Only a 30 min drive away, Naples is a larger town that offers new choices in activities and restaurants if you want to venture out from your secret escape on Marco Island. It is a great place to see, but it can be crowded during peak tourist season. That’s why many vacation goers choose to stay on Marco Island and take a short drive into the city.
Here are some helpful tips on what to do on a day in Naples.
Beaches & Parks
Visitors to Naples will have plenty of places to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. There are plenty of parks and public beaches to keep you busy and help work on that perfect tan.
Clamp Pass Park: Enjoy a shaded walk down the boardwalk overlooking dense foliage and ending at the beach.
Lowdermilk Park: The most popular public beach with outdoor showers, a concession stand, and a volleyball court.
Sugden Regional Park: 60-acre lake and freshwater beach. You’ll want to bring your fishing pole and maybe rent a paddleboard while you’re here.
Great For Kids
If you want an even busier day spent in Naples, take your family to the Sun-N-Fun-Lagoon with all the great attractions a waterpark needs. Imagine sitting in the lazy river while your kids go from waterslide to pools and back to the waterslides. They get tired out and you get relaxation. Cost of tickets range from $6 – $13.
If you want to stay cool and dry during the hottest part of the day, duck inside Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples with interactive play and learn exhibits that keep your kids occupied. Adults usually have as much fun exploring the museum, so tap into your inner child on vacation. The museum is open every day except Wednesdays. Cost of admission is $10 for children 1+ and adults.
The Naples Zoo! Of course, you want to take your kids where they can see the monkeys swinging in trees and the mountain lions lounging in their habitat. The zoo is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Adult tickets cost $22.95 and Children’s Tickets (3- 12) are $14.95. Last tickets of the day are sold at 4:00 p.m. Parking is free.
Shop & Eat
Walk down Fifth Avenue South for a great choice of places to eat and local shops to discover. This is part of downtown has plenty of character, but might be on the expensive side for some visitors. It is still a great place to walk even if you choose to go somewhere else for a meal.
If you’re leaving Fifth Ave., go around the corner to Third St. South, which is another highly rated area that you must see. It’s a street crowded with gardens, fountains, shops and restaurants. It is an ideal place to catch live music or even a local festival or farmers market.
The third place to go on the hunt for shops and restaurants is the open air mall. Waterside Shops is upscale and well cared for. You’ll love the plaza with many small pools and waterfalls that adds an elegant ambiance to your shopping.