Naples is a well-known shopping destination in Florida. You'll also find plenty of galleries to browse and chances to snap up antiques and coastal home decor. After a couple of hours of retail therapy, take a break in one of the city's eating establishments, which range from fine dining restaurants to laid-back pubs.
Stroll Through Fifth Avenue South
The heart of the shopping and dining scene in Naples is the Fifth Avenue South area in downtown Naples with its combination of historic-meets-modern shop facades and pedestrian-friendly promenades lined with royal palms. Find everything from casual beachwear to high-end designers, home furnishings, and more. Enjoy the al fresco ambiance and sip on a cup of Joe at the local 5th Avenue Coffee Company, or get a bite at one of the 30 restaurants in the area.
Appreciate The Glitz Of Third Street South
Just a few blocks away from downtown, stroll past the colorful cottages and mansions in the fancy Third Street South neighborhood and shopping district. There you'll find a fine collection of art galleries, fashion boutiques, jewelers, and antique shops nestled among the beckoning plazas and courtyards. Instantly amp up your island style at stores like the Old Naples Surf Shop and C. Orrico, a Lilly Pulitzer signature boutique. For delectable Italian eats, dine at Sea Salt, Campiello Ristorante & Bar, or Barbatella. The Old Naples Pub is a neighborhood bistro, where you can nosh on American favorites and listen to live music.
Relax On The Waterfront At Celebration Park
Just east of downtown Naples is Celebration Park, a waterfront venue designed specifically for food trucks, with a permanent outdoor dining verandah and a craft beer and wine bar. Take your pick from seafood, pizza, curry, gyros, and barbecue. A few blocks away, you'll find the taproom and beer garden Ankrolab Brewing Co., where you can sit back and relax with a local pint.
Experience Historic Tin City
In the heart of the Old Naples waterfront district is the historic Tin City, an eclectic tin-roofed shopping and entertainment area with nautical and nature-themed gift shops featuring rustic marine souvenirs and casual seafood eateries like Pinchers. The old Florida vibe of Tin City is a throwback to the 1920s when clam, shelling, oyster, and fishing industries were headquartered here. As you explore, sample tropical fruit wines from all over Florida at The Naples Winery.
Enjoy The Luxury Of Waterside Shops
At the luxurious Waterside Shops, you'll find an open-air mall with lush landscaping, bubbling fountains, and covered walkways. Shop in style at numerous high-end retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, and dine at a variety of restaurants like the health-conscious True Food Kitchen.
Find Entertainment In North Naples
In north Naples, the Mercato entertainment plaza is home to a movie theater, retail shops, and a variety of restaurants ranging from grab-and-go burritos to high-end steaks. The shopping center hosts a popular happy hour with more than a dozen restaurants participating, and there are plenty of weekly events and live music performances. Nearby, check out Bone Hook Brewing Company, southwest Florida's largest brewpub with more than 20 original craft beers on tap and live music every weekend.
Where To Stay
COURTESY OF LA PLAYA BEACH & GOLF RESORT
Whether you want to be waterfront or in the heart of elegant downtown, there are plenty of great hotels to choose from.
Front row to the Gulf is La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, which features beach butler service—just raise your flag to request a fresh cocktail. There are also multiple pools with private cabanas and a nightly sunset celebration complete with fire pits on the beach. Listen up for the ringing of a captain's bell when the sun takes its final bow below the horizon. Then, grab a table at BALEEN, the hotel's award-winning restaurant.
If you're looking to stay in style, The Ritz-Carlton Naples is everything you'd expect from a luxury resort, complete with a pristine beachfront location, lavish spa, and delectable dining options. Check out the casual Gumbo Limbo restaurant with its beautiful sunset and water views.
Here's a major perk for boating enthusiasts: Naples Bay Resort & Marina has daily boat rentals available for both day-trip visitors and guests staying at the onsite hotel. You can roll out of bed and right onto a boat in the marina that's gassed up and ready to go. It's the launch pad for exploring Keewaydin Island and other hidden gems in Ten Thousand Islands.
Directly on the Gulf of Mexico, the site of the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is being redeveloped into the Naples Beach Club, a luxury residential project managed by the Four Seasons and complete with world-class amenities and waterfront dining. The property, slated to open in 2024, will also feature the Gulf Coast's first Four Seasons Hotel, so it'll remain a hotspot for weekend getaways.
Or check into the Naples Grande Beach Resort. It's connected to the beach via a boardwalk over picturesque Clam Pass.
For a high-end experience in the heart of downtown Naples, check out the ritzy Inn on Fifth and its lavish club-level suites that overlook the posh Fifth Avenue South entertainment district.
When To Visit
Naples is a favorite destination for snowbirds, so winter is high-season, but summer is when you can usually score great deals on hotels and restaurants.
Festival-Goers Flock To Naples In Fall
Foodies love to head south during the Sizzle SWFL Restaurant Week, when you can taste your way through some of the most popular restaurants in the region. The dining promotion features multi-course meals at pre-fixed prices and takes place over three weeks in September.
Or check out the annual Stone Crab Festival at Tin City each October. Celebrate the kick-off of the season with fresh Florida stone crab claws and live music on the waterfront. Can it get any better than that?
From fancy shopping and dining to discovering deserted islands via boat, Naples is a coastal paradise that should have a spot on your Sunshine State bucket list.