Naples, Florida: A Born-and-Raised Perspective

This destination means so much more to me than just being a beautiful place to visit. It truly feels like a way of life. Naples has a rare balance where nature, community, and understated luxury all coexist seamlessly. You can spend your morning walking a quiet beach, your afternoon relaxing by the pool or out on the water, and your evening dining beach side as the sun sets, all without ever feeling rushed. If you’re the kind of person who falls in love with places, Naples is one of those destinations you’ll find yourself dreaming about long after you leave.

What truly elevates Naples is the caliber and location of its resorts. The Ritz-Carlton on the beach sits just steps from the sand, making it incredibly easy to get from room to ocean in minutes, while the Ritz-Carlton at Tiburón offers a more golf-focused, resort-style experience just inland. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort delivers a more intimate beachfront feel, and the new Four Seasons brings a fresh, elevated energy to the destination.

Both The Ritz-Carlton, Naples (Beach) and LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort completed major renovations in 2023–2024, so the properties feel fresh, updated, and brand new throughout. For those who want to be right in the heart of town, the Inn on Fifth places guests steps from Fifth Avenue’s shops, restaurants, and events. Naples Grande Beach Resort rounds out the resort scene beautifully and has exciting remodels coming soon, making it one to watch.

The restaurant scene here is one of my favorite parts of living and hosting visitors in Naples. I always try to eat where there’s a water view. Whether it’s a casual lunch on the bay or a sunset dinner overlooking the Gulf. I love how easy it is to mix relaxation with activities like yoga on the beach, paddleboarding in the mornings, renting a boat for the day, or gathering friends and family on the water for sunset get-togethers. I also make a point every year to go on a dinner cruise or catamaran sail. There’s just something special about seeing Naples from the water.

Naples also has a level of elegance that surprises people. Real estate here is among the highest-valued in the country, and driving through certain neighborhoods genuinely feels like cruising through Beverly Hills—palm-lined streets, stunning homes, and quiet luxury everywhere you look. Add in monthly car shows around town where locals grab coffee and stroll among everything from vintage cars to high-end luxury models, plus regular nights at Off The Hook Comedy Club (a monthly tradition for us thanks to great food and consistently good shows), and there’s always something happening.

Naples works effortlessly for families, couples, and multigenerational trips, which is why so many visitors return year after year. I love raising my family here and sharing the destination with friends, especially those sunset moments spent together on the water. It’s that warmth, ease, and lifestyle that makes Naples truly unforgettable.

Nature & outdoor experiences

• Everglades National Park—Airboat tours to see alligators and birds.

• Conservancy of Southwest Florida—Wildlife hospital, exhibits, and boat tours.

• Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center—Mangroves, boardwalks, and trails.

• Naples Botanical Garden—Themed gardens, walking paths, and seasonal displays.

• Kayaking or paddleboarding—Explore mangroves and calm waters.

• Shelling—A favorite Naples pastime.

Nature walks & trails

• Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary—iconic boardwalk through cypress forest.

• Clam Pass Park—shaded boardwalk to the beach.

• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park—trails plus beach access.

• Barefoot Beach Preserve—coastal trails and wildlife.

• Gordon River Greenway—easy walking paths near downtown.

Beaches & water

• Vanderbilt Beach

• Lowdermilk Park

• Clam Pass Beach

• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

• Naples Pier

• Resort pools & beach clubs

On-the-water adventures

• Dolphin sightseeing boat rides

• Day or sunset catamaran sailing

• Sunset dinner cruise

• Fishing

• Jet-skiing

• Rent a boat for the day

Family-friendly & seasonal favorites

• Naples Zoo

• The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples—hands-on exhibits and play.

• Naples Trolley Tour

• Farmer Mike’s U-Pick (Bonita Springs)—especially fun during the holidays.

• Seasonal events & festivals

Playgrounds, parks & water parks for kids

• Cambier Park

• Fleischmann Park

• Sugden Regional Park

• North Collier Regional Park

• Putt-putt golf—easy fun for all ages

• Sun-N-Fun Lagoon—outdoor water park with slides, lazy river, and splash areas.

• Great Wolf Lodge Water Park—indoor water park resort, great for families year-round.

Playhouses & theaters

• The Naples Players

• Sugden Community Theatre

• Artis—Naples

Golf & hotel golf courses

• Public and private golf courses throughout Naples

• The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón—championship courses

• Naples Grande Beach Resort—adjacent golf course

• Resort partnerships for preferred tee times

Spas & wellness

• Spa at Four Seasons Naples

• Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Naples (Beach)

• Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón

• Spa at Naples Grande Beach Resort

• Woodhouse Spa

• Yoga on the beach—sunrise or sunset sessions

Shopping & dining areas

• Historic Fifth Avenue South

• Third Street South

• Tin City

• Waterside Shops

• Coastland Center Mall

• Mercato

Nearby day trips

• Marco Island—Beaches, boating, shelling, dolphin tours, and waterfront dining.

• Isles of Capri—Old Florida fishing village vibes, boat tours, and sunset views.

• Sanibel Island—World-famous shelling beaches, biking paths, and nature preserves.

• Captiva Island—Laid-back island feel, beautiful beaches, and charming restaurants.

• Everglades City—Gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands with mangrove tunnels and wildlife tours.

• Bonita Springs—Beaches, riverside parks, and casual coastal dining.

• Fort Myers Beach—Lively beach town with water sports and pier views.

• Estero—Shopping at Coconut Point and nearby nature parks

• Immokalee—Cultural experiences and access to the Seminole Casino.

• Big Cypress National Preserve—Scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife spotting.

Bayfront / waterfront (sunset & boat views)

• The Dock at Crayton Cove—A Naples classic with sunset views over the bay (pineapple Chilean sea bass, short ribs, burger, Mai Tai).

• The Bay House Restaurant—One of the most romantic bayfront sunset spots, tucked along the Gordon River (King Crab, St. Augustine stew, Florida sangria).

• M Waterfront Grille—Venetian Bay sunsets with upscale dining (chicken Milanese, shrimp skewers, cast iron meatballs, lobster roll, amethyst).

• The Boathouse on Naples Bay—Waterfront deck seating with marina views (Asian pork dumplings, lobster bisque, French dip, lobster roll, prime rib).

• Pinchers—Casual bayfront dining at Tin City (conch fritters, King Crab, chicken parmesan, shrimp scampi, Key Lime Pie, carrot cake).

• Riverwalk at Tin City—Relaxed sunset views and easy dining (grouper and chips, burger, snapper in key lime butter, Key West bag-and-bake, coconut mojito).

• Tavern on the Bay—Casual drinks with sunset light over the water (ahi tuna nachos, prime rib sliders, island snapper, chimichurri steak, pirate punch).

• The Pub Naples—Lively atmosphere near the water, great for casual evenings (gator bites, key lime shrimp, mango mahi mahi, baby back ribs, baja fish tacos, chicken salad, reuben, Aperol spritz).

• The Turtle Club—Beachfront dining with classic Naples sunset views (jumbo lump crab cocktail, wonton tuna tacos, New York strip, basil pesto rigatoni, turtle tini).

• Buzz’s Lighthouse Restaurant—Casual, Old Florida favorite near Vanderbilt Beach (jalapeño poppers, fish reuben, Philly cheese steak, mahi, clam strips).

• Baleen—Elegant beachfront dining at LaPlaya (seafood tower, lobster bisque, tropical ceviche, barrata, scallops, filet mignon, Maine lobster, cucumber Hugo spritz, blood orange jalapeño margarita).

• Gumbo Limbo—Relaxed beachside dining at The Ritz-Carlton.

• HB’s on the Gulf—Intimate beachfront spot known for romantic sunsets (spicy tuna lettuce wraps, scallops, baked snapper, lobster roll).

• First Watch—Popular breakfast and brunch spot located near the bay (Bay view) (million-dollar bacon, lemon ricotta pancake, avocado toast, granola bowl, club sandwich, blte, purple haze).

Naples’ most popular coffee spots

• Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii—In the heart of 3rd Street South, next to the surf shop and an easy walk to the shops or the pier.

• Narrative Coffee Roasters—One of the most popular local coffee spots.

• Kunjani Craft Coffee & Gallery—A local favorite with great coffee and atmosphere.

• 5th Avenue Coffee Co—Easy, well-known stop right on Fifth Avenue South.

• Venetian Village Coffee Shop—Perfect coffee stop while shopping, with beautiful water views.