Day Trip: Naples

Photo by Pelican isle yacht club

Naples makes for a great day trip whether you want to lay low indoors or enjoy the sun all day long. Two great museums to check out in the area are the revs institute, home to a collection of more than 100 automobiles built between 1896 and 1995, many of them rare, and the golisano Children’s Museum of naples, which is filled with interactive exhibits like the Build It! exhibit where young visitors can design and build structures.

For outdoor fun, rent kayaks or paddleboards through all Water Excursions, or book one of their boat tours for a great way to get an up-close view of wildlife including dolphins and manatees. All Water Excursions is located right on the Cocohatchee, giving visitors direct access to the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico.

One popular activity in Naples is biking and walking along the 140-acre gordon river greenway park. The park has a 2.5-mile trail that takes visitors

along wildlife viewing stations and decorative bridges. The pathways are 12-feet-wide to make it easy for walkers, cyclists, and people walking dogs to navigate the trail. You Photos by naples Zoo can even book a guided kayak tour or pontoon tour through the neighboring Conservancy of southwest florida to explore the Gordon River. The Greenway has rear entrance access to not only the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, but the naples Zoo, a nationally accredited zoo that is an ideal, walkable size for families. Exhibits include the Florida Panther, Clouded Leopard, Reticulated Giraffe, and plenty of American Alligators. There are excellent restaurants throughout Naples, but the locals love Celebration park. It’s a food truck park near the Naples Botanical Garden where visitors can walk around and choose from a variety of cuisines, beer and wine. Enjoy your meal along the water’s edge of Haldeman Creek, or grab a seat at the giant, covered, open-air tiki bar.