Free Things to See and Do in Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades
Some of the best things are free on the Paradise Coast.
Naples Beach
Walk or ride your bike to any one of the many free access points to Naples Beach throughout the downtown Naples area. If you go by car you must feed the parking meters.
Naples Pier
Visit the historic Naples Pier, open 24/7 for fishing, people-watching and spectacular sunsets. A concession stand is available in case you'd like to purchase snacks, refreshments or bait, but there is no admission fee to the pier.
Join a shelling excursion and your souvenirs could include starfish and fighting conch shells.
Shell Collecting
Beautiful shells are yours for the taking at the public beaches of Naples and Marco Island. Hitch a boat ride and find even more shells on nearby deserted barrier island beaches. Be sure to return all shells with live animals, as well as all live sand dollars, to the Gulf of Mexico. Taking of live shells is against the law.
Art Shows
Naples has many free art shows, including the Art in the Park arts and crafts show that takes place the first Saturday of the month between November and April. There are many other art festivals in the downtown area, including the prestigious Naples National Art Festival that takes place every February. Check the events section to browse listings for the many free festivals and events.
Live Entertainment
There is plenty of live entertainment to be found while shopping and dining, whether in downtown Naples, along Fifth Avenue South or Third Street South or at Village Shops on Venetian Bay in the Park Shore area of Naples.
Art Galleries
Explore the free art galleries at the von Liebig Art Center in downtown Naples and at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. Also at the von Liebig, an extensive arts library is available for browsing by the public. Members of the Naples Art Association enjoy free lending privileges.
Concerts, Movies & More
Enjoy regular free entertainment in Cambier Park in downtown Naples, including the Naples Concert Band, Family Movie Nights and more.
Collier County Museums
Entrance is free at all four Collier County Museum locations, including the Collier County Museum in Naples, the Naples Depot Museum, the Museum of the Everglades in Everglades City and the Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch in Immokalee (by appointment only).
Window Shopping
Window shop the boutiques and art galleries of Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South in downtown Naples.
Tour Naples
View multimillion-dollar homes with beautiful tropical landscaping while driving along Gulfshore Boulevard and Gordon Drive in Naples.
Naples Zoo
After buying an annual membership to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, visit as often as you like with no entrance fee. Anyone may shop the excellent Naples Zoo gift shop without buying a zoo ticket.
Flea Market
Browse the flea market vendor booths or enjoy free entertainment in the food court at the Big Cypress Market Place just east of Naples.
Cypress Boardwalk
View ancient cypress, orchids, alligators, an eagle's nest and more along the free 0.8-mile Big Cypress Bend boardwalk in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park on the Tamiami Trail just east of Naples.
The Nation's Smallest Post Office
Get a postmark for your postcards or letters from the Ochopee Post Office, the nation's smallest post office, located on the Tamiami Trail in the Everglades just east of Wooten's, an airboat, swamp buggy and animal park attraction.
Bike Ride through Everglades City
Bring your bicycle and enjoy a scenic ride through Everglades City past stone crab and fish markets and historic buildings, or through downtown Naples' beautifully landscaped neighborhoods. If you don't have your own bicycle, bikes are also available for hire, and guided bicycle tours (for a fee) of downtown Naples and the Everglades are available through Naples Bicycle Tours.
Everglades National Park
Visit Everglades National Park Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, the only one of the three official park entrances with no admission fee.
Tamiami Trail
Drive the historic Tamiami Trail between Naples and Miami with a stop to view the photography of Clyde Butcher at his Big Cypress Gallery.
Free Film Showings
View a free film on the unique environment and wildlife of Big Cypress National Preserve at the Oasis Visitor Center on the Tamiami Trail.
Swamp Walks
Take part in free ranger-led swamp walks, canoe and bicycle trips during the winter season at Big Cypress National Preserve near Everglades City. Call ahead for reservations.
Scenic Drives
Watch for black bear, Florida panther, deer, birds, butterflies, raccoon and other wildlife while taking a scenic drive along Janes Scenic Drive, Turner River Road and Loop Road near Everglades City.
Canoe (or Kayak) the Turner River
Launch your canoe or kayak on the Turner River in Big Cypress National Preserve and paddle along the cypress-lined river into the mangrove forests of the Everglades. There is a free parking and launch area.