Playtime on the Paradise Coast
Welcome to Paradise — Florida’s Paradise Coast, that is! Comprised of Naples, Marco Island, and the Everglades, this lush tropical oasis is teeming with opportunities to play on the water, in nature, or on the town. And at the end of the day, rest easy in a beachside resort or boutique hotel.
Playtime on the Water
What draws many people to the Paradise Coast are its incredible white sand beaches, that are as soft as they are iconic. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico are always inviting, whether you’re swimming in them or boating on them. Even your dog can enjoy the beach on Keewaydin Island, a beautiful eight-mile-long barrier island between Naples and Marco Island that is accessible only by boat and is also a choice site for destination weddings.
Many of the Paradise Coast’s public beaches are dotted with shells, sand dunes, and plumes of seagrass. On the remote islands just offshore from Naples and Marco Island, you will find in particular a vast amount of vibrant shells that have washed ashore during a storm. You should take a shelling tour from Daystar Charters to collect some of the best shells, as well as enjoy the scenery of the Naples waterways. Be on the lookout for dolphins and manatee! Daystar will anchor at one of the islands for swimming, sunbathing and shelling. Pricing is based on an hourly rate, so pack some snacks and make it a day of island fun.
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When you take matters (and paddles) into your hands with a kayak or paddleboard rental, the opportunities for adventure are endless. The Naples Kayak Company is conveniently located in the Venetian Village, right on the bay, and provides eco tours, lessons, and more to help you explore the Paradise Coast via its waters. You can also schedule a pickup and drop off for any of their rentals, which means you can paddle your way wherever you please with ease! They also have larger kayaks that fit several paddlers at once — perfect for a family trip.
napleskayakcompany.com
One of the most perfect pairings is the waters of the Paradise Coast and the incredible dishes and drinks aboard the Naples Princess. Explore the waters aboard an elegant yacht, the Naples Princess, and enjoy dining and dancing under the stars. This 105' air-conditioned luxury yacht cruises by magnificent sights like spectacular homes, natural beauty, wildlife, and more around the waters of Naples Bay and Port Royal. Enjoy the beverage of your choice from either of their full-service bars, or join them for a dinner, hors d'oeuvres or lunch cruise for chef-prepared meals right on the boat!
naplesprincesscruises.com
Playtime in the Everglades
Not only is the Everglades National Park one of the coolest attractions on the Paradise Coast, it’s one of the largest in the country; at 1.5 million acres, it is undoubtedly full of experiences to discover ‘the real Florida.’ Here, you’ll see marvelous native plants, bright-colored birds, and elusive Florida panthers. The stars of the show here, animal-wise, are of course the alligators — and there are many ways to meet them!
Get your adrenaline pumping with an airboat adventure! Imagine yourself skimming across the Everglades at top speed, the wind whipping through your hair and the water misting on your face. Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours will take you on a heart-pounding trip across the Everglades waters, putting you on the lookout for unique plants and animals, including the infamous alligator. In fact, in addition to their airboat tours, Captain Jack’s also offers a hair-raising animals and alligators show!
captainjacksairboattours.com
Most visitors to the Everglades prefer hiking this time of year, but you could also go for a ride — on a swamp buggy tour! C&G Big Cypress Swamp Buggy Tours will take you through the rugged terrain of the Everglade’s sister preserve, Big Cypress Natural Preserve, in one of their unique vehicles. They’ll take you on a four hour tour of the park while you remain comfortable seated in the buggy (which holds six passengers) with canopies atop for shade. Be on the lookout for Florida deer, bear, alligators, Florida panthers, roseate spoonbills, and other creatures in their natural habitat. bigcypressswampbuggytours.com
Arts and Culture Playtime
With a natural beauty to inspire artists and authors throughout history, it is no wonder that the arts scene of the Paradise Coast is as vibrant as its tropical scenery. The area’s heritage is just as colorful. Music and theater shows, museum exhibits, historic sites and art galleries are ready for your exploration.
See visual interpretations of Paradise Coast beauty when you visit one of the local art galleries. Fine art, home decor, and more are found in the the Naples Art District, which has developed over the last 10 years into the largest concentration of professional working artists, studios and galleries in the area. Entwined with businesses that cater to the trades, design and light industry, the Naples Art District has become a great source for fine art, art education, home decor and remodeling. The Naples Art District holds its Art Alive open house events on the first Wednesday of each month, and "Daytime Artistic Experience" every third Saturday. The Marco Island Center for the Arts offers free galleries for browsing, an excellent gift shop with items made by island artists, a variety of classes and workshops, special musical performances and several popular outdoor art shows and festivals.
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Blending both the visual and performing arts, Artis—Naples is the premier center for the arts in Southwest Florida, incorporating The Baker Museum (which has only just reopened after a multimillion dollar redesign) and the resident Naples Philharmonic orchestra, along with numerous Broadway shows and concerts with top musical artists. Performances and events range from recitals by the Philharmonic, to ballet, to comedian shows, to acrobatic shows.
artisnaples.org
Though known for some of its more modern attractions like golfing and shopping, the Paradise Coast has a rich history to explore. The Collier County Museum at Government Center in Naples will walk you through nearly 10,000 years of Paradise Coast history, from the Paleoindians and mastodons through the settlements of the Calusa and Seminole Indians, and the first pioneers to Southwest Florida. This museum is one of several Collier County Museums; on The Marco Island Historical Museum houses artifacts of all kinds, including the Key Marco Cat Carving that now resides at the Smithsonian. Visit the rest of the Collier County Museum locations to learn even more: the Naples Depot in downtown Naples, the Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, and the Museum of the Everglades in Everglades City.
colliermuseums.com
Playtime on the Town
Though it is home to some of the most famous natural areas in the world, the Paradise Coast also sports thrilling urban destinations, with world class shopping, dining, and an exciting nightlife.
Shoppers from all over come to Naples to peruse the retail delights of 5th Avenue South, which combines popular shops and eateries with the charming historic architecture of the city’s downtown that was established in the glamorous 1920s. Find golf and resort wear, designer labels, high-end jewelry and specialty gifts, home furnishing, decor, and pet supplies. In fact, you should certainly bring your (leashed) furry friend with you, because this whole area is pet-friendly! Another shopping area that plays to a luxe lifestyle is The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, with over 45 shops on the waterfront that are designed to resemble the classic Mediterranean architecture of Venice, Italy. Even if you aren’t there to buy anything, it’s a very romantic place to take a stroll (hand-in-hand).
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The nightlife of the Paradise Coast awaits you with a generous array of top-notch restaurants and bars. Bar Tulia in Naples welcomes wine enthusiasts, beer drinkers and foodies alike. Bar Tulia pays homage to hidden gems from small wineries and craft breweries, both locally and abroad, while offering an all-evening food menu in the coolest surroundings, and is open until after midnight almost every day. Recently, the bar has converted the adjacent parking lot into “Nonna’s Garden,” a charming patio section to accommodate social distancing. Named on OpenTable’s “Top 100 Hottest Restaurants in America” list, HobNob Kitchen & Bar serves up sexy hand-crafted cocktails in a trendy, eclectic atmosphere. Their specialty cocktails (named “Nobtails”) are a treat for the senses, like the invigorating “Patio Crusher” made of St. George green chile vodka, cointreau, and raspberry liquor or the delightful “Lavender-Thyme Bee’s Knees” with Bloom gin, lavender, thyme, and lemon. Pair any of these with HobNob’s tasty menu items, made from locally sourced ingredients.
bartulia.com
hobnobnaples.com
When Playtime Changes to Sleeptime
After you’ve played the day away, it’s time to rest and recuperate. From fabulous beach hotels to secluded nature resorts to boutique urban stays, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
One of the foremost beachfront resorts on the Paradise Coast, Edgewater Beach Hotel has everything you would want in your dream beach resort. Set on the soft white sand bordering the gentle waters of the Gulf, this hotel takes beachfront amenities to the next level with professionally managed beach chairs, luxury beach beds, cabanas, umbrellas, kayaks and paddleboards for rent. Parents, indulge in beachfront relaxation while the kids play in the sand. Romantic partners can take a snorkel trip or rent beach bikes to ride together. During downtime, enjoy your “casually elegant” suite with water views. For a small fee, your pet can join you and get a little r&r, too!
edgewaternaples.com
Experience Everglades elegance at Port of the Islands, a unique and luxurious Everglades resort that is also a jumping-off point for Everglades adventures. You have at your disposal 42 cottage suites and studios with kitchenettes and screened-in porches, a full-service marina, and the services of a Wilderness Concierge. Rooms feature warm wood tones, French doors that let in the sunlight, and amenities like in-room coffee and tea. Breakfast is complimentary to all, and a good way to fuel up for your Everglades exploration.
poiresort.com
In the heart of Naples’ historic district, “Old Naples,” you’ll find a beautiful historic hotel: The Escalante. Tucked away in the historic neighborhood amidst towering oaks and palms, The Escalante is a romantic hideaway at the far end of the street Fifth Ave South, just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. A sophisticated small inn, they provide expert service to make you feel like a real VIP. Lounge in the pool-centered courtyard surrounded by a natural privacy fence of thick tropical foliage, enjoy their gardens, or relax on your own private verandah. Their restaurant, Veranda E, is the only fine dining restaurant in Naples with its own on-premises sustainable organic garden and offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
hotelescalante.com
With Fifth Avenue South and the majority of downtown Naples offering great shopping and dining, you will be happy to know the Inn on Fifth is located directly on Fifth Avenue. Its recent multi-million dollar renovation has birthed a completely new look, as well as 32 brand new Club Level suites added to the building across the street, offering luxurious standards in services, facilities and amenities. The new building offers two presidential suites, an Executive Boardroom, fabulous private rooftop sunbathing deck with hot tub, and four daily offerings of food and beverage included in the rate. The sleek, chic new look of the hotel is enhanced with top of the line bedding, robes, toiletries and linens.
innonfifth.com
Not only do the resorts of Naples offer indulgence, luxury, and anything else you may need for a great romance — they also offer resort romance packages. Naples Grande Beach Resort effortlessly combines opulence and relaxation to give you and your loved one a romantic experience of a lifetime; especially when you book one of their romance packages. Lounge together by the pools (yes, there are many of them) or perhaps in a resort cabana on the beach. Maybe the two of you would like some quiet time in your luxurious guest room suite, watching the sun set on the water or the stars twinkling at night. Dine at one of their onsite restaurants to experience fresh Florida seafood with a sophisticated twist, or casual poolside dining at its finest. As for romance packages, you have your choice of special Valentine’s Dinner, couples’ massage, and more!
naplesgrande.com
