Signature Surprises

There’s always something new to discover in the Gulf Coast’s premier holiday destination.

By Jeffrey Laign

Your hotel concierge can set you up with a guided tour, or you can set out on your own to discover activities and attractions you won’t find anywhere else. Regardless of how you go about it, don’t return home without sampling at least a few of the city’s signature experiences.

See Sawgrass

Dolphins, manatees, wading birds and — oh, yes — alligators are among the many creatures you may encounter on a tour of Everglades National Park’s fabled “sea of grass.” Propelled by an aircraft engine and a huge “fan” in back, the iconic airboats traverse the swampy terrain with ease.

DID YOU KNOW? The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is reopening after a $4.5 million renovation of its interactive Nature Center. The Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center has expanded to include new interactive exhibits and galleries. The new John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing features an Invasive Species Gallery and a digital Climate Change Gallery.

Hug a Tree

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is home to the world’s largest remaining old-growth Bald Cypress Forest. These magnificent trees, estimated to be at least 700 years old, are relatives of the redwood and reach a height of more than 130 feet. Take a selfie with an ancient giant and tweet it to the folks back home.

Time Travel

Visit Historic Palm Cottage and step back in time to 1895. The well-preserved cottage is just a block east of the Naples Pier and was the home of one of the city’s founders, Walter N. Haldeman. Today, Palm Cottage is maintained by the Naples Historical Society, which also offers walking tours of the mile-long Naples Historic District.

Spot a Dolphin

Naples’ iconic pier, stretching from the end of 12th Avenue, is a great place to hang out if you’re hoping to meet up with a chittering Flipper. One of the top Naples attractions, the century-old pier has a covered eating area and a concession stand. It’s also one of the best places to catch the spectacular sunsets that have entranced and delighted visitors for decades. It’s little wonder that you often see couples here strolling hand in hand.

All Aboard

A sightseeing or sunset cruise is a Naples mustdo experience. Pure Naples’ 90-minute cruise aboard M/V Double Sunshine takes guests from the historic Tin City docks through Naples Bay and into the canals of Port Royal and, weather permitting, out to the Gulf of Mexico. Guests can see and learn about wildlife while the captain and crew share stories of some of the stately Port Royal mansions. The cruise continues past Keewaydin Island out to the Gulf of Mexico to watch the sunset. Have your camera ready to capture this magical experience and then enjoy some lively music while cruising back to shore.

Go Native

The Calusa Indians, who lived in what is now Naples and southern Florida for centuries, were expert anglers, daring seafarers and fierce, determined fighters. The Marco Island Historical

Museum brings to life the vanished civilization with colorful, informative displays and a replicated Calusa village.

Chop Chop

You came here on vacation to relax and recharge your batteries. Give those workaday worries a psychic hatchet job. Take all your frustrations out at the Swamp Axe Company, an indoor range where you can learn to throw a well-honed weapon like a marauding Viking.

Ask for Athena

There’s a slim chance you’ll come across a rare Florida panther in the wild, but it’s a sure bet you’ll enjoy meeting Athena, a kitten rescued in 2017. Rangers found her at Big Cypress National Preserve, abandoned by her mother. Now she delights kids and grown-ups at Naples Zoo.

Reel It In

Philly has its cheesesteak; San Francisco its sourdough. Naples? The grouper sandwich! You’ll find various takes on the ubiquitous dish on many menus throughout Naples. Consider pairing one with a local craft beer. How about a coffee stout or an ale flavored with mango and ginger? Bone Hook Brewery takes beer to a whole new level.

Never Forget

The Naples Holocaust Museum recalls one of the world’s darkest eras and its connection to many residents of Southwest Florida. Tucked in an unassuming strip mall, the museum is dedicated to those who perished under the Nazis’ brutal regime.

Sell a Shell

Shelling while in the Paradise Coast is a must-do experience, and you may spot a rare find while on the hunt. Combing beaches can be profitable at Sanibel and Marco Island if you’re lucky enough to pocket a spotted, creamcolored junonia, one of the rarest shells in the world. The large sea slugs that inhabit them thrive in deep ocean waters. Their coveted shells are brought to shore only by the sporadic hurricanes or the rarer tsunami, and some can fetch as much as $300 on the open market.