Family Fun

Naples is a prime vacation spot for a fun-filled, exciting family vacation.

By Vanessa Molina Santamaria

The Naples Grande Beach Resort offers kidfriendly activities such as beach games, face painting, jump rope and hula hoop contests, and scavenger hunts. If you can, pull your children out of The Mangrove Pool that beckons with its marvelous slide and explore some of our favorite family-friendly activities in Naples.

Explore the Naples Zoo

Get closer to nature and see exotic animals like lions, giraffes, and monkeys as you explore the tropical setting of the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. Many of the plants and trees were planted well before the animals were introduced, so to conserve space and preserve the surrounding flora, many of the animal exhibits are very close to the walking path, giving you an up-close and personal encounter with the animals.

Learn and Play

The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (CMON) offers engaging and interactive experiences designed to allow children to learn and explore through play. Some attractions are tailored to specific age groups, but kids of all ages will find something to explore. The museum’s mission is to provide an exciting, inspiring environment where children and their families can play, learn, and dream together.

Ride the Slides

If you’re looking to cool off somewhere other than the beach, Sun n’ Fun Lagoon is the perfect alternative for a fun day in the sun. Slide down one of five thrilling waterslides, float down Sunny’s lazy river, dive into one of the four pools, or splash around in an interactive water feature. This water park is fun for grandparents, too! Be sure to confirm their opening hours before you go, since the water park is closed part of the year.

Learn about Southwest Florida’s Railroad History

The Naples Depot Museum is a small, unsuspecting building brimming with history and nationally registered as a historical site. Set in the restored Seaboard Air Line Railway passenger station, the museum features Seminole dugout canoes, a mule wagon, an antique swamp buggy, restored rail cars, and interactive exhibits to help visitors of all ages learn all about the Southwest Florida railroad boom of the 1920s that established Naples.

Teach the Kids about Nature Preservation

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida features a 21-acre nature center with exhibits and artifacts that showcase Southwest Florida’s unique ecosystem. Nature and animal lovers of all ages can take electric pontoon boat tours along the Gordon River, led by Guard-certified captains and an expert naturalist, where you’ll spot plenty of flora and fauna, learn about wildlife care and injury prevention, or see one of the wildlife exhibits. Don’t forget to bring a camera!

Get Out into Nature

Right in the heart of Naples, you’ll find the Gordon River Greenway Park. In this 140-acre ecological corridor, you can explore Southwest Florida’s natural beauty by strolling or biking along the 2.5 miles of trails that coast the Gordon River. Here you can discover six distinct plant communities, spot wildlife from the viewing stations, pack a picnic, or set off for a paddle from the kayak launch along the river.

A Shelling Treasure Hunt

The beaches around Naples, Marco Island, and Ten Thousand Islands are some of the best for shelling. Shell enthusiasts from all over the world travel here to discover beautiful shells, often in pristine conditions. While shelling, you might encounter sand dollars, starfish, and varieties of conch.

Playful Porpoises

Seeing bottlenose dolphins breaching the waves or swimming alongside your boat as you cruise through the clear blue waters of the Gulf is one of the most extraordinary experiences you can have in Southwest Florida. Pure Naples is just one of the many boat tours available in the area that can be used to get you out on the water to see the sights.

Ice-Cold Ice Cream

Stop for ice cream in town to cool off after a long day of swimming or sightseeing. If you’re staying at the Naples Grande Beach Resort, head down to Spressi Marketplace, which serves exquisite Italian gelato flavors. For homemade ice cream, a favorite for people from the U.S. East Coast is Kilwins, with locations in Mercato and on Fifth Avenue in downtown Naples.. Another fan favorite is Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream, which you may have seen on Shark Tank This flash-frozen ice cream tastes so fresh and comes in so many unique flavor combinations, it may be hard to choose!

Play a Round of Mini Golf

The 18-hole course at the new Volcano Mountain Golf is designed to feel like a tropical jungle landscape. As you make your way through the course, you’ll discover impressive water features, handmade tiki huts, and a towering volcano. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening out with the family!