Naples Neighborhoods
Naples is a wealthy resort town nestled along the shores of Florida's Lower Gulf Coast. Home to numerous gated communities, country clubs and high-end boutiques, Naples is not defined by different neighborhoods as much as by its beaches. The city is also easy to navigate since the streets are laid out in a grid pattern.
Old Naples was originally created in the 1880s. Today it sits in the center of the city around Fifth Avenue and still contains many of its original structures. Because of building codes, there are no skyscrapers in Old Naples, just streets lined with palm trees and upscale boutiques and restaurants. One of the main attractions here is Millionaires' Row — a line of beachfront homes built by prominent and wealthy figures. The strip sits next to the Naples Pier and the city's main beach.
Just north of Old Naples is the Naples Zoo, home to Madagascar's legendary carnivore, the fosa.
Aside from the Naples Pier, there are several other beaches within the city's limits. Travelers who stroll north along Millionaires' Row will find themselves at Lowdermilk Beach Park, which has a pavilion and professional-quality volleyball courts.
Just north of Lowdermilk Beach Park is Pelican Bay, home to the 35-acre Clam Pass Park. Visitors can hop on a free tram that takes nature lovers along a 3,000-foot boardwalk that drives through mangrove swamps and past the homes of numerous species of birds and alligators.
Heading inland from Old Naples and Pelican Bay will lead you to Naples' many golf and country clubs, including the Royal Poinciana Golf Club, the Wyndemere Country Club and the Tiburon Golf Club.
You'll find some of the best stretches of sand in the country at Vanderbilt Beach's Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. Located about 10 miles north of Old Naples, the park offers numerous outdoor activities, including canoeing, fishing and snorkeling. Park rangers provide nature tours throughout the year, but recent travelers say that the most interesting time to go is between June and October during the loggerhead turtle nesting season.
If you have time, take an overnight trip to Marco Island, located about a half hour drive south of Naples. The island features sand for lounging and plenty of watersports like waterskiing and sailing.
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