A Traveler's Guide to Naples, Marco Island, the Everglades and Immokalee

A Guide to the Paradise Coast

Sophisticates will enjoy the fine shopping and dining found in Naples.

You've chosen the Paradise Coast as your next vacation destination, but you need to choose a home base. Which most appeals to you? Naples, Marco Island, the Everglades or Immokalee? If you're still making up your mind, here's a quick overview of what makes each area unique. For return visitors, we've noted a few new attractions and accommodations you may want to experience.

Naples

If a sophisticated enclave bursting with fine art, symphonic concerts and high-end shopping is your cup of tea, book a room at an inn or a resort in Naples. A charming city on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, Naples exudes stylishness. Stroll beautiful pedestrian walks with shops, art galleries and restaurants. See row after row of palatial homes surrounded by tropical landscaping. The area is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches, golf courses, fishing, boating, water sports and spectacular sunsets. The most recent addition to the Naples area is the new Mercato development in north Naples with shops, restaurants and a cinema featuring Hollywood, foreign and independent films opening in spring 2009.

What's New?

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Beach Resort offers a new children's program called Nature's Wonders themed around Southwest Florida environment. Participating kids can visit 11 aquariums and go on nature walks, boat rides and more.
The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens presents two new exhibits. One features fosas, rare carnivorous animals native to Madagascar, and the other will be home to Florida black bears, starting in spring 2009.

Marco Island

Families love Marco Island, the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands. A beachfront paradise located north of the Gulf Coast entrance to Everglades National Park, the island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and pristine wilderness on the other. You'll find some of the world's most beautiful beaches, shopping and dining here. Water lovers will relish immediate access to both the Gulf and mangrove-lined estuaries for shelling, fishing, boating, bird and wildlife watching, kayaking and canoeing.

Marco Island seems made for a family beach vacation.

What's New?

The new Palm Breeze Charters of Marco Island's cigarette and pontoon boats take passengers on shelling, sightseeing and bar hopping excursions.
Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort opened its new spa in winter 2008. The 10,000-square-foot facility has 10 treatment rooms and a fitness area.

The Everglades

Surrounded by Everglades National Park, the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve, Collier-Seminole State Park and the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Everglades City is content to remain a small village on the edge of the Florida wilderness. It and Chokoloskee Island provide a glimpse into Southwest Florida's past with several notable museums and quaint small-town charm.

What's New?

Everglades Area Tours has moved to JT's Island Café and Gallery on Chokoloskee Island and added half-day kayak eco-tours, customized bird watching expeditions, and bicycle and aerial tours to its array of excursions.

Immokalee

The Everglades, with their parks, preserves and refuges, appeals to nature lovers.

The growing town of Immokalee, Seminole for "my home," is an intriguing combination of historic sites, agricultural lands and brand-new amenities and attractions. The Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch depicts the area's cattle ranching past and present, while agricultural workers stage impromptu produce markets during prime growing season (November-May) near the old State Farmers' Market building. Lake Trafford and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary encourage outdoor activities.

What's New?

The Seminole Casino Immokalee continues to expand. The casino installed Vegas-style slot machines and blackjack tables recently and has plans for additional gaming, dining and nightlife options.

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