Naples Botanical Garden is one of the hidden gems in our community. Situated on 170 acres, the garden features plants from around the world in award winning designs. While you venture around the gardens you will truly experience the tropics in all their natural glory with the beauty of the plants around you. The garden also features numerous events throughout the year!

Many of us have heard about Paradise Coast Sports Complex, but may not know exactly what it entails. The site is often used for the beautiful, professional level synthetic turf fields, and if you have kids in local sports you may have already used the complex. However, there is so much more to the sports complex than just the fields. The venue is also home to The Cove Beer & Wine Bar, which often hosts food trucks and live music, including Sunset Saturdays.

A unique feature offered at Paradise Coast Sports Complex is The Factory, an outdoor obstacle course and open air gym. You can pay $8.56 a day to use, or purchase a monthly or annual pass to come as often as you’d like. The unique combination of elements at Paradise Coast Sports Complex makes it a special place, and we envision that there will be many events held here in the years to come. The space includes a 3,500 seat stadium which can and has been used for sporting events and concerts. The stadium also includes a jumbotron, which is also used for college football and NFL viewing. The jumbotron is viewable from The Cove Beer & Wine Bar, making it a perfect option for a football watch party. Learn more about the Paradise Coast Sports Complex and see some of the photos and videos of the space on their website.

The beach and yoga – two of the best ways to unwind. When you put them together you have the ultimate relaxation activity, all while enjoying the best that Naples has to offer – our gorgeous coastal views. Started by a Naples native, Donation Yoga Naples has no set fees, just suggested donations for each class. Each month Donation Yoga Naples donates to various non profits from the proceeds they receive. These high quality yoga classes are offered at various beaches every day, see the full class listing here. An easy activity in Naples.

Pure Florida is the perfect way to support a wonderful local business while also enjoying all that our beautiful paradise has to offer. Pure Florida is a local, family owned business offering sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, fishing trips and more. They dock out of Tin City, so after your cruise you can grab lunch or dinner at Riverwalk or Pinchers, and shop around at the iconic (and recently re-opened after Hurricane Ian) Tin City Waterfront Shops. All of our experiences at Pure Florida have been enjoyable, offering a simple purchase and boarding process and making it an easy way for locals and visitors to view the beautiful Naples Bay and Gordon Pass.

Locals and visitors alike would agree that one of the reasons they love Naples is our beautiful sunsets. Our favorite way to enjoy a Naples sunset is on a boat, enjoying a beverage, the breeze, and good company. Sailboats Unlimited is a top notch charter sail boat service, and although we personally love the sunset cruise, they offer many different options for getting out on the water. Peruse their website to learn more about this local business, and though you can book online, they say the best way to book with them is the old fashioned way – over the phone. They can be reached at 239-649-1740, don’t hesitate to call and book your new favorite Naples activity. This is truly one of our favorite things to do in Naples!

We actually did this as a girls night, but there were many couples attending and it really is perfect for a date night. Sur La Table, located at Mercato, offers cooking classes that range from baking delicious treats to various international cuisine. The class is set up so that you and a partner are cooking together to create a meal the two of you will share. The instructors do a great job of keeping the class fun and light while also helping you learn tips and tricks to take home to your own kitchen. Bring your own bottle of wine (or your drink of choice) and plan to have a fun night cooking and enjoying your own delicious cooking.

The modern vibe of this putter golf course, sets it apart from others in the area, along with the fact that Tiger Woods helped design the two courses. The environment is family friendly, but also great for an activity out with friends. There are two courses of different difficulty levels to choose from, along with a casual dining and bar area to extend your outing. The jumbotron that can play sporting events or show a leaderboard of current players, is just a part of the technology used to assist in the ease and fun of your visit. Whether indulging in a beer with friends or including ice cream as a part of an activity out with the family, PopStroke is really a place for everyone. After you finish your round, you can play ping pong or corn hole while enjoying your food and drink.

It may sound simple, but one of our favorite date nights is an evening watching the sunset together before heading out for dinner. Our favorite beach to watch the sunset is Seagate Beach, officially known as North Gulfshore Beach Access. The beach tends to be less crowded than others, and offers a peaceful setting to enjoy a gorgeous Southwest Florida sunset. You can then head just down the street to Hogfish Harry’s, a hidden gem in Naples that offers fantastic food, and a fun, laid back atmosphere. At our most recent date night there, we enjoyed their scallops and risotto and a lobster and shrimp mac n’ cheese. They have a fantastic menu of craft cocktails in addition to their many delicious dishes. Hogfish Harry’s is located within Park Shore Resort, and your unique experience starts by walking through a courtyard, and over a small bridge to truly provide the local hidden gem vibe we all love.

We don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy a day or evening playing putt putt golf, and we’re excited to finally have a great option in North Naples. Volcano Mountain Golf just opened in July 2023, and they have already started to see busy mornings and evenings. Located off of Immokalee Road, just East of Collier Blvd, they are right next to The Warehouse Cuisine and Cocktails, making this an easy and fun date night to play a round of putt putt followed by dinner and drinks at The Warehouse. We love that they are both owned and operated by local families, and hope you can get a chance to go out and support these local businesses.

If you’ve been wanting to enjoy a weekend getaway, you absolutely need to head south to the Florida Keys and spend some time in Islamorada. The drive is easy, just about three and a half hours, and once you arrive, that sea breeze will instantly transport you to relaxation mode. Islamorada itself is lost in time, and will give you a glimpse in to life in the keys – a very relaxed, no hurry and no worries vibe. Known for their gorgeous clear waters and their coral reefs, it’s no wonder it’s such a big fishing and boating destination. In addition to the many water activities, we loved the opportunity to ride bikes around the meandering streets, and grabbing coffee and breakfast at a few local favorites – Midway Cafe and Café Moka.

The cuisine in Islamorada is excellent, with every restaurant offering fabulous seafood options, and most restaurants providing gorgeous water views. We recommend at least one evening at the Morada Baybeach restaurant, where you can literally be seated on the water’s edge as you watch the sun go down and enjoy a delicious dinner. Between the gorgeous view, the perfect lighting and most likely live music, it provides for a casual yet romantic atmosphere. Located directly next door, on the same property, is Pierre’s Restaurant which offers a romantic fine dining experience if you’re looking for that special night out. We also enjoyed a very fun night at Square Grouper. They had so much fabulous sea food and the atmosphere was excellent. The downstairs has a great patio, and while you wait for your table you can head upstairs for a drink in their very cool Sunset Lounge with large windows overlooking the water and a hip but laid back vibe. We recommend trying the crispy conch steamed buns, an appetizer offered in the Sunset Lounge. Lastly, you must make time for a stop at Lazy Days, the iconic oceanfront restaurant with (of course) lots of seafood choices.

You’re probably wondering where you’re going to stay while you’re enjoying this spectacular array of food and drink, so we have two great recommendations for you. The first option is Cheeca Lodge, which is the more high end of the two options. Enchanting and charming, this old Florida favorite is perched on Islamorada perfectly situated with easy bike rides to shopping and dining, as well as world-class dining and beach and resort pool experience. Added to the mix is a variety of lodging types, beach and pool, tennis, spa and an executive golf course. Stroll the grounds to enjoy the setting or make your way next door to the lovely and charming Moorings community, home to the famous Netflix series Bloodline. The other resort we’ve visited is The Islander Resort, which is also situated perfectly to walk and bike to restaurants, and offers an expansive beach, two saltwater pools, and bike and water sport rentals. You can also get out on the water for snorkel tours, sunset cruises and so much more. The Islander also offers easy access to the Florida Keys History and Discovery Center located on the grounds, which includes a rich history of the Florida Keys. Either resort is fabulous, and will provide a clean, friendly and luxurious stay. Wherever you stay and whatever you choose to do, you’re in for a fun filled and relaxing trip, most likely with a few rum punches along the way.

In July 2023, we thought we’d take your local travel a little closer to home. If you want a taste of history while enjoying an indulgent staycation, buzz over to The Breakers Resort and Spa. Just over two hours away, this rich in history resort, is still managed by the original family from the 1800s and is now in its fifth generation of family ownership. Originally founded by the famous Florida Flagler family, the property began as the Palm Beach Inn. The founder, Henry Flagler, was the driving force behind turning Florida into a tourist destination, through the expansion of the railroad down Florida’s East Coast and the building of fabulous destination hotels. 

After burning down twice, the current structures were rebuilt in 1925 and still sit very much in their original condition. The architectural detail is fantastic, the rooms beautiful and luxurious, the grounds are sprawling and, of course, the spa and sports action is superb. Multiple dining and entertainment venues keep your stay vibrant, diverse and delicious. The hotel also offers beachfront lounging, making this a one stop shop for all of your weekend getaway dreams. Oh, and the shopping and charm – nothing beats an afternoon strolling the charming enclaves peppered throughout Palm Beach. It’s a perfect (and decadent) weekend getaway…treat yourself!