WHERE THE CHILD THINGS ARE

Wonder Gardens

WHO HAS MORE FUN IN NAPLES—THE ADULTS OR THE KIDS?

Naples Botanical Garden

After hitting the beach, the family may just be ready for other experiences. The good news: New Naples memories are just around the corner. Depending on your interest, check out “Find Your Muse” on page 40 for art and culture destinations and “Where the Wild Things Are” on page 36 for outdoor hikes and nature immersions. (Note: Please contact the venue for the most up-to-date information.)

Baker Park Since opening in 2019, this park along the Gordon River has become a popular destination for families. It includes a kayak launch, outdoor fitness facility, sunrise terrace, pathways, picnic shelters, and public sculptures. It is the southern connector of the Gordon River Greenway. It is located at 50 Riverside Circle. Gordon River Greenway The 140-acre Gordon River Greenway is an ecological corridor in the heart of Naples showcasing Southwest Florida’s natural beauty. It invites all ages with 2.5 miles of trails, piers, bike racks, a kayak launch, restrooms, water fountains, a playground with a treehouse, and picnic pavilions. (gordonrivergreenway.org)

JOHN EDER of cultivated greenery and preservation land representing seven natural habitats and ecosystems. Daily interactive programs, activity kits, themed gardens, and outdoor sculpture installations provide unending, enriching children's adventures. There are also guided tours, evening events, and an on-site café to rest and refuel. (naplesgarden.org)

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens The Naples Zoo is a local landmark that was established as a botanical garden in 1919. Through the century, it has evolved into a lush, 43-acre zoo with a focus on conservation and education. Spend the day feeding giraffes, meeting endangered leopards, embarking on a primate expedition cruise, and attending daily wildlife presentations. (napleszoo.org)

Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (CMON) Young visitors can become a weather forecaster, farmer, artist, chef, and much more at the dozens of interactive exhibits at CMON. The gift shop has a wide selection of books, puzzles, and games that foster learning. (cmon.org)

Lovers Key State Park Welcome & Discovery Center This new, two-story education center in Florida’s second most-visited state park (encompassing 1,616 acres and barrier islands) in southern Lee County offers an array of arts and education programs. (friendsofloverskey.org)

Naples Botanical Garden This world-class garden consists of 170 acres

Lovers Key State Park Welcome & Discovery Center

Naples Trolley Tours As it wends through downtown Naples, the family can hop off and on of this vintage trolley, which provides narrated tours highlighting more than 100 points of interest. (naplestrolleytours.com)

Revs Institute This world-class, 80,000-square-foot museum features an exquisite collection of more than 100 rare automobiles dating to 1896 that blazed technical and aesthetic pathways. (revsinstitute.org)

Tin City Waterfront Shops A landmark on the Gordon River since the 1970s, Tin City is a collection of funky, one-ofa-kind waterfront shops, restaurants, sweet shops, and on-the-water excursions. (tincityofnaples.com)

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon at North Collier Regional Park Escape the Florida heat at Collier County’s only water park. With more than one million

Revs Institute

On the Water

WHAT BETTER WAY TO EXPERIENCE NAPLES ON THE GULF THAN ON THE WATER?

NAPLES MARCO ISLAND EVERGLADES CVB

Sweet Liberty

gallons of water, Sun-N-Fun Lagoon includes five waterslides, a lazy river, four pools, and a splash playground. The waterpark is seasonal, though North Collier is a prime location for families year-round. (napleswaterpark.com)

Wonder Gardens Established in 1936, the Wonder Gardens is one of the few remaining, quintessential old Florida roadside attractions. It is home to a dazzling array of wildlife, including Florida alligators, flamingos, macaws, pythons, turtles, tortoises, peacocks, and pheasants, as well as a vibrant botanical collection. (wondergardens.org)

Easy Escapes

BILLIE SWAMP SAFARI: Swamp buggy and airboat rides explore 2,200 acres of untamed Everglades wilderness on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. (billiesswamp.com) CAPTAIN MITCH’S AIRBOAT TOURS: Speed through the Big Cypress and Everglades backcountry on an exhilarating airboat ride through private swampland. (captainmitchs.com) DOLPHIN EXPLORER: Become acquainted with resident bottlenose dolphins on a 47-foot catamaran based on Marco Island which has led studies since 2006. Birthing season is September and October. (dolphin-study.com) EVERGLADES OLD TIME CHARTERS: Take a sightseeing tour by pontoon boat through the Ten Thousand Islands and to historic Fakahatchee Island, which was settled in the 1800s—and be ready for wildlife watching galore. (evergladesoldtimecharters.com)

Dolphin Explorer

Naples Princess

FREEDOM BOAT CLUB: With this membership boat club, you can leave behind the hassles of boat ownership. Simply choose a boat that suits your party and cruise from any of several close-by marinas. (freedomboatclub.com) KEY WEST EXPRESS: Embark on a 3.5-hour ferry ride, complete with a full bar, to Key West, the ultimate destination for relaxation. (keywestexpress.net) NAPLES KAYAK COMPANY: Schedule to have a standup paddleboard, recreational or sea kayak, or surf ski delivered to you, or pick it up from a choice of locations. (napleskayakcompany.com) NAPLES PRINCESS: Treat yourself to a lunch or sun-

Pure Florida

set buffet as you sail the waters of Naples Bay on the air-conditioned, luxury Naples Princess vessel. (naplesprincesscruises.com) PURE FLORIDA: Deep-sea fishing, sunset cruising, jet boating, eco-shelling, and jet skiing are on Pure Florida’s menu for fun and adventure. (purefl.com) SEE-MANATEES: Meet gentle manatees, and a variety of other wildlife, on this 90-minute boat tour through the Faka Union Canal. (see-manatees.com) SWEET LIBERTY: Climb aboard the largest and longest-running sailing catamaran in Naples. Choose from shelling, sunset, and sightseeing voyages. (sweetliberty.com) WOOTEN’S EVERGLADES AIRBOAT TOURS: Tour the Everglades area on an airboat or swamp buggy, get up-close with alligators, and see panther, tigers, lions, and other wildlife. (wootenseverglades.com)

NEW

DISCOVERIES

We are open for new discoveries at the Conservancy Nature Center. Come join us in our newly expanded Dalton Discovery Center and the John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing to observe, explore, and investigate.

Learn and see the ecosystem that surrounds you like never before!

Open Tuesday - Saturday 9:30 am - 4:00 pm Closed Sunday & Monday