Things to do in Naples..
Let me begin by saying that I absolutely fell in love with the city of Naples.
When we left home for 2 weeks, I was not expecting anything of what I encountered. So, we were strictly going for my husbands work…2 weeks…come back home and that was it. But it turned into something more, a place I could see myself living in. This city is a nice refresher to life in Miami, the fast paced life.
Starting with the people. Very friendly, educated and polite. I don’t know if its because it’s an older population but no one seems to be in a rush. The disputes on the road are over who will let who in, not vice versa. Everywhere you go, people greet you with a smile and actually say things like “good morning.” The service everywhere you go is great. Whether you’re checking into the hotel, eating at ANY restaurant or walking into a store.
Naples felt so clean and fresh, the way it maintains itself and is cared for is obvious everywhere you go. Now on to my recommendations….
Places to eat in Naples:
The Turtle Club – this one has to be our favorite so I am mentioning it first. The price range I’d say is $$$ … if you are looking for a place to dine ON the beach, then this is the place for you. You will literally get to sit on the sand, steps away from the ocean with a perfect view of the sunset. I haven’t seen a place like this in a very long time. The food is delicious, nothing on the menu has been bad. They have fresh fish and new specials every day. I know this because we went about 5-6 times during our stay.
Sea Salt – come eat here for a different experience, starting with the…you guessed it, sea salt. you are given 3 different color sea salts, add some olive oil and dip your bread. your taste buds will have to decipher which of the 3 is your favorite color. The black truffle ravioli is out of this world…if you go with a group, its nice to order different meals to get to taste more things on the menu. This is located right on 5th ave so you can sit right outside and go for a nice stroll after your meal.
Tin City Riverwalk – you come here when you want good old fashioned seafood. Perfect after a long day at the beach or boating, this is a fun place for families to eat and adults to have a really cold beer. The calamari and conch fritters are a must have, sit near the water to watch the boats go by and go for a walk along the boardwalk.
Coast at the Edgewater Hotel – yes, we stayed at this hotel but we would eat here almost every day! I haven’t had good pool food like this ever. The chicken wings were delicious, the lobster roll was outstanding and just about every appetizer was on point….and this was just lunch. We did have dinner here as well….the flatbread with steak was so good! The filet was great and our favorite was the desert. MONKEYBUNTS ….ALL I CAN SAY IS TRY IT!!! WELL WORTH THE CALORIES.
Joes Diner – we found this spot because it was literally on the corner of the air bnb we stayed at so decided to give it a try. This is all about an easy breakfast spot, friendly staff and really good diner food. Their sourdough bread is ahh-mayyy-zing!! With butter alone would be perfect. Anything you eat here, Im sure you will love.
Places to Visit in Naples:
5th Ave Downtown area – this is so quaint, the cutest shops and most beautiful streets surrounded by tall trees and gorgeous flowers. Take an afternoon to walk the streets and maybe grab some lunch or even ice cream. The buildings are a site to see, they go from pink and pretty to Mediterranean style with a personality.
Naples Beaches – I love the beach! Its my happy place! So I may be a bit bias here but if you love the beach as much as I do, then this will be your happy place too! The beaches are clean and calm; the sand is white and soft on your feet. Go for a nice walk in the morning to see the birds standing around and do some seashell hunting. In the evenings, the tide goes down so the water becomes a flat surface with independent sand bars and the best view of the sunset you will find it on the beach. Its incredible to see how people stand on the sand just waiting to see the sun go down and actually clap when it’s all over.
Mercato Shops – this was a coincidence coming across these shops. We we looking for some beach sandals and found the nearest store which was Nordstrom Rack. We walked around and encountered a beautiful outdoor mall. Now with covid-19 you cannot really enjoy everything it offers but these shops offer even outdoor concerts and a huge doggie park.
Hotel :
Edgewater Beach Hotel – we first were in an air bnb for a week. My husband had terrible allergies because of the rugs all over the house so we looked for a nearby, pet friendly hotel and moved on over. This was the best decision we could’ve made. The hotel was super clean, constantly cleaning, everyone wearing masks. The rooms are perfect for families or couples on vacation. The service was outstanding, and the food, as I mentioned before, was excellent. I spoke with various families who have been coming to this hotel for over 10 years, bartenders working in the same spot for 16+ years. If you are looking to come to Naples for a nice weekend or week…I highly recommend this hotel.
Shopping:
If you are a shopper like me, you will appreciate this section. Of course everywhere you go, the shopping is great. BUT this is the place to visit a Home Goods, a Tuesday Morning or Marshalls. There are also a ton of consignment shops that carry high end items at a more affordable rate, including clothing and furniture. There are a few of them going down the main highway, State Road 41. Make a little time during your visit ( and room in your car ) for some additional merchandise that you may be taking home.
Extras….just in case:
Naples Zoo – We did not visit the zoo because it was mid summer and the heat is unbearable. If your trip is in the cooler months, then I would suggest it as something to do because we heard nothing but great things about this zoo.
House Sightseeing – we love to do this, admire all the beautiful homes when driving around….and there are some homes to be admired. Drive down Gulf Shore Blvd N. and see the one of a kind homes with beach backyards, or down Vanderbilt Beach on Gulf Shore Dr. for some more breathtaking houses.
ALL IN ALL …..
If you are a Florida resident, Naples is a must. If you are from another state, Naples is a must. I have never loved a city or felt so at peace like I have in Naples. The drive for us from Miami is so easy and short, about an hour and a half. Our family also has a home in the Florida Keys (Marathon) but if I am being honest, I prefer Naples. We did stay here for 3 weeks and come back the weekend after to spend 4th of July. I would also like to note that you can also visit Marco Island, Captiva, Sanibel and Boca Grand in your same visit. All about an hour to an hour and a half drive, well worth it. Make it your west coast beach vacation. If you are considering it, go for it!
Comment if you have any further questions I may not have addressed.
