History  |  Lifestyle  |  Culture  |  Shopping  |  For Kids

Naples is the crown jewel of Southwest Florida -- nestled on the sun drenched beaches of the blue green Gulf of Mexico. Naples is known for world class shopping, dining and abundant, challenging golf courses. It is also, only steps away from island seclusion or the untamed tropical wilderness of The Everglades. Naples is a place that you can experience gourmet diners and symphony performances then switch gears and go shelling on one of the white sugar sand beaches.

Originally Naples was strictly a seasonal destination, with many shops and restaurants open only part of the year. Today, as more working people and families have moved into the area, it's a year-round city. Naples has always attracted a stellar collection of retired executives and CEO's. Today it attracts younger entrepreneurs and executives who maintain offices in other parts of the Country. A surprising number of celebrities live here as well, some quietly and others contributing actively to our community.

HISTORY:
The first settlers, Roger Gordon and Joe Wiggins, arrived in Naples in the late 1860's. A river and two inlets still bear their names.

Throughout the late 1800's, print media were telling of the area's mild climate and abundant fish and game likened it to the sunny Italian peninsula. The name Naples caught on when promoters described the bay as "surpassing the bay in Naples, Italy."

In 1887, a group of wealthy Kentuckians, led by Walter N. Haldeman, owner of the Louisville Courier-Journal, purchased virtually the entire town of Naples. One of the first improvements Haldeman and the Naples Company made was to build a pier 600 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. The unusual "T" shape allowed large ships to dock easily. Despite being destroyed and rebuilt three times, the pier's "T" shape remains.

Naples quickly gained a reputation as a winter resort. Social life revolved around the Naples Hotel, which played host to celebrities such as Rose Cleveland, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr, and Gary Cooper. As the town of Naples went up, so did the price of property. The cost of a beachfront lot soon reached $125.

In 1911, Barron G. Collier, who had made his fortune in streetcar advertising, visited nearby Useppa Island. He was so taken with the area that he bought over a million acres of untouched swampland - including most of Naples. Collier believed that Florida's west coast could enjoy the same boom that the east coast was experiencing in the 1920's; but first it was necessary to bring in road and railroads. Based on Collier's promise to help build the Tamiami Trail, in 1923 the state legislature created Collier County, of which Naples is the county seat. Collier spent more than $1 million of his own money to construct the Tamiami Trail, which opened in 1926 as the only paved highway linking the state's two largest cities - Tampa and Miami.

Collier died before he could see his dream come true, but come true it did. Today, Naples enjoys unparalleled prosperity. And the area's unrivaled sport fishing, hunting, boating, sun bathing, and beach combing attract people today just as it did a century ago.

LIFESTYLE:
Neapolitans learn to expect the best in the arts, with some of the world's top conductors, performers and visual artists considering Naples a must-stop in their travels. Local shops are equally sophisticated. Whether the object or your desire is an original oil by a master of Impressionism or a pair of shoes by Manolo Blahnik, it's on hand. And the area's homes are gaining national recognition for their luxurious yet easy going style.

Although Naples offers a variety of sports, much of the activities are naturally centered on the water, with year-round sailing, boating, jet skiing and windsurfing. Fishing for species such as: grouper, snapper, pompano, cobia, king mackerel, snook, tarpon and sea trout. You can also get into biking and nature walking, scuba diving, hockey, art festivals, wine festivals and more. The ever popular Great Dock Canoe Races are a hit by locals and tourist alike attracting over 20,000 people each year.

A great deal of the fishing fleets moor at the City Dock at Crayton Cove. There you can charter a boat or rent one for yourself for deep-sea fishing and shelling excursions to one of the islands. Tin City, Olde Naples Seaport and Naples Marina will also set you up for a day on the water. Or simply cast your line over the newly remodeled 1,000 ft. pier in the company of other fishing enthusiasts.

CULTURE:
Completed in 1989 at a cost of almost $20 million, the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Pelican Bay has a full program of music, dance and theater. Also, there is: Naples Playhouse, the local Naples Players regale the public with plays and musicals, and the Naples Dinner Theater puts on year-round professional productions.

Open air concerts are held at Cambier Park and at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, which also holds a free admission Summer Jazz on the Gulf schedule. The Naples Spring Art Festival is another popular outdoors event, at which artists from far and wide exhibit and sell their work.

Some Culture for the children, and the young at heart, is our famous Teddy Bear Museum, home to 3,000 unique, antique, and totally adorable stuffed bears and moving displays. Fun for all ages too are the Naples Trolley Tours, a picturesque method of sightseeing used in Collier County at the turn of the century, and now Naples' one remaining form of public transport! A fun and informative way to see Naples, this narrated (open air) tour covers over 100 points of interest.

SHOPPING:
Part of Naples' considerable charm is afforded by the many select shopping centers, with quaint boutiques, each distinctive in style where you can browse and dine in comfort.
Third Street South in Olde Naples is one of the many places. Here you will discover stylish shops for the wardrobe and the home, along with jewelry stores and art galleries in a setting of French and Georgian architecture blended with Old Florida buildings.

Within walking distance or a minute's car ride, downtown Fifth Avenue offers a beautiful tree lined street that extends all the way to the beach. Along the side walk you will find fashionable shops, art galleries and European bistros that will likely detain you along the way. Every winter, Fifth Avenue holds its "Christmas Walk" in tandem with Third Street's sparkling "Festival of Lights."

Heading a little east of Fifth Avenue, you will find the unique Tin City, which still retains a flavor of its nautical past with planked walkways that lead through an air conditioned, indoor maze of over 40 unusual boutiques and eateries. If seafood is your preference, you can take advantage of local sea fare at The Riverwalk Fish & Ale House and Merriman's Wharf, both enjoying views over the docks of Naples Bay.

Right down the street is Dockside Boardwalk, a series of quaint waterside shops crammed full of unique gifts, artwork and apparel, and the Olde Naples Seaport, a mini-mall of arts and souvenirs - home to the Naples Princess Cruise Ship and to the Key Wester' Fish & Pasta House, overlooking the Bay.

On Gulfshore Boulevard, you will find the Village on Venetian Bay to be a Mediterranean excursion. An underground tunnel connects two waterfront shopping plazas, comprising more than 50 fabulous shops, galleries, cafes and upscale restaurants, including Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar.

Close to The Registry Resort and Philharmonic Center for the Arts, a further enchantment awaits at Waterside Shops, where the sound of classical music and cascading waterfalls serenade you on your way to stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Plan on having lunch at Waterside, or at least a gourmet ice cream.

With over 100 department stores, specialty outlets and services, plus a large food court, the non-stop shop experience is alive and well at the Coastland Center Mall, located in the heart of town.

FOR KIDS:
The Parks and Recreation have several opportunities for kids to learn to swim, dance, act, play hockey, football, soccer, baseball, painting, basketball….. As well as dances and festivals and there is even a snow festival in December!

How about a wild adventure? Much more than a walk-through zoo, Caribbean Gardens offers a full day of activities & fun for every generation inside a 52-acre botanical garden founded in 1919. Cruise past trees of monkeys, lemurs, and apes living in natural island habitats on the Primate Expedition Cruise. Learn from animal experts as they interact with living animals including exotic cats inside Safari Canyon while narrating stunning wildlife footage from the world's leading conservation organizations. At the Meet the Keeper Series, you'll witness the big cats and other rare animals as they move within three or four steps of you. Get involved in the fun at the audience participation Scales & Tails Show. And experience giant reptiles churning the waters during the Alligator Bay Feeding. The zoo also features three children's play areas and a solar-powered audio tour with little known information for adults' fun musical jingles for children.

The Conservancy is a non-profit center that teaches kids and adults about the nature here in South West Florida. They have events, camps & galas for everyone.

King Richards's amusement park will keep them entertained all day! They provide a variety of entertainment and services for individuals or families. Featuring fantastic Birthday Party packages, putt putt golf, batting cages, water rides, amusement rides, go carts, huge game room, kids water playground, food and drinks.

The Teddy Bear Museum is for all ages! Nestled amid a small group of pines stands "a dream home for teddy bears," which beckons visitors from around the world. Bears in all shapes and sizes are to be found in this unique Museum in every conceivable medium including fabric, crystal, wood, marble, and bronze in every shape size and color imaginable. Founded in 1990 this purpose built Museum is now home to over 5000 teddy bears by artists and manufacturers from around the globe. Every year our teams of volunteers greet over 50,000 visitors from around the world.

The Philharmonic offers several kid friendly shows. They also offer an interactive series to teach even the youngest about music.

There are several multi screen theatres and a drive-in for your movie viewing experience here in Naples.