Travel · United States

Naples, Florida: sunshine, sand and sea

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Perfectly manicured lawns, sprawling golf courses, a vibrant downtown, quirky stores, plenty of sun, sand and sea are some of the first things you notice when you visit the eclectic city of Naples in Southwest Florida. Voted as the healthiest and happiest city in the US twice in a row according to the Gallup-Healthways State of American Well-Being 2016 Community Rankings, Naples is situated on the Gulf of Mexico, just about 125 miles from the happening city of Miami.

Naples Downtown
Naples Downtown
One among the many golf courses in Naples
One among the many golf courses in Naples

A popular winter home for many in the country due to its amazing sunshine throughout the year, Naples is a perfect blend of the contemporary and old world charm.

A view of a housing community in Naples
A view of a housing community in Naples

While it is synonymous with ultra modern and impeccably maintained housing communities and a booming real estate market, a large chunk of the city is part of Florida’s heritage and historic district lending it a distinctive, vintage flavour.

Glimpses of the past

The best place to start exploring the city is to visit to the Naples Depot museum. Completed in 1927, the Depot is one of the oldest structures in the city which welcomed the first passenger train into it. This opened the city and the Southwestern part of the state to tourism and the rest of the world. Though the train services stopped in 1971, the heritage Depot building was retained and converted into a museum in 2005. The museum is a treasure house of information on the legendary Atlantic coast line train and has extensive information on the history and development of Naples including the evolution of its culture, residents and industries as it stands today.

One of the displays at the Naples Depot Museum
One of the displays at the Naples Depot Museum

To experience a slice of the city’s old fashioned past, make a quick stop at Naples dock and Crayton cove. The area dates back to 1915; it was Naples first sheltered mooring and the hub of all activity. Even today it is home to a large fishing fleet. The white sandy beach of Naples is yet another popular place to unwind while watching pelicans and other birds fly past.

Naples Beach
Naples Beach

Another symbol of Naples history is the iconic Naples pier that was built in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock. A popular sight for fishing and spotting manatees and dolphins, the pier is the perfect spot to end your day while watching the sun go down; few sights are more compelling than this. One of the best ways to explore Old Naples and Downtown is by taking the city’s hop on-hop off Trolley tours.

Sunset on Naples Pier
Sunset on Naples Pier

Diverse sights

The city has several distinctive offerings for travellers of all kinds. For nature enthusiasts, there is the Audubon’s Corkscrew swamp sanctuary that is home to the ancient bald cypress trees. It is a unique ecosystem that has native plant and animal life. Naples botanical gardens and zoo is a favourite with adults and children alike.

Audubon’s Corkscrew swamp sanctuary
Audubon’s Corkscrew swamp sanctuary
Fauna we spotted in Audubon’s Corkscrew swamp sanctuary
Fauna we spotted in Audubon’s Corkscrew swamp sanctuary

If you are a lover of history, trace the 10,000-year-old past of Southwest Florida at the main Collier County museum. The Revs Institute is a must-visit for automobile aficionados. A one-of-its kind museum, it is a haven for connoisseurs of automobiles and people who are passionate about its history and subsequent development.

A truly incredible collection of beatuies including this 1933 Packard on display at the Revs Institute, a must visit for automobile aficionados. #naples #naplesflorida #visitflorida #visitnaples #revs #automobile #cars #vintage #heritage #museum #picoftheday #photooftheday #instalike #instapic #igers #travelblogger #travelblog #vintagecar
A 1933 Packard on display at the Revs Institute

Unique shopping experiences

Naples is home to several unique stores selling unusual artefacts and antiques. Tin city is a notably different shopping quarter that comprises multiple stores selling exclusive clothing, jewellery and memorabilia. You can pick up some trinkets made from shells, indulge in tasting of tropical Florida wines and gorge on speciality homemade chocolates here.

A shop in Tin city
A shop in Tin city

Apart from Tin City, Third Street South in Downtown Naples has been the hub of shopping since the 1930s and is home to several boutiques, gift stores and art galleries.  The most happening part of Downtown is the Naples’ Main Street or Fifth Avenue. Lit up and decorated at dusk, there are scores of businesses here including sidewalk cafés, gourmet restaurants, antique showrooms, designer boutiques, and elite residences making it the most sophisticated address here.

5th Avenue in Naples Downtown
5th Avenue in Naples Downtown

This article was originally published in The Hindu.

Check about Naples on GPSmyCity.com.

22 thoughts on “Naples, Florida: sunshine, sand and sea

  1. I love Corkscrew Swamp. Course, I believe they discount the environmental and health effects of the gallons and gallons of RoundUp they use every day…on those “perfectly manicured” lawns, on sidewalks and in parks.

  2. Wow Rashmi! Thanks for bringing it all alive for us: the golf course, the outdoors, the markets, the museums! 🙂 Looks like a wonderful place to visit for it’s scenic beauty!

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