Have you been visiting Naples for a while, yet you are unsure as to what you want to see next? Are you starting to wonder if you booked your trip for too long because you are starting to feel bored?
No worries, because we have at least ten suggestions here of attractions less than an hour away from Naples that will help enhance your trip but will inspire you to want to book those extra days if you haven’t!
Here are ten day trips less than an hour from Naples:
1. Fort Myers (30 Minutes)
Located about 30 minutes outside of Naples, Fort Myers is a fairly large city with great beaches, cultural sites, and historical attractions that the entire family will love!
Don’t miss out on visiting:
- The Henry Ford & Thomas Edison Winter Estates
- Fort Myers Beach
- Lover’s Key
- Imaginarium Science Center
- Murder Mystery Dinner Train
- Barbara B. Mann Theater
- Alico Arena
- Jet Blue Arena
- Palm Dinner Theater
2. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island (45 Minutes)
Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, located about 45 miles north outside of Naples, is a great location for the beach lover and/or individual who enjoys outdoor sports like kayaking, sport fishing, shopping and paddle boarding.
Sanibel Island:
- Bailey’s General Store
- Bowman’s Key
- Blind Pass
- Sanibel Dolphin Tours
- Paddle Board Sanibel
- Island Inn
- Lighthouse Water Sports
Captive Island:
- Captive Kayak Company
- Yolo Watersports
- Sweetwater Boat Rental
- Jensen Marina
- South Seas Resort
- ‘Tween Waters Marina
- Offshore Sailing School
Go Shelling in Captiva
Captiva Island is also known for its shelling, so if you love to collect shells, you definitely want to come here. If you want to go dolphin watching or see a sunset, go on one of the cruises offered through the South Seas Resort.
3. Bonita Springs (15 Minutes)
Located about 10-15 minutes north outside of Naples, Bonita Springs offers the visitor great shopping, nice beaches, and important natural parks that will give you a chance to explore the local natural splendor to its fullest!
For shopping and dining, you cannot miss the Coconut Point Mall! For nature lovers, visit Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, an area owned by Audubon where one can see almost 200 species of birds, and Koreshan Sate Park, which is a great place for hikers and campers.
4. Estero (20 Minutes)
Located about 20 minutes north outside of Naples, Estero is a great location for those who love to shop, dine out, or are looking to charter a boat.
Things to do:
- Coconut Point Mall
- Koreshan State Park
- Miromar Outlets
- Estero Bay Preserve State Park
- Bayside Charters
5. Ave Maria (30 Minutes)
Originally founded to house the newly relocated Ave Maria University, Ave Maria is also a charming little town. Visit the town square with its charming Catholic church, eat some ice cream in one of the coffee shops or grab a bite to eat in one of the local restaurants, or explore the picturesque campus of Ave Maria University. Ave Maria is located at least 30 minutes north outside of Naples.
Things to do:
- Ave Maria University
- Ave Maria Town Square
6. Matlacha and Pine Island (60 Minutes)
Pronounced Mat-la-shay, Matlacha is a popular artist community located 57 miles north outside of Naples. Come here for the unique art galleries, for the fishing and boating opportunities, for the kayaking and the fun restaurants and bars on the island.
Pine Island offers great fishing and a quiet oasis to enjoy sunsets, sunrises, and great boating. Come here to charter a boat, go on a fishing trip, and take a boat tour or just to relax.
Things to do:
- Fishing & Boating
- Nature & Wildlife
- Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve
- Jug Creek
- Cayo Costa Island State Park
- Cabbage Key
- Matlacha Drawbridge
- Tarpon Lodge
7. Everglades City and the Florida Everglades (45 Minutes)
Located 45 minutes to an hour south outside of Naples, The Florida Everglades is one of the great natural treasures of not only the United States, but of the world, with its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Originally founded in the 1920s as the Collier County seat, Everglades City is a charming little town filled with rich local history and great opportunities to kayak, canoe, experiment with paddle boarding, charter a boat, or go fishing.
Things to do:
- Everglades National Park
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Everglades City
- Museum of the Everglades
- Early 20th Century Florida Architecture
- Everglades Private Airboat Tours
- Wootens
- Speedys
- Ivy House
- Chokoloskee
- Triad Seafood
- City Seafood
- Smallwood Store
Chokoloskee
For great fishing, go to the adjoining island of Chokoloskee to charter a boat and/or hire a fishing guide. Chokoloskee also features a great historical site, called the Smallwood Store, which was one of the oldest working general stores in the United States, that is now a museum filled with 98% of its original stock, and is the sight of the famous EJ Watson legend that has inspired writers like Peter Matthiessen for his best selling novel Killing Mr. Watson.
8. Marco Island (30 Minutes)
Located about 30 minutes south of Naples, Marco Island is a great place to shop, dine and enjoy some great beaches and wildlife.
Come to relax along Tiger Tail Beach, which is the longest crescent shaped beach in the world, rent a cabana at The Lagoon, fish along the Big Marco Pass, or enjoy a relaxing walk along the Sand Dollar Spit Beach and collect some shells.
Things to do:
- Tiger Tail Beach
- The Lagoon
- Big Marco Pass
- Sand Dollar Spit Beach
9. Immokalee (30 Minutes)
Located about 15 minutes south of Naples, Immokalee is a very diverse community filled with migrant workers from all over Latin America, yet is filled with local Florida history, flair and fun. Come here for the Seminole Casino Hotel, the authentic Mexican food, the farmer’s market at Penhookers, visit the Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Robert’s Ranch and the Crew Marsh Trails for a lovely scenic walk, and a look back into local history.
Things to do:
- Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Robert’s Ranch
- Seminole Casino Hotel
- Farmer’s Market at Penhookers
- Crew Marsh Trails
10. Cape Coral (45 Minutes)
Located about 31 miles north of Naples, Cape Coral is a great place to visit if you love beaches, night life, fine dining and shopping. This area is primarily known for its great bars and night life attractions. Among the highlights that you cannot miss while in Cape Coral are Bert’s Bar, Longboards at the Joint, The Dog, The Nevermind Bar, Brew Babies, Bistro In Vivo, Marker 92, Woody’s Restaurant, Bar, and Island Grill and the Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach.
Things to do:
- Bert’s Bar
- Longboards at the Joint
- The Dog
- The Nevermind Bar
- Brew Babies
- Bistro In Vivo
- Marker 92
- Woody’s Restaurant
- Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach
About Naples Florida Vacation Homes
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