Saturday, May 25, 2013

Great Reasons to Visit The Beautiful City of Naples, Florida

By Jony Mozen


One visit to Naples will make you want to live here. The climate is conducive to fun in the sun so, naturally, spectacular golf courses and beautiful beaches top the list of great attractions. However, the Greater Naples area abounds with interesting, educational and delightful attractions for visitors and residents of all ages. Take a sightseeing cruise, shop sophisticated stores and unique boutiques, and enjoy relaxing luncheons and fine dining. Tour beautiful gardens and historic museums, or attend a philharmonic event. Try your luck at a gambling casino, visit a medieval fun park, go fishing from the pier, or visit the local sports park for plenty of action.

A typical day in Naples might start with a swim in your pool, a drive to the beach or breakfast in town followed by visiting unique shops and boutiques and a casual lunch dockside or downtown. You may find time to visit a museum or browse for art and antiques in the afternoon before heading home to dress for a splendid evening meal at any of many world-class restaurants. Or you may wish to golf at one of more than 70 courses in this world-class golfing capital or visit nature-oriented attraction. The variety of historic buildings, museums, and interesting sightseeing venues, both indoors and out will fill your social calendar. You could take your own walking tour at your leisure, go for a professional sightseeing excursion, or visit dozens of attractions and activities that Naples and other areas of Collier County offer you.

For more onshore fun, the nationally accredited Caribbean Gardens is a zoo with many rare, exotic animals living in proximity to the winding path through this 52-acre jungle. Informative and entertaining presentations include animals in live action. You can go cruising past mini-islands inhabited by monkeys and apes, or visit a children's play area and much more. King Richard's Medieval Family Fun Park is a family-oriented park with the area's only permanent roller coaster, plus a water play area, and a dozen more rides for all ages. The nearby Seminole Gaming Palace in Immokalee features indoor gaming such as bingo, low-stakes poker and video gaming machines, plus a continental dining room. Florida Sports Park and birthplace of Swamp Buggy Racing and "Mile 'O Mud" oval racetrack is the home of the world's most bizarre motor sport. The park features racing every January, March and October, and also hosts other Naples sporting, cultural and social events.

Serious explorers will enjoy the narrated Naples Trolley Tours that make many stops at historic sites, shopping areas and residential locations, while you listen to stories and legends about the area. Passengers can board and disembark at their pleasure at more than 100 area points of interest. Third Street South and Fifth Avenue in Old Naples is historically charming and a shopper's dream. The Mercantile Building was built in 1903, and restored Cracker cottages provide charming reminders of early Naples. The Naples Museum of Art is a beautiful 3-story structure with a glass dome conservatory and houses world-class art in 15 galleries, concentrating on American Modern and Modern Mexican genres. Philharmonic Center for the Arts is home to the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, and is the west coast home of the Miami City Ballet. It hosts more than 400 events a year from opera to Broadway shows. There is a heavy schedule from October and April, but events are hosted year around including summer children's presentations.

Cruise Naples any day of the year, from morning until sunset, from Tin City in downtown Naples for a variety of adventures including sightseeing areas viewable only by boat, dolphin watching, sunset watching, deep sea and calm water fishing and shelling, or a charter cruise of your own design. Or go sailing on a two-hour romantic sunset cruise or a week-long adventure along Florida's southwest coast or the Florida Keys. Check with Island Sailing for more information. Or jump on the Naples or Marco Island Princess to see the multimillion-dollar homes of Port Royal or sail into the Gulf of Mexico. Both vessels offer daily sightseeing, lunch, sunset hors d'oeuvres, and sunset dinner cruises. The Naples Fishing Pier is one of the most popular attractions in Naples. It's a wonderful experience any time of day. The 1,000-foot pier remains Florida's longest no-fee pier, attracting anglers, strollers, and sunset watchers, along with pelicans and dolphins. No fishing license is required to fish off the pier. Once the sun goes down, a moonlit stroll is wonderfully romantic with balmy breezes, starry skies and gentle waves. Originally built in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock, the Naples Pier stands as a community landmark.

Nationally accredited Caribbean Gardens is a zoo with many rare, exotic animals residing along a winding path within a 52-acre jungle. Informative and entertaining presentations include animals in live action. You can go cruising past mini-islands inhabited by monkeys and apes, or visit a children's play area and much more. King Richard's Medieval Family Fun Park is a family-oriented park with the area's only permanent roller coaster, plus a water play area, and a dozen more rides for all ages. The nearby Seminole Gaming Palace in Immokalee features indoor gaming such as bingo, low-stakes poker and video gaming machines, plus a continental dining room. Florida Sports Park and birthplace of Swamp Buggy Racing and "Mile 'O Mud" oval racetrack is the home of the world's most bizarre motorsport. The park features racing every January, March and October, and also hosts other Naples sporting, cultural and social events. Naples' old Florida charm and character blend with modern, upscale style to create some of the most beautiful, master-planned communities for families and retirees. The climate, dining and shopping, cultural attractions, and beautiful beaches combine to offer a wonderful lifestyle with you in mind.




About the Author:



No comments: