Beyond the Beach: 6 Ways to Family Fun on Florida’s Paradise Coast

When it comes to family fun on Florida’s Paradise Coast, it all starts with endless stretches of beach that run along the Gulf of Mexico — from the epic expanses of sand and sparkling waters of Marco Island on the southern end, to the untamed natural beauty of 2,000-acre Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park to the north. Absolutely spectacular — all of it.

You'll also find plenty of unforgettable adventures beyond the beach, from water park fun to wilderness excursions.

Here are six things to do that will delight everyone – from little ones and teens to parents and grandparents. (And often, all at the same time!)

Boat Tours

Any visit to Naples, Marco Island the Everglades should include exploring a bounty of natural wonders, and the best way to do that is by going boating.

You’ll find numerous local companies ready to take you on eco-tours, mangrove tours, shelling tours, dolphin tours, birding tours and sunset tours; tours where you paddle a kayak, tours where you drive a jet ski, and tours where you sit back and relax on a big catamaran or motor boat. And for those who really love exotic adventure, you can even take a pole boat tour through the Everglades.

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

At the world-class Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, the animal habitats are surrounded by a lush tropical garden, bursting with color, that dates back to 1919.

You’ll see a wide array of mammals (yes, lions and tigers), reptiles (gators, naturally) and birds (parrots and macaws, check). Because the exhibits have been designed to carefully maximize space around decades-old trees, you’ll find yourself incredibly close to the animals — often only three or four steps away.

Naples Botanical Garden

Just four miles southeast of downtown Naples, the Naples Botanical Garden is one of the most enchantingly beautiful, and fragrant, places on Florida’s Paradise Coast. Its 170 acres include nine distinct environments, including the Asian Garden, the Brazilian Garden, the Caribbean Garden, the LaGrippe Orchid Garden and more.

Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples

Bathed in bright colors inside and out, the 38,000-square-foot, two story Golisano Children's Museum of Naples mixes learning and fun with an array of interactive exhibits and activities that will keep youngsters engaged for hours. The museum is recommended for kids 0-14, although it’s the youngest ones who will probably have the best time. By the way, a child must always be accompanied by an adult.

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon

You’ll find this incredible waterpark across the street from the Golisano. Sun-N-Fun Lagoon features five slides that rise up to 38 feet atop a wooden water tower. Also: Sunny’s River, with two circular paths (one that soaks you with buckets of water); Family Falls pool; Tadpole pool for toddlers, and more.

Airboat Rides in the Everglades

There’s nothing quite like strapping into a genuine airboat and zipping through one of the world’s most famous wetlands at up to 40 miles per hour. On your Everglades airboat ride, a driver/guide points out interesting sights along the way and makes a few stops, often to visit with a friendly gator.

You haven’t lived until you’ve felt one of these machines tilt sideways and take a sharp turn into a narrow mangrove tunnel. You can choose from an array of operators situated in Everglades City and along US 41.