We recently took a trip to Naples and I was happy to see the city has recovered so well since last fall’s hurricane. Naples is a quick two-hour drive from our home, making it an excellent destination for a weekend getaway. I love how bright and vibrant the city is, it’s full of places to explore! Today I’m going to highlight some of my favorite things to do in Naples including fun activities, delicious dining, and a few different lodging options. So, if you’re planning a Florida vacation (or staycation), keep reading. And be sure to also check out these additional recommendations on where to stay in Florida afterward!

Naples Vacation

I’ve taken many different types of trips to Naples, FL. A few years ago, I went on a girls’ trip to Naples with some mom friends and we had the best time! We have also taken a few family trips to Naples, which are always tons of fun. There is so much that I love about this area. It has delicious food, great shopping options, and of course, gorgeous Florida views. Naples also has a very low-key feel, which I find to be relaxing. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a girls’ trip, or an adults-only getaway, this list covers a little bit of everything to help get your planning started!

Things to do in Naples: Activities

First up, activities! There are so many fun things to do in Naples, beyond spending the day at the beach. Although, I would never complain about that! These are some of my favorite Naples activities:

• Go on an Everglades Tour. This is particularly fun if you’re traveling with kids. We’ve done this with the boys and we all had a great time. Depending upon the tour, you could see alligators, manatees, dolphins, turtles, birds, swamps, and more!
• Visit Tin City. We spent an afternoon exploring Tin City during our last visit and enjoyed it. This area has lots of unique boutiques and waterfront restaurants.
• Go shopping. Speaking of boutiques, shopping is one of my favorite things to do in Naples. Is anyone surprised? Third Street South is my favorite spot to shop. There are so many great treasures in this area from home decor and art to fashion and gifts. Fifth Avenue South also has some wonderful shops worth checking out. And don’t sleep on the thrifting while in Naples! They have tons of great thrift shops and their Goodwill is amazing. And here’s a fun fact – Naples’ Saks is the best! It’s the second-highest-producing Saks in the states (NYC Saks Fifth Avenue is first). For a more detailed list of shops to visit in Naples, check out my friend Grace’s blog post.
• Visit Naples Zoo. The zoo is always a great option if you’re traveling with kids. My best tip is to get there right when the zoo opens so that you can feed the giraffes without any wait!
• Take a Kayak Tour. This is such a fun thing to do in Naples. Not only do you get to explore the water and wildlife, but it’s also great exercise!
• Visit Clam Pass Beach. We spent an afternoon at this beach during our last trip. It’s an excellent location if you’re wanting to search for seashells and they also have beach cabanas and lounge chairs available and restaurants nearby.
• Go golfing. Whereas shopping will always be a favorite vacation activity of mine, golfing is one of JB’s. Naples has some great courses – JB especially loves the Ritz-Carlton Naples Tiburón Golf Club.

Things to do in Naples: Dining

I think it’s safe to say one of everyone’s favorite vacation activities is eating! There’s just something so enjoyable about trying out new restaurants during a trip. Have no fear, Naples certainly isn’t lacking great dining options. Here are some of my favorites:

• The Dock at Crayton Cove: If you’re looking for delicious seafood and a pretty waterfront view, this is your place. I loved the fun Florida vibe of The Dock.
• Pinchers: It’s basically impossible to visit Naples and only eat seafood once, so here’s another great recommendation! Pinchers is located in Tin City, making it an easy lunch or dinner spot when exploring that area.
• Jane’s Cafe on 3rd: This breakfast and lunch spot came highly recommended during our girls’ trip a few years ago. So of course, we checked it out. And it did not disappoint! All of our meals were delicious and the ambiance was super charming.
• Three60 Market: This cafe, market, and wine shop serves delicious, freshly-prepared food and has a beautiful view overlooking Haldeman Creek. I had a curry chicken sandwich, which was made on their in-house bread and was delicious. And if you’re looking for dog-friendly things to do in Naples, they even have a meal option for dogs!

Lodging in Naples

We’ve stayed at a few different resorts in Naples and have had good experiences at each. We first stayed at Naples Grande Beach Resort for a family vacation back in 2015 and we stayed there again a few weeks ago. It’s a beautiful resort with many activities for the whole family – golf, a spa, pools, tennis, and special events. During our most recent trip, we dined at two on-site restaurants, Rhode’s End and The Catch of the Pelican, and both were good!

During our girls’ trip, we stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Naples and we absolutely loved it! It’s a gorgeous property right on the beach and there’s a ton to do. The spa is beautiful and huge, there are pools for adults and kids, there’s an amazing powdery white sand beach with attendants, and lots of options for dining. You could easily cross off many items from your “things to do in Naples” list right on this resort!

Last, but certainly not least, we stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón for a family weekend getaway this past April. This property is known for its golf vacations and we loved golfing together as a family. However, I also think it’s a great spot for all family vacations due to its new expansive water park, which has three slides, a splash pad, and a lazy river. This water park quickly became one of my boys’ favorite things to do in Naples!

What to Wear in Naples

When it comes to a Naples vacation, don’t be afraid to pack your bright colors! It’s the perfect destination to pack all of your tropical attire. The laid-back atmosphere also allows for comfortable resort styles to be worn.

I wore this linen fringe top with these white jeans and sandals for a day of exploring during our recent trip. The top is a bit impractical, but gosh, I love it so much! Similarly, this $37 two-piece set and this light blue top paired with this white skirt would both make cute and comfy outfits for a casual day of shopping or walking around Naples. For a nice dinner out, this lavender dress or this cutout maxi dress paired with these cream heels would both be wonderful! And for a Naples beach or pool day, this green one-shoulder swimsuit and this black coverup are so chic.

Naples Travel Guide

If you are looking for things to do in Naples, I hope you find this travel guide to be helpful! It really is such a beautiful and fun area to explore and I have no doubt we will be back soon for another visit. If you have any additional Naples recommendations, I would love to hear them in the comments below. And for more travel inspiration, be sure to check out my posts on the best Florida resorts, 17 travel essentials for every suitcase, and resort outfit ideas.