By Yours Truly and Kathy Protus

Now is a good time to go to Naples, when the crowds have thinned, restaurants are more relaxed and the beaches and nature preserves are just as beautiful. Here’s a just updated list with what’s new added by Kathy Prutos, an in-the-know resident. This includes   top things to do in Naples, Florida, including shopping and best restaurants, from a Staycation I took.  It’s a short drive from Miami (about two hours), very different in tone,  low key, and affluent (median income is about double that of Miami  ). It also has a Midwestern cultural vibe, and it’s friendly. We were surprised at how small the population is of Naples Itself — about 20,000 — so most places you want to go are within a convenient 20 minute drive.  Stay tuned at the end of the post for where to stay.

Best Things to Do in Naples, Florida: The list:

Naples Botanical Garden — A must-visit, especially in summer when the lush tropical landscapes are in full bloom and the crowds are lighter. Spanning 170 acres, this vibrant sanctuary celebrates the plants, cultures and art of the tropics from Asia, Brazil and the Caribbean to arid regions filled with dramatic succulents and Florida’s own native ecosystems. Stroll through the orchid garden, unwind by tranquil water features and discover thoughtfully placed sculptures and mosaics that add to the sense of discovery. Shaded boardwalks and scenic trails wind around the lake and through peaceful uplands preserve — a great way to enjoy nature even on warmer days. The garden shop is a gem, filled with botanical-inspired gifts, books and treasures for plant lovers.

Naples Pier — The historic Naples Pier is temporarily closed after sustaining significant damage from Hurricane Ian. The beloved landmark is slated to be completely rebuilt, with plans underway for a stronger, storm-resilient structure. While visitors can still enjoy the surrounding beach, the pier itself remains off-limits during planning and reconstruction phases.

Beaches – As you probably know, the powder white sand beaches and transparent waters in the Naples area are legendary. Best bets if you want to rent chairs and umbrellas and have facilities like restrooms are Clam Pass Park and Lowdermilk Park. There’s public parking but it can fill up early so get there early, especially on weekends. Also, the parking is a hike from Clam Pass Park. If you don’t want to walk there’s a tram.

Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary —

Journey into the heart of the Everglades ecosystem on Corkscrew’s famous boardwalk – a 2.25-mile adventure through pine flatwoods, wet prairie, around a marsh, and finally into the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America. It  is home to hundreds of alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles. A wide variety of wading birds, songbirds,  and raptors  can be seen throughout the year while the fabulous Painted Bunting is a winter visitor. Photo opportunities are available at every turn of the boardwalk trail. There’s also a nature store with locally made Fair Trade merchandise — art, books, clothing, jewelry.

Things to Do in Naples, Florida: Museums

Revs Institute — A top rated attraction in things to do in Naples FL,  Revs Institute is considered one of the leading car museums as well as an educational institution. Within the Miles Collier Collections, you can see more than 112 automobiles dating from 1890 to 1999. Makes from 56 worldwide brands  are divided into four thematic galleries: Automobility, Vitesse, Revs, and Porsche. The automobiles are fully operational and displayed free of protective barriers, allowing visitors intimate access.

Things to Do in Naples Florida: The Arts

Artis-Naples –is the premier destination for visual and performing arts in Southwest Florida, offering a dynamic cultural experience that spans music, art and education. The campus is home to The Baker Museum – one of the region’s foremost fine art museums, renowned for its emphasis on modern and contemporary works, The museum presents a mix of traveling exhibitions and permanent collections, now enriched by a new walkabout outdoor sculpture garden that invites exploration year-round.  Each season, Artis-Naples presents a wide array of classical and popular music, jazz, theater, dance, film and museum exhibitions featuring artists of global distinction, including the recent Florida debuts of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.  Also on tap are individual concerts by star performers.  www.artisnaples.org.

Gulfshore Playhouse – The $72 million Baker Theatre & Education Center is a transformative new addition to downtown Naples and Southwest Florida’s arts scene. Opened in 2024, the striking 40,000-square-foot complex features the 368-seat Moran Mainstage and the flexible 125-seat Struthers Studio, designed for bold, Broadway-caliber productions and new works. With educational programs, artist residencies, a rooftop terrace and a lively café-bar, Gulfshore Playhouse offers year-round cultural enrichment and community connection, elevating Naples as a destination for serious theatergoers and arts supporters.

The Naples Players – This beloved community theater, with more than 70 years of history in Naples, recently debuted a stunning $22 million renovation of its historic Blackburn Hall, now renamed the Kizzie Theater.  The 452‑seat proscenium-style venue (308 main floor, 144 balcony) features perfect sightlines, Meyer Sound acoustics, upgraded lighting and a full 16-musician orchestra pit. Enhanced accessibility including sensory‑friendly booths, wider aisles, hearing‑assistance technology and ADA‑compliant amenities, elevates community theater to a first-class, inclusive arts experience.

Art Galleries – Naples has a growing number of art galleries. The largest concentration is in Crayton Cove and the Naples Art District, which is midtown, about 15 minutes’ drive from downtown. Here find 110 galleries, while the others are downtown in Naples proper.

• Art Alive! First Wednesdays, First Thursdays and Third Saturdays

The Bird Gardens of Naples — The Bird Gardens of Naples is  in the green space of Corkscrew Swamp and devoted to parrot welfare in captivity and conservation of wild parrots. Here you can interact with 100+ birds from origins around the world, all parrots. If weather allows, groups can enter their large macaw aviary with opportunities to take photos and hold birds.

Theater -Next to the Inn on Fifth, the Sugden Community Theater is home to the Naples Players. There’s also The Gulfshore Playhouse, the first and leading professional theater company in Naples featuring important classics, Broadway hits and new works.

Eye popping homes – If you want to see how the big money lives, head over to Port Royal. The mansions are in every architectural style you can imagine (though not a lot of super contemporary, at least yet). Note there are also incredible mansions in gated golf communities but obviously, no admission there. Great way to See Port Royal from stunning water views — take a cruise on the Naples Princess, Miss Naples Catamaran or Pure Florida sightseeing cruises.

Things to do in Naples, Florida: Shopping

Walking up and down Fifth Avenue you’ll find lots of fashion boutiques especially in the Lily Pulitzer and Tommy Bahama style. Like Pucci? Jean Pierre Klifa from Paris sells a large assortment of short and long dresses and blouses in Pucci inspired patterns along with perfect-for-Florida sorbet color sweaters and tops.

The most upscale shopping is around Third Street South and the top name is Marissa Collections selling designer fashion and accessories for men and women — from Brunello Cucinelli and Oscar de la Renta to Balenciaga. Around the corner is the  Patina Collection, a wonderful shop selling items for home decor, caftans, cashmere shawls and the like. Waterside shops is also a great upscale shopping area.

The not to be missed shopping destination is Treasure Island Antiques.Over 45 vendors feature everything from mid century modern to high end contemporary furniture, estate  and wonderful designer costume jewelry, table settings,  art including 1850’s Audubon prints, everything made with shells, and more.

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You’ll also want to check out consignment stores. The leading one is Audrey’s of Naples, the largest consignment shop with everything from jewelry and shoes to vintage ball gowns and casual attire. It’s also a place to snag a wonderful hat for a special ladies’ lunch. I also heard good things about Twice as Nice.

Things to Do in Naples, Florida:

Naples Design District — where luxury meets creativity in downtown Naples, wander chic galleries, high-end home décor showrooms and stylish boutiques showcasing cutting-edge interior design and art. Sip craft coffee or dine al fresco in trendy cafes. The Collective which serves as a self-guided space of more than 20 mini showrooms leased by a mix of entities, houses real estate services, architects, design and art galleries and Warren Whiskey Kitchen. This sophisticated destination invites visitors to experience inspiring style, innovative design and vibrant local culture https://naplesdesigndistrict.com/.

Day Trip – Only 45 minutes, yet a world away, Captiva Island is connected to Florida’s mainland via Sanibel Causeway and a small bridge over Blind Pass, joining it to Sanibel Island. Tucked away at the northern end of the five-mile long, one-half-mile wide Captiva Island, South Seas Plantation is between Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico, ensconced by two-and-a-half miles of powder-white beaches lapped by turquoise tides. The resort offers a range of accommodations of varying types, each step from the Gulf of Mexico, including beach villas, marina villas, tennis villas and beach homes that are now available for reservations

Where to Eat (Note that prime time for dinner in Naples is between 6 and 7 p.m.)

First, the restaurants we went to:

Ocean Prime in the Inn at Fifth is one of the favorites with visitors and locals. Excellent service, a happening bar scne, and delicious contemporary American cuisine, make this a top spot for your list. With a name like “Prime”, you’d expect the steaks to be top notch as indeed they are. But also, the fish from the nearby coast and shellfish is all super fresh and beautifully prepared. I ordered the blackened red snapper on a bed of vegetables that was delicious.And oh those sides , such as gouda tater tots –totally decadent.  And don’t miss the OMG butter cake. It is pricked 32 times and then butter is poured into the holes. It’s topped with ice cream and berries. Excellent, too, is Truluck’s  also at the Inn at Fifth which has a branch in Miami.

Campiello is almost an institution, a “go to” place for locals with reliably good food, a lovely outdoor courtyard with fountain, and good people watching. I had salmon with quinoa that was delicious, and my girlfriend had high praise for her bleu cheese and caramelized walnut salad.

Everyone told us that Sails was not to be missed, and I agree it was no exaggeration. The owner fashions the restaurant after Milos, so you can count on uber fresh fish and seafood, and everything of top quality including the wines from an extensive list. The outdoor dining terrace is attractive, and it has the starched fine white tablecloths and excellent service.

The Cafe on 8th Avenue. A prime location, great breakfasts and service, and reasonable prices make this one of the locals’ favorite breakfast spots.

Other restaurants that I’d like to try next time are Alexander’s,  Bha Bha (Persian), Osteria Tulia, The French, Mediterraneo, Le Indya (Indian), and if you’re nostalgic for Cuban even though you just left Miami — Unidos Latin Kitchen. And these recommendations below from Kathy:

Le Colonial – Naples’ newest dining hot spot, nestled along chic 5th Avenue South, Le Colonial transports guests to a bygone era of romance, French colonial architecture and unforgettable flavors. Each dining space showcases bold murals, custom French silk accents and brass lighting, creating an ambiance of timeless sophistication. Executive Chef Anthony Gargano crafts dishes and cocktails tailored to local tastes, with a special focus on Gulf-inspired seafood.

Sweet finale….from artisanal pastries to gourmet chocolates, there’s a notable surge in demand for desserts and sweets. Bakers have responded with elevated flavors, vegan/gluten-free options and European techniques to satisfy every sweet tooth. Top Naples picks include 5^th Avenue South’s Bontà Bakery https://www.bontabakery.com/, Bakery at Grappino www.aielligroup.com/grappino-naples/bakery-at-grappinoand (local favorite for cakes, tarts and pastries) and Angelic Desserts Bakery & Café https://www.angelicdesserts.com (scratch-made sweets and vegan/gluten-free delights.)

Looking for an ideal place to stay?

The Inn on Fifth & Club Level Suites is the perfect place to stay as it’s stylish, and the location is hard to top. Fifth refers to Fifth Avenue which is the main street in the center of town. Walk out the door of the hotel and you’re right in the middle of dozens of upscale boutiques, 40 restaurants, art galleries,  cafes, and a multi-million dollar Kizzie Theater next door. Want the beach? It’s nearby.

The AAA Four Diamond Inn encompasses two buildings. One was a former bank building. It’s very handsomely decorated,  contemporary boutique hotel style with high ceilings, art glass strategically placed, and flattering lighting. I knew I was in the right place as soon as I stepped in the front door. The main building houses the bulk of its 114 guest rooms and suites, along with a tropical rooftop pool terrace and courtyard with outdoor bar, spa with a wide variety of treatments, and good sized 24 hour fitness center.

Anxious to read more? Click on my full review:

Staycation: Inn on Fifth, Naples, FL

Other suggestions:

AC Hotel on 5th Avenue blends European flair with Floridian ease. Sleek, minimalist interiors lead up to Limón Rooftop Bar, perched above a shimmering pool and offering sweeping Gulf‑facing views. Inspired by the Amalfi Coast, the bar serves Mediterranean‑style small plates, signature cocktails like the Limón Cadere, plus a tony indoor‑outdoor vibe perfect for sunset gatherings.

Launching in November 2025, Naples Beach Club, A Four Season Resort, a reimagined coastal retreat. With 216 luxury rooms, two oceanfront pools, a two‑story spa, multiple dining venues (including Gavin Kaysen’s The Merchant Rood) and a Tom Fazio golf course, it mirrors Old Naples charm with refined modern elegance.  https://www.fourseasons.com/.