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Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
There’s no better way to get lost in the Western Everglades than to meander through just a sliver of 13,000 acres of wetlands and pine flatwoods. Just a little over 2 miles long, the boardwalk takes you through the largest North American old-growth Bald Cypress forest, where you’ll be surrounded by 25-foot wide tree trunks, towering at 130 ft. Book a guided tour and see how many alligators, white-tailed deer, otters, and red-bellied turtles you can spot!

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Get up close and personal to the animals that share our Earth! The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens offers experiences the family will never forget; feed the giraffes some lunch or finish the day on a Primate Expedition Cruise. Catch a showing of the Seated Safari, and make sure to attend a Reptile Encounter to learn all about some Florida favorites Florida residents looking to get away for the weekend within their state borders can enjoy 20% off their stay! Book now for your next summer escape.

Deemed as the largest pickleball tournament in the world, The Open is an experience in itself. Pickleball is an exciting combination of elements originating from tennis, badminton and ping-pong. These lively games produce a high-energy community spirit in the crowd, and you don’t want to miss out. A full event-filled schedule can be found online for the week, and CBS Sports Network will be broadcasting the Women’s and Men’s Pro Finals from 7:00 - 9:00 pm !

The best part is that this experience is free aside from a daily parking fee. Additional Expo vendors will be set up where you can enjoy delicious food. Enjoy a cold drink in the Landshark Beer Garden while dancing to the local artists in between games. Make sure to enter the lottery for a chance to purchase a ticket to the famous Zing Zang Championship Court. Sign up here to get lottery information and the link to enter.

Soaking up the sun all day can be exhausting, so you want to start your morning right. Head to Cafe on the Bay, where you can catch that caffeine buzz after a delicious breakfast right on the marina. Not even a 10-minute drive down the street, Naples Beach is waiting. Catch up on your vitamin-d and head back to the pool to rinse off the salt, but first, lunch at Blue Water Bar and Grill. After a busy afternoon on the go, slow things down and treat yourself to a spa package. Nothing feels better than a 50-minute stone massage paired with a 50-minute facial when you’re vacationing. It’s a no-stress zone at Naples Bay! After happy hour drinks and a delicious dinner at Nosh, hit the water for a 50-minute, private and magical sail through the marina on an authentic Venitian gondola. Whether you’re traveling solo or with your loved one, La Gondola accepts reservations every day between 1 PM - 9 PM, with the season ending on April 9th. Traveling with a group is always helpful when splitting costs; book a spacious suite for three nights now under our daily rate and receive the 4th night free!

Naples Seafood & Music Festival; February 4-6

The Naples Italian American Club will be hosting the Naples Seafood & Music Festival the first weekend of February, and all are invited! Admission is free, and the delicious, locally-sourced, seafood is cooked on-site, with vegetarian options available. Browse through the marketplace for an art & crafts souvenir, and pick a spot to enjoy a drink paired with live music. A full concert lineup is available now online. 

2022 Asia Fest; February 12th

It’s always a plus when you can absorb an educational moment on vacation. On February 12th, the Asian Professionals Association of SWFL invites you out to the Mercato Event Lawn to celebrate the Year of the Tiger! From 10 am- 4 pm, enjoy an array of Asian cuisine, traditional Asain costumes, dance performances, and cultural parades. Head online now to stay on track with the schedule.

Naples National Art Show; February 19-20

Bringing together some of the finest art in the country, the Naples National Art Show heads to Cambier Park on February 19th and 20th. The locals encourage vacationers to attend this award-winning event, as it has proved time and time again to make it in Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “top art shows in the country.” The Naples National Art Show is held as a fine arts and craft competition, showing off displays in 17 different categories, with artists having the chance to win up to $5,000!

Prep your day for sailing the Gulf right here at Naples Bay. Some beneficial amenities for your day on the water include an onsite fuel dock for Rec 90 non-ethanol, complimentary pump-out services, and dock box storage. If you’re traveling with a group, rentals for our Bennington 23’ pontoon boat are available to enjoy a day out on the beach of Keewaydin Island. If you’re traveling solo or with a significant other, a relaxing kayaking session exploring a mangrove forest is a great way to get up close and personal with native wildlife. 

We highly encourage you to bring your own boat year-round for a fishing trip, or a leisure day out on the sea, but this January 20-23, feel free to do some “window shopping”, or should we say “lot browsing”, at the 2022 Naples Boat Show. Attend the biggest boat show in the Naples-Marco Island at the Naples Airport from 10 am- 5 pm all four days. A full list of exhibitors and tickets can be found online. 

From now until December 31st, Third Street South and the Avenues Shopping District is the place to go if you really want to get into the spirit. Christmas on Third returns with festive Thursday and Friday evenings; shoppers can enjoy live music, a Florida “snowfall”, decorated storefronts, and thousands of dazzling lights. Traveling with your fur babies? On Sunday, December 5th and 12th Santa will be available for snapshots with your pets! 

About a 5-minute drive away, Christmas on 5th Avenue South invites you to come balanced, as the synthetic ice, half-block skating rink returns on the west end of Fifth Avenue South. Although the ice will open December 3rd from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m, you can enjoy the rink with extended hours on December 4th, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

On December 11th, make sure to give yourself time to pick a great viewing spot for the Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay. You actually might be able to catch the lights from your balcony at the resort. Follow the lights from now until December 23rd, and then again from December 26th- December 30th, to Naples Botanical Gardens. Continue to feel the magic of decked-up light displays during Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden. This year features a new family-friendly exhibit, and tickets can now be purchased online. You'll also have the chance to return after bringing in the new year on January 1st and 2nd. 

Calling all engaged couples: escape reality during your wedding weekend and vacation in bliss with our unforgettable package! Book your wedding with us and you’ll receive a luxurious suite with a view of the marina. Imagine starting your morning at The Spa for some much-needed relaxation; your package includes 15% off services! Gather the group to party all day in your poolside cabana, then recollect for your rehearsal dinner, where you can pop your complimentary bottle of champagne.

On the day of, we focus on you, and only you, with no other weddings sharing the venue. Our dedicated wedding planners, along with a prestigious culinary staff, look forward to tending to your personalized day, while you soak up every minute with your friends and (new) family.  Don’t forget to hop on a shuttle the day after “I do” and head to the white sand shore for a day of recovery and reflection as newlyweds. 

Fifth Avenue South is Naples’ premiere shopping district, tucked in the Downtown area and boasting a variety of shops and restaurants for you to explore with your friends and family. 

Once the unofficial “Main Street” and city center in Naples, Fifth Avenue South is not only a hub for nightlife, but a cultural beacon with a well of authentic Naples history hidden in every corner. From the classic Floridian architecture that decorates the streets to the Depot Museum that captures the glamor and elegance of the railroad boom of the 1920s.  

Take your time strolling through the bustling shopping district where you can shop, dine, play and learn—from restaurants and museums to art galleries and luxury clothing stores. 

Likely once home to the tribes’ village, the shell mound created a tropical hardwood hammock over time, and due to rapid development in the area, Otter Mound is one of the few remaining tropical hammocks in all of South Florida.

Feel the history of the site as you wind through the nature preserve’s tropical trails, look up at the beautiful canopy trees, and soak up the surroundings. Plenty of benches line the path, so you can stop to take it all in and go at your own pace. However you appreciate nature, you’ll be sure to enjoy the unique beauty of Otter Mound.

Every year it seems like the Collier County Fair gets better and better. When 7 of the 30 rides are classified as “Super Rides” that are designed to make your regret that world-famous corndog, you know you’re in for a good time. Whether you want to ride the traditional Ferris Wheel or try your luck at something more daring, the Collier County Fair is ready to satisfy your adrenaline-fueled needs.

Of course, there’s so much more to the fair than rides. You’ll get to see dazzling live shows that feature everything from daring humans to performing tigers. Try your luck at winning some carnival games and get that oversized tiger that looks just like the one in the show. At the very least, you’ll get to walk away with delicious fair food and a good story.

The Naples Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade began over 40 years ago when a group of friends decided to really step up the celebrating of their Irish culture. Excitement for the event grew each year until it became the monstrous parade we see today.

The parade will travel down 3rd Street South to 5th Avenue South, then will turn and head down 8th Street South until it ends at Crayton Cove. Dozens of unique, handcrafted floats, as well as countless live performers, will take part in the festivities.

A ceremonial flag-raising will kick off the show at 9:30 and the official parade moves out at 11:00. Come entertain the whole family and support a good cause. Through sponsorship, this parade has raised over $200,000 for local high school bands and scholarships in the last half-decade alone.

In addition to being a showcase, Art in the Park is also a competition. Local artists want to impress and become well-known, so they submit their favorite artwork to be inspected by a panel of judges. See who makes the cut and walk away with a new favorite. Who knows? You may even want to register your own artwork for viewing!

The next event will be February 1st, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and a new time will be selected every month. Art in the Park is a completely free event, and of course, the works themselves are usually for sale. Come with an open mind and leave with that perfect painting for the living room.

This free event takes place on Tuesday, December 31 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. A special blend of fireworks will light up the sky with mesmerizing patterns of spirals, exploding flowers, and other multi-layered wonders. The best seats in the house will definitely fill up early, so make sure to arrive before 7:00 if you want front-row seats to the show! Make sure to bring your lawn chairs or blankets because this fireworks show will be a whopping 30 minutes long. Bring the whole family (but not the pooch this time) and have a great time as you prepare to usher in the new year and say hello to 2020!

The carnival will feature all of the adrenaline-inducing rides you’re used to, as well as the more relaxing ones like the Ferris Wheel. Show your love for getting upside down and being spun around really fast. The Carnival will also feature games and overstuffed prizes that you can barely carry around. Of course, there is also the main reason why people go to Carnivals: food! Put your calorie counting away for the day because funnel cake, corn dogs, and everything between are here to remind you what a Carnival is all about. The Carnival will be around for four days and will be open from 6 to 10 pm on Thursday and Friday, from 3 to 10 pm on Saturday, and from 2 to 10 pm on Sunday.

Halloween on 5th is a giant yearly Halloween event ready to take over Naples’ 5th Avenue South. The entire street will be closed off for the festivities, and you'll see why! Live music will be heard throughout and will set the tone for some world-class trick-or-treating. Costume contents will try to find the best of the best so bring your a-game. The streets will be flowing with ghouls and witches as well as professional street dancers and all the games your family can handle. This year, step out of the neighborhood and experience an energetic Halloween extravaganza with Halloween on 5th.

The Village Shops may normally be known for world-class shopping opportunities and the finest gourmet dining around, but this September, the center stage will be occupied by Wine Around The Water. On September 28 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, The Village Shops invites you to sample wine from more than 20 shops and restaurants with the most beautiful view around.

For a $20 donation, you will receive a custom wine glass, a discount pass for six restaurants, and your passport to drink around the world (well at least around the shops)! All proceeds from this event will go to SNIP Collier, a charity organization dedicated to spaying and neutering services that protect our furry friends. Speaking of which, you will also have the chance to play with adoptable dogs from the Gulf Coast Humane Society of Fort Myers. Who knows, maybe you will even find a partner in crime. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Marco Island is a paradise retreat just a short ferry ride away from the Naples coast. Here you will find luxurious dining and shopping as well as some of the most pristine beaches Florida has to offer. Guests who want to explore these beaches can do so casually or through the many excursions offered by locals.

A short trip around the island will bring visitors to the Collier Seminole State Park where primitive camping, canoeing, boating, picnics, and fishing are all a part of the journey. Those who venture out into the ocean will find the legendary dome homes floating off the coast as well as the option to learn about their history. If time permits during your stay in Naples, a day trip to Marco Island is an absolute must to get the full experience!

You’re not the only one who loves the summertime sunshine (well sometimes). You’re also not the only one who has mastered the art of cooling off. Come see how endangered clouded leopard kittens Janet and Jean beat off the summer heat. You could also see an up-close Florida panther in case you’ve never been fortunate enough to find one in the wild.

This zoo is sure to be fun for the whole family. Show the kids how long a giraffe’s tongue can get as they hand-feed these long-necked giants. With discounted group rates and membership discounts, there’s no better time than today to get your wild on.

The trolley begins its run at the Experience Naples Welcome Center and proceeds to venture out through Naples with 21 stops along the way. The experience is Hop On, Hop Off so feel free to stay for the entire ride or hop off at any location and explore before hopping back on when another trolley arrives. Your tour comes with an enriching narrative of the city and its history with just enough light humor to keep you engaged. Not including any time you take off the bus, the tours run about 2 hours so grab your ticket and see Naples in style!

At the Naples Botanical Gardens, displays are grouped in ways that allow visitors to experience a specific type of immersion. The Chabraja Visitor Center welcomes guests with three unique gardens dedicated to showcasing tropical landscapes, charismatic plants with intriguing flowers, and a world-class orchid garden. Next, guests can venture out into the world and find themselves lost in the Kapnick Brazilian Garden. The South American, rainforest-inspired landscapes then fade into the Lea Asian Garden. Here, exotic plants and garden architecture will allow you to get you’re still in Florida. The world tour re-enters the world of familiarity a trip through the Caribbean Garden and eventually back home to see rare native plants at the Scott Florida Garden.

Outside of the main gardens, there is also a featured 90-acre sanctuary called The Preserve where visitors can observe rare Florida wildlife in its natural habitat. Families must be sure to stop by the Children’s Garden for a unique fun, educational experience and maybe even some hands-on gardening! The Naples Botanical Garden is open daily from early morning to 5:00 pm so make sure to add a stop at this local gem to your Naples visit!

You’re sure to be entertained whether you just want to take a leisurely stroll or relax for several hours. Those patient enough might catch a dolphin sighting as they are very frequent and with the pier open 24/7, you have many opportunities to check and see. The surrounding area includes concessions and beach supplies; now beer and wine are conveniently served directly outside the pier. This Naples staple is located just two miles away from the Naples Bay Resort and is located at the west end of 12th Avenue South.

The Revs Institute brings you world-famous cars dating back to the 19th century! Come see the Mercedes that was nominated for Car of the Century and was the last one designed by Ferdinand Porsche before he started his own company. Stroll at your own leisurely pace or join a very recommended tour and experience a truly unique collection. The Revs Institute is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and requires tickets be purchased in advance so make sure to plan accordingly!

One such exhibit is Isabelle de Borchgrave’s Fashioning Art from Paper, an exploration of historic costumes through modern paper sculpture. From exquisite replicas of Renaissance Italian gowns to fanciful recreations of costumes from the Ballet Russes, de Borchgrave’s one-of-a-kind, lifesize pieces are acclaimed across the globe.

Designed to present her work to a broader audience, this immersive, breathtaking exhibit features examples from all of de Borchgrave’s major series. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch Fashioning Art from Paper, open at The Baker Museum from February to May of 2019.