrimp Sweet, local shrimp from the Gulf
  • Conch fritters A coastal appetizer, sometimes with a Caribbean twist

Where people go

  • Beachfront restaurants Dining with direct Gulf views
  • Shelling beaches Famous for collecting seashells, especially on Marco Island
  • Mangrove kayak trails Paddling through the Ten Thousand Islands and mangrove forests
  • Golf courses Numerous championship courses in a lush setting
  • Marinas Hubs for boating, fishing, and sunset cruises
  • Sunset cruises Boat tours to watch the famous Gulf sunsets

Heritage and traditions

Naples-Marco Island is proud of its blend of upscale coastal living and Old Florida charm, from the Calusa shell mounds to the modern Ave Maria Oratory, and its vibrant arts scene.

This time of year in Naples

  • Stone crab season October to May Fresh stone crab claws are harvested and served in restaurants.
  • Naples Greek Festival Fall Hosted by St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, featuring Greek food and dancing.
  • Naples Jazz Festival Fall A multi-day jazz event featuring local and national artists.

Say it like a local: “The Gulf” — The Gulf of America.

Festivals

  • Immokalee Tamale Festival December Celebrates the tamale-making traditions of Immokalee's Hispanic community.
  • Naples Italian American Festival Spring Showcases Italian food, music, and culture in Naples.
  • Naples Greek Festival Fall Hosted by St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, featuring Greek food and dancing.
  • Marco Island Christmas Island Style December Boat parade and festive decorations that celebrate the island's coastal holiday spirit.
  • Naples Jazz Festival Fall A multi-day jazz event featuring local and national artists.
  • Goodland Mullet Festival January A quirky celebration of the mullet fish in the nearby town of Goodland.

Landmarks with a story

  • Historic Palm Cottage Built in 1895, it's the oldest surviving house in Naples.
  • Marco Island Historical Museum Tells the story of the Calusa Indians and early island settlers.
  • Ave Maria Oratory A modern Catholic oratory with striking architecture, the centerpiece of the Ave Maria community.
  • Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch Preserves the pioneer history of Immokalee's ranching and farming heritage.
  • Naples Depot Museum A restored 1920s railroad depot that tells the story of Naples' growth.

Food traditions

  • Tamale-making in Immokalee During the holidays, families gather to make tamales, a tradition from Mexico and Central America.
  • Cuban coffee breaks In Immokalee, many start the day with a strong Cuban coffee, reflecting the area's Cuban community.
  • Lenten fish fries Catholic parishes in Naples host Friday fish fries during Lent, a tradition from the Italian and Irish communities.
  • Stone crab season From October to May, locals and visitors feast on fresh stone crab claws, a Gulf Coast delicacy.

Music and arts

  • Naples Philharmonic The region's symphony orchestra, performing at Artis—Naples.
  • Artis—Naples A major performing arts center hosting concerts, theater, and art exhibitions.
  • The Naples Players A community theater group producing plays and musicals.
  • Fifth Avenue South art galleries A concentration of galleries showcasing local and international artists.

A little history

  • Pre-1500s The Calusa Indians inhabited the islands and coast, leaving behind shell mounds and artifacts.
  • 1880s Walter Haldeman founded Naples as a winter resort, attracting wealthy visitors.
  • 1920s The railroad arrived, opening the area to more development.
  • 1960s Marco Island was developed by the Deltona Corporation, transforming it into a resort community.
  • 2007 Ave Maria was founded as a new town centered around a Catholic university.

Rivalries

  • Naples High vs. Barron Collier Local high school football rivalry.
  • Game day Fishing tournaments
  • Game day Golf tournaments
  • Outdoors Exploring the Ten Thousand Islands by boat
  • Outdoors Hunting for shark teeth on the beach
  • With kids Marco Island Historical Museum
  • With kids Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch

The area has a mix of Midwestern and Northeastern transplants, so the accent is fairly neutral, but you'll hear Spanish in Immokalee and some Southern drawl from long-time residents.

Only here

  • The Calusa shell mounds on Marco Island are among the best-preserved in Florida.
  • The Ave Maria Oratory's modern design is unlike any other church in the region.
  • Immokalee is one of the largest agricultural communities in Florida, known for its tomato fields.
  • The Swamp Buggy Races are a uniquely Floridian motorsport.
New here? A few tips
  • The high season is winter, so expect crowds and higher prices from November to April.
  • Learn to love the heat and humidity; summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms.
  • Try stone crab claws when they're in season—they're a local delicacy.
  • If you're in Immokalee, don't miss the tamales during the holidays.
  • Be prepared for 'snowbirds'—winter residents who fill the roads and restaurants.

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Part of Fort Myers area

Nearby

Every area
Fort Myers–Cape CoralFloridaSalt breeze, canal sunsets, and a life on the water.ClewistonFloridaSweetness by the lake, where the cane grows tall.Punta GordaFloridaQuiet waterfront living with a splash of Old Florida.ArcadiaFloridaWhere the Peace River meets the rodeoSarasotaFloridaWhere the Gulf meets the artsOkeechobeeFloridaWhere the lake meets the cattle countrySebringFloridaWhere the race never ends and the lakes are always calm.South FloridaFloridaSun, sand, and a rhythm that never quits.

Naples-Marco Island, FL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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