Naples, Florida
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Take advantage of Naples’ bustling restaurant scene at places like The Dock at Crayton Cove and Mediterrano.
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Add some excitement to your pool days with epic waterslides at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, and Great Wolf Lodge.
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Go on a scavenger hunt for seashells at Tigertail Beach and guided boat adventures with Rising Tide Explorers on nearby Marco Island.
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Indulge in a spa day with a holiday-appropriate peppermint body scrub at the Spa on Fifth.
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Do as the locals do and order a fried grouper sandwich at Grouper & Chips.
With a population of around 20,000 people (not including the soaring pelicans or long-beaked white ibis that survey the shore for fish) and a median age of 67, Naples, Florida, is a well-known and popular retirement hot spot. As a result, this charming Gulf Coast town is known as the “Unofficial Grandparent Capital of Florida.”
However, regardless of whether or not you come here to visit relatives, Naples has an average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the perfect place to spend your days at the beach or dining al fresco. I’ve been heading to Naples for over a decade. Although my husband and I have been regularly towing the kids to see their grandparents here, Naples has proven to be the perfect place for fun with the family—but also for date nights without the kids.
“What makes Naples so special, and why it resonates with solo travelers and families alike, is that you can make the experience entirely your own,” says Jay Tusa, tourism director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Some visitors pack their itineraries with events, museums, nature, and outdoor adventure; others choose a slower pace with beach time, spa days, shopping, and long meals—it’s paradise in whatever form you prefer.”
Here’s what to know before planning a trip to Naples, Florida.
Best Hotels & Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples and The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón
In terms of accommodations in the Naples area, it’s hard to beat the Ritz-Carlton brand, which has two outposts in the area, the beachfront Ritz-Carlton Naples and the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, located about 10 miles from the heart of town.
Ritz-Carlton Naples underwent a renovation in 2023 and has 474 guest rooms and suites, each with stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico—there’s also a luxurious, 51,000 square-foot spa for some much-needed wellness time. If you’re looking for some added fun, such as three huge waterslides and a pristine golf course, you can book a room at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, which has 295 rooms.
No matter which property you choose, guests will have access to both locations and their amenities. I highly recommend leveling up with access to a Club Lounge room, where you can enjoy elegantly displayed breakfast, afternoon hors d’oeuvres, and desserts.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort
Newly opened in fall 2025 as Four Seasons’ first property on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, is nestled along 1,000 feet of pristine shoreline in Old Naples. The 220 rooms, including 57 suites, have terraces inspired by the classic Southern “sleeping porch,” which come fully furnished with daybeds and dining areas. The two-level wellness oasis at the Sanctuary Spa is the cherry on top of this new stay, and there are also five toothsome dining options.
Inn on Fifth
A classic beauty right in the heart of Naples, the Inn on Fifth is a boutique hotel that has 119 guest rooms and, best of all, a rooftop pool. Offering serenity and close proximity to the shoreline, the hotel is also steps from the best shopping in Naples. Don’t forget to treat yourself to the holiday-season appropriate peppermint wonderland body scrub at the onsite spa.
Great Wolf Lodge
If you want to be your kids’ hero, you can book a stay at the indoor waterpark resort Great Wolf Lodge, which opened in 2024. Room options range from standard to themed (like the Wolf Den) to premium accommodations with separate bedrooms and multiple bathrooms. If you can’t get a stay in the books, you can always grab a day pass to the waterpark.
Best Things to Do
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Beachgoers in Naples, Florida.
Hit the beach.
It’s no surprise that Naples has great, white-sand beaches, but each shoreline offers a different vibe. My family’s favorite spot is Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, where beautiful shells abound, and the white sand hosts a bit more of a subdued crowd than the neighboring popular and often crowded Vanderbilt Beach Park. If you’re up for a bit of an adventure, drive 30 minutes south to Marco Island and check out Tigertail Beach, known for its incredible shelling and tidal pools. Just be prepared for a decent walk from the parking lot to the shoreline. My husband proclaimed this beach the biggest he’d ever seen, but the kids were troopers for the almost half-mile walk to the bounty of shells at the shoreline.
Check out a soccer game.
This year marks the inaugural season for Naples’ very first professional soccer team, the Naples United Football Club. Games are played at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, only 15 minutes from downtown Naples. Ticket prices start from $10 (but can go up to $113), and there’s even a beer garden section for those traveling without kids.
Visit the zoo.
Every now and then, the temperature does drop in Naples, and while you can mourn the loss of a beach day, it’s also the perfect time to visit the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. For our New England-based family, the cheetahs and capybaras are a huge hit, as were the rogue white ibis birds stalking crumbs around the two cafés. You can’t take any of the animals with you (no matter how much you beg), so it’s nice to stop at the gift shop on your way out for a stuffed giraffe or other animal-themed souvenirs.
Take a boat tour.
You can explore the natural beauty of Florida’s “Paradise Coast” with a kayak or boat tour with Rising Tide Explorers. One of its most popular family options is the “Life’s a Beach” tour, which includes three hours of cruising and strolling remote shorelines with a biologist guide, as you collect prized seashells and learn about the native plant and animal life.
Best Shopping
From left: The Blue Mussel; Books on Third
From left: Work from a local artist at The Blue Mussel; a stack of books at Books on Third.
Books on Third
This newly opened independent bookstore is a popular literary hub in Naples. The vibrant Books on Third has funky black and white floors, ornate black tin ceilings, and a large selection of books for customers of all ages. If you’re visiting with children, make sure to check out their oversized kids’ section that includes a reading nook and a “costume corner” where little ones can dress up and play.
Tin City Waterfront Shops
Back in the 1920s, fishing families built tin-roofed structures to process their catches of the day. Today, the colorful buildings still stand, but have been redesigned as a waterfront marketplace boasting shops as eclectic as the funky buildings they reside in. Make sure to check out Tin City Magic with the kids, and if you want to bring home a piece of Naples’ dock culture, visit Docks by Jen for some cute home décor.
The Blue Mussel
No luck finding shells of your own? Head over to the The Blue Mussel on Naples’ 5th Avenue, where you can find beautifully shined shells, perfectly preserved coral, and even megalodon teeth (an extinct species of giant mackerel shark).
Best Restaurants
Nat Nat
The caesar salad at Nat Nat, topped with furikake and a parmesan crisp.
Nat Nat
With no website and no marketing, Nat Nat is an insider-favorite. Opened in Sep. 2023, chef Ming Yee and wine curator Diego serve up small-production bottles from unexpected places like Mount Etna and the Canary Islands, alongside a small, but mighty in creativity, food menu.
The Dock at Crayton Cove
Steps from the charming Tin City and overlooking the harbor, The Dock at Crayton Cove is the epitome of seaside dining. In the warmer months, the restaurant’s front side is open to buoyed boats, and when the temperature drops, it still serves up dockside views through clear, plastic walls that keep guests warm. In addition to boat watching, Kids have a blast here seeing private jets roar overhead to land at the nearby airport. It may be considered a sin to eat at The Dock without trying the fish tacos, which are served blackened, grilled, or fried—they’re then topped with pico de gallo, red cabbage, cotija cheese, baja sauce, and esquites (Mexican street corn).
Grouper & Chips
Grouper & Chips has blessed Naples with its fried fish for 27 years. My late and very wise father-in-law loved the place and always ordered the classic grouper sandwich basket that comes with fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce, lemon, and pickle.
Mediterrano
Taking cues from its coastal location in Naples, Mediterrano boasts an eclectic cuisine inspired by the coasts of Spain, Greece, Italy, and Morocco. Off the main thoroughfare of 5th Avenue and steps from the perfect photo venue at the historic Naples Pier, the restaurant is the perfect place to get your fresh seafood fix with a Mediterranean flair.
Best Time to Visit
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An ibis walks the shoreline in Naples.
While Naples is generally a great destination to visit any time of year due to its consistent mild temperatures, some may find it a little too hot and sweaty during the summer months, even with beach and pool access. January through March can sometimes throw some cooler and rainier days into the mix, but there’s plenty of indoor activities to be enjoyed until the sun comes out again. Winter is a popular time to visit, too, (it’s snowbird season, after all) with mild temperatures and low humidity.
How to Get There
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The Fort Myers International Airport serves the great Southwest Florida region, including Naples.
The closest international airport is Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) with direct flights from most major US cities. Driving into Naples from the airport is an easy 20 to 30-minute drive, depending on where in Naples you’re heading.
How to Get Around
Driving is a must because of the lack of public transport and the number of things to do and see. Snagging a rental car at the airport is one of the easiest experiences I’ve had. There are no shuttles to the car rental counters; rather, you simply walk across the street from baggage claim to pick up your car. Once, before kids, my husband and I ponied up for a convertible that was perfect for tooling around sunny Naples.
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