Naples Florida, Hidden Gems Only Locals Know
Naples Florida off the tourist track is well worth exploring.
Naples is one of Florida’s most popular winter playground destinations and for good reason. Located on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida, Naples enjoys miles of soft white-sand beaches, more than 70 golf courses, fine dining restaurants, swank shopping streets, and an active arts and culture scene. It’s no surprise that vacationers return again and again and often search for a home in Naples for their retirement years. In fact, Naples is one of the wealthiest cities in the USA, but remains a relaxed and inviting place to visit. Nature lovers find ample parks, gardens, and nature sanctuaries that preserve the feel of its old Florida roots. So let’s take a look at some great hidden gems of Naples that locals love.
Now that Naples Florida is starting to re-open after the Covid19 shutdown, there’s no better time to take a look at the uncrowded places that Naples locals love to visit.
Naples Botanical Garden
Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre, world-class garden paradise that features plants from around the world. They were the youngest garden in history to receive the American Public Gardens Association’s prestigious Award for Garden Excellence. During the holiday season they Botanical Garden has Night Lights. They offer yoga and meditation classes as well as offering lush walking trails winding their way through beautiful tropical settings.
The Rev Institute
Source: ParadiseCoast.com
The Rev Institute is a real gem! Inspired by the love of automotive racing by the Collier family in southwest Florida, “Miles and Sam Collier, respectively, are credited with introducing sports car racing to the United States during the 1930’s. Together, the pair were early members of the Sports Car Club of America fostering Mr. Collier’s early passion for auto racing.” The museum founded by Miles Collier preserves the history and documents of the automobile racing industry in the United States from its earliest days. The museum houses everything from documents to photographs and even the race cars themselves.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Flickr by: B A Bowen Photography
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary occupies approximately 13,000 acres in the heart of the Corkscrew Watershed in Southwest Florida, which is part of the Everglades. They are an Audubon sanctuary offering guided walks, meditations, and learning experiences. Walk along a 2.25-mile boardwalk that meanders through pines, wet prairie, and marsh through the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America. You’ll encounter the site of the largest nesting colony of Federally Endangered Wood Storks in the nation. Other local species include the Florida Panther, American Alligator, Gopher Tortoise, Florida Sandhill Crane, Limpkin, Roseate Spoonbill. You may spot a Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Big Cypress Fox Squirrel or even the Florida Black Bear. Several rare plants are also found here, most notably the Ghost Orchid.
The Holocaust Museum
The Holocaust Museum is dedicated to the preservation of artifacts of the Holocaust and inspiring “action against bigotry, hatred, and violence.” The Museum houses over 1,000 original photographs and artifacts related to the Holocaust and World War II. Classes are offered daily and the museum exhibits contain permanent and rotation from other museums.
The Baker Museum
The Baker Museum is one of the most prized fine art museums in Southwest Florida that features modern and contemporary art and hosts several traveling exhibitions annually to complement installations of works from its permanent collections. The Baker Museum provides world-class exhibitions and educational opportunities for the local Southwest Florida community and visitors alike.
Clam Pass
Source: ParadiseCoast.com
Clam Pass Park which features 171 public parking spaces and a beautiful access point to the beaches in North Naples boasts 35 acres of coastal habitat. Clam Pass Park preserves the fragile natural habitat by providing beach access from a three-quarter-mile boardwalk to the sandy beach.
Naples Beach Brewery
Source: ParadiseCoast.com
Naples Beach Brewery is Naples first craft brewery featuring 24 house-brewed beers available by the glass in their tasting room, as well as to go in growlers/crowlers. Food vendors are present during tasting room hours serving delicious options ranging from Ahi Tuna nachos to barbeque to wood-fired artisan pizzas.
